February 19, 2015

St. Lawrence River: Many ice anglers have been stalled due to snow accumulations on the ice. Even anglers with ATVs were having a tough time in some spots. Snow machines were the way to go. Black Lake: Pike and perch are available for the taking if you hit it right. Travel on the ice is

Most anglers are awaiting the April 1 trout opener, or at least a sign of some spring weather. The few waters open for fishing are locked tight in snow and ice. Time to tie flies or take a gear inventory ahead of the trout opener. Catskill Files

Sacandaga Lake was yielding a few walleye; we haven’t heard of any big pike being landed of late. Lake George was offering up perhaps the best fishing, notably for lake trout. Remember there’s a 23-inch size minimum on Lake George, and keep an eye on bubblers, pressure cracks and snow and slush accumulations if you

Due to the saltwater temperature dropping in response to the recent cold snap and heavy snows the cod, pollock and ling fishing has significantly slowed. While cod in the 4- to 8-pound class and ling to 3 pounds continue to be caught, most boats returned with an average of a keeper cod per angler as

Snow accumulations have made for difficult travel on the ice on most North Country waters, including Lake Champlain and Schroon Lake. Fishing has been hot and cold, and more like lukewarm on the good days instead of red-hot. Still, anglers were getting out in good numbers, especially those with ATVs or snow machines. Piseco Lake:

Cayuga Lake: Snow and slush were making travel difficult on the lake. Keep an eye out for pressure cracks. Ice reports indicated 8 to 12 inches on the north end. Anglers were getting yellow perch and pickerel.  Seneca Lake: Anglers braving the wind and cold temperatures were getting yellow perch from shore at Sampson State

Lake Ontario: Most of the small tributaries were frozen over so no new information to report. Oneida Lake: Decent reports for ice action off Lewis Point for walleye in 25 to 30 feet of water on jigging Rapalas tipped with a spike or waxworm. Low-light conditions are best. Shackleton Shoals has been mentioned as a

Lake Ontario and tributaries: Open water was tough to find; at last check the only tributaries with any open water flowing were Eighteen Mile Creek at Burt Dam and over at Oak orchard in Orleans County. There was some ice fishing going on in places like Wilson and Olcott harbors, but action had been a