Sodus Bay is reached by routes 14 and 414 leading north from state Route 104. Access to the ice is usually not a problem, especially at Sodus Point, although there are no official public-access sites.

Some anglers use the Route 143 bridge at the south end of the bay -- where, incidentally, a bait shop can provide information on current fishing conditions.

ONEIDA LAKE
Oneida Lake is the ultimate year-round sport fishery in New York, where the numbers of fishermen on the ice during winter weekends equal the openings in spring of the walleye and bass seasons.

They fish essentially the same areas including shoals, bars and dropoffs. Walleyes are the prime target for hardwater anglers, and according to researchers, the population is back up to average numbers.

The large Shackleton Shoals in the middle of the lake is the most noted walleye-perch hotspot. A cluster of shoals off Constantia, including Pancake, Grassy and Dakin, are also popular fish magnets, along with Messenger Shoal in the east end. Perch and panfish are also taken in good numbers on Oneida.

The most successful walleye fishermen use the new non-stretch, ultra-thin lines. At 6-pound-test, the line diameter is threadlike. At the end, they use two feet of 4- or 6-pound-test fluorocarbon leader, and a jigging spoon with half a minnow.

Oneida Lake lies north of Syracuse. I-81 crosses the west end. Take exits 30, 31 or 32 to routes 31, 13 and 49 which surround the lake. Excellent access is provided at Three Mile Bay off Route 49, five miles south of Central Square; at Toad Harbor off Shaw Drive in the town of West Monroe; and at Godfrey Point adjacent to Route 49, one mile east of Cleveland.

CAYUGA LAKE
Sometimes called the largest Finger Lake, Cayuga is more than 400 feet deep and never freezes over. That is, except for about four miles of the north end, where the water is less than 15 feet deep, with enough weeds and construction debris to create ideal perch-panfish habitat.

Fishermen set up over a boating channel that is maintained at 10 to 12 feet through the center of these shallows. Perch schools are reported to hang more toward the middle of the channel, with big bluegills and other panfish associated with the weedy edges.

To reach Cayuga Lake from the Thruway, take Exit 41 and proceed south on Route 414 to routes 5 and 20. Continue east about five miles to Route 89, which runs along the west side of the lake. About a mile south on Route 89, turn onto Lower Lake Road to reach Cayuga Lake State Park for ice-fishing access.