Fishing and Winter Trail Reports for March 5, 2010
This report a courtesy of Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning.
The following notice has been posted for Lake Ontario waters:
Remember the area around the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Facility is off limits to boating. The restricted area stretches 1,000 yards offshore and extends from the Alcan plant to the Sunset Bay area along Lake Ontario, east of the city of Oswego.
Oswego River/Lake Ontario report:
Oswego River report:
According to Larry Muroski of Larry’s Oswego Salmon Shop:
The water level has been up a bit running between 6,000-8,000cfs. Brown trout are active behind the hotels but driftboats are dealing with some ice right now. There is slow steelhead action up near the dam and down through the river to Bridie Manor. Minnows, bucktail jigs, egg sacs and casting spoons are working for the trout and Maribou jigs, moussies, minnows, trout beads, stone flies and woolly buggers are attracting the steelhead.
Additional reports indicate crappy are taking spikes, wax worms and minnows on Lake Neahtahwanta at night and perch are active through the ice behind Black Clawson.
Salmon River/Pulaski Area report:
According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop & Motel:
Thursday was another sunny day with the temperature reaching into the mid 30’s. The majority of anglers we spoke with reported having a good day in the upper end of the river. The deeper holes and runs such as the Lower Fly Fishing Area, Schoolhouse Pool, Ellis Cove, Trestle Pool and Sportsman Pool produced steady action for some anglers.
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
It looks like we are going to have some beautiful weather on the river for the weekend. Today is already crystal clear and sunny with temperatures headed to the mid 30’s. We were hoping they would run some more water, but it is staying at 285cfs until at least Monday. Fishing has still been good; the fish are just a bit shy with the clear water. Go with light flouro tippets and small presentations.
Oneida Lake report:
According to Capt. Troy Creasy of High Adventure Sportfishing Charters:
This is a great time for ice fishing on Oneida Lake, but safety has to be a concern. Clearly stay away from any tributary areas…the ice is never dependable when you have moving water. Also be cautious of large areas of wetness and water accumulated atop the ice. Keeping this in mind, the ice fishing is quite good right now for both perch and walleyes at about mid-lake on the buoy line at 125, 123 and 121 in 28 to 32 feet of water.
Sandy Pond report:
According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle:
There is plenty of ice on the pond. The surface is sloppy with the wet snow we received last week making it difficult to travel on the ice. Yellow perch are taking small minnows. Small jigs tipped with spikes are taking perch and panfish and anglers have a little over a week left for Northern pike (season closes March 15). Large shiners and sucker minnows are good choices of bait for pike.
Winter Trail Reports:
Cross Country Ski Trails:
According to the Winona Forest Recreation Association:
Temperatures are expected to be near 40 degrees for the weekend. The trail base is currently 6-10 inches and conditions are good to very good through most of the trail system.
According to Dick Drosse of the Great Bear Recreation Association:
An abundance of heavy wet snow is covering the trails. Snowshoes may be desired on the trails but skiing is doable. Off track, snowshoes are needed.
According to Hugh Quinn of the Osceola Tug Hill Ski Club:
Mildly above normal temperature predicted through the weekend with partly sunny skies. The trails have a 20-28 inch base with a loose granular/packed powder surface. We fully expect to make our normal closing date of April 15th.
Snowmobile Trails:
According to the Square Valley Snowmobile Club:
The warmer weather and high sun are taking their toll on the trails. Grooming is being done only in Happy Valley. We should be able to keep everything open for this weekend, but expect trail closures starting next week due to the weather.
According to the Winona Forest Recreation Association:
Fairly warm days and cold nights will cause hard conditions in the morning and soft snow in the afternoon. Many trails have an 8-12 inch base and Bargy, Hawley and Wart are in the best condition.
According to the Mexico Trail Riders Snowmobile Club:
The trail down S52 east to Co. Rte. 38 is not bad. The fields are still covered and so were the woods, the only place there was a lack of snow was just west of Halsey Rd. The snow is disappearing fast though. S52 north, the rail bed is getting pretty thin. The swamp on S52B behind Jacob’s/Simpleaar’s is open. There are many tracks going thru the slush/water. It won’t be long until it is wide open. S52B by the Eis House is all slush/water. Both spots are passable only if you don’t mind water crossing. Looks like Palermo has been out grooming S56 from Red Schoolhouse Rd. to the turn-around at Darrow Rd. I’m told there’s all sorts of snow there and that the trail has come right back. This might be the last chance to ride in this area if this weather holds.
According to the Redfield Snowmobile and Recreation Association:
The daytime temperatures are expected to be near 40 degrees this weekend. Trails from Redfield south are soft and slushy with bare spots on the hills, curves and open fields. We last groomed on Monday night. North trail has adequate snow but it is soft and slushy. The reservoir is rapidly becoming unsafe – very slushy.
The Curse of the Silverback, the Enchanted Forest/Water Safari’s newest water ride, which debuted in 2009, is expected to continue to draw visitors with its unique purple and black appeal and daring silverback theme. Riders experience a 100 foot drop into a large 40-ft diameter bowl where they circle the bowl dropping out the middle into the splash pool below.