Syracuse.com - Feb. 24-26: CNY ice fishing anglers should use common sense when considering whether to go out

HuntingNY-News · February 22, 2012

The area's limited amount of available ice is rapidly becoming risky. Wednesday, anglers were temporarily stranded on the ice in one area on Oneida Lake after a section broke free. In another part of the lake, a four-wheeler went through the ice.

CNY FISHING FORECAST

All persons aboard a pleasure vessel less than 21 feet long, regardless of age, must wear a personal flotation device from Nov. 1 to May 1.

Bait stores (list and map).

SALMON RIVER

Steelhead bite has slowed a bit; pre-spawn conditions. Fish are scattered throughout the river. Nevertheless, good baits continue to be pink bubblegum worms, trout beads (10mm), egg sacs (blue, pink and chartreuse mesh), streamers, stonefly nymphs and egg-imitating flies. The Upper Fly Fishing Area will reopen April 1.

OSWEGO RIVER

River was way up at mid-week, unfishable. Anglers should wait for it to drop before trying.

ONEIDA LAKE

Many have been fishing the lake in recent days, with reports of big perch being caught around Frenchman’s and Dunham islands. However, ice conditions are deteriorating — fast. Wednesday, anglers were temporarily stranded on the ice in one area after a section broke free. In another area of the lake, a four-wheeler went through the ice. If you chose to go out anywhere on the lake, exercise common sense and don’t fish alone.

CAYUGA LAKE

No safe ice. Anglers fishing from shore at the power station in Lansing continue to have luck catching rainbow trout on medium-sized shiners, and some perch using fathead minnows.

SENECA LAKE

Yellow perch fishing has been good in the Watkins Glen area, in 25 to 30 feet of water, with spikes and fathead minnows. Fishing from the pier continues to be good for smallmouth bass, yellow perch and some very large bluegills. Trolling from the surface down to about 45 feet, over 70 feet of water has been producing a mixed bag of Atlantic salmon, brown trout, and lake trout.

OWASCO LAKE

No safe ice. A few anglers are getting out in boats, fishing for perch.

OTISCO LAKE

Reports mid-week of safe ice (5 to 6 inches) at the lake’s northern end. Anglers are catching sunfish, lots of bass (and releasing them) and a few tiger muskies.

SKANEATELES LAKE

No safe ice. Some anglers are getting out in boats, fishing for perch. Shore fishing with marshmallow-and-worm rigs is usually the ticket this time of year for rainbow trout.

SODUS BAY

No safe ice. Several anglers getting out in boats to fish the north end for perch.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

Anglers continue to ice fish for northern pike, perch and bluebills, though the bite has slowed a bit. Hot spots continue to be Eel Bay, Lake of the Isles and Goose Bay, all with eight or more inches. However, there was an inch of water on top of the ice in most places at mid-week.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

At midweek, there was a solid five to six inches of ice on the reservoir, though that mostly likely will change for the worst by this weekend with the warm weather. Nevertheless, reports of large crappies and some nice-sized perch being taken by anglers using Swedish pimples tipped with mousies or spikes.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog