The Oswego River

The Oswego River offers a variety of fishing opportunities from Three Rivers near Phoenix to its meeting with Lake Ontario in the City of Oswego. In the winter, almost all of the fishing action is concentrated in the Oswego Harbor area. Steelhead and rainbow trout remain in the river throughout the season, and become most active during warm spells.

When spring arrives, the activity along the entire length of the river. The steelhead in the lower stretch of the river become most active during March and early April. As the river thaws, other fish become accessible-including white perch, white bass, bullhead, crappies, catfish and carp.
The summer marks the beginning of bass season. Smallmouth bass are common throughout the river, and these fish congregate below the weedy, more stagnant dams and locks and in the deeper sections of the river. Some of the best spots for pike and largemouth bass can be found in the mouth and into Ox Creek,
Walleye can be found year round in the Oswego River, and these fish are most active during the peak of the summer. Although they can be found around most of the dropoffs in the river, the best fishing is usually found in the Oswego Harbor area. Some of the best spots for pike and largemouth bass can be found in the mouth and into Ox Creek, south of Fulton, and around Battle Island

In the fall, huge schools of salmon and trout begin to make their runs into the Oswego River from Lake Ontario. . These include chinook and coho salmon, and brown and lake trout. The fish are easily accessible for shore and boat fishermen, who-by using egg sacks and spoons- can expect some exciting fall fishing action. trout head upriver.

Once the fishing for salmon and brown trout begins to fade, waves of steelhead and rainbow trout head upriver. These will continue to enter the river throughout the warmer periods of the winter, and will stay until spring.

Hot Spots

City of Oswego, Battle Island, Ox Creek, Three Rivers, Big Island.

Favorite Lures

For trout and salmon, try Hotn-Tops and Hot Shots, egg sacks, steelie stoppers and yarn flies. For walleye, drifted worm rigs and jigs. For smallmouth bass, crabs, minnows, worms, small plugs and spinners. For largemouth bass, worms, crayfish, plastic worms, spinners and buzzbaits .

Special Regulations

There are special regulations for the river section between the Utica Street Bridge and the Varick Street Dam in Oswego. These regulations are subject to change. Please consult a current New York State Fishing Regulations Guide for more information.

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