Skaneateles Lake 10/17
Got out at 11:30 am on a “catch ’em and eat ’em” mission on Skinny. I was hoping to catch some nice perch and see what was happening in general. Water temps were at 59 on top. Perch and smallmouth bass were the active fish today. I mainly fished likely perch areas – flats and wide shelves in around 10′ to 23′ of water using light hair jigs. I managed to catch around a dozen perch and a few bass. Most perch were over 10″ and I had 3 around 14″ to almost 15″! Bass were very active but I didn’t target them. I did manage to lose a very nice smallmouth that appeared to be over 18″. I forgot how weak 4lb. test was! I enjoy getting out and catching enough fish for a few meals. I wasn’t able to find any perch schools. I’m no perch expert, but I’d imagine the schools are either deeper, or the fish are still scattered a bit or I just didn’t find any. Usually the colder the water, the more the perch school up – so I’d say it’s still a bit warm. I will be doing a lot more (personal) perch fishing this fall/winter on Skaneateles, Cayuga and Seneca Lakes. I will report general fishing conditions and depths. No trout in the mix this PM on Skinny. Colder water temps will move them up shallower- I’m looking forward to it!