October 9 to October 16, 2026
Lake Moraine (Madison Reservoir)
Due to the Madison Reservoir Dam rehabilitation project, Lake Moraine is experiencing a water level drawdown that is expected to continue through 2027. Boaters should use caution when accessing the water as the drawdown will make trailered motor boating a challenge for the duration of the project. A temporary extension was installed at the existing Lake Moraine Boat Launch site to allow for launching in 6 feet of water; however, caution is advised. Visit the Canals Corporation site for schedule updates, frequently asked questions, and project details.
Salmon River
The Lower Fly Section is currently closed due to low water conditions. The Upper Fly Area remains open offering an alternative fishing location. For details, see the DEC Press Release.
As of October 6, the river is at 216 cubic feet per second (CFS) and the dam release is at 185 CSF. The water temperature is 58 degrees Fahrenheit. Anglers are catching salmon throughout the river. Try floating eggs or beads. Water levels are low so pay attention to flows before venturing out.
Oswego River
The river is at 1,220 cubic feet per second (CFS) as of October 6. Brown trout are being caught, primarily below the dam, behind the hotel, and along the wall. Salmon are being caught in the river on eggs, lures, and beads.y. A few Atlantic salmon have been caught using jigs and floats. Bass are being caught as well. For walleye, try large stickbaits or jigs. There are some fish holding up at the power plant, with the majority heading upstream.
Important Note: Leto Island cannot be used to access the dam. The dam can be accessed from the West side (Brookfield side).
Remember there are mandatory personal flotation device (PFD) zones on the river. For more information on PFD zones and life jacket loaner programs, visit the Oswego County Tourism website.
Skaneateles Lake
Panfish can be caught in 15 to 20 feet of water using minnows or small hair jigs. Rainbow trout are being caught jigging swim baits or trolling spoons. Walleye can be caught trolling stick baits or just casting blade baits. Try casting for walleye in around 5 to 10 feet of water. If looking to catch bullhead try fishing the south end in the channel. Lake trout are biting trolling spinners at around 35 to 40 feet. Bass are also starting to bite. For information on how to catch bass, view Fishing for Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass.
Cayuga Lake
The fall perch bite is heating up! Try for perch and crappie by jigging with small jig heads, throwing blade baits, or using small minnows in around 15 to 20 feet of water. Lake trout can be caught vertical jigging with a paddle tail jig or trolling spoons in around 100 to 130 feet of water.
Oneida Lake
The fall perch and walleye bite are picking up. You can catch walleye from shore as they are moving to shallow water. Panfish can be found in 15 to 30 feet of water. For perch try small jigs, small bright colored spinners, or throwing gold colored blade baits. For walleye try starting shallow in the 10 to 15 foot range, and then moving deeper, or shallower, until you start getting fish. Good baits to try are stickbaits, crankbaits, blade baits, jig/worm or worm harnesses. Bass can be caught post-spawn in the shallows on rattle-traps, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, and chatterbaits. Smallmouth bass can be found in deeper water around 15 to 50 feet near logs or rock piles. In deeper water swimbaits, dropshots, or jigs work well.
Otisco Lake
If you don’t have access to fish from a boat, try fishing from the causeway on the south end of the lake. Look for panfish in around 15 to 20 feet of water. Crappie can be caught in and around fallen trees and woody debris using minnows under a bobber. Look for tiger musky in the shallow north end, Lader Point, Turtle Bay and along the causeway using spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, swimbaits or large stickbaits. For walleye try trolling in the 20 to 30 foot depth range with stickbaits or spoons.
Additional Fishing Report Sources
Other fishing reports available in the Central NY region: Wayne County Tourism, Visit Oswego County, and Lake Ontario Fishing.
