Oswego River fishing

Fishing at Oswego River is on a river section, stocked with Chinook Salmon and Steelhead. It is stocked about 2.7 times a year since 2011, most often in April and May.

Last stocked

May 1, 2025

Plants on record

41

Since 2011

Species recorded

2

Average size

4 in

Elevation

246 ft

Access and facts

Water type
river section
Nearest town
Fulton
Boat ramp
Yes
Facilities
dock

Seven public hard-surface ramps along the river from Phoenix and Volney through the City of Fulton to Wright's Landing Marina in the City of Oswego.

Sources: access , shore_notes , nearest_town , facilities , water_type , fishing_notes , watch_outs

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How Oswego River is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of April. In 2025 it was April 1, 2025, about when it usually is.

Lake Ontario (0.7 mi) was stocked more recently.

Fish at Oswego River

Fishing Oswego River is most likely to be for Chinook Salmon. Chinook Salmon accounts for 24 of 41 plants on record, ahead of Steelhead.

Chinook Salmon 24 plants
Plants
24 of 41
Last stocked
May 1, 2025
Average length
3.4 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Chinook Salmon guide.

Steelhead 17 plants
Plants
17 of 41
Last stocked
April 1, 2025
Average length
4.9 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Steelhead guide.

Fishing Oswego River

The Oswego River is a popular spot for sport fishing, known for its steelhead run in the early spring and a salmon run in early autumn. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation annually stocks the river with 140,000 Chinook salmon and 20,000 steelhead. Anglers can target over a dozen game fish species, with 11 public access points available.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

What to watch for

The City of Oswego enforces an ice fishing ban on the Oswego River during winter months due to safety concerns. Strong currents exist under the frozen ice sheets, which can endanger anglers if they fall through.

Fish stocked per year

  • 164,8302011
  • 133,5802012
  • 159,7002013
  • 159,7002014
  • 153,8802015
  • 159,7002016
  • 106,6102017
  • 115,0302018
  • 78,0602019
  • 131,3902020
  • 146,3902021
  • 146,3902022
  • 161,3302023
  • 173,2102024
  • 191,7122025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 41 plants Showing 41 plants

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 1, 2025 Chinook Salmon 24,362 3.1 in report
May 1, 2025 Chinook Salmon 138,210 3.8 in report
April 1, 2025 Steelhead 29,140 5.25 in report
April 1, 2024 Chinook Salmon 138,210 3.6 in report
April 1, 2024 Steelhead 35,000 4.5 in report
May 1, 2023 Chinook Salmon 126,330 3.9 in report
April 1, 2023 Steelhead 35,000 4.7 in report
May 1, 2022 Chinook Salmon 111,390 4 in report
April 1, 2022 Steelhead 35,000 4.5 in report
May 1, 2021 Chinook Salmon 111,390 3.9 in report
April 1, 2021 Steelhead 35,000 4.7 in report
May 1, 2020 Chinook Salmon 111,390 3.6 in report
March 1, 2020 Steelhead 20,000 5 in report
May 1, 2019 Steelhead 5,000 6.2 in report
May 1, 2019 Chinook Salmon 58,060 3.6 in report
April 1, 2019 Steelhead 15,000 5.1 in report
May 1, 2018 Chinook Salmon 20,080 3.3 in report
May 1, 2018 Chinook Salmon 64,390 3.5 in report
April 1, 2018 Steelhead 20,000 4.8 in report
April 1, 2018 Steelhead 10,560 4.4 in report
May 1, 2017 Chinook Salmon 22,220 3.2 in report
May 1, 2017 Chinook Salmon 64,390 3.8 in report
April 1, 2017 Steelhead 20,000 4 in report
May 1, 2016 Chinook Salmon 97,810 3.2 in report
May 1, 2016 Chinook Salmon 41,890 3.6 in report
April 1, 2016 Steelhead 20,000 4.6 in report
May 1, 2015 Chinook Salmon 97,810 3.1 in report
May 1, 2015 Chinook Salmon 41,890 3.2 in report
April 1, 2015 Steelhead 14,180 5.1 in report
May 1, 2014 Chinook Salmon 97,810 3.2 in report
May 1, 2014 Chinook Salmon 41,890 3.3 in report
April 1, 2014 Steelhead 20,000 4.9 in report
May 1, 2013 Chinook Salmon 97,810 2.8 in report
May 1, 2013 Chinook Salmon 41,890 2.9 in report
April 1, 2013 Steelhead 20,000 4.7 in report
May 1, 2012 Chinook Salmon 79,520 3.4 in report
May 1, 2012 Steelhead 20,000 5.7 in report
May 1, 2012 Chinook Salmon 34,060 2.9 in report
May 1, 2011 Chinook Salmon 99,810 3.2 in report
May 1, 2011 Steelhead 23,130 5.5 in report
May 1, 2011 Chinook Salmon 41,890 3 in report
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Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

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