Greater Niagara Fishing Forecast
Lake Ontario and tributaries – Out in Lake Ontario, Pat Comerford of East Aurora is still leading the charge in the summer LOC Derby with a 36 pound, 5 ounce king salmon. He had a bit of scare when a 35-plus pound king salmon was weighed in this week out east, taking over the salmon division. His wife, Carol Comerford, is still leading the rainbow-steelhead division with a 15 pound, 9 ounce fish out of Wilson and Ed Klejdys of North Tonawanda is tops in the lake trout category with a 32 pound, four ounce Niagara Bar fish. Current first place brown trout is an 18 pound fish reeled in by Bill Kopek of Manlius. The derby continues through July 28. Check out www.loc.org for a complete leaderboard. In the meantime, fishing action has been steady according to Wes Walker at The Slippery Sinker in Olcott. Mature kings are coming from 150 to 250 feet of water in from of Olcott, with fish coming from 80 to 120 foot depths on flasher-fly and spoons. Out deep, it’s been more of a numbers game from 450 to 550 foot depths, fishing 50 foot down and deeper for a mix of steelies, kings and cohos.
Lower Niagara River – Capt. Steve Drabczyk of Lewiston reports that some walleye are finally starting to cooperate along the Stella and Artpark drifts in 50 feet of water on worm harnesses or a K9 Kwikfish tipped with a piece of nightcrawler. Jacob Joseph reeled in a nine pound walleye from the Coast Guard drift last week. Bass fishing is still improving, with some nice fish being caught in the 30 foot range on live bait. The Niagara River Anglers Assn. will be holding their Lower River and Lake Ontario smallmouth bass classic on Saturday, July 27. For more information visit www.niagarariveranglers.com or call 807-6111. Instead of a fish fry this year, the Niagara Sausage Company will be on hand to show off their tasty links at the NRAA Nature Preserve on Balmer Road following the weigh in for the contest (which will take place at Lewiston Landing from 1-2 p.m.). Top bass catcher wins $1,000!
Upper Niagara River – Erie Canal – The 23rd Annual Erie Canal Fishing Derby ended last Sunday and the leader board is posted on the website at www.eriecanalderby.com. But there is still one more step in the process – who will win the Grand Prize boat, motor and trailer package. On Sunday, July 21, first place division anglers will be placed into a hat to determine who will win the big prize. These fishermen will all be meeting at 3 p.m. at the Gasport Fire Hall to determine their fate: George Frombgen of Gasport with a four pound bass; Janet Wright of North Tonawanda with a 7 and a half pound walleye; Mike Boncore of Tonawanda with a 5.6 pound pike; Richard Blackburn of Lockport with a 1-1/2 pound bullhead; Codie Thomas of Grand Island with a 10 pound catfish; Joshua Staley of Virginia with a 24-plus pound carp; and Todd Wells of Medina with a 10.3 pound sheepshead. There were also four tagged fish caught in the popular canal contest. In the upper river, bass action has been good at the head of the river, the west bank of Grand Island and the areas around Strawberry and Motor islands on live bait like crabs or tube jigs. A few musky are being caught on large 8-10 inch tubes on the outside edges of the weeds.
Chautauqua County Fishing Report
by Craig Robbins
Lake Erie and Tribs – The walleye fishing out of Dunkirk Harbor has been slow, with limited walleye reports coming. The upwelling event over a week ago had slowed things down, however the walleye bite has picked back up over the past few days, out of Barcelona. Trollers now report decent walleye catches in 60-75 feet of water. Worm harnesses have out produced stickbaits for suspended walleye in the top 30 feet of the water column.
Perch schools may also be a bit more scattered, so it will likely take some searching. Previously, better catches were found at depths of 60-65 feet of water off Cattaraugus Creek. Live emerald shiners are the best bait, but have been quite scarce lately. Fathead minnows or small golden shiners are the best alternative.
Smallmouth bass will move deeper as lake waters warm. Target structure areas around reefs, rock piles and drop-offs with drop-shot rigs combined with crayfish, minnows, tube jigs or other plastic baits. Depths of around 25 feet is a good starting point, and work deeper for larger bronzebacks.
Chautauqua Lake – Walleye anglers are still finding the bite good with worm harnesses trolled along weed edges. Catches have been best in the north basin near the Chautauqua Bell Tower and Dewittville Bay, and in the south basin near Ashville Bay and Cheney Point. Largemouth bass fishing has been very good inside the weed edges in 10 feet of water to shoreline structure. Top water lures, weedless rigged power worms and wacky rigged senkos are working well. Live minnows, crayfish and plastic grubs have produced decent smallmouth bass catches outside weed edges. Anglers can also work weed edges for musky by casting large stickbaits and bucktail jigs or by trolling bucktail spinners or large stick baits. Deep water musky trollers haven’t found a consistent bite in the Northern Basin as of yet.
Cassadaga Lake – Middle Cassadaga Lake bass anglers have been finding success in and around the shore line structure, like lily pads and fallen logs. Morning and early evening anglers are finding top water baits such as buzz bait, floating plastic worms and bucktails. During mid-day hours, jig and pig or weighted 4″ plastic worms Texas rigged in and around the lily pads are the best bet.
Fairhaven/Cayuga County Fishing Report
by Captain Werner Stenger
Lake Ontario has warmed and is now delivering some big kings to the waters off of Fair Haven. A report from Captain Mike Decker of White Cap Charters has the fish holding on a thermocline that is fluctuating between 70 and 100′ down. Dipsey diver out 270′ caught this salmon held by Olivia.
Brown trout can also be found where 60 degree water meets the bottom.
Bass are holding in 30′ of water or less on the main lake.
The bay has an abundance of vegetation to work for bass with jigs, worms and top surface lures.
Oswego County Fishing Report
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, with little rainfall the past several days the water flow has dropped to just over 4,000cfs. This level makes it possible to fish all along the river. Look for bass, walleye, sheepshead and panfish using crayfish, leeches, worms and minnows. 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, the dead calm water and high sun haven’t spooked the salmon much. Dipsy divers set out early at number three, 240 feet out with echips and Familiar Bite cut bait are taking some nice King salmon. Drop divers about ten feet every half hour to stay in the fish. The best troll is in 200-400 feet of water, north and south. The water fleas are terrible. Check lines often.
According to Capt. Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift Fishing Charters, the last few days have provided some nice catches of salmon. Along with the size, we are finding beautiful bright chrome fish.
Port Ontario – According to Capt. Harry Powers of Salmon Heaven Lodge, on Monday we started looking for salmon with not much luck. We went one for one with a nice 20 pounder. We turned our attention to lakers and got into the thick of them. We landed several with each angler keeping one and releasing the others. We ended the day looking for Kings but with no success in the bright sunlight. They are getting closer as there is action reported just west of Oswego Harbor.
Oneida Lake – The fishing continues to be good on the lake but with this hot weather fishing early in the day and into the evening seems to be the best times. Anglers are finding bass and walleye in Big Bay and near Lewis Point. Look in a variety of depths but trolling in 20-30 feet of water across the lake has been successful. A variety of baits are working including jigs, worms and minnows.
Sandy Pond – According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle, the fishing on the pond has been good. Anglers are finding walleye and panfish such as bluegills along with a few perch. With the stretch of hot weather we have had, early in the day and into the evening when the sun is less intense have been most productive.