Cross Lake Ice Fishing Question

[ryanrobb52]

I have been looking for a good Ice Fishing lake in the CNY area since I moved down here a couple years ago. I have fished Cross Lake a bit in the summer with little success but it sounds like the pike fishing there really heats up in the fall. Does anyone know if these fish hang around through the winter too? I have fished pike on the St Lawerance for 20+ years and would love to broaden my horizions somewhere closer to home.

Thanks

[MeatHunter737]

Pike and tigers are caught in Cross... the DEC has stocked tigers in there for alot of years...

[ryanrobb52]

good to know, thanks MeatHunter. I love a nice pike or too for a fish fry in the winter.

[MeatHunter737]

[MeatHunter737]

stocking report for Onondage county

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/23243.html

Cayuga county...

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/23271.html

[Time Out]

Be careful on cross lake as its part of the canal system and the water levels can varry causing week spots on the ice not only at shore but also out in the lake. Have had a couple close calls there when there was plenty of ice.

[ryanrobb52]

Thanks for that piece of information Time Out. I always take my 6 year old with me and certainly dont want to risk his life on unsafe ice. I guess I will have to give it a shot alone before taking him with me on Cross Lake. Do the Pike usually run shallow there or are they found in deeper water during the winter?

[mtboxess]

Grew up in the area and Cross Lake is notorious for iffy ice. In addition to the river current there are also some springs in the lake that keep the ice from really forming. Most locals in the area fish Otter Lake that is close by. I would be very careful about venturing out on Cross and think twice about bringing my kids with me. Just my two cents.

[NitroMusky]

Yup, water levels have been up a good bit so if it's iced over now, it WILL get iffy as the levels come back down with the temps low and runoff at a minimum

Where are these springs you mention???

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[MeatHunter737]

Grew up in the area and Cross Lake is notorious for iffy ice. In addition to the river current there are also some springs in the lake that keep the ice from really forming. Most locals in the area fish Otter Lake that is close by. I would be very careful about venturing out on Cross and think twice about bringing my kids with me. Just my two cents.

Otter is a great place to target crappies, and using pike shiners can land you some huge LM bass...alot of fun those LM

[ryanrobb52]

I'm not familiar with Otter Lake. Can you please PM me directions on how to get there MeatHunter?

Thanks for the info guys. The last thing I want to do is put my son in a dangerous situation.

[Sully]

I've been trying to find out ice info on Otter. I know it is usually one of the first to freeze around here. I was hoping I could get out sunday. I tried calling Dan to see how conditions are but have yet to hear. Does anyone know?