May 16 to May 23, 2025
Salmon River
As of May 13, the river is at 550 cubic feet per second (CFS) and the dam release is at 350 CFS. Smallmouth bass are being caught in the lower part of the river — just a reminder that black bass season is catch and release, artificial lures only, through June 14. A few smaller steelhead are still being caught in the river as well. The lower fly section closed on May 15.
Oswego River
As of May 13, the river is at 18,700 cubic feet per second (CFS). Catch and release bass fishing is hot in the river right now using tubes and ned rigs. For walleye, try large stickbaits or jigs. The brown trout bite is hot right now with the muddier waters.
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.
Lake Ontario
Inshore brown trout fishing is off to a good start. Trolling for browns in 15 to 35 feet of water using spoons and plugs in bright colors. Kings and cohos are biting well while trolling. Lake trout are biting well on cowbell style bait in around 120 to 140 feet of water. If possible, look for areas of off colored water around river mouths, these “mud-lines” can be good places to troll. As the day brightens, fishing deeper often helps to extend the bite.
Skaneateles Lake
Panfish can be caught in 15 to 20 feet of water using minnows or small hair jigs. Rainbows are being caught jigging swim baits or trolling spoons in the lake as well. Walleye can be caught trolling stick baits or casting blade baits. If looking to catch bullhead, try fishing the south end in the channel.
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
South shore boat launch docks are now installed. 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, start shallow in the 10 to 15 foot depth range, and then move deeper or shallower, until you start getting fish. Good baits to try are stickbaits, crankbaits, blade baits, jig/worm or worm harnesses.
Otisco Lake
If going out via boat or causeway, 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.
Whitney Point Reservoir
For panfish, try #4 hooks with a small jig. Crappie can also be caught using a minnow. When fishing for bullhead or catfish, bait works best along the bottom. Try using cut-bait, worms, or even cut hotdogs. You can fish for them day and night, but they seem to be most active during low light conditions. For walleye, try crankbaits, stickbaits, jig/worm or worm harnesses. With the warming trend, channel catfish and bullheads should also start biting. Check the special fishing regulations for walleye season catch limits when fishing at Whitney Point Reservoir.
Spring Trout Season and Stocking
DEC Fish Hatchery staff are busy stocking trout into waters in central New York. For the anticipated number of trout to be stocked per water, view the 2025 Spring Trout Stocking List.
As of May 13, the following waters have been stocked in the area:
- Broome County: Chenango Lake (April 17, May 13), Finch Hollow (April 16), Little Choconut (April 16), Nanticoke 7a (April 16), Patterson Pond #1 (April 16), Arctic Lake (April 15), Palmers Pond (April 15), Nanticoke Lake (April 14), Greenwood Lake (April 14), Oquaga Creek (March 31), Dudley Creek (March 20), East Branch Nanticoke Creek (March 20), Nanticoke Creek (March 20)
- Cayuga County: Owasco Lake (May 6), Owasco Outlet (April 24), Bowman Lake (April 22), Cayuga Lake (April 22), North Brook (April 18), Fall Creek (April 15), Owasco Inlet (April 10)
- Chenango County: Guilford Lake (April 22), Millbrook Reservoir (April 21), Genegantslet Creek (April 2), Otselic River (March 26)
- Cortland County: East Branch Tioughnioga River (April 22, April 24), Casterline Pond (April 14), Durkee Park Pond (April 14), Little York Lake (April 14), West Branch Tioughnioga River (April 3), Otselic River (March 25)
- Madison County: Eaton Reservoir (April 18), Chittenango Creek (April 15), Beaver Creek (April 9), Oneida Creek (April 9), Payne Brook (April 8), Sangerfield River (April 8), Chenango River (April 2), Chittenango Creek (April 2, April 28)
- Onondaga County: Skaneateles Lake (April 24)
- Oswego County: Lighthouse Hill Reservoir (May 9), North Branch Salmon River (May 6), Redfield Sportsman Pond (May 9), Reese’s Pond (May 9), Salmon River East Branch (May 8), West Branch Fish Creek (May 8)
- Tioga County: Tri-county pond (May1), Catatonk Creek (April 7), Cayuta Creek (March 28), East Branch Owego Creek (March 17), Owego Creek (March 18), West Branch Owego Creek (March 18)
- Tompkins County: Cayuga Inlet (May 7), Salmon Creek (May 6), Virgil Creek (April 21), Enfield Creek (April 14 and May 7), Cayuga Lake (April 9, April 16), Fall Creek (April 7)
The DECinfo Locator Map can be used to view regulations per stream, stocked stream sections, and streams with public fishing rights for locating a new or favorite trout fishing site. If needed, refer to the Trout Stream Fishing Map User Guide for how-to information on using this mapping tool.
For helpful introductory information on trout fishing methods, view Fishing Tips for Stream Trout.
