Fishing Reports for April 26, 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:

Conditions in the river have not changed much with the exception of lower water – running at just over 2,000cfs this morning. Anglers are finding brown trout, steelhead and some Atlantic salmon.  Suggested baits are stickbaits, worms, minnows, egg sacs, woolly buggers, pink worms and nightcrawlers. Sheepshead are beginning to show up in the river with crayfish the choice of bait. Look for good panfish activity at Wright’s Landing using tube jigs, spikes, nightcrawlers and worms. Ox Creek is still producing big bluegills on spikes and minnows along with bullhead. Bluegills can also be found at Three-Mile Creek at the culvert pipe.

Lake Ontario report:

Conditions on Saturday were very good and several boats of anglers took advantage of the nice day. From the harbor area to the east the brown bite was on especially early in the day. Sunday’s wind direction changed the waterflow and the fish were more elusive. Smithwicks, Rapalas, Thundersticks, and Dreamweavers are working well.

Mexico Bay report:

According to Capt. Gerry Bresadola of B&B Sportfishing Charters:

For many, Saturday fishing was pretty darn good with a very busy early bite. Sunday was another story as south then easterly breezes affirmed the old adage that “East is least”. Seems like there are plenty of browns to target and when conditions are favorable there is room for plenty of catching. Remember that song “Cool, Clear Water”, well it could have been the angler’s theme song for the weekend.  Early Monday morning found browns cooperating in the near shore stream flows. There were a few Cohoes caught around the Oswego Harbor area, definitely a good sign. Cooler temperatures are forecast for the next couple of days so don’t retire your “long johns” just yet.

Salmon River/Pulaski Area report:

According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop & Motel:

Over the weekend the fishing pressure increased and we were pleasantly surprised as the rain remained to the south. The majority of anglers we spoke with reported getting into a few fish in the Upper Fly Fishing Area and the lower end of the river. Anglers having the most success are getting on the water early and covering lots of water. We still have a few fish spawning, but the majority of fish are drop backs. With the low water (285cfs as of today) the drop backs have been holding in the heads of the deeper pools. The Schoolhouse Pool, Trestle Pool, Pineville, Sportsman Pool, Papermill, Town Pool, Longbridge, and Black Hole have all produced action on a daily basis.

According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:

The fish are all on the move back to Lake Ontario and everyday brings more fish through the DSR. For those of you that think it is over or too late… it’s not. Reports are that the upper river and even the hatchery are still full of steelhead that have to travel back through the river system. This week should produce some of our best fishing of the spring.

According to Woody’s Tackle:

The lake fishing season is getting underway as the brown trout bite is picking up along the shoreline throughout the area. Saturday was reportedly a good day for the brown bite with Sunday being a bit quieter. Rapalas, Thundersticks and Dreamweaver spoons are working well. The estuary of the Salmon River is still very active with bullhead taking worms and leeches.

Oneida Lake report:

The crappie action in the Toad Harbor area has reportedly picked up. Small minnows would be a good choice for bait. Panfish are active in the bays and marinas and bullhead are taking worms and leeches in the Big Bay area. Just a reminder that walleye season opens May 1.

Sandy Pond report:

According to Woody’s Tackle:

Conditions have remained about the same on the pond. Perch are taking minnows and bluegills are responding to small jigs tipped with minnows under a bobber. The crappie bite reportedly has picked up again with flathead minnows being the choice of bait. Remember that the pond water level remains low but anglers are making the best of it.