Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Lake Ontario report:
According to Capt. Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift:
Brown trout are starting to show up along the lake shore in good numbers. Fish in anywhere from 5-25 feet of water. Suggested baits are stickbaits in natural colors in the clear water; in colored water bright colors work best. This time of year the fish are found close to the surface so planer boards are a must!
Oswego River Report:
The river level was up over 10,000cfs yesterday but is running at 9,770cfs this morning. This level makes it difficult to fish many areas along the river but driftboats can take advantage of the higher flow. We have a few days of no precipitation so keep an eye on the level. Anglers are continuing to find a few steelhead and brown trout. Just a reminder that walleye season is closed and will reopen on May 7. Bullhead are active at Wright’s Landing with worms and minnows the suggested baits.
According to Capt. Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift
It’s been a tough spring with the low water level at times on the river. The level has been back up over the last few days. Last Sunday we had success with some nice looking fish and pretty good numbers.
The bridge to Leto Island is closed, and there are Mandatory Personal Flotation Device (PFD) zones on the Oswego River below the Varick Dam. For more information, view the Oswego County Tourism web site at www.visitoswegocounty.com and look for the fishing report along the top bar on the home page. The Oswego Fire Department offers loaner life jackets at no charge through its “Loaner For Life” program. For more information contact the fire station, 35 E. Cayuga St., at 315-343-2161.
Salmon River Report:
According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop & Motel:
Yesterday anglers stopping into the shop who fished the upper end of the river reported having a slow day. The best reports came from anglers who fished the mid to lower section of the river. Anglers who fly fished reported landing some drop backs while swinging woolly buggers. Anglers also reported having some success landing drop backs while bottom bouncing or float fishing with blue egg sacs.
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
A few anglers came out Tuesday and reported a fairly slow day on the run. This was likely due to the increase in flows from all of the rain we have received. The flow is running at 750cfs through tonight. Yesterday two anglers each hooked up with a nice steelhead. We are in for a pleasant stretch of weather through this coming weekend with warmer temperatures, lots of sun and no rain!
Oneida Lake Report
The weather forecast for the next few days looks very good. Warmer temperatures, plenty of sunshine, and winds will not be an issue through the weekend. Anglers are finding perch in the bays with minnows the suggested bait. Remember walleye season is closed until May 7.
Sandy Pond report
According to Woody’s Tackle:
The activity on the pond is rather quiet. When the weather is good and the temperature is warmer, anglers are finding some perch and a few crappies. Just a reminder that walleye and northern pike seasons are closed and will reopen on May 7.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Streams
Not much in the streams, however you can catch steelies from the Sodus Bay Channel. Cast out spoons for browns or steelhead. Or fish the ponds at Hughes’ Marina, which is located off Lake Road just east of Pultneyville.
Lake Ontario
Water temps are in the 40’s so look for any breaks. A mix bag of browns have been caught east of Sodus Bay out in front of Port Bay. A ten pounder came on one of those hot Bay Rat sticks.
Charters out of Sodus are trolling in 6 to 10 feet of water. Again…look for any temperature breaks and any muddy water.
Lake Ontario has high water so a strong east blow will set-up plenty of stained water. East blows are not good for fishing, however the mud stays around.
Fish the outlets to Sodus and Port Bay and the mouth of Maxwell Creek.
Bays
The bullhead fishing from Bay Bridge has been spotty. That should change with the warmer weather coming this week.
The perch are still scattered in Sodus Bay. Try east of the channel and use minnows. Some crappies have been caught at the south end of Port Bay.
Check out the rest of the Wayne County Tourism web page for the locations and hours of local bait and tackle shops. www.waynecountytourism.com.
We have a brand new Wayne County Fishing Brochure. This publication features where to go, what to use, and what to catch. Call our office for a free fishing packet, including the new brochure. 1-800-527-6510. We also have a new publication on Great Lakes fishing.
Erie Canal
Blue gills, crappies and some perch are being caught out form Widewaters. The canal is an excellent waterway for the panfish. And you very seldom have any windy blow-offs while fishing the canal.
Remember…you still need to wear your PFD. It has to be worn, not sitting in your boat. You need to wear it until May 1st.
Orleans County
Orleans County Tourism
Salmon River
Michael De Rosa – Zero Limit Adventures – Tailwater Lodge
Water releases have been between 500-750 CFS with significant run-off the last couple of days. We experienced 2” of snow followed by a day of rain on the Tug Hill early this weekend. The lower river’s flow increased and the water colored up somewhat from this run-off. Water Temperatures remain in the high 30’s.
Douglaston Salmon Run continues to reports some Drop-Backs being caught. Drop-Backs and some pre-spawn and spawning fish were found scattered throughout the river. The Altmar Hatchery opened the gates to release the steelhead last week. As of yesterday morning there were still two hatchery ponds full of steelhead waiting on a bump in water temps. A warming trend is forecasted for later this week with day time temps reaching the low 60’s!
Stoneflies, beads and egg sacks continue to produce fish. What is most encouraging is that swinging streamers is starting to produce more fish and nothing is more fun than a Steelie crushing your swung fly that you may have just tied the night before.