November 1, 2012

St. Lawrence River It’s that time of year when we get a report of a big muskie being caught, but right now we’re still waiting. Black Lake Not hearing much on the fishing front now that the Northern Zone firearms deer season is in full swing.

Beaverkill/Willowemoc Nymphs and streamers are most effective this time of year. The water temp may be below 50 by now. East Branch of the Delaware Fishable at last look, but remember the river is now closed above Shinhopple. The lower river to Hancock is open until the end of November, but it’s catch-and-release only. Some

Not a lot of anglers getting out right now, but at last check Kensico Reservoir continued to yield a mixed bag of trout, bass and perch, and New Croton Reservoir was offering up both white and yellow perch and the occasional crappie. Beyond that we’re not hearing much.

Northern Zone deer hunters were off to a good start, with some quality kills reported during the weeklong muzzleloader season as well as the first weekend of the firearms offering. Among those who connected was Scott Fowler of Saratoga County, who “smoked” an 8-pointer. The state’s first-ever youth hunt also resulted in some filled tags.

The bluefish action outside the South Shore inlets from Shinnecock Inlet to New York Bight was excellent. The blues ranged from 8 to 15 pounds, with most fish caught on diamond jigs and live bunker.  Surfcasters scored using large surface poppers, large swimming plugs and fresh bunker chunks when the blues pushed schools of bunker

While many Northern Zone deer hunters were awaiting cooler temperatures and some tracking snow, there were some early success stories to note. John Morris of Elizabethtown started the firearms season off with a bang by downing a 15-point – mainframe 10 with 5 stickers – Essex County bruiser that field-dressed a whopping 228 pounds. His

Cayuga Lake No word lately on the tributary fishing for brown trout or Atlantic salmon. Seneca Lake Yellow perch were being caught on the south end off the pier in Watkins Glen and by the salt plant. Smallmouth bass were also being caught off the pier. Keuka Lake Vertical jigging in 85 to 110 foot

Lake Ontario Salmon were found around tributary mouths, and when anglers could get a boat out they were catching some on egg sacs. When we do get rain, salmon enter the tributaries but then drop back as the water lowers, so watch the weather forecast. Oneida Lake Yellow perch fishing was starting to pick up