We are making ice now!
This cold weather has really put all the lakes into good shape. Everyone is reporting 6 or more inches of ice but you still need to use caution on the large bodies of water as underwater current can cause thin spots in certain areas.
Ice fishing continues to be hot on Oneida Lake. The area around Lewis Point has had fair to good walleye fishing in 18 – 22 feet of water. Perch have been hitting in water as shallow as 10 feet where there is weed cover. Along the north shore of the lake from Edgewater to Jewell has been hot for walleye fishing. Best areas are along the drop-off at 36 feet or deeper. The "Hump" around Buoy 109 has been producing walleye at depths of 22 to 32 feet. Big Bay has been yielding good catches of perch and some crappie. The best bet for perch is to set tip-ups six inches off the bottom.
Some of the best lures have been Acme Kastmaster in gold or silver, Sidewinder in green, and Heddon Sonar in gold and silver. Others producing fish are #11 Jigging Rapalas in blue and silver glow finish, and #9 Jigging Rapalas in black and gold, or Swedish Pimple in gold and black , silver, or fluorescent chartreuse. Many anglers have been tipping the lures with the head of a minnow (silver shiner) for added attraction.
Sandy Pond reports are all saying tons of fish but you have to pick through the small one. To get a limit of 8 inch plus fish, (when you can find them) you will have to catch 50 to 100 smalll guys. Great action off the the Elms and the Sandy Pond Steakhouse, but some complain about the small size. I say that is a good sign for future seasons. Again Caty jigs and Kastmasters seem to take the large fish. The little guys really grab the spikes as fast as you put them down.
Chaumont Bay continues to give up larger fish though access there can be a problem at times, get there early if you want a good parking spot.
On the Salmon River the water is now at our winter low 285 cfs. This has always been a terrible flow but we have to live with it.
Since the flood last Fall the river is so much wider and shallower that navigating a boat in thi flow is brutal. We do a lot of dragging.
Bill & Doc are now part of the chozen frozen and were rewarded with some nice fish. Bill was up in November and just whipped on them so he needed another fix.
Our fish came on white egg sacs, tangerine beads fished under a float.
The Oswego River has been full of slush due the extreme cold but there are plenty of fish thee waiting if we gat a warm snap.
Keep in mind I always need photos for the Lake Ontario Outdoors photo contest.
Winter time makes for some great pictures so don't forget your camera when you head outdoors.
I have a few shows to do and I am taking a much needed vacation this winter, so first hand reports will be a little light for a month or so. I will be reporting what others tell me and I still have a few days I have to fish this month.
Spring is right around the corner and I have plenty of open dates.
Stay warm & safe
Troy
