Greater Niagara Region
by Bill Hilts, Jr.
Lake Ontario and tributaries – The New York State Free Fishing Days are here this weekend and everyone should be taking advantage of these special days. Whether it’s to tie into special events like the kids derby in Olcott on Saturday or the Gateway Harbor Hooked on Fishing Tournament in North Tonawanda both days, this is a perfect opportunity to wet a line and cast for some big prizes. If a fishing contest isn’t up your alley, then just go out and sample the local waters for a long list of fish species. If you have a license and are always looking to find someone to fish with, this is a great way to take a neighbor, friend or relative. While kids under 16 do not need a license, it’s still a perfect excuse to teach the next generation of anglers some tips of the trade. On Lake Ontario, the summer LOC Derby is going on and several leading fish were caught this past week. Most noteable was the 27 pound, 12 ounce king salmon caught by Woodrow Bussenger of Barker to take of the division lead and Steve Klejdys of North Tonawanda to take over second place in the lake trout division with a Niagara Bar 30 pound, seven ounce fish – and those were from last Saturday. Check out www.loc.org for a current leaderboard. The lake fishing has been a bit tough, but normal in this June transition time. Better fishing should be just around the corner. The deadline for signing up online for the Oswego Pro-Am is June 30 at midnight. Overall, fishing has been tough – typical for June as it goes through its transition. Best waters have been 80 to 150 and 350 to 450 as far as feet of water. Smaller fish are being caught in the top 50 feet; mature kings a bit deeper. Spoons and flasher-fly. A few browns have been caught off the Olcott piers early in the morning as they come in and feed on shiners. Cast spoons. In the harbors of Wilson and Olcott, bass, pike and a few panfish are being caught.
Lower Niagara River – Moss is still a problem and not too much fishing is taking place. Bass are available, but you have to work for them. Some silver bass are still being caught off the NYPA fishing platform.
Upper Niagara River – This weekend is the Hooked on the Tonawandas Fishing Tournament out of Gateway Park. For all the details, check out www.fishgatewayharbor.net or call 628-1247. The 22nd Annual Erie Canal Fishing Derby July 3 to 14 – that’s this coming week! The derby is an excellent vehicle to get the entire family out fishing and there’s plenty of shoreline access to take advantage of. If you have a boat – even a canoe or a kayak – it will open new areas for casting or drifting live bait. Check out the website at www.eriecanalderby.com for all the details. With over $20,000 in prizes and an additional $10,000 possible in tagged fish, the odds are good to catch a winning fish in the bass, walleye, pike, bullhead, carp, sheepshead or catfish categories. Moss is still posing problems for trollers, casters and drifters, but a few fish are being caught at Broderick Park, Ontario Street and Squaw Island.
Chautauqua County
By Craig Robbins
Lake Erie and Tribs – Walleye anglers have seen a good walleye bite out of Barcelona since last weekend. Walleye have been running higher in the water column, which is common for this time of year out of Barcelona. Trolling in 55-70 feet of water with worm harnesses and stickbaits run around 30 feet down has worked well. Early this week the walleye bite was hot, but then slowed down during the weekend as boats were returning to port with 3 walleye or less on average. Productive methods include trolling with worm harnesses and stickbaits just off the bottom, or slow trolling with electric motors 1 mph or less with a bottom bouncing rig and small worm harness,
There are still some channel catfish hanging around the lowest section of Cattaraugus Creek. Target catfish with nightcrawlers, raw shrimp, chicken livers, cut bait or dough balls fished on the bottom. Catches tend to be better at nigh
Chautauqua Lake – There has been good smallmouth and largemouth bass action inside 10 feet of water in both north and south end of Chautauqua Lake. Spinnerbaits, shallow diving stickbaits, tube jigs and other plastics have worked well. Now that the regular bass season is open, anglers can use live baits such as minnows and crayfish as well. Anglers are picking up some walleye along weed lines (8-10 feet of water) in the north basin by trolling with stickbaits and worm harnesses near dawn and dusk. Now is a good time to take a young or new angler fishing at Chautauqua Lake. Bass, sunfish and perch are all readily available from docks and shore
Wayne County
by Christopher Kenyon
Lake Ontario – A 31 pound laker was caught last week and is leading in its division for the LOC Derby. That’s one heck of large laker. Check out locderby.org for the pictures.
