January 8, 2015

Lake Ontario and tributaries: Water conditions were low and slightly stained on Eighteen Mile Creek at Burt Dam at last check and the temperature was dropping toward more winter-like readings. Small jigs tipped with a wax worm and fished under a float is one approach; egg sacs or egg imitations like trout beads is another.

St. Lawrence River: Weather is now more conducive to ice making, and some of the more popular bays might – that’s might – offer safe ice now. Use caution if you go. Black Lake: A December warmup left ice anglers playing the waiting game again, but heading into the New Year temperatures began to revert

Big Wave Sport and Tackle and Westchester Archery report trout, yellow perch and white perch seem to be the mainstay right now, with small jigs tipped with worms or medium or large shiners the go-to setup. Before the cold snap there were reports of a flurry of action on Cross River Reservoir, with browns to

Overall, 2014 was an excellent fishing season. The sea bass, porgy, blackfish and ling fishing was outstanding, with some of the best-reported catches in years. The flounder season was slow. The striper season was strong in the spring and into the summer, but the big fish run typical of June was lacking, as was the

Cayuga Lake: Anglers getting out on the lake are getting a mix of brown trout and Atlantic salmon trolling spoons or stick baits 20 to 40 feet down. Just a reminder that Finger Lakes Tributary fishing closed Dec 31. Seneca Lake: Anglers fishing from shore at Sampson State Park were getting yellow perch and lake

Lake Ontario: Steelhead and brown trout were being taken in the tributaries with egg sacs, egg pattern flies and wooly buggers working. Flows have increased with recent rain and snowmelt. Oneida Lake: Nothing happening right now until safe ice forms. Oswego River: Higher flows can make shore fishing challenging but helps the driftboat anglers. Anglers

Not a lot happening of late as winter weather set in. Still, the hardy angler ventures out here and there. Willowemoc and Beaverkill: Both rivers are fishable but abnormally low for this time of year. Delaware West Branch: Open for fishing on shared border stretches. Delaware Main Stem: Fishable at last check. Delaware East Branch:

Safe ice had yet to arrive heading into the New Year, but better (colder) weather had arrived and conditions should improve. If you even consider heading out, use caution and get a condition report before you make the trip. The website www.iceshanty.com is a great source for updated info.