Syracuse.com - March 16-18: Walleye/pike season ends today, lots of anglers getting out in boats to fish for perch

[HuntingNY-News]

Meanwhile, Salmon River fishing remains good. Steelhead and rainbows are still thick in the upper river.

CNY FISHING FORECAST

Just a reminder that walleye, northern pike, pickerel and tiger muskie season ends today (March 15). All persons aboard a pleasure vessel less than 21 feet long must wear a personal flotation device until May 1.

Bait stores (list and map).

SALMON RIVER

River continues to be good. Steelhead and rainbows are thick in the upper river. Try 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

Anglers getting out in drift boats are getting into good numbers of steelhead and brown trout. Shore anglers are fishing along the riverwalk and behind the hotels. Steelhead and brown trout are hitting egg sacs, trout beads, jigs and stickbaits.

CAYUGA LAKE

Anglers trolling around Taughannock Point are getting lake trout and some Atlantic salmon. Fishing 20 feet down has been a good starting point for the salmon. Trolling on the south end of the lake is producing some brown trout and Atlantic salmon. Stickbaits and spoons are working. Anglers getting out in boats on the north end are getting some yellow perch.

SENECA LAKE

Yellow perch and black crappie fishing from the pier has been good, with fish hitting minnows, spikes and oak leaf grubs. Trolling on the surface with stickbaits, streamers and spoons is working for Atlantic salmon and brown trout. Lake trout are hitting spoons fished 100 to 120 feet down.

ONEIDA RIVER

A few boaters were out on the lake this week finishing up the walleye season and fishing for panfish. Reminder: There’s no catch-and-release bass fishing allowed on Oneida until the first Saturday in May. The South Shore launch ramps have been cleaned, but no docks are in yet.

OWASCO LAKE

Anglers have been getting out in boats fishing for perch using fathead minnows.

OTISCO LAKE

No fishing activity to report.

SANDY POND

There is no safe ice or open water activity to report.

SKANEATELES LAKE

The DEC launch is open. Anglers getting out in boats are mostly fishing for perch with fathead minnows on the east side of the north end. Others are jigging for lake trout in about 50 feet of water.

SODUS BAY

Several anglers continue to get out in boats to fish the north end for perch.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

Ice fishing season is over. Anglers are getting in boats to fish for perch with fathead minnows. There are reports of good catches in front of the Clayton docks, Round Island and Kring’s Point. Some bullheads are being caught, but it’s still early for that.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

Ice fishing season is over. Anglers fishing at the spillway are still getting some walleye using fathead minnows and bucktail jigs.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog