March 5, 2015

St. Lawrence River: Very tough travel on the ice right now. Anglers plodding their way out or taking a snow machine reported some small perch and a few northern pike in most areas. Black Lake: Tough going on the snow and slush. So much so we don’t have any report on the fishing action.

The region’s trout waters are iced over to the point where, at least right now, anglers aren’t optimistic about the April 1 trout opener. But things can change in a hurry. Catskill Flies

Anglers remain out on Lake Glenida, which was yielding a mix of lake trout and browns, as well as the West Branch Reservoir (trout and crappie). While winter was hanging on at last check, this is the time of year when conditions can change rapidly, so always use caution when you head out. Not hearing

Great Sacandaga Lake: Snow cover on the ice has limited travel pretty much to snow machines only. It’s tough going out there. Lake George continued to offer perhaps the best hard-water action, with many anglers reporting icing lake trout on either side of the lake’s 23-inch size minimum. Plenty of snow on the ice in

The record cold has frozen over nearly all the ponds and lakes with the exception of the immediate areas near the inlet and outlet streams where a few trout were targeted, but there were no reports of late. The marina bays and harbors are frozen over, as are the boat ramps.  Combined with the high

On Lake Champlain, snow and slush also made for very tough travel and has keep many anglers home. Schroon Lake, too, was a frustrating slog for anglers due to snow and slush.

Cayuga Lake: Snow and slush were making travel difficult on the lake so no new information to report. Use caution: snowdrifts can cover pressure cracks, making them difficult to see. Ice reports showed 10 to 12 inches on the north end. Seneca Lake: Anglers braving the wind and cold temperatures were still getting yellow perch