Just curious how individuals can tell others that something is illegal without being able to substaniate their assertions. If in fact it was illegal to use perch eyes it would specifically state so in the DEC regulations. This isn't some NEW secret bait for perch fishing. Its been around for as long as the use of worms,minnows.
I have read the bait rules and only found one section that addresses the use of bait parts. However this ONLY addressed the COMMERCIAL aspect of selling parts of bait. Given the fact that it isn't addressed in the rules section coupled with the following information taken from the DEC Hotline, I would say that the use of percheyes is LEGAL.
NOTE; ONEIDA LAKE , LINE FOUR,
PERCH ARE HITTING SWEDISH PIMPLES AND CASTMASTERS TIPPED WITH "PERCH EYES'
Central New York Fishing Hotline
February 6 - February 13
We continue to have good ice formation with most of the smaller waterbodies having a foot or more of ice on them. Ice thickness varies however, even on the same waterbody, so please exercise extreme caution if you decide to venture out onto the ice.
Region 7
Lake Ontario
The lake fishing is over for the season.
Oswego River
The river flow continues to drop and is running around 5,600 cubic feet per second (cfs), as of 2/6. There is some slush forming on the river at times and the area around the dam is unfishable. The area behind the hotels is producing steelhead and brown trout, as is the Kiddie Pool. Good baits are egg sacs, worms, minnows, single hook spinners, jigs fished under a float and stickbaits.
Salmon River
The river flow is running around 750 cfs, as of 2/6. There has been some slush and ice forming on the river making fishing difficult at times. The shelf ice that formed on the lower river has cleared some and anglers can fish the area around the Little Black Hole. Most of the fishing activity is still taking place from Pineville to the Lower Fly Area. Fishing pressure has been light most days. Good baits continue to be egg sacs (with blue or pink mesh) and small black stone flies.
Oneida Lake
There is from 8-12+" of ice on most of the lake. Still use caution if venturing out as ice thickness varies throughout the lake. Yellow perch are moving a little deeper and a few are being caught pretty much everywhere in 20-35 feet of water. Anglers who continue to search for fish are having the best luck. Perch are hitting Swedish pimples and Kastmasters tipped with perch eyes, minnows, spikes, wax worms and mousies. Some walleye are also being taken mixed in with the perch. Big Bay is still producing some good catches of bluegills and black crappie.
Sandy Pond
There is 12+" of ice reported on the pond. Fishing has picked up for northern pike and the yellow perch fishing continues to be good. Perch are hitting on small minnows and spikes while northern pike are hitting on large shiners.
Cayuga Lake
There is reported to be from 8-12" of ice on parts of the north end of the lake and anglers are getting out as far as the double buoys and catching good yellow perch. The perch fishing has slowed a little but some good catches are still being caught. Some anglers are also getting out on the ice on the south end of the lake.
Owasco Lake
Anglers are fishing both the north and south ends of the lake. There is open water still from around Adams Point to Bucks Point. There is reported to be 6-12" of ice on the south end of the lake and anglers are getting good numbers of big bluegills, yellow perch, lake trout and northern pike. Lake trout fishing continues to be very good for anglers fishing near the bottom in 100 -150 feet of water with minnows. On the north end their getting some very big yellow perch on medium-sized shiners. Yellow perch are also hitting spikes, mousies and small minnows. Pike and trout are being caught on large minnows.
Skaneateles Lake
The north end has 9-11" of ice. Fishing has been slow but anglers are catching some yellow perch, lake trout and the occasional Atlantic salmon. Medium and large minnows are working for the trout and spikes, mousies and small minnows for the perch.
Otisco Lake
There is 8 - 12" of ice on the north end of the lake. Anglers are fishing from the County Park north. Bluegills, pumpkinseeds and black crappie are all hitting on small jigs tipped with spikes. Tiger musky fishing has been very good for anglers targeting them with tip-ups and large minnows. A few 35+ inch fish have been reported.
Whitney Point Reservoir
There is reported to be around 11" of ice on parts of the reservoir with less ice on the channel. Fishing continues to be slow for both crappie and walleye. Anglers fishing with underwater cameras are seeing a lot of fish but having difficulty getting the fish to bite. Downsizing your line, using small dark or natural colored jigs and real subtle presentation may help catch some of these inactive fish.
Susquehanna, Chenango, Tioughnioga and Unadilla Rivers
Walleye fishing has been very good on the river for anglers fishing with jigging Rapalas in chartreuse and chartreuse & glow. Best action has been around Nichols.
Eastern Region 8
Lake Ontario
With the cold weather most of the streams are frozen over, so no steelhead fishing to report.
Genesee River
No new fishing activity to report at this time.
Sodus Bay
Fishing continues to be good for yellow perch and fish are being caught from 10-30 feet of water. The deeper water is producing some larger fish. Perch are hitting small jigs tipped with spikes, mousies or minnows.
Irondequoit Bay
There is around 6-12"of ice on the bay. Anglers are getting good numbers of yellow perch with larger fish less common. Fish are being caught in most depths with the 30-35 foot range producing a few bigger fish. Perch are hitting on all the usual baits; spikes, mousies, and small minnows. Anglers who try different baits and continue to move searching for fish are having the most luck.
Seneca Lake
Northern pike fishing continues to be great off the pier with fish hitting pretty much everything from live bait to artificial baits. Yellow perch are also being caught off the pier on wax-worms, minnows and spikes. A few brown trout are also being caught around Severne point.
Canandaigua Lake
There is reported to be from 6-8" of ice on the north end and 5-8" on the south end in the Woodville area. Fishing has been fair for perch and bluegills. The early morning bite has been the best.
Keuka Lake
There is 6-10" of ice on parts of the lake out to the 20 to 25 foot depth range in the Penn Yan area and around Keuka College. There is also reported to be 4-5" of ice in the Branchport area. Bluegill are being caught in 10-15 feet of water and some yellow perch are hitting in 25 feet. Overall fishing continues to be slow and anglers who keep searching for fish are having better luck.
Waneta Lake/Lamoka Lake
There is reported to be 12+" of ice and anglers are getting bluegills in 4 to 6 feet of water on Lamoka. Yellow perch fishing has been slow but a few are being caught on small minnows.
Note - we are always looking for new participants in our Angler Diary Cooperator Program for our program on the Finger Lakes. Our numbers have dropped in recent years and we need new cooperators now more than ever. If you fish Cayuga Lake, Owasco Lake, Skaneateles Lake, Otisco Lake or any of their tributaries and want to learn more about this program and how to sign up please contact the Region 7 Fisheries office at (607) 753-3095 ext. 213 or on line at
[email protected]. If you fish Canadice Lake, Canandaigua Lake, Conesus Lake, Hemlock Lake, Honeoye Lake, Keuka Lake or Seneca Lake and want to learn more about this program and how to sign up please contact the Region 8 Fisheries office at (585) 226-5343 or on line at
[email protected]If you would like to contribute to the fishing report or need more fishing information or have any fishing/fishing equipment related questions you can contact me at
[email protected] Good Luck Fishing.
The fishing line can also be heard at (607) 753-1551.
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