Greater Niagara Region Fishing Report

www.niagara-usa.com
By Bill Hilts, Jr

Lake Ontario and tributaries – Jean’s in Wilson held its first annual spring bullhead contest last weekend and 53 anglers signed up to compete for the best two fish catch. While they were just a couple days off from having warm rains being a catalyst for more bullhead bites, a good time was had by all. In the end, it was Joel Feagin of Wilson winning the tournament with two fish weighing in at 2.72 pounds. He was fishing in the east branch of 12 Mile Creek with red worms. According to Mel Major, Proprietor of Jean’s, they hope to have to the event again next year. Meanwhile, warm rains all week could trigger quite a bit of action in area streams and in the lake. However, with over two inches of rain, it will be a few days before waters recede. Pier casters are picking up browns in Olcott and Wilson, including Mark Vogt, Jr. of Newfane who landed a dandy 12 pounder last week. Trollers are working the shoreline with stickbaits and spoons to take some trout, too. Burt Dam and 18 Mile Creek are still holding steelhead, but the water was low and clear. That will change with the rain. Perch are also hitting at Golden Hill, Olcott and Wilson, but you will have to wait for clear water again. Pike are hitting in Wilson and Olcott, too, but that season doesn’t open until May 4 this year.

Lower Niagara River – In the lower river, the water was not impacted by the wind events over the weekend, but fishing was still tough at mid-week with many boats averaging 6 to 8 fish per trip – a mix of steelhead, lake trout and brown trout. Water clarity could be impacted by all the rain this week however. Minnows and egg sacs work best for trout, but Kwikfish will also catch fish under the right conditions or boat speed. Water temperatures increased five degrees the past week now that most of the ice is gone. No smelt yet, but there is loads of bait in the river. The big news is that the New York Power Authority fishing platform is now open for angling action in Devil’s Hole, as is the reservoir above the power plant. One of the best access points is along Upper Mountain Road near the fire company. There is a parking area, as well as stairs that lead you to the top of the dike.

Upper Niagara River – The trout will be stocked on April 15 at Oppenheim Park Pond in Wheatfield and Hyde Park Lake in Niagara Falls. The water in the river has gained five degrees in temperature since the ice left, so fish should be hitting a bit more regularly. Look for perch and panfish in marinas and bays around Grand Island and along River Road. Trout can be found along the Bird Island Pier and at Broderick Park by casting hardware like spoons or drifting egg sacs. The Niagara River Anglers will hold its 7th Annual John Long Sr. Memorial Raffle and Feast at St. Vincent de Paul Hall in Niagara Falls from 2-6 p.m. Call 628-1460 for info.

Fair Haven/Cayuga County Fishing Report


by Captain Werner Sterger

This past weekend sure was a windy one keeping all but the bravest (stubbornest) off the main lake. Good news though the crappie have arrived in the shallows early this year. 4-7′ of water in coves or near docks. The best producers were fathead minnows either on a clean hook or tipping a chartruse jig about 3′ below a float. With this week’s warm weather they should really start piling in.

Wayne County Fishing Report

www.waynecountytourism.com
by Christopher Kenyon

Streams – Stream fishing in Wayne County still remains excellent. Apparently not all the steelhead have entered Lake Ontario. Egg sacs are the best presentation. Maxwell is the most popular waterway.

Lake Ontario – It is April and that means brown trout fishing in the lake. Charters are catching browns between 8 and 15 pounds. They are concentrating near the outlet of Sodus and Port Bays. Search for the warmest water close to shore. Temp readings for today are 39 degrees off the shore in Rochester.

Browns like the high forties. Rainfall predicted later this week will push warmer water out in the lake. Troll your stickbaits next to the creek mouths and temperature breaks on shore.
Water levels are still low, so use caution if you are not familiar with shoreline fishing. Large boulders are everywhere.

Bays –The word from bay anglers is perch, crappies and bluegills. The Sodus Bay action is near the islands and the southern end of the bay. Bay Bridge is the hot spot for crappies, bluegills and bullheads.
Port Bay has perch and bluegills. The outlet to the lake is open and usually the perch will head for the lake. Currently, they are still in the bay.
The bait shops in Wayne County have very consistent hours. If you need egg sacs, flies, jigs or spikes you’ll find everything you need. Check out the Wayne County Tourism web page for their locations.

We have a brand new Wayne County Fishing Brochure. This publication features where to go, what to use, and what to catch. Call our office for a free fishing packet, including the new brochure. 1-800-527-6510.

Erie Canal– Anglers are catching bluegills near Widewaters, west of Newark.

Oswego County Fishing Report

www.visitoswegocounty.com
Courtesy of the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning.

Oswego River – According to Capt. Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift, with the heavier rain in the region on Tuesday night and Wednesday, the water level rose yesterday to just over 10,000cfs. This morning it is flowing at 9,970cfs. The fishing has been very good for driftboats with double-digit steelhead catches. Brown trout are biting and one angler even brought a lake trout to the net.

According to Larry’s Oswego Salmon Shop, with the higher water level, many areas along the river are not accessible. Steelhead and brown trout are active throughout the river with behind the hotels a suggested spot. When the water came up on Wednesday it pushed a load of bass into the river. They are catch and release only.

Salmon River/Port Ontario – According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop and Motel, on Wednesday we had scattered rain showers and the temperature reached near 50 degrees. The few anglers who are here made the most of conditions (water flow is at 1,650cfs) by fishing the upper end of the river between Altmar and Pineville. The driftboats took advantage of the high water and were able to fish most of the river. Bank anglers fished the gravel areas in the upper section of river along with the diversions and side channels.

According to Garrett Brancy of the Douglaston Salmon Run, fishing varied again over the weekend due to the weather. Our guests on Saturday worked for their catch but enough fish were cooperating to keep everyone happy. Sunday was tough as heavy winds yet again picked up and simply made casting a chore. Early in the week guests were seeing steadier numbers of drop backs in small pods. Large stone flies size 6-10, estaz eggs size 8-10, and blood’s dot eggs size 8-10 in white and pink took fish. 8mm egg-zacklty and 10mm slimmer beads are also working quite well.

According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle, steelhead are active in the upper end of the Salmon River and in the area tributaries. Anglers are also finding an early season brown trout bite along the shore of Lake Ontario.

Oneida Lake – There is not a lot to report from Oneida Lake as we look forward to the upcoming warmer temperatures and some open water fishing that is coming before too long. A reminder that walleye season has closed and will reopen the first Saturday in May.

Sandy Pond – According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle, there is not a lot of activity on the pond this time of year but anglers are finding a decent panfish bite. Live minnows along with small hair jigs under a float are working well. A reminder that walleye and northern pike seasons have closed and will reopen the first Saturday in May.