By Chris Kenyon
Sodus Bay, located in Wayne County, is a premier ice fishing destination along the Seaway Trail. Anglers often drive two hours from Buffalo to drill holes in this expansive 3,200-acre body of water. Such a trip requires an early start, with many setting alarms for 4 a.m. to ensure a full day on the ice.
As a large bay, Sodus can be intimidating for first-time anglers. However, ice fishing should be an enjoyable adventure rather than a daunting challenge. To help ease the process, let’s explore some proven hotspots. One key factor for a successful ice fishing season is having a solid freeze over those 3,200 acres of water. Fortunately, Sodus Bay can often achieve safe ice by Christmas, though there have been winters without any ice at all.
Historically, the first ice to form on Sodus Bay appears on the east side of LeRoy Island, one of three islands located at the northern end of the bay. While parking is limited, you can usually find a spot at the end of LeRoy Island Road, which branches off from Lake Bluff Road.
Just south of LeRoy Island lies another early-ice haven, particularly for perch and bluegills. Anglers can find abundant panfish straight out from Connelly’s Cove Restaurant in waters just four to five feet deep. Dangle a chartreuse teardrop jig near the bottom to increase your chances of a bite. Adding a spike to the end of the jig or switching to perch eyes can enhance your success.
As the ice season progresses, the sought-after species often shift locations. The schooling perch that initially linger in shallow waters tend to move to deeper areas. Pike, on the other hand, will remain around the weed lines. The strategy is simple: fish the weeds to catch pike, and venture deep to target perch.
Just south of LeRoy Island lies another early-ice haven, particularly for perch and bluegills. Anglers can find abundant panfish straight out from Connelly’s Cove Restaurant in waters just four to five feet deep. Dangle a chartreuse teardrop jig near the bottom to increase your chances of a bite. Adding a spike to the end of the jig or switching to perch eyes can enhance your success.
As the ice season progresses, the sought-after species often shift locations. The schooling perch that initially linger in shallow waters tend to move to deeper areas. Pike, on the other hand, will remain around the weed lines. The strategy is simple: fish the weeds to catch pike, and venture deep to target perch.
In past seasons, anglers reported good success catching perch in the cove north of Waypoint Restaurant, where fish stayed consistently active throughout the winter in depths of 18 to 20 feet. While jigs remain a staple bait, some anglers enjoy the thrill of using tip-downs with perch minnows rigged near the bottom. When the perch are biting, there’s plenty of movement on the ice as anglers check their setups.
Late February to early March is prime time for walleye fishing beneath the ice in Sodus Bay. The action is concentrated at the south end of the bay near Third Creek, which flows into Sodus at Shaker Heights Road. Anglers need to venture into deeper waters—around 30 feet—to find walleye, often requiring a lengthy hike from shore. Many opt to bring snowmobiles or ATVs to locate walleye hideouts.
Minnows are effective bait, but anglers can also achieve success using Kastmasters, Swedish Pimples, or other heavy jigging spoons. Rigging with larger baits can also attract jumbo perch in this area of the bay.
If you choose to use minnows with your tip-ups, be prepared for a cost of around $9 per dozen. At that price, each minnow becomes a valuable asset, requiring careful handling. Losing one while rigging can feel like tossing 75 cents down the hole!
From the first ice at LeRoy Island until the last remaining safe ice near the south end, Sodus Bay consistently produces phenomenal fishing. Whether you target a specific species, or just want to enjoy whatever comes up through the hole, this bay will not disappoint you.
Word gets out fast within the ice fishing community. As the fish move, the shanties appear at different locations. If you are new to ice fishing, just follow the shanties. Usually if it’s crowded, the action is fast.
For weekly ice conditions, log onto www.waynecountytourism.com, and go to “Fishing Update”, or call Davenport Marina at (315) 587-4434, or Bay Bridge Sport Shop at (315) 587-9508. Davenports and Bay Bridge are full-service bait shops, located at the south end of Sodus Bay on Ridge Road.
At the north end of Sodus Bay, in the village of Sodus Point, there is the Sodus Point Bait Shop, another full-service establishment. Troy, Dawn, and Kayci Warren are always available for expert advice about ice fishing in Sodus Bay, and they have all the equipment needed for some productive hours on the ice. They are located at 8487 Greig St. Sodus Point, New York 14555. Call (315) 483-2183, or e-mail troywarren02@yahoo.com.
All these bait shops are open the entire year. If you are traveling quite a distance, the last thing you want to see is a closed sign…that will not happen at Sodus Bay.
Chris Kenyon is an Outdoor Columnist for the Sodus Record-Sun and the Finger Lakes Times and freelances for several outdoor publications. He is a member of New York State Outdoor Writers’ Association and the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers. He is also the Outdoor Recreational Coordinator for Wayne County Tourism.
This article has been revised by Daniel O’Neill, an experienced angler and writer, to ensure its continued relevance and accuracy. As a result, it may no longer reflect the original author’s views or intentions.
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