Wind scattered the salmon, and cool nights are bringing them back

The lake

Staging kings are holding around 90 feet, and boats are fishing anywhere from 60 feet to past 200. The northeast wind on Sunday pushed in colder water and broke up the schools, so the boats covering the most water are catching the most fish. As the nights get cooler, the fish are moving closer to the river mouths.

Divers on a number three setting are catching fish about 80 to 130 feet back, and some crews run them out to 180. Sliders set about 30 feet down on the riggers are picking up the higher fish. Most fish are coming on flasher-and-fly combinations and meat rigs. Boats are also running UV and Carbon-14 spoons, NK Frostbites and glow J-plugs. Crews run white blades early and switch to chrome once the sun is up.

The Salmon River

A cancelled whitewater release left the river lower than expected. The fish have spread out through the whole river, and fewer are sitting in the usual holes. If you're willing to walk, that works in your favor, because there's less competition at each pool. You just have to find the fish.

Fish the fastest water and the spots where fast water meets slower water. Use fresh, brightly colored baits early in the day. As the light comes up and the fish have seen more baits, switch to lighter baits and natural colors.

Check the release schedule before you pick a stretch to fish. A release changes the river completely. Knowing the schedule is the main reason a local guide outfishes a visitor with the same tackle.

The Oswego River

The river ran higher for a week, and that pulled in salmon and brown trout. Early-run fish are heading straight to the dam. The fast-water shoots are fishing best, and anglers are catching fish on deep-diving crankbaits off the high and low walls. Night fishing behind the YMCA has been good too.

Regulations to know

You can keep one brown trout. It counts toward a three-fish combined limit that allows only one brown and one steelhead. Check the current NYSDEC regulations before you launch, because the tributary rules differ from the open-lake rules and they change.