Oswego & Oswego River

[2DirtyKids]

My son is moving up to Oswego and we are curious about fishing the Oswego river. We really never had a plan to fish Lake Ontario with our bass boat I assume there are days it would be okay. But the Oswego river looks interesting and wondering about access and distance available to boats. Thanks

[Rick Howard]

The river has fish but doesn’t compare to the Lake. I’d fish the river if the Lake is too rough. Oswego river has a lot of locks making short distances between between them. Oswego is a short ride from Little Sodus Bay (Fair Haven). That’s a nice little bay to fish when the lake is too rough. Also some good access to Lake Ontario when it’s not too rough.

[2DirtyKids]

Thank you that does look good.

[ECobb91]

My parents had a camp in fair Haven when I was in high school and it’s one of my favorite fisheries in the state. The town itself is imo what small town Americana should be especially during the summer. We try going back up there every year for just a day trip.

Lake Ontario itself can be fished more times than not, we always did well with smallmouth in the main lake. Just need to use your brain and don’t push the limits but even right in the harbor we’ve done well. Within 45min of Oswego there’s Mexico bay, Port Bay, Sandy pond, big sodus bay, cross lake, Onondaga, and Oneida. So plenty of opportunities to bass fish are around.

[2DirtyKids]

Thanks. Lots of good information.

[Bronzebackpro7]

If you want some rock solid entertainment and front row to local MMA fights go there during the salmon run

[ECobb91]

If you want some rock solid entertainment and front row to local MMA fights go there during the salmon run

It’s always fun to watching folks from Jersey and the Bosnians fight over a half dead carcass of a fish.

oh and harbor fest in the summer is always a crap show. Should be named to Trash Fest. We avoided the place like the plague during that time.

Joking aside, the sterling renaissance festival and apple fest was always a fun time. Ontario orchards is an awesome place

[2DirtyKids]

Thanks, what is the easiest place to launch and park during the summer in Oswego?

[Jeffufuhhhh]

If you decide to fish Onondaga Lake, the DEC boat launch near the amphitheater is nice. Plenty of parking most days, concrete ramp, and two docks. Weekend mornings are the busiest times during the summer.

I never had the chance to fish in Oswego from my boat, but I've fished the Phoenix section of the Oswego River. There's a public launch right in town and that section of the river typically has little to no boat traffic.

If you fish Oneida Lake, I suggest launching from Oneida Shores. There's a DEC boat launch, on the south shore, but it's a shallow ramp. Also, be aware of the many hazards Oneida Lake has, including how quickly the weather can turn sour.

[zaprod71]

Be sure to realize, these lakes can get really rough on windy days. Most of them are straight and no islands so the wind gets a pretty good run. But most of the rivers offer decent fishing on those days.

[ECobb91]

Easiest place to launch is at the Oswego harbor by the coast guard station

[bschwoep]

Launch at Wrights Landing Marina, it’s right in Oswego Harbor. You can fish the lake and the Oswego River up to the first lock. You can access the stretch between Fulton and Oswego locks from a small launch (Indian Point Landing) just north of Fulton on highway 481. Upstream you can access the next stretch from the village Of Phoenix launch. This is the stretch between the Fulton and Phoenix locks and the launch is just below the Phoenix launch. Finally you can access the last stretch of the Oswego River from the three rivers Dec launch located just under the 481 bridge. The launch is actually on the Oneida River but the Oneida and Seneca River form the Oswego River. As a bonus you can fish the Oneida River all the way up to the next lock and fish the Seneca River all the way to the next lock in Baldwinsville.