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 has remained fairly steady between 6,000-7,000cfs this week. Warmer temperatures and sunny skies are expected through Saturday with some precipitation expected midday on Sunday. Anglers and driftboats were seen on Thursday taking advantage of the nice day. The same bait is working for steelhead and browns – trout beads, nightcrawlers, wax worms, egg sacs and fathead minnows.
Salmon River/Pulaski Area report:
According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop & Motel:
Thursday was another nice day on the river and the majority of anglers we spoke with reported having a good day. The upper end of the river between Altmar and Pineville continues to get the most fishing pressure with the Lower Fly Fishing Area, Schoolhouse, Wire Hole, Ellis Cove, Trestle Pool and Pineville producing the most action on a daily basis. The mid to lower end of the river is a good bet if you’re looking for less traffic and fresh fish.
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
The weather continues to be mild for January. More water has opened up on the run and the fish are there. Only a few anglers were on the water this morning, but they were reporting good action on egg sacs and beads under floats.
According to Capt. Troy Creasy of High Adventure Sportfishing Charters:
Although the weather has been good the last few days, the river has clear low water running at 285cfs. We manage to land a few each day and lose a few more. I know that I lose more fish in low water than I do in high water. We are mixing it up each day with float rods and bottom bouncing rods. Some are set up with beads, others just have a hook so I can switch quickly from an egg sac to a pink worm to flies to jigs. The program now is to get in a spot that you are confident is holding fish, show them everything and wait them out. This is not my preferred method of fishing but that is the way to go until we get some more fish and water.
Oneida Lake report:
The ice thickness is varying greatly around the lake. Anglers are fishing areas such as Big Bay, Sylvan Beach and Lakeport. With the warmer daytime temperatures we are having, please use extreme caution and check the ice thickness frequently as you venture out. Reportedly the fishing has been rather slow.
Sandy Pond report:
According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle:
The fishing on the pond has been excellent. We currently have 10 – 14 inches of ice in many areas. There is still some slush on the ice but it is easier to travel on. The perch bite has been very good with emerald shiners and fathead minnows; northern pike bite has been fair to good on large shiners and sucker minnows and jigs tipped with spikes are working for panfish. Anglers are even finding a few walleye in the mix.
Winter Trail Reports:
Cross Country Ski Trails:
According to Winona Forest Recreation Association:
The trails have a 4-8 inch base of high density snow. Although they have not been groomed since Saturday, it should be a good ski…if not a bit fast and hard with the warmer daytime temperatures and low nighttime temperatures.
According to Dick Drosse of Great Bear Recreation Association:
Trails are still covered with snow and hard packed from snowshoe and boot tracks. Warmer temperatures have exposed a few bare spots. The main Great Bear Rd. and some main sections may be slippery. The north end of Purple/Tow Path and Flow Lands connecting the east mainland section of Purple will be icy/wet under the snow. Access between Whiskey Island and the mainland at the northeast end maybe impassable.
According to Osceola Tug Hill Ski Club:
We have received another 6 inches of new snow this week bringing our total for the season to 116 inches. The trails have a 14-20 inch base with a packed powder/powder surface.
Snowmobile Trails:
According to the Mexico Trail Riders Snowmobile Club:
This area received several inches of new snow Tuesday night. We need another foot for much grooming but S52 to the Pulaski line and the trail from Community Park were good on Thursday. Temperatures are expected to be in the 40s this weekend, so conditions are likely to change.
According to the Square Valley Snowmobile Club:
Conditions on the trails are poor and deteriorating with the warmer temperatures we are having.
According to the Redfield Sno-Rec Club:
We currently have spring conditions with about 3 inches of new snow this week. The trails have not recovered from last weekend and the thaw. Groomers have been out but we need more cold and snow.
According to the Winona Forest Recreation Association:
Lots of traffic from all groups over the weekend along with warm temperatures really did a number on the trails. Colder temperatures and possible snow is expected next week. For now, Bargy, Hawley, Hessle and Wart are in the best shape.
