December 13, 2012

St. Lawrence River Muskie season closes Dec. 15 on the river, but we haven’t heard of any huge fish taken. Perch action has been good in some bays. Black Lake Not much happening on the lake now until safe ice arrives. Richard at Chapman’s Sports (315-324-5265) reports another poor duck season, but deer hunters seemed […]

It’s the time of year when weather dictates whether you have any reasonable chance of getting out on the water comfortably. That said, at last report the Beaverkill and Willowemoc were both clear and fishable, with water temps teetering on either side of 40 degrees. Look for small olives in the afternoon, but streamers and

Not a lot of fishing taking place, at least not enough to get a detailed report. And with deer season winding down, with the exception of the Westchester County bowhunting season, which runs through Dec. 31, we’re not hearing much.

Deer hunters reported a generally solid season in both the Northern and Southern zones, and many sportsmen have turned their attention to the anticipation of safe ice and are hoping Mother Nature will be a bit more cooperative this winter. Until then, small-game and predator hunting are great options, and sport show season is fast

The striped bass fishing was good to excellent from New York Bight to Montauk Point, with most anglers fishing off open and charter boats.  Anglers fishing the inlet bars using clam bellies and fresh skimmer clams or casting large plugs and poppers into the breakers caught stripers between 5 and 12 pounds with the occasional

Deer season has come to a close, with typical mixed reviews among hunters. But the general consensus is that it was an improvement from the 2011-12 season, when warm weather hampered hunters and seemed to limit deer movement. Many hunters struck out this season, but some noteworthy bucks were taken as well, as evidenced by

Cayuga Lake Yellow perch were being taken in the north end on fathead minnows. Landlocked salmon were being caught on the lake from the surface down to about 80 feet on spoons and stick baits. Seneca Lake Fishing off the pier has been very good during the day for brown trout and Atlantic salmon. Anglers

Lake Ontario The low water continued to make tributary fishing difficult. Casting off the piers or at tributary mouths with spoons or fishing with egg sacs should work for brown trout and steelhead. Perch were hitting in the bays but launching boats has been difficult. Oneida Lake The docks have been removed from the South

Lake Ontario and tributaries Burt Dam and Eighteen Mile Creek was low and clear at last check, in need of precipitation. With the dewatering of the Erie Canal, let’s hope some of that water can be diverted into the creek. Browns and steelhead were being caught. Be sure to downsize your baits for the clear