Greater Niagara Region Fishing Report

By Bill Hilts, Jr.

Lake Ontario and tributaries – In Lake Ontario, action is slowly starting to turn on as the waters continue to warm. With 42 degree water coming into Lake Ontario from the Niagara River and the shoreline temperatures even warmer – especially off creek mouths – trollers have been picking up a mixed bag inside of 40 foot depths that have included brown trout, Coho salmon, lake trout and the occasional king salmon according to Capt. Bob Cinelli of Newfane. Stickbaits and spoons are both catching fish. Remember that the Lake Ontario Counties spring trout and salmon derby is just around the corner, set for May 3 to 12. Check out their website at www.loc.org for all the details including registration outlets and weigh stations. Wes Walker at The Slippery Sinker reports that pier action is still available for trout and coho salmon off the piers at Wilson and Olcott. Harbor action in Wilson has been for bullhead, perch and the occasional northern pike. Perch and pike can be caught in Olcott. Some trout are still hanging out at Burt Dam and 18 Mile Creek. The rain on Wednesday will probably bring water levels up and create turbid conditions for a few days. The pen project will be receiving their steelhead this week and their salmon on April 30.

Lower Niagara River – The big news is that the smelt are running in the Niagara River, always a popular activity in the spring. They actually started running just prior to last weekend and many dippers along Lewiston have been enjoying limit catches. The daily limit is 8 quarts per person. The Greater Lewiston Smelt Festival is next Friday, May 3 starting at 6 p.m. at Lewiston Landing along the river. Once again, the Niagara River Anglers Association will be cooking up hundreds of pounds of smelt for the general public. River fishing has been a bit tough because of the combination of water clarity and excessive amounts of bait in the river. Some steelhead, lake trout and brown trout have been cooperating, but the bite has been difficult. One the Niagara Bar, a mix of trout and coho salmon have been reported, but that bite has been a bit off, too.

Upper Niagara River – The river was off color a bit, probably due to recent wind events. Trout are still available at the head of the river in places like Bird Island Pier and Broderick Park. Perch and panfish can be found all around Grand Island in bays and marinas, as well as along River Road. These backwater places will also be good for the opening day of northern pike season on May 4.

Chautauqua County Fishing Report

By Craig Robbins

Lake Erie and Tributaries – All of the Lake Erie tributaries have good fishing conditions, except Cattaraugus Creek, which is running high and muddy at about 980 cubic feet per second. There are still a decent number of steelhead scattered in the creeks. Anglers are catching mostly post-spawn dropbacks with the occasional fresh steelhead. Spawning suckers have moved up into the creeks and smallmouth bass are starting to show in the lower sections and off creek mouths. Warming water temperatures and the arrival of suckers and bass signals the beginning of the end of the steelhead run. The steelhead run on Cattaraugus Creek can last until mid-May, but the run is usually over in the other tributaries by the end of April. Spring run steelhead hit a variety of baits/lures including egg sacs, egg pattern flies, trout beads, jigs with grubs (fished under a float), minnows, nightcrawlers, stoneflies, streamer patterns and bugger patterns.

The Lake Erie tributaries were recently stocked with thousands of yearling steelhead. If you catch these delicate 5- to 7-inch steelhead, they should be handled carefully and returned to the water quickly. These annual stockings support future runs of large steelhead in the Lake Erie tributaries.

Chautauqua Lake – One of the best spring crappie fishing seasons in recent memory is under way on Chautauqua Lake. Good catches of keeper crappie have been reported from most of the canals.

On the open lake, the bite has been good in 6-10 feet of water in sheltered bays with green weeds. Burtis Bay, Ashville Bay, and off Mayville have all been mentioned. Catches are best from dusk through dawn on minnows or small jigs (1/32 oz.) with a minnow, and fished under a float.

Good numbers and decent sized perch are being caught in the narrows between the bridge and the ferry. The Bemus Point side is doing best in the early morning hours. Successful anglers are using minnows under a bobber, just outside the weed edges.

For area fishing and travel information, visit http://tourchautauqua.com/Fishing.aspx

Fair Haven/Cayuga County Fishing Report

by Captain Werner Stenger

Well hopefully the last big blow of the winter storms pasted us last Saturday. NO one got out on Lake Ontario that day. Sunday layed back and we headed out with the Schaeffer group. It was a slow start after the lake just started to lay down a couple hours earlier. It was near 11 AM before the action kicked in. 10 – 20 feet of water with flatlines behind boards 150′ back took action with natural colored sticks and spoons.

Despite the bright sun conditions the fish did not want colorful presentations unless it was green. Within 2 1/2 hours We had our limit and were tossing them back. The day was highlighted by a 15-pound king landed by Eugene Schaeffer on a gold Rapala. A second king gave a short fight, breaking the 10-pound-test leader designed to hold browns not adult kings. We had a nice mix of browns, cohos, kings, and a steelie that was released to fight another day.

Eugene Schaeffer caught a 15-pound king salmon on a gold Rapala. The rest of the group did well, too.

This week’s upcoming weather is the best forecast we’ve seen this spring and will be great conditions to get out there and get in on the action.

Back in the bay crappie are still congregating in 5 to 9 feet of water and bullheads are available at the feeder creek inlets.

Wayne County Fishing

By Christopher Kenyon

Lake Ontario – The browns are scattered throughout the county shoreline, however close to shore has been the normal operating procedure. And make sure you fish before the sun rises because browns do not like the light.

Rain is predicted for tomorrow and should dump some stained water into the lake. Fish close stream mouths for action.

Anglers have been using stick baits off planer boards for browns and the lake trout have been hitting on the bottom over 110 feet of water.

Streams – Rainbows are still in the streams, which is very unusual for this time of year. The water flow is perfect. A note of caution…be advised that walleyes are spawning in Maxwell. They are not in season so try not to mess with their activity.

Bays – Big perch are still in Sodus Bay and the bullhead fishing is very productive along the Bay Bridge…south end of Sodus Bay. Fish the bullheads at dark.

Some crappies are coming from Blind Sodus, Port and Sodus Bays. They are hitting small jigs and are suspended over 10 feet of water.

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. Visit www.waynecountytourism.com for more information.

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 – Sections of the canal are now flooded after the winter drawn-down. The canal has just about any species imaginable. This is a great pan fishing water way.