This report courtesy of the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning.
Oswego River report:
There was some variation in the CFS this past week, but it never reached 5000. This morning’s reading was at 3,940. Low flows, cold temperatures, and lots of recent snow mean the river is frozen in a lot of spots. This is especially true near the upper west side by the dam and the lower east side behind the hotels. Both the high and low walls are fishable, but the fishing remains slow, and the floats are freezing up. Our go to bait on the Oswego River this week would be white jigs.
Year-Round Notice: There are mandatory personal flotation device (PFD) zones on the river. For more information, visit our website at visitoswegocounty.com and click on 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 at 35 E. Cayuga St. by calling 315-343-2161.
Click here for the Brookfield Varick Fish Safely brochure.
Click here for the current water flow.
Salmon River report:
The Pineville gauge was at 600 CFS as of this morning, while the dam discharge was 500 CFS. This rise in flow happened on February 9th. Slush below Pineville continues to make things challenging.
Fishing all week has been like a switch – one day we see some big steelhead, the next day very few fish are landed. But the fish are in the river, so the anglers who are willing to patiently grind it out will eventually be successful. This would also be an ideal time to hire a guide who runs trips from a warm drift boat!
If we had to pick a bait this week, we would start with egg sacs. Blue, white, peach, or pink have all been successful. We also have reports of success with stone flies and egg patterns.
Continue to be extra careful of the ice, including in the parking lots, and check the CFS before you go out in case it drops again and we see more ice shelf.
Oneida Lake report:
Temperatures remain cold and we have seen a lot of snow fall recently. We now have 10-12” of ice in most places.
Like the Salmon River, all reports indicate that the fishing on Oneida Lake has been like a switch. Some days the fish are aggressive, and jigs are the way to go. Other days the fish are looking for something slower, in which case we recommend to begin by deadsticking a caty jig with a full buckeye or something similar.
Structure and changes in depth are usually the go-to spots, but don’t rule out the flats. Either way you must keep moving to find them.
Generally the best bite has been first light and last light. This coming week looks like cloudy most days, with some possible snow on Monday and Tuesday.
Sandy Pond report:
There is a lot of ice on the north pond now, 10-12” as of today. We have had a lot of snow recently; some has blown off and there is minimal slush.
The pike bite remains hot, and the perch bite has picked way up. We have multiple reports of people bringing in big hauls, and several 12” fish. Northland eyeball jigs, slender spoons, Caty jigs, and Swedish pimples continue to be our go-to recommendations.
Two events to keep in mind: The Sandy Pond Sportsmen’s Association derby starts Friday February 12th and goes through the weekend. Check out their website for more information. Then “Taco Bob’s Ice Fishing Derby” is next Saturday, February 20th. You can call 315.387.3766 to register. There is 100% payout, but the usual fish fry is canceled this year due to Covid-19 safety measures.
The main points of ice access for Sandy Pond are: Greenpoint, “The Elms,” Wigwam, and the new DEC launch at Stanley Drive, which is now a free option for parking, but it is a bit further to walk.
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