Salmon River, Oak Orchard, Oswego River, Oneida Lake, Niagara River, Fishing Report 3/13/08

Here we are in March and we were greeted today by another "global warming morning". The truck said -4 when I kicked the boat off and the temps never hit 30 today. Add in a brisk, damp 20 knot east wind and you have all the makings of a bitter cold day.

Monk & Joe are good drift fisherman and they fished hard, hitting about 10 fish and briniging 4 to the boat including one brown.

Mornings have been cold, but it isn't stop anglers from hitting the water. I am getting mixed reports from anglers, some get into fish, while others do not, it all depended on where they fished and their experience level. We are expecting cold and wind, with temperatures rebounding to near normal by the weekend, maybe. Overall the most productive techniques have been bottom bouncing with egg sacs and float fishing with egg sacs or pink worms. Suggested patterns: Pheasant tails, Rusher nymphs, Hare's ear, Soft hackle nymphs and black or olive stoneflies.

 The Oswego river is roaring at over 16,000 cfs. The best bet is to fish the Harbor behind the hotels using jig and minnows. There has been a good bite their most days.

Reports of good to excellent walleye, yellow perch and panfish catches are coming in on a daily basis from ice-fishermen on Oneida. Big Bay has been the host of great Pickerel and Crappie fishing. Pickerel have a preference for silver shiners fished with tip ups and Crappie are responding to finesse fishing with spikes or mousies.

On Sandy Pond anglers are taking northern pike from many areas around the pond and perch are active off Seber Shores, Greene Point and the Wigwam. There is an occasional walleye being reported in the mix.

Open Dates in March- 24, 25, 29, 30, 31.

April  9, 10, 11 just opened up. Those days won't last.

Remember to stay safe, be respectful of others and put a few back for another day.

See you out there. Troy