Niagara Region Fishing Report

Lake Ontario and tributaries – Recent rains put some water into streams but it might not be enough to make much of a difference. Eighteen Mile Creek and Burt Dam is seeing some salmon and a few trout according to Greg at “All in the Same Boat” Bait and Tackle, a new shop that opened up in the Blessings Plaza, 2911 South Main Street in Newfane. Their new phone number is 638-4158. With the cold nights, it could start to pull more salmon in. What we really need is a good cold rain. Some salmon and browns, as well as a few steelhead are still being caught at the dam and off the piers in Wilson and Olcott. Lake trollers are also picking up a few fish, too. Staging salmon seem to be cruising the shoreline, waiting for a trigger for the bigger runs to start. Out deeper, a mixed bag is being reported. It’s a new license year for fishing and hunting. If you are looking for a time with the least amount of pressure, there are three different youth hunts this weekend keep youth and mentors busy chasing deer, waterfowl and pheasant.

Lower Niagara River – In the lower Niagara River, salmon fishing is starting to slow down a bit and water was stained at mid-week from the winds up on Lake Erie. However, there is some signs that steelhead are starting to show up. A few were caught in Devil’s Hole by charter boats on Wednesday. Treated egg skein is still the way to go for drifters. From shore remember that the NYPA fishing platform is only open on weekends now with the construction underway to