The fishing report below is made available from the Central New York Fishing Hotline for February 2 through 9, 2018 at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9218.html. Please visit that site for more information or to follow links.
Remember ice thickness can vary greatly, even on the same water, so use extreme caution and your own good judgment if deciding to venture out. Some safety measures to follow are: use a spud and check ice thickness as you venture out, fish with a friend, bring a rope and ice safety picks (two handles with spike points). View the Introduction to Ice Fishing chapter for more information about ice fishing and the Ice Fishing Press Release for more safety information.
A reminder that from Nov 1 to May 1, all persons aboard any pleasure vessel less than 21 feet long must wear a Personal Floatation Device (PFD) while underway. For more information on boating regulations please view the NYS Boater’s Guide. A link can be found in the righthand column under ‘Links Leaving DEC’s Website.’
Also, as a word of warning, all the dock structures at the DEC boat launches have been removed. So, please plan accordingly.
The new Freshwater Fishing Regulation Guide is in place for April 1, 2017-March 31, 2018. You can obtain a copy from a licensing agent or view it at Summary of Freshwater Fishing Regulations.
Oswego and Wayne Counties have weekly fishing hotlines on their web sites as well and would be another good option for fishing reports; Oswego County (visitoswegocounty.com); and Wayne County (waynecountytourism.com). Though Onondaga County doesn’t have a weekly fishing report, their web site is another good source of fishing information in the region (fishonondagacounty.com).
Region 7:
Cayuga Lake
Since the last warm up there is no ice thickness to report at this time for the north end. Shore anglers have been getting some lake trout and Atlantic salmon.
Skaneateles Lake
The DEC launch has been closed for the season. No ice thickness information at this time as we keep getting just enough warm days, and windy days, to hamper ice formation on the lake.
Owasco Lake
No ice thickness information at this time as we keep getting just enough warm and windy days to hamper ice formation on the lake. At times, some anglers have gotten out on the south end.
Visit the Cayuga County Tourism web page for more fun things to do on and around the water at www.tourcayuga.com!
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Popular Ice Fishing Waters in Cayuga County |
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| Water | Townships | Species | Regulations | Comments | Countour Map |
| Cayuga Lake | Aurelius, Springport, Ledyard, Genoa | Pickerel, Northern Pike, Panfish, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Brown Trout, Landlocked Salmon | Finger Lakes Regulations | North end is very good for northern pike, pickerel and panfish. Limited ice fishing at south end. | Yes |
| Cross Lake | Cato | Walleye, Northern Pike, Panfish, Tiger Musky | Special Regulations | 2,176 acres. Weedy shorelines and bays produce northern pike and tiger musky. Deeper water off weedbeds and shoals hold walleye. | Yes |
| Duck Lake | Conquest | Panfish, Northern Pike, Tiger Musky | Statewide | 218 acres; shallow, weedy lake with a large panfish population | Yes |
| Howland Island Wildlife Management Area Ponds | Conquest | Panfish | Statewide | 300 acres; 18 ponds | |
| Lake Como | Summerhill | Tiger Musky, Pickerel, Panfish | Statewide | 64 acres; shallow, weedy lake | Yes |
| Little Sodus Bay | Sterling | Northern Pike, Panfish | Statewide | 750 acres; weedy shorelines and expansive weed beds support large populations of northern pike and panfish | Yes |
| Otter Lake | Cato | Northern Pike, Panfish | Statewide | 282 acres; shallow, weedy lake | Yes |
| Owasco Lake | Moravia, Scipio, Fleming, Owasco, Niles | Northern Pike, Panfish, Walleye, Lake Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout | Finger Lakes Regulations | 6,592 acres; very good for trophy northern pike and lake trout | Yes |
| Skaneateles Lake | Sempronius, Niles | Pickerel, Panfish, Lake Trout, Landlocked Salmon | Finger Lakes Regulations | 8,960 acres; ice fishing at north and south ends | Yes |
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Ice Fishing Special Regulations for Cayuga County |
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| Water | Species | Open Season | Minimum Length | Daily Limit | Method |
| Cross Lake | Northern Pike | 1st Sat May-March 15 | 22″ | 5 | Ice fishing Permitted |
| Cross Lake | Walleye | 1st Sat May-March 15 | 18″ | 3 | Ice fishing Permitted |