Greater Niagara Region
by Bill Hilts Jr.
Lake Ontario and tributaries – The fishing action in the lake continues to be a bit inconsistent because of the weather patterns that we have been experiencing, especially relating to the east-northeast winds. However, those northeast winds usually spell good news for the Niagara Bar when things settle down. Capt. Matt Yablonsky of Youngstown has reported good action on the bar, but he has been moving around a bit to find his fish. Last weekend he found his fish just off the bar drop off in 175 to 200 feet of water, fishing flasher-fly 100 feet down on the riggers and 300 back on the divers. Steelhead have been in 280-300 feet of water in the top 50 feet on spoons. Brown trout have been cooperating on the ledge in 85 feet of water on the bottom. Lake trout are also available. Look for decent action around the drop off or just off of it this weekend. Off Wilson and Olcott, the more stable water has been out deep in the 450 to 550 foot range. A mix of steelhead, cohos and kings can be found in the top 60 feet of water on spoons according to Wes Walker at The Slippery Sinker. Kings are down a bit deeper, below 80 feet with flasher and fly. Some mature kings were found inside of 80 feet and beyond 200 feet, but water is mixed up from the recent storms and wind. No major changes with the LOC Derby for salmon and trout other than a new brown leader at 20 pounds, one ounce caught by Eric Burger of Baldwinsville while fishing out of Sodus. The summer derby ends at 1 p.m. on Sunday, followed by the awards ceremony in Sodus Bay starting at 4 p.m. We’ll have a full report next week.
Lower Niagara River – The big news is the Niagara River Anglers bass contest set for this Saturday, July 27 out of Lewiston Landing and Fort Niagara State Park. The weigh in will take place out of Lewiston Landing from 1 to 2 p.m. Check out www.niagarariveranglers.com or stop in to Creek Road Bait and Tackle in Lewiston. As a result, not too many people are talking about the bass fishing this week. Traditional areas like Devil’s Hole, the Clay Banks, Stella and the Coast Guard are all good drifts to try. A few walleye are being reported on three-way rigs dragging worm harnesses from deeper waters – out to 50 foot depths.
Upper Niagara River – Upper river bass action has been good the past week and moss was not a problem at all. Mike George of Niagara Falls and Bill Hilts, Sr. of Sanborn used green floating jig heads with a full nightcrawler to take smallmouth bass in the west river along the Grand Island shoreline. Consistent action held throughout the morning until a southwest breeze kicked of the speed of the drift. Other good bass areas include the waters between Strawberry Island and Beaver Island State Park, as well as at the head of the river. Live bait or tube jigs will both work well. Musky are available to those willing to put in the time, especially on weed bed fringe areas with large 8-10 inch tubes. Large jerk baits will also catch fish. The 23rd Annual Erie Canal Fishing Derby came off without a hitch this year. In the end, it was Jason Whitmer of Niagara Falls winning the grand prize of a boat, motor and trailer from Bryce Marine. The Grand Prize winner is selected at the awards ceremony when all the first place division winners are placed into a hat and the lucky winner is drawn. Whitmer earned his chance by weighing in the top bullhead, a 1.88 pound fish. This year, the other category leaders vying for the big prize were: Shawn Krull of North Tonawanda with a 4.44 pound bass; Tyler Caltagirone of Lockport with a 6.65 pound walleye; Duane Brosius of North Tonawanda with a 5.46 pound pike; Codie Thomas of Grand Island with a 17.97 pound catfish; Joe Henneberger of Tonawanda with a 25.71 pound carp; and Jacob Velesko of Middleport with a 12.86 pound sheepshead. There were also three tagged fish caught in the popular canal contest. In the Kids Division, it was Kaevon Rollins of Buffalo with the top bass at 3.52 pounds; Haylee Brosius from North Tonawanda with a 2.73 pound northern pike; Adam Dinardo of North Tonawanda with a 1.5 pound bullhead; Sara Caltagirone of Lockport with a 7.75 pound catfish; Colby Lawrence of Sanborn with a 20.51 pound carp; and Timothy Drake with a 6.41 pound sheepshead. Winner of the new Grand Prize bike was Colby Lawrence in a special youth Grand Prize drawing.
