Central New York Fishing
February 26 – March 5
With all of the snow we have received over the last few days most areas now have lots of slush on the ice along with all the snow, making walking and fishing extremely difficult. There is little new fishing activity to report because of this.
Ice thickness varies greatly even on the same waterbody so please exercise extreme caution and your own good judgment if you decide to venture out onto the ice. A few fish are not worth risking a life threatening situation.
The time period for anglers to legally use and possess certified baitfish has been extended from seven to 10 days after purchase.
Region 7
Lake Ontario
The lake report has ended for the season. There are still steelhead and brown trout in some of the tributaries and many of the bays are beginning to freeze over.
Oswego River
The river flow is currently at 5,780 cubic feet per second (cfs) as of 02/26. Ice and slush have been a problem on the river. Steelhead and brown trout are hitting beads, stickbaits, worms, minnows, egg sacs and white bucktail jigs.
Salmon River
The river flow is currently running at 500 cfs but will be dropping to 285 cfs. Slush ice has still been a problem on the colder mornings, but after it clears at mid-day fishing has been fair. Anglers have been able to spread out and are catching some fish in the lower and upper river. Good baits are black stoneflies, egg sacs (white or blue), pink worms and trout beads.
Oneida Lake
The area received close to two feet of new snow which has contributed to slush forming on top of the ice making conditions miserable for walking and four wheelers. Ice thickness is still varying greatly around the lake, so use caution if venturing out. Fishing picked up some last week for yellow perch in the 20-35 foot depth range. Anglers fishing very small jigs tipped with moussies are catching a few bigger perch. Big Bay is still producing bluegills and pumpkinseeds.
Sandy Pond
There is good ice on the pond with 18 to 24 inches reported. Yellow perch fishing has picked back up for anglers using small minnows, jigs tipped with spikes or perch eyes. A lot of small perch are being caught with some nice ones mixed in. Some bluegills are also being caught on small jigs tipped with spikes. Northern pike fishing has been fair with fish hitting on large suckers or shiners. An occasional walleye is also being taken on minnows.
Cayuga Lake
There are anglers getting out on the north end from the State Park, with reports of 4 to 5 inches of ice out to the channel, there is also a fair amount of slush and snow on the ice now. A lot of perch are being caught but mostly small fish and good numbers of chain pickerel are also being caught. Pickerel, though bony, are good eating. The easiest way to deal with the bones is to filet the fish and then grind the filets in a food processor and make fish patties with them. Size limit for pickerel is 15″ and the daily limit is 5. A few trout and salmon are being caught at AES, but overall it’s been slow shore fishing.
Owasco Lake
There are anglers getting out on the north and south ends of the lake with 3 to 6 inches of ice being reported on the north end and around 6 inches on the south end. Slush and snow are making walking very difficult. Yellow perch fishing continues to be slow but northern pike are hitting on large minnows. A few bluegills are also being caught in 10-12 feet of water on the south end.
Skaneateles Lake
There are anglers getting out on the north end with 3 to 4 inches of ice being reported to about the Country Club, there are also anglers getting out on the south end. Fishing has been slow for yellow perch and trout.
Otisco Lake
There is 8 inches of ice on the north end. Bluegill fishing continues to be slow as does the tiger musky fishing.
Whitney Point Reservoir
There are 12-14 inches on the reservoir. Some nice fish were caught during the derby including a giant 10 lb. 2 oz. walleye. Over all fishing has been slow but a few walleye are still being caught north of the islands.
Susquehanna, Chenango, Tioughnioga and Unadilla Rivers
The rivers are still unfishable at this time.
Lake Ontario
The Lake fishing report has ended for the season.
Genesee River
There is no new fishing activity to report.
Sodus Bay
There is reported to be 6-12 inches of ice on parts of the bay with snow and slush making walking difficult. Yellow perch fishing is still slow but some fish are hitting glo-jigs tipped with spikes, perch eyes or small minnows. Fish are being caught from 5 to 35 feet of water, and anglers having the best luck are moving looking for fish. Northern pike are hitting well on large minnows.
Irondequoit Bay
There is reported to be 4 to 6 inches of ice on parts of the bay with snow and slush on top. Yellow perch fishing continues to be slow for the larger perch but many small ones are being taken on jigs tipped with spikes or minnows. Anglers fishing the deeper water are getting some bigger perch.
Seneca Lake
Yellow perch fishing continues to be good in 30 to 45 feet of water for anglers using rosy reds, oak leaf grubs, spikes and worms around the Painted Rock area. Yellow perch are also being taken off the pier on small jigs tipped with spikes or moussies. Anglers top-lining stickbaits are still having very good luck on Atlantic salmon. A few Atlantics are also being taken off the pier on minnows.
Canandaigua Lake
There are anglers fishing the north end of the lake with around 5 inches of ice being reported.
Keuka Lake
There are reports of 5 to 10 inches of ice around the Penn Yan area. Fishing has been fair for perch and bluegills in 10 to 15 feet of water.
Waneta and Lamoka Lakes
There is reported to be about 12 inches of ice on both lakes with 3 to 4 inches of slush on top. Anglers are catching yellow perch on Waneta, and crappie and chain pickerel on Lamoka. Small jigs tipped with wax-worms are working well for the crappie.