fishbear

I actually have a ton of fun with those pickerel on Oneida. Use an inline spinner with 6 lb test line reeled just under the surface. Many in the mid 20" range and many jump, which I've rarely had happen with pike. Of course they run smaller than tigers and many pike, but they still probably average as big as the pike I used to catch on the bays of Lake Ontario.

I've never heard of a deliberate stocking of Oneida, though a few apparently escape from the hatchery and are caught on rare occasions. Definitely not worth targeting, as Nitro said.

Cross Lake is like any body of water in summer- quite busy on weekends and much less busy on weekdays. It sounds as if you want to stay in the summer place all week long, so you should be OK. I know you are primarily interested in pike, but you can catch a wide variety of fish there- smallmouth and largemouth bass, white perch, bluegills, and tons of channel catfish. Some people say they catch crappie. I like the fact that aside from the bigger gamefish that are there, you can always catch lots of panfish if you're in the mood for a fish fry. I rented a camp there several years ago and caught more fish over Labor Day Weekend than I had fishing everywhere else in the previous 10 years. It's big enough for some good variety, but not so big that it gets rough frequently like larger lakes do.

Seems its always all about the dollar, Tony b-whether it be Canadian or American.

Just out of curiousity- why is PBS blocking Canadian viewers?

In spring it was so easy to catch fish on Oneida- Largemouth, Smallmouth, Pickerel. Now that it's fall and fishing should be even better- I went out a couple days ago and didn't get one hit. Yesterday I went out about 3 hours and had one hit- a 17'' Smallmouth. But others are having success- the walleye night bite(I don't really care for night fishing) and some say they are catching tons of perch.

Be Careful!! 730 Pm is almost dark. Regulations says night fishing for salmon is prohibited. Check NYSDEC Salmon Fishing Regualations

There are public boat launches where you should be able to shore fish at Howland Island and Mosquito Point on the Seneca River. My friend has a camp near these and says his neighbors catch pike from their docks, so shore fishing at those 2 launches might be worth a try. You might try posting this question as a separate Topic too.

Those lures look so good I don't think you really need hooks- Fish will just grab em and won't let go till they're in the boat!!

You don't have to eat your fishing lures for lead to build up in the environment and be a problem for your children and grandchildren. Gator is right on this. And I've been buying lead free sinkers for many years and don't see any problem with them.

Waneta next door to Lamoka is supposed to be the Musky lake. Heard Lamoka was more for Largemouth.

Hoddie, this Forum has a North Shore Section that mentions some of those areas. You might have better luck there than on this South Shore Section.

Johnny, was this in the Seneca River?

Certainly report this to that "salesman's" (or should that be "salesmorons's") manager! There are plenty of good hard working people out there that would love to have his job. Even if he didn't want to share his "secrets" he had no right to respond in that way!

$900 for 8 hours ? How many people share that cost?

Try Smithwicks- just as good but much lower in price.

There is another place on the east side called Sunset Park. Not too many places on Cross Lake.

Hi Panfisher, we are fishing in the Rideau system in Canada I'm moving there!! I'll blend right in- I speak fluent Canadian!!!

Well, now I know I haven't been fishing right- that stretch of the river going into the reef is right where my camp is!!! Thanks for the info- I'm going to try harder.

i don't know if it's to far for you but cross lake is pretty good. snupytcb, where and how do you get them on Cross Lake? I've had a camp on the Seneca River coming out of Cross for 7 years, but never caught a legal Crappie on Cross. I know I must not be fishing right, but what suggestions do you have for lures and areas on Cross? And are the Crappies you catch the Black or White? I've heard both are in there.

I really like the Engine Mount Trolling Motors. Don't have to remove it all the time to prevent it being stolen. BUT- never buy a brand called "Navigator". I had constant trouble with Navigator and gave up and bought a MinnKota. Haven't used it yet-just bought it-but I'm confident the MinnKota will be better from what I've heard. By the way, I used a 55 lb thrust on a 19 foot boat and was happy. How big a boat do you have that needs 165?

Speaking of used motors, I'm still using a 1968 Johnson and it works great.

What part of the Erie Canal were you fishing in?

Absolutely right!. Tracfone is about $100 per YEAR!