July 10 to July 17, 2026
Irondequoit and Sodus Bay Walleye Anglers
DEC is looking for your help! The natural reproduction of walleye in Irondequoit Bay and Sodus Bay is being studied to determine the contribution of wild vs. stocked walleye to the fishable population. If you or anyone you know fishes these waters, we’d greatly appreciate a donation of walleye heads from fish you’re planning to keep. Biologists will then collect otoliths (inner ear bone of a fish) from each head to be later analyzed.
Freezers are strategically staged at the locations listed below for anglers to place walleye heads. For ease of use, bags and labels will be placed at each freezer site. Anglers should include date, body of water, approximate location of catch, and length of the fish. Anglers can fillet fish as normal, then sever the head from the spine and place into a bag.
Freezer Locations
- Irondequoit Bay - Sutters Marina, 512 Bay Front Street, Rochester
- Sodus Bay – Krenzer Marine, 8495 Greig Street, Sodus Point
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
As of July 6, the river is at 281 cubic feet per second (CFS) and the dam release is at 200 CSF. Smallmouth bass are being caught, specifically at the lower end of the river.
Lake Ontario (Oswego)
Inshore brown trout fishing has been going well. Anglers have been catching king salmon, brown trout, and Atlantic salmon. Browns are biting in less than 20 feet of water, trolling with spoons and stick baits. Lake trout are biting well on cowbell style bait in around 100-140 feet of water. Kings are biting well on dipsy divers. Look for areas of off colored water around river mouths, as these “mud-lines” can be good places to troll in or along the edge to get a bite.
Oswego River
The river is at 2,820 cubic feet per second (CFS) as of July 6. Brown trout are the main fish species being caught, primarily below the dam, behind the hotel, and along the wall. Try using jigs and blade baits that mimic the color of a goby. A few Atlantic salmon have been caught as well. For salmon, try jigs and floats.
Important Note: Leto Island cannot be used to access the dam. The flow is currently high. 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
Perch and crappie can be caught 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
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 15-to-20-foot depth range with stickbaits or spoons.
Trout Fishing
All stream stocking for the 2026 season has been completed.
Use the DECinfo Locator Map to view regulations per stream, stocked stream sections, and streams with public fishing rights to locate a new or favorite trout fishing site. If needed, refer to the Trout Stream Fishing Map User Guide for how-to information on using the mapping tool. For helpful introductory information on trout fishing methods, view Fishing Tips for Stream Trout.
Additional Fishing Report Sources
Other fishing reports available in the Central NY region:: Wayne County Tourism, Visit Oswego County, and Lake Ontario Fishing.
