Fingerlakes Smelt Fishing?

MarkE · 03-21-2012, 03:33 PM

I used to smelt fish Cayuga lake with my father over 30 years ago. I last went (once) around 18 years ago.

I now want to take my father and son. I was hoping someone could offer me advise on when the run (may) start(s) this year. Normally I figure the middle to the end of April. However, given the weather this March, I expect the run could be considerably earlier.

Also, a fellow at the DEC advised me Owasco Lake is the only fingerlake that really has a good run anymore. Any thoughts on Owasco?
Thanks,
Mark

teclo · 04-26-2012, 11:39 AM

Owasco and Keuka are about the only places with smelt left, and there is some debate as to whether there even is any left in Keuka now. The runs have already started and people are pulling some, but they don't seem to consider any of the runs very good anymore.
You may be a week late even at this point.

St.Regis · 04-27-2012, 12:12 PM

I've heard that Cayuga still has some, but not many.

fingerlakeshiker · 05-06-2012, 09:20 PM

used to catch a lot on cayuga near aurora, have not gone in years, have not tried owasco, have heard that access can be tricky, a friend of mime went early in april there but did not get much.

Little Rickie · 05-07-2012, 07:11 AM

Why the decline? I thought the lakes were getting cleaner.

MarkE · 05-08-2012, 12:50 PM

I went with my father and son on May 5 to Cayuga Lake. We visited Taughannock Creek, Salmon Creek, and Falls Creek. I suspect whatever run they had this year, was all over. The trip was more about spending time with my father and son, dinner, and ice cream.

Next year I will go April 15 regardless of the weather. My memory is always catching them mid-April.

I have heard Ensenore Creek feeding Owasco Lake is the place to go. I found Ensenore Road in google maps but cannot find any such creek. Any advice?

I have not heard a suitable theory for the decline of the freshwater smelt.
Mark

03-21-2012, 03:33 PM	#1
MarkE Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 7	Fingerlakes Smelt Fishing? I used to smelt fish Cayuga lake with my father over 30 years ago. I last went (once) around 18 years ago. I now want to take my father and son. I was hoping someone could offer me advise on when the run (may) start(s) this year. Normally I figure the middle to the end of April. However, given the weather this March, I expect the run could be considerably earlier. Also, a fellow at the DEC advised me Owasco Lake is the only fingerlake that really has a good run anymore. Any thoughts on Owasco? Thanks, Mark

04-26-2012, 11:39 AM	#2
teclo Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Fingerlakes Posts: 65	Owasco and Keuka are about the only places with smelt left, and there is some debate as to whether there even is any left in Keuka now. The runs have already started and people are pulling some, but they don't seem to consider any of the runs very good anymore. You may be a week late even at this point. __________________ Visit my photography blog here Visit my general blog here

05-07-2012, 07:11 AM	#5
Little Rickie Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Rochester ny Posts: 1,549	Why the decline? I thought the lakes were getting cleaner. __________________ Let there be peace on earth and good will toward all. "One touch of nature makes the whole world kin." William Shakespeare

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04-27-2012, 12:12 PM	#3
St.Regis Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 788	I've heard that Cayuga still has some, but not many.

05-06-2012, 09:20 PM	#4
fingerlakeshiker Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Auburn N.Y. Posts: 140	used to catch a lot on cayuga near aurora, have not gone in years, have not tried owasco, have heard that access can be tricky, a friend of mime went early in april there but did not get much.

05-08-2012, 12:50 PM	#6
MarkE Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 7	I went with my father and son on May 5 to Cayuga Lake. We visited Taughannock Creek, Salmon Creek, and Falls Creek. I suspect whatever run they had this year, was all over. The trip was more about spending time with my father and son, dinner, and ice cream. Next year I will go April 15 regardless of the weather. My memory is always catching them mid-April. I have heard Ensenore Creek feeding Owasco Lake is the place to go. I found Ensenore Road in google maps but cannot find any such creek. Any advice? I have not heard a suitable theory for the decline of the freshwater smelt. Mark

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