Central New York Fishing Report – October 19th, 2012

Lake Ontario

There were still salmon being found around tributary mouths. J-plugs and flasher and flies are still working. With the lack of rain most tributaries were still too low for salmon to make their way into them, other than the Genesee River. A few salmon were being taken at night by anglers casting glow-in-the-dark spoons off the pier at the mouth of the Genesee River. Salmon were also being taken casting spoons off the pier at Sodus during the day. As more salmon make their way into the rivers the lake fishing is beginning to wind down.

Oneida Lake

Yellow perch fishing was starting to pick up. The shore nighttime walleye bite should start any time; the colder weather should help. Walleye move into the shallows just before and after dark to feed on the gizzard shad. Casting stick baits (minnow-imitating plugs like Rapalas or Storm Thunderstiks) in black and silver or blue and silver usually works well.

Oswego River

There were salmon throughout the river, along with a few brown trout and steelhead. Remember, the bridge to Leto Island is closed, and there are new mandatory Personal Flotation Device zones on the Oswego River below the Varick Dam.

Salmon River

There were good numbers of salmon in the river, with more continuing to enter each day. Fishing has been outstanding. More salmon are making their way into the upper river, from Pineville to Altmar, and that may be a good option if the lower river is too crowded. The salmon egg take at DEC’s Salmon River Hatchery began earlier this month.
The Lower Fly Section will remain closed until Oct. 31. The Upper Fly Section is open.

Sodus Bay

Yellow perch were being caught in deep water on small minnows. Northern pike were hitting on spoons and large spinners. Bass fishing continued to be good, with spinnerbaits and a variety of plastics working. Salmon were also being taken off the pier by anglers casting spoons. The low water was making launching boats difficult for some.

Irondequoit Bay

Yellow perch action was starting to pick up in the deep water areas.

Genesee River

Good numbers of salmon are in the river and are being found as far up as the dam. A few salmon were still being taken by anglers casting glow-in-the-dark spoons at night off the pier.