Fishing Report for January 5, 2023

This report courtesy of the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning.

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Happy New Year! The calendar might’ve changed but the season’s phenomenal fishing remains the same. When asked by one Salmon River guide how would you explain the fishing? His answer was, consistent. With the amount of fish pictures we are seeing, we view this as a good thing.

Salmon River:

The recent warm weather has added rain, so we have seen the flows on the Salmon River go back up.  At the time of this report, the flow is 2200 out of the powerhouse with the flow over 2900 in Pineville.  We are hoping this will decrease by the weekend.

With the higher flows and cold temperatures, we recommend concentrating on the slowest water you can find. Put away your stealthy winter presentations and throw the right stuff.  Chartreuse, pink, and white egg sacs. 10-12mm beads in bright colors.

Tight lines everyone!

Oswego River:

The Oswego was very dirty coming into the week, but it cleaned up by mid-week and the fishing picked up along with it.  Hopefully the latest round of rain doesn’t dirty the river back up.  Fishing is generally tougher with dirty water.

Overall, fish can be found from the damn all the way down to the harbor.  For those fishing upriver, we recommend 10-12 mm beads in bright colors like chartreuse or orange.  Marabou, jigs in white, chartreuse, or pink have all been catching plenty of fish as well.

In the harbor, fish are being taken on bucktail jigs and swim baits on jig heads. White, chartreuse, and natural color baits are working the best.