Forcast Fishing Jan. 7-9: CNY ice fishing bonanza continues; Oswego and Salmon rivers good for steelhead
OSWEGO RIVER
Water level has been high all week. River is still full of fish, though. Anglers fishing white bucktail jigs or egg sacs (pink or chartreuse mesh) under floats are catching steelhead and brown trout. Be wary of water level changes.
SALMON RIVER
Water still at a good fishing level. Anglers braving the weather continue to get steelhead on egg sacs (white or pink mesh), nymphs and beads (10mm) fishing in the deeper holes. Just a reminder that the Upper Fly Section is closed until April 1.
ONEIDA LAKE
Most of the bays and areas near shore are good to go for ice fishing, with reports of 5 to 7 inches from Big Bay to Godfrey Point. Anglers are getting bluegills, crappies and pumpkinseeds — along with the occasional pickerel — in Big Bay. Other good spots are North Bay, Chapel Point and Williams Beach. The area around Constantia has firmed up, but avoid pressure cracks when walking out. Snowmobiles and ATVs are out on the lake. Walleyes are being taken near Constantia and off North Bay. Reports of perch being taken from south shore, by Williams Beach, out toward Dunham Island.
SANDY POND
Reports of 7 to 8 inches of ice, with snowmobiles and ATVs out and about. Good numbers of yellow perch are being caught, but many are small. Try small minnows or spikes for bait.
CAYUGA LAKE
Anglers are fishing in the northern end, over 3 to 4 inches of ice. In the open water on the south end, they’re catching lake trout from boats using lures and minnows. Reports of a number of 8- to 12-pounders being taken.
OWASCO LAKE
No safe ice to report,. Reports of anglers, though, at the middle of the lake fishing off the west shore near Ensenore catching lake trout. The warm weekend broke up the ice at the southern end. Anglers fishing from boats at the northern end are taking perch, using minnows (buckeyes and fatheads).
SKANEATELES LAKE
Northern end still has open water. No reports on southern end, where there’s been access problems as of late.
OTISCO LAKE
Reports of 4 to 5 inches of ice at northern end, but be careful going out, particularly right around shore. Follow the beaten paths. Anglers are clustering around the dam area. Anglers are getting some bluegills and pumpkinseeds.
SENECA LAKE
Continued reports of lakers being taken by vertical jigging with spoons between 60 and 100 feet at southern end. Also, lots of perch are still being taken off the pier at Watkins Glen. They’re using perch minnows, mousies and spikes.
SODUS BAY
Reports of 4 to 6 inches of ice in most every bay, but stay away from areas where creeks empty into the bay. Good baits for perch have been small jigs tipped with spikes and Swedish Pimples with wax worms. Some northern pike are being taken on tip-ups with large minnows.
ST. LAWRENCE RIVER
Lots of ice fishing going on here, particularly in the secluded bays, where there’s 4 to 7 inches of ice. Some days the bite is good, some days not — depending on wind direction (west wind is best; east wind is the worst). Hot spots include Chippewa and Eel bays. Reports of some nice 10- to 11-pound northern pike in Eel Bay. Lots of perch being caught, too.
ELSEWHERE
Lots of nice panfish being taken at northern end of Cazenovia Lake. Ice is 4 to 6 inches thick. Meanwhile, down at the Whitney Point Reservoir, there’s reports of 6 to 7 inches of ice on the reservoir with 4 to 5 inches in the channel. Anglers are getting some nice white crappie just before dark. Walleye are biting, but many fish are just under the 18- inch size limit.
0 comments:
Post a Comment