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 flow is running at 7,540 as of this morning. We have only had a couple of inches of snow over the last day or so. Temperatures are expected to moderate with temperatures in the 30s through the weekend. This should help with some of the ice along the river. As conditions improve, look for steelhead and browns taking trout beads, nightcrawlers, wax worms, egg sacs and fathead minnows.
Salmon River/Pulaski Area report:
According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop & Motel:
On Monday we had cloudy conditions and the temperature reached into the mid 20’s. We did not get any reports from anglers. A mid week warming trend is expected and anglers should take advantage of the mild weather while it lasts.
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
The cold is still holding on, but the long term forecast looks like we might get a break later in the week. Right now anglers are having to spend their time from Pineville upstream.
Oneida Lake report:
As of last weekend, there were many areas along the lake with unsafe ice conditions. With the snow we received last week, the ice has not had a chance to thicken to a safe thickness in some places. Although it has been cold, temperatures into the 30s are expected for the next few days. The northern end of the lake seems to be less frozen. Check the ice thickness every couple of steps if you do venture out and use extreme caution.
Sandy Pond report:
According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle:
The ice is good on the pond with about 10 inches in some areas. The snow that remains on the pond has settled and been packed down some from traffic making it easier to get out on the ice. Perch are taking live bait such as emerald shiners and fathead minnows. 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 Friends of Great Bear:
Four inches of new powder fell on Friday. The trails are in excellent shape for showshoeing and cross country skiing. Most trails have been showshoe packed. The north end of Purple/Tow Path and Flow Lands connecting the east mainland section of Purple will be icy and wet under the snow. Access between Whiskey Island and mainland at the northeast end is doable.
According to Winona Forest Recreation Association:
The trails are in good conditions with a 6-10 inch base of medium density snow. Temperatures are expected to moderate during the week with no significant snowfall expected.
According to Hugh Quinn of the Osceola Tug Hill Ski Club:
We have received two new inches of snow over the weekend with our season total reaching 109 inches. Trails have a packed powder/powder surface with a 15-20 inch base.
Snowmobile Trails:
According to the Mexico Trail Riders:
Reports indicate that trails are rideable with some areas where water holes are present. You can get around most of these or they are not very deep. Some areas to use more caution: S56, from Mack Road to 104….be careful in the woods for wet spots, and one field, just north of D&W gas mart….when you’re heading south and go into a group of trees, there is a wet spot that looks like you can get around it, but be careful, as there is a large rock, light in color, that could be overlooked…they will try to get that marked better. Between Jeff’s Alignment on Darrow Rd and Co.Rte.51, just before 51 there is a large MUD hole that’s not able to get around. Stay on the trail – it does not appear deep, just muddy. There is a large hole near Hickory Grove or Dempster Beach – It’s about a foot deep but you can get around it.
According to the Pulaski/Boylston Snowmobile Club:
Trail from Ponderosa and the back side of businesses in the village were done Monday morning (sidewalks are off limits to sleds.) The C5A to our Kasoag connection at Albion Cross and back to Rte. 11 and then to the groomer barn were done as well. The operator said all open water is gone and packed with snow; great riding as traffic is low, maybe because of the -15F temps! All puddles are frozen, come and enjoy, but be sure to dress warm!
