Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Oswego River Report
The water level began to climb over the weekend reaching almost 9,000cfs. The last couple of days it leveled off running close to 8,000cfs. The weather on Sunday and Monday was harsh with snow, colder temperatures and winds blowing at 40-50 mph at times. Conditions settled down yesterday and the extended forecast is calling for seasonable temperatures and scattered rain and snow showers over the next few days. Anglers are finding a mix of steelhead, rainbows and brown trout. Beads and egg sacs are working well.
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
The water flow is currently running at 335cfs at the dam and 531cfs at Pineville.
According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop & Motel:
On Tuesday the wind finally went down and we had cloudy conditions with the temperature reaching into the mid 30’s. Now that the big storm has passed, everyone has spent time getting things cleaned up and the public access parking lots are in good shape. Yesterday anglers staying in the motel who were fly fishing reported getting into some steelhead in the Lower Fly Zone on a mix of eggs and nymphs. Other anglers reported getting into some steelhead between Altmar and Pineville while bottom bouncing with blue and pink egg sacs or float fishing with egg sacs and trout beads.
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
It has been about the same story over the last few days. Most anglers have reported hooking 1-3 steelhead. No particular part of the run had been more active although yesterday reports indicated the middle section was most productive.
Oneida Lake Report
With the poor weather conditions on Sunday and Monday, there is not much to report from the lake. The night bite for walleye has been hit or miss up to this point. With consistent cooler temperatures this may pick up. Casting stickbaits just before and after dark is suggested. Anglers were finding perch in 10-14 feet of water prior to the change in weather.
Sandy Pond report
There is not much activity on the pond this time of year.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Streams
The northern end of Wayne County didn’t receive the snow that hit Newark, Macedon or Lyons. They saw close to two feet while the north only saw five to seven inches. Usually the weather patterns are the opposite with the lakeshore getting hammered.
That’s good news for the tribs. Maxwell Creek has some water on the north side…still not the best, however fishable. They have been netting steelhead and browns using the egg sac routine. Or you can cast out small spoons. There is no ice build-up along the creek’s shoreline and the holiday temps will be in the high 30’s.
Bear Creek doesn’t have a lot of access points; however, you can fish the outlet to the lake. It’s the same with the other smaller tribs. They are small, but they hold fish and it’s not combat angling.
Bays
The bays are all open water, although the level is low. You can still launch at a few sites. Be careful of any slippery ramps. They are catching a few perch in Sodus Bay. Look for 20 to 30 feet of water near the point drop-offs. Use small jigs tipped with spikes.
It’s the same with Port Bay, although many anglers are in the woods looking for antlers.
You can catch bass until next week. (November 30th)
Remember…you need to wear your PFD from November 1st until April. It must be worn or you’ll be ticketed.
Check out the rest of the Wayne County Tourism web page for the locations and hours of local bait and tackle shops. 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
Not all sections of the canal are drained for the season. There is open water in Palmyra, Lyons, and Newark. Last Sunday a lone angler was fishing near the locks between Lyons and Newark. He had the umbrella, comfortable chair and was dressed for the wind. It looked pretty inviting.
Orleans County
Orleans County Tourism
Rain or snow is in the forecast for each day the rest of this week but it may not be much.
The forecast for next week seems to be clearer with moderate temperatures.
Fresh Brown trout and Steelhead trout seem to be entering the tributaries of Orleans County everyday with the greatest movement taking place first thing in the morning and then again right at dusk.
Fishermen are report a fair to good number of hookups each day throughout the system.
Water flows remain low to moderate with better flows on the “Oak” than the other tributaries.
With the colder temperatures at night some ice may be forming along the banks of the tributaries so care should be taken, especially first thing in the morning.
It seems like the dewatering of the Erie Canal may have started which means that water flows in our tributaries should maintain themselves for the next week or so.
Perch and Bass still remain the catches on the lower portion of the “Oak” and on Lake Alice but sizes remain smaller than normal.
big salmon