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:
The water level has been running between 8,000-11,000cfs for the last couple of days. It was quiet over the weekend with the bitter cold conditions. Temperatures are expected to moderate into the upper 20s and near 30 degrees for the next few days. Except for the really cold days, driftboats have been active in the river and reporting some nice catches.
Salmon River/Pulaski Area report:
According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop & Motel:
On Monday we had a mix of sun and clouds and the temperature reached into the 20’s. Once again the slush ice did not clear from the lower end of the river and the upper end of the river continues to get the most attention. A group we spoke with reported having a decent day while getting into fish in the Lower Fly Fishing Area, Schoolhouse Pool and Wire Hole. Another group of anglers reported having some action while floating between Pineville and RT2A.
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
The lower end was very slushy on Monday. However I did fish the upper end and we did very well. It was cold and windy, but the fish were very cooperative. Black and red stoneflies, purple soft hackles and glo roe beads all produced fish.
Oneida Lake report:
The very cold temperatures over the weekend have improved the ice in some areas. Continue to use extreme caution as we have not had an extended period of cold weather. The ice thickness is varying around the lake with 2-10 inches reported. The fishing activity reportedly has been slow.
Sandy Pond report:
According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle:
Conditions on the pond are excellent. We have 10-14 inches of ice and the surface of the pond is easy to travel on. The fishing over the weekend was a bit off with the sub zero temperatures and the full moon. But reports from yesterday indicate the bite is on. Perch are taking emerald shiners and fathead minnows; northern pike are responding to large shiners and sucker minnows and jigs tipped with spikes are working for panfish.
Winter Trail Reports:
Cross Country Ski Trails:
According to Dick Drosse of Great Bear Recreation Association:
Conditions have remained about the same through Great Bear. We have had a little snowfall since Sunday so the trails are lightly covered. GB Road, side roads and some trails will be slippery so grippers for boots are recommended.
According to the Winona Forest Recreation Association:
Conditions are good overall on the trails. We have had about 7 inches of new snow in the last few days and most trails were groomed on Saturday.
According to Hugh Quinn of the Osceola Tug Hill Ski Club:
We have received over a foot of new snow since Saturday bringing our total for the season to 140 inches. The trails have a 14-20 inch base with a packed powder/powder surface. Trails have been groomed and tracks set.
Snowmobile Trails:
According to the Redfield Sno-Rec Club:
We have received a little new snow every day so that is helping to ease the icy conditions a bit. There was very heavy traffic over the weekend so hopefully we will get more snow.
According to the Mexico Trail Riders Snowmobile Club:
We received about three inches of good packing snow Sunday night in this area. There is the possibility of a bit more snow mid week so we will have to see what happens and we will keep you posted.
According to the Square Valley Snowmobile Club:
All five sections have been groomed over the last couple of days. However, conditions are fair to poor with the exception of Section 4 (Happy Valley area) which was in good to excellent shape over the weekend but icy in spots.
