South Oswego County
SOUTH OSWEGO COUNTY - OSWEGO - FULTON - LITTLE SALMON - MEXICO BAY

In Southern Oswego County, fishing has picked up in the lake in Oswego. Brown Trout and salmon have been taken on a steady basis. However, these species of fish will soon make it out to deeper waters.

Walleyes have been known to bite in the early morning and late at night in the area. Trolling at night is enjoyable for many. For many years blue and silver rapalas or similar type stick baits have been the favorite for many fishermen. However, in the morning drifting worms or leeches in the river seems to work well.

Larry at Oswego Salmon Shop can fill you in with all the info you need on local fishing. Stop in or give him a call to find out what is biting and what is not in the area, Larry will be more than happy to help you or answer any questions you may have. The Salmon Shop offers everything you’ll need for your lake or river fishing experience. Rods to reels, all live bait, assorted variety of tackle, and much more for you fishing trip, he also offers info on charters, fish cleaning, and room rentals. This place is a must to stop and check out in Oswego. Larry tells me that a lot of nice small mouths have been taken in the river as well as in the lake. Drifting worms and crabs works well, and the old timers tell me that the big ones will also take leeches. Jigging in the lake with Carolina rigs around most drop-offs works well Up the river in Fulton blue gills and crappie can be taken around the islands between Minetto and Fulton. Northern pike can also be taken here. Catfish are also very popular in the river as well as some carp. Small mouth bass as well as large mouths can also be taken here. From the boat launch off from 481 north to Minneto is the best fishing in the river. Around the islands by battle island seem to produce some real nice fish. Northern pike and Pan fish are also popular in the Oneida river area accessible from Three Rivers. From Phoenix to Caughdenoy some large northern pike are known to be in the area. Some very nice bass can also be taken here.  In Phoenix right off Rte. 12 on the bank of the Oneida River you’ll find the Oneida River Bait Shop. Open every day, they have live bait as well as all the tackle you will need. They are also accessible from the river itself.

JR’s Bait and Tackle in West Monroe is the place to stop for your local fishing report for Oneida Lake located on Route 49 in West Monroe. They offer everything you’ll need from live bait to tackle to all the daily hot spots. With a friendly atmosphere, this makes this shop a stop you will have to make.

North Oswego County

NORTH OSWEGO COUNTY - PULASKI - SALMON RIVER CORRIDOR

In Northern Oswego County trout fishing is in full swing.  With the water staying high and cool anglers are finding good success. Almost every creek and river in Northern Oswego County holds trout. Brook trout is the most popular among most anglers in the area. Worms, flies, spinners, and minnows are all very good tools of the trade. Although these fish are stocked in many creeks and rivers, they are native to these waters.  When the water goes down anglers need to find the deep spring in the creeks. If you find one you will end up having to throw fish back because the thrill of the native brook trout is truly one of a kind.

Salmon river, mad river, cold brook, and all the branches of the Salmon River are good spots for trout. The    Salmon River reservoir in Redfield is also a good spot to catch a variety of big trout. If you don’t like to walk far this is a must try.  Brown, brook and rainbow trout in the twenty plus inch range can be taken here. Casting spoons and stick baits are effective as well as medium size shiners fished just below the surface in late evening. Crappie is another widely sought after fish in the reservoir and can be taken in good numbers.  Small mouth bass are very abundant in the reservoir and a few fishing clubs do hold yearly tournaments here.  Because of the structure of the reservoir the small mouth here do very well, some 5-pound fish have been taken and the average fish is about one pound.

In the Mexico area, northern are being taken at Mexico point. Casting large stick baits as well as large live minnows work very well. Many pike in the thirty-inch range are taken here, so perhaps a trophy fish may be taken.  Off the point in Mexico the small mouth bass fishing is very good.  Many nice bass are also taken in the little Salmon River as well.  The bass fishing in the lake is good pretty much from Oswego all the way to and past sandy pond. Mike’s Marina, located on the little Salmon River in Texas, offers plenty of space to dock your boat. Just a stones’ throw down the little salmon and through Mexico point the great lake awaits. Mike has recently expanded and now offers more docking space as well as all service and repair you might need. As a kick off to the Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon & Trout Team Tournament, Oswego County, NY scheduled for July 11-12, 2003.

On July 8, 2003 the 26 Charter Captains of the Little Salmon River along with Mike’s Marina & Service East & West will hold a Special Benefit for the Parents of Special Children.

The Little Salmon River Charter Captains are:

Perfect Day Charters

Big Bear Charters

Seaweed Charters

Suriki Charters

Fish Fetcher Charters

Crows Nest Charters

Captain Hook Charters

Fisher Charters

Hit or Miss Charters

J & D Charters

D.V. Service Charters

Redline Sport Fishing

Puddle Jumper Charters

Strike III Charters

Mac MacKenzie

Weaver Charters

Janet T Charters

Queen of Hearts Charters

Shooter Charters

Lucky Dutchman Charters

Smurff Charters

High Adventure Charters

Hat-Trick Charters

T–K Charters

Obsession Charters

Dixie Dandy Charters

Two to four children and adults will be taken aboard each charter boat on the Little Salmon River and out onto Lake Ontario to fish for about one hour.  They will then return to Mike’s Marina East for a cook out and a raffle to raise money for the parents of these Special Children.

A Lawrence X-98 Duel Frequency Sonar Unit will be raffled off to raise money.

Raffle tickets will be sold at Mike’s Marina.

Come on out to Mike’s Marina at 266 State Route 104B, Mexico, NY (Texas-right next to the Little Salmon River) and help raise money for the Parents of Special Children.

In Parish you’ll find the newest of bait shops in the area. Button Fly Bait and Tackle, located on Kip Rd. just off County Rte. 26 offers every thing you need for your trip. Information on the local hotspots can be obtained here.  They also offer guided trips for bass and pike locally. Fly tying and casting lessons are also available. Button fly offers all live bait and licenses as well as canoe trips. So if you’re looking for something new stop in and check them out.

Fishing in northern Oswego County is just starting to jump into full swing.

Enjoy your trip and I know we’ll see you again.