Syracuse.com - April 20-22: CNY trout streams could use a little rain

[HuntingNY-News]

Streams across the area continue to be clear and low.

CNY FISHING FORECAST A reminder that walleye, northern pike, pickerel and tiger muskie season closed on March 15. Also, all persons aboard pleasure vessels less than 21 feet long, regardless of age, must wear a personal flotation device until May 1.

Bait stores (list and map).

INLAND TROUT STREAMS

Streams across the area continue to be clear and low. We need some rain. To find out how many fish are stocked in your favorite Onondaga County stream, call 689-0003. To hear the DEC’s weekly fishing report, which includes a list of what streams have been stocked in Region 7, call 607-753-1551.

LAKE ONTARIO

Brown trout are being taken along the lake shore flat-lining (trolling lure behind the boat without any weight) with stickbaits and spoons; if you can find some off colored water, fish around it. Good starting depths have been the 5 to 25 foot range. In the clear water areas, fishing with planer boards may help with getting the brown trout to hit.

SALMON RIVER

The river continues to be down, still flowing at about 285 cubic feet per second at midweek. Anglers continue to catch steelhead and occasional the brown trout. Try the deeper pools. Use egg sacs, trout beads and night crawlers.

OSWEGO RIVER

The river is down, and fishing hasn’t been good lately. Anglers continue to catch a lot of nice brown trout, though, in the harbor and the occasional chinook and coho salmon as well.

ONEIDA LAKE

Anglers continue to cash in on perch and bullhead, along with other panfish, particularly around the marinas. Some are also getting out on the Oneida River, catching bullhead and panfish.

CAYUGA LAKE

The lake is still low. There are reports of some good perch fishing on the northern end if you can get on. Anglers trolling are getting lake trout, brown trout and Atlantic salmon. Lake trout are coming on spoons or flasher and fly rigs fished 100-115 feet down over 130-150 feet. Green has been a good color. Fishing stickbaits on the surface over 15-25 feet of water is working for the brown trout and salmon. Fishing on the south end of the lake has picked up for Atlantic salmon and brown trout.

SENECA LAKE

Lake trout are being taken near bottom in 70 feet of water. Atlantic salmon and brown trout are hitting stickbaits fished near the surface. Yellow perch and black crappie fishing has been good off the pier with fish hitting minnows.

OWASCO LAKE

Lots of perch being taken on the lake by anglers using fathead minnows. The Inlet has also been stocked all the way to Groton with trout. Lots of action, there, too. Also, bullheads are being by the mouth of the Inlet by anglers using worms and crayfish. Also, reports of smelt runs.

OTISCO LAKE

Yellow perch are being taken on small minnows off the causeway. Black crappies continue to be taken in the shallows on small minnows.

SKANEATELES LAKE

Anglers getting out in boats are still catching some yellow perch in the north end of the lake. The bite continues to be on-and-off. If you’re not catching fish, keep searching. Lake trout are hitting near bottom in 40-50 feet of water.

SODUS BAY

Anglers getting out in boats are catching yellow perch in shallow water on small minnows. Fishing around the bridge is producing black crappie and a few bullheads.

SANDY POND

Black crappies are hitting around docks, and perch are being taken in the north pond. Some bullhead are also being taken on the pond.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

The perch bite has been good in Eel Bay and Krings Point. Try fishing anywhere from 5 to 20 feet of water, using fathead minnows. The bullhead bite has picked up lately, particularly in the early morning and late evening.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR

A reminder that all angling is prohibited on the Otselic River from the mouth (where it enters the Tioughnioga River) to the Whitney Point Reservoir Dam, until opening of walleye season. Bullhead fishing slowed down with the cold weather but should pick back with the warm temperatures forecasted. Try fishing for bullheads after dark on the north end of the reservoir and also off Keibel Road. Crappies are also being taken in the reservoir along shore. The spillway area is closed until the walleye opener.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog