Oswego County, NY
Oneida Lake
can catch Atlantic salmon, the
Few areas of North America
Salmon River offers some of the
offer the quality and diversity of
r
n fo
is well-know eye
finest sportfishing in the U.S. Mas-
freshwater fishing found in Os-
ll
a
w
g
in
sive numbers of Chinook and Coho
wego County, NY. From trolling
d
n
outsta
.
g
salmon spawn in the river each fall,
on Great Lake Ontario for trophy
in
h
s
fi
and bass
followed by steelhead from No-
trout and salmon, to casting the
pristine waters of the legendary
vember through spring. Visitors can
Salmon River, this area of Central
enjoy 12 miles of public fishing land along the
New York offers unrivaled experiences for anglers of river; there are also private fishing preserves in Pulaski
all ages and abilities.
and Altmar. Numerous guides are available to help an-
glers with techniques and gear.
Oswego County waters have produced 11 world and
state records, including several remarkable fish caught The Oswego River offers a distinct fishery in the heart
in the Salmon River -- a 47 lb. 13 oz. Chinook salmon, of downtown Oswego. A variety of fish – brown trout,
the world record Coho salmon (33 lbs. 4 oz.) and a 33- Chinook and Coho salmon, and steelhead -- move in
and out with the seasons near the mouth of the river
lb, 2 oz. brown trout.
below the first dam. There is outstanding public access
The top four species in Lake Ontario are Chinook and with paved walkways, hotels, restaurants, marinas and
Coho salmon, and brown and rainbow trout. Last sum- other amenities all nearby.
mer saw a record high Chinook salmon catch rate ac-
cording to the NYS Department of Environmental Check out the lower section of the Oswego River,
Conservation. More than 50 credentialed charter cap- smaller lakes, and streams for small- and largemouth
tains, well equipped with navigation equipment, tackle bass, carp, walleye, yellow perch, pickerel, and channel
and gear, offer charter trips from marinas in Oswego, catfish. Look for walleye and bass in Oneida Lake, and
Mexico Point, Port Ontario, Catfish Creek and Sandy ice-fishing for walleye and perch on Sandy Pond,
Pond.
Oneida Lake and Lake Neahtawanta. Several miles of
remote tributary streams are also open to the public,
One of the only places in North America where anglers including Trout and Orwell Brooks and the Mad River.
Photo courtesy of Stu Gallagher