Finger Lakes/Southern Tier Fishing Report, July 13th, 2012

Cayuga Lake

There were reports of waterfleas beginning to show up. When waterfleas become abundant they can make trolling frustrating, so be prepared with “flea flicker” line or try vertical jigging. Lake trout were hitting on spoons, and Spin Doctors and flies fished 80 to 150 feet down over 100 to 300 feet of water. Many methods were working to get lures down to the right depth, such as copper, wire, Dipsies and downriggers. Bass fishing has been good on the north and south ends.

Seneca Lake

Weed mats are floating around the lake, making trolling difficult at times. Lake trout and brown trout were hitting spoons and flasher and flies fished 50 to 85 feet down.

Keuka Lake

Anglers were catching lake trout in 110 to 185 feet of water by trolling spoons and flasher and fly rigs. Jigging continued to be good around the bluff area for lake trout in 85 to 120 feet of water.

Waneta and Lamoka lakes

Perch were hitting well on Lamoka, mostly on small minnows. Black crappie fishing has also been fair on the lake. Pickerel were hitting on both lakes, with minnows and bass style lures working well.

Owasco Lake

Reports are coming that waterfleas have started on the lake. Lake trout were being taken in 75 to 95 feet of water on spoons and flasher and flies.

Otisco Lake

A few walleye were being taken after dark by anglers casting stick baits off the causeway. Trolling with stick baits was also producing a few walleye during the day and after dark.

Canandaigua Lake

Lake trout were being caught by trolling spoons, or flashers and flies down 60 to 85 feet over 80 to 150 feet of water.

Skaneateles Lake

The brown drake hatch was happening on the lake. Fishing just before dark with flies or top-water baits was working for smallmouth and rock bass. Rainbow trout were hitting from the surface down to about 20 feet. Lake trout fishing has been good on spoons in 60 feet of water and deeper. The trout bite has been better early in the morning. Bass fishing along the shore continued to be good, with a variety of plastic baits and top-water baits working.

Susquehanna, Chenango, Tioughnioga and Unadilla rivers

Anglers were catching walleye and smallmouth bass. Jigs tipped with nightcrawlers and crankbaits were working for the walleye, and tube jigs and spinnerbaits for the bass.

Whitney Point Reservoir

Smallmouth bass fishing has been good along the shoreline, with crankbaits working well. Trolling with worm harnesses and night crawlers has been producing good walleye action.