Oswegatchie River
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The Oswegatchie River enters the St. Lawrence River at the City of Ogdensburg. Oswegatchie is an Indian name which means going or coming around a hill. An Indian tribe of that name once lived along the river.[1] The East Branch of the Oswegatchie, regarded as the main branch, begins in Hamilton County, New York. The lower part of the river, between Gouverneur and Ogdensburg is slow-moving with some rapids that can be handled by experienced canoeists. The fishing in this part of the river is great and is a hidden secret to most because the majority of land on this stretch of the river is private, although there are spots where you can throw in a canoe or small boat.
Important fish species include: Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pure-Bred Muskies, Channel Catfish, Walleyes, Red Finned Mullets, and Common Carp. Smallmouth Bass like nightcrawlers fished on the bottom and Fire Tiger colored lipless crankbaits reeled fast by the shoreline and worked slow near downed trees. Northern Pike will attack almost anything that crosses their path but take a particular liking to red and white spoons in the spring, and top water baits in the summer and fall such as buzzbaits and prop-baits. Pure-Bred Muskies are mostly targeted at night by trolling or using big jitterbugs, their numbers aren't so great and most fishermen release them unharmed. Channel Catfish hang out in deep holes and are mostly targeted with liver and huge nightcrawlers. Walleyes love Big O's and Erie Dearie spinnerbaits with a live nightcrawler attached wacky or straight up. Mullets are targeted with worms, while Carp are often taken on corn and doughbaits.
The middle section of the river, between Gouverneur (village), New York and Cranberry Lake, New York is partially navigable by experienced canoeists. A two mile section from southern Cranberry Lake to Inlet is unnavigable. From Inlet, the upper Oswegatchie is one of the wildest canoeable rivers in the Adirondacks.[2] The area is rich in history from logging days to the present. The upper river provides access to some of the remotest parts of Adirondack Park. Near the southern edge of St. Lawrence County it goes over High Falls. The source of the Oswegatchie is Partlow Milldam, in Herkimer County. However there is a 3.5 mile portage at the old historic "Beaverdam" that allows canoeists to travel to Lows Lake and the Bog River. These are all located in the Five Ponds Wilderness Area.
[edit] Gallery
 The upper Oswegatchie R. near High Rock, in December |
[edit] References
- ^ p. 249, Simms, Jeptha Root, Trappers of New York, Harbor Hill Books, Harrison, NY, 1850, 1871, reprinted 1980, ISBN 0916346382
- ^ Jamieson, Paul F., and Donald Morris, Adirondack Canoe Waters: North Flow, third ed., Adirondack Mountain Club, Lake George, NY, 1988, rev. 1994, ISBN 9780935272437
[edit] See also
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