The kings are starting to bite. A 20 pounder was caught today off Sodus Bay in 200 feet of water. The kings will now start to set-up with the appearance of the good ole thermo.
Flasher flies and spoons are working off the riggers and the copper. The copper is out 300 feet. Try reeling that in!
The lakers are down on the bottom in 100 to 150 feet of water so rig something bright and beat the 31 pounder.
Bays – The bass are hitting everywhere, however Sodus Bay is the hot spot. Fish the weedlines with Zoom bait or go with the spinnerbaits.
The reports have the pike hitting better this year. Fish the islands at the north end of Sodus.
New York State has the free fishing weekend this Saturday and Sunday. You may fish anywhere in the Empire State without purchasing a license.
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. www.waynecountytourism.com
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- Bass are hitting in the Widewaters section of the canal and they are 5 pounds plus. The catfish are also hungry and can be caught with cut bait. Catfish give an excellent fight. Use a 7 foot medium action rod with 4 pound Fireline.
Oswego County
This report courtesy of the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning.
Oswego River – According to Larry Muroski of Larry’s Oswego Salmon Shop the water flow has been up and down over the past few days running between 2,500cfs and 8,000cfs. This morning it is flowing at 7,850cfs. At this level, behind the hotels is a suggested spot to try. Look for walleye, sheepshead and smallmouth bass. Remember the bridge to Leto Island is closed, and there are Mandatory Personal Flotation Device (PFD) zones on the Oswego River below the Varick Dam. For more information, view the Oswego County web site at www.visitoswegocounty.com and look for the fishing report under fishing and hunting.
Lake Ontario – According to Capt. Mike Conroy of Proteus Fishing Charters, south winds early in the week were still causing problems with the setup of the thermocline. Brown trout are in shallow water 40-50 feet, down 20-35 feet from the surface taking flutter spoons and stingers off riggers and leadcore. Lake trout are on the bottom in 120-130 feet of water and are taking fire plugs and peanuts with cowbells. Some King Salmon are being taken in 150 feet of water on flashers with cut bait and dodgers and flys.
According to Capt. Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift Fishing Charters, Monday and Tuesday the action picked up on the lake. It is great to see all the different year classes. Tuesday we caught Kings from 23 lbs. to 4 lbs. along with lake trout and steelhead in the mix.
Salmon River – The river is fairly quiet this time of year. The water flow will be running at 185cfs through Sunday evening.
Port Ontario – According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle the onshore wind the last couple of days along with the hot temperatures is helping to set up the thermocline. The change in weather pattern should help to spark a more active fishery. Anglers are reporting some salmon moving in. There has been a good perch bite just off the Salmon River on fathead minnows and night crawlers. Look for bass in Mexico Bay in 15-20 feet of water with minnows and soft shelled crabs being the choice of bait.
Oneida Lake – Anglers found good fishing over the weekend on the lake. Nice bass catches were reported from several spots across the lake including Big Bay. Areas just west of Shackelton Shoals produced some walleye and a few perch were also taken. Black and purple bucktail jigs tipped with a nightcrawler, blade baits and perch colored stickbaits are working well.
Sandy Pond – According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle the fishing on the pond has been decent. Anglers are finding some panfish and a few walleye. The most active fishery on the pond is largemouth bass right now. The higher water level is good for the bass bite and plastic worms.
Fairhaven/Cayuga County
by Captain Werner Stenger
Well the big Lake is starting to come around. Saturday was a little slow but we did manage a nice mixed bag of Salmon, laker, and steelhead. A thermocline has set up and fish and bait are in the area.
Sundays reports showed a marked improvement over a Saturday. Steady temps this week should just improve upon that. It’s time to put the yard work aside and get out on Lake Ontario.
Bass fishing in the bay and Park pond continues to improve as well.
It’s free fishing weekend this week (no license required June 29, 30) so get out there and fish!