Chautauqua County
by Craig Robbins
Lake Erie – Walleye fishing at the east end of the lake out of both Barcelona and Dunkirk Harbors has been incredible over the past couple weeks.
Trollers are picking up limits in 50-75 feet of water. Stickbaits and worm harnesses are working best. A good supply of night crawlers is need because perch have been hitting the walleye sets equally as well.
White bass are plentiful and are caught regularly by walleye and perch anglers. The magic water temperatures are now in the upper 70’s and targeting smallmouth bass in deeper water is a better bet. Key on structure areas around reefs, rock piles and drop-offs in 30-45 feet of water. Drop-shot rigs combined with crayfish, minnows, tube jigs or other plastic baits works well off Dunkirk Dumping Grounds and the State Park.
July and August are the best months to target lake trout in Lake Erie. Working depths of over 90 feet deep, northwest of Dunkirk to the PA border is a good bet. Downriggers with spoons run near the bottom is a very productive method, although lakers may also be suspended in the water column.
Chautauqua Lake – Chautauqua Lake anglers are still seeing great walleye action along weed edges in around 15 feet of water from Ashville Bay to Cheney Point in the southern basin and in the north basin around the Bell Tower.
Largemouth bass fishing has been very good inside 10 feet of water. Top water lures, weedless rigged power worms and wacky rigged worms have worked well. Live minnows, crayfish and plastic creature baits have produced decent smallmouth bass catches outside weed edges.
Muskellunge fishing has been a bit off but anglers are targeting muskies along weed edges by casting large stickbaits and bucktail jigs or by trolling with bucktail spinners or large stickbaits.
Cassadaga Lake – Cassadaga Lake bass anglers are still have been finding success in and around the shore line structure, like lily pads and fallen logs in the middle basin of Cassadaga. Early day 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 in the northern basin off Lilly Dale working good.
Fair Haven/Cayuga County
by Captain Werner Stenger
One word sums it up: kings. It’s that time of the year and the fishing continues to improve. Kings in 200 to 300 feet of water are falling prey to flasher fly combos and cut bait presentations. With the full moon upon us they are feeding through the night so the first light bite may not be the hottest bite of the day. Stick it out as a mid-day bite can be more productive during the full moon phase.
Brown trout are also in the area. Early mornings may find them in 30 feet or less but as the sun comes up they will move to deeper waters. A spread of spoons down where 60 degree water meets bottom can produce some of the biggest browns of the season.
Oswego County
Report Courtesy of Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning.
Oswego River – According to Larry Muroski of Larry’s Oswego Salmon Shop, the river level has been up and down between 2,500cfs and 5,000cfs for several days. This morning it is running at 3,520cfs. A variety of fish can be found throughout the river. Nightcrawlers and stickbaits are working for walleye. There is a good number of smallmouth bass with minnows, crayfish, spinnerbaits, stickbaits and crankbaits all working well. Adding to the mix are sheepshead, catfish and carp. 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, on Sunday several charter boats finally got out of Oswego after rough conditions on Saturday. They started east of the harbor in 200-300 feet of water, finding temperature and fish down 110-120 feet. Several king salmon hooked up on echips and flies, mostly green. Wire dipsys out 300 feet, number two setting with flashers and cut bait are working. I heard 600 copper is also working. Wind is a factor this morning but is expected to calm down later in the day with good fishing conditions ahead to the weekend.
Port Ontario – According to Capt. Harry Powers of Salmon Heaven Lodge, we enjoyed fishing early in the week although the catching was not great after the storms on Friday night and Saturday. We landed a king and a steelhead, four lake trout and several small brown trout. We saw lots of kings but couldn’t get them to bite. After the blow today hopefully things will settle down with a nice weather pattern coming up for the end of the week.
Oneida Lake – The walleye and smallmouth bass fishing has been good on the lake. Anglers are finding walleye in 10-30 feet of water with the midpoint depth being quite active. Look near the Lewis Point area. Big Bay seems to be producing the most smallmouth bass catches. 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 decent. Anglers are finding walleye and panfish such as bluegills along with a few perch. The higher water level and some cooler temperatures for the next few days will hopefully spark some activity.