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Lake Ontario and tributaries: Your best bet for catching trout is in Eighteen Mile Creek below Burt Dam area, but even that water was a bit stained at last look. That said, it should be good by now. The frigid temperatures will probably create some shoreline ice so caution is advised no matter where you

Lake Ontario: Steelhead and brown trout were being taken in the tributaries with egg sacs, egg pattern flies and wooly buggers working. The recent cold spell may have put an end to that, however. Oneida Lake: Hard-water anglers are hitting all the traditional spots now – Big Bay, Lewis Point, Constantia, Godfrey Point and others

Cayuga Lake: Nothing on the open water front now, but ice anglers were out on the northern end. No reports yet of how they’re doing. Honeoye Lake: Anglers were drilling holes and fishing parts of the lake, with decent reports of a mix of perch, crappie and bluegills. Keuka Lake: No report on the ice

Safe ice now exists almost everywhere you turn in the North Country, but always use caution and keep an eye on rapidly changing conditions. Lake Champlain: Anglers were pulling perch on the north end of the lake, and picking up perch and northern pike in South Bay. Not hearing a lot on the fishing front

The codfishing off Montauk Point remained consistent, with most anglers reporting 3 to 5 cod caught in the 4- to 8-pound class. Most of the action is from open and charter boats.  Pool fish typically weighed in between 15 and 20 pounds, with a few cod approaching the 30-pound mark reported. Both jigs and clams

Lake George anglers were beginning to hit the ice in some spots, including Million Dollar Beach. Not hearing any reports on the fishing, and check www.iceshanty.com or contact FISH 307 for condition updates. Cossayuna Lake: Ice anglers are on, but we haven’t heard a lot on how they’re doing. Tomhannock Reservoir: Safe ice, but remember,

Here’s a list of potential early-ice options in the region, but, as always, check conditions before you venture out. Ulster County: Chodikee Lake, Onteora Lake, Louisa Pond Sullivan County: Morningside Lake, Mongaup Pond, Lake Superior Orange County: Glenmere Lake, Round Lake, some Harriman State Park lakes Dutchess County: Stissing Pond, Morgan Pond, Whaley Lake Putnam County: White Pond, East Branch Reservoir Westchester County: Muscoot Reservoir.

This is not a time to tackle the Catskill streams, which are making ice. Some are also closed by regulation to fishing. Your better option will be to attend the Flyfest at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum on Feb. 7.   Catskill Flies