Central New York Fishing Hotline
September 8 - September 15
For those interested, there are other fishing hotline/reports available for the region, which can be found on the following sites: Wayne County Tourism, Visit Oswego County, and Lake Ontario Fishing (all leave DEC website).
Under Brianna's Law, all motor boat operators will need a boating safety certificate. How soon this certificate is required depends on your age, but by January 1, 2025, all operators of motorized vessels regardless of age will need a certificate. For more information on Brianna's Law, classes, and the age breakdown view the Boating NYS Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Boating Education site (leaves DEC website).
The 2023 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide (PDF) is available at places that sell fishing licenses. It can also be viewed on the Freshwater Fishing Regulations page.
Lake Ontario
Chinook salmon are being caught around river mouths in 60 to 120 feet of water. try flashers and flies, j-plugs, and spoons. Shades of green have been working well.
Salmon River
The flow is 350 cubic feet per second (CFS) at the dam, as of September 6th, and increases as you move downstream with inflow from the tributaries. The Trestle Pool South parking area is now open. There are some salmon entering the river with most of the activity in the lower river.
For more information, please view Pacific Salmon Fishing in Lake Ontario tributaries.
Oswego River
The flow is 1,950 cubic feet per second (CFS) as of September 6th. A few salmon have entered the river, remember it is still early and the water temperatures are warm. See link above for information on salmon fishing. Remember there are mandatory personal flotation device (PFD) zones on the river. Visit Oswego County Tourism website (leaves DEC website) for more information on this and also for information on the life jacket loaner programs in the area.
Oneida Lake
Some walleye are being caught in 15 to 30 foot of water. In shallow water try stickbaits, as you move deeper blade baits and jigs/worm become more affective.
For information on walleye fishing please view Fishing for Walleye.
Skaneateles Lake
For smallmouth bass try the usual Ned-rigs, tube jigs, and drop-shotting in 20 to 35 foot of water. Same methods will also work for rock bass.
Cayuga Lake
Water fleas, weed mats, and algal blooms have made fishing more difficult at times. Be prepared to deal with all three if trolling. The thermocline is around 75 feet at the moment. Lake trout are being caught in 75 to 150 foot of water by anglers vertical jigging and trolling. Try for largemouth bass and chain pickerel on the north end.
Other Hotline Waters
Nothing to report for other waters at this time.
Warm water (bass, pike, etc.) angler diary cooperators are needed for Seneca, Keuka, Canandaigua, Hemlock, and Canadice Lakes. If interested, please contact Region 8 Fisheries at fwfish8@dec.ny.gov or by calling 585-226-5343.
Note: We are always looking for new participants in our Angler Diary Cooperator Program for our program on the Finger Lakes. Our numbers have dropped in recent years, and we need new cooperators now more than ever. If you fish Cayuga Lake, Owasco Lake, Skaneateles Lake, Otisco Lake or any of their tributaries and want to learn more about this program and how to sign up, please contact the Region 7 Fisheries office at (607) 753-3095 ext. 213, or by email at fwfish7@dec.ny.gov.
If you fish Canadice Lake, Canandaigua Lake, Conesus Lake, Hemlock Lake, Honeoye Lake, Keuka Lake or Seneca Lake and want to learn more about this program and how to sign up, please contact the Region 8 Fisheries office at (585) 226-5343, or by email at fwfish8@dec.ny.gov.
If you would like to contribute to the fishing report, or need more fishing information, or have any fishing/fishing equipment related questions, you can contact fwfish7@dec.ny.gov. Good luck fishing.
The fishing line can also be heard at (607) 753-1551.
