Fishing Reports for March 3, 2016

This report courtesy of the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning.

Oswego River report:
The water level has continued to drop some running at 18,000cfs this morning. Although improving, this level is still difficult to fish along the river. When conditions settle down, look for steelhead and brown trout using egg sacs and beads.

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 the Douglaston Salmon Run:
Some snow and a brisk wind kept anglers off the run yesterday. Total snow accumulation was a dusting. The temperature will begin to moderate tomorrow with a decent weekend but next week’s forecast looks like Spring is arriving with temperatures in the 50s for much of the week.

According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop & Motel:
Wednesday was a cold and very windy day with scattered lake effect snow showers. The temperature reached into the 20s but with the wind chill factor it felt like single digits. Anglers staying in the motel reported getting into a few fish in the upper end of the river in Altmar as well as some of the smaller local tributaries.

Oneida Lake report:
Conditions on the lake this week have included open water, ice pulled far away from shore, ice piled up on shore. We have had some colder temperatures in the last couple of days but conditions are not safe in most areas across the lake. A real warm stretch of weather is expected to move in for next week with remaining ice likely deteriorating. Be safe and stay off the ice.

Sandy Pond report:
There is still safe ice on the pond but this may be the last chance to enjoy it. Temperatures are forecasted to warm into the 50s and perhaps 60s during much of next week. For this weekend, look for perch with small minnows and small jigs tipped with maggots. Walleye are responding to jigs with Swedish pimples and Rapalas and large shiners are taking pike.

Winter Trails Report
Snowmobiling:
Clubs in the county report their trails are closed or in poor condition. Although areas in the county received some snow yesterday, accumulation was minimal. There is no significant snow in the forecast and it looks like spring-like temperatures will be arriving on Monday with the first half of next week expected to have temperatures from 50 degrees to the low 60s.

Cross Country Skiing:
According to Hugh Quinn of the Osceola Tug Hill Ski Club:
With some fresh snow, sun and less wind it should be a nice day for skiing. I will be rolling the entire system to adhere the new snow to the existing base of 4-6 inches with a packed powder surface. The weekend looks excellent. It snowed all day moderately yesterday with approximately 6 inches of new snow.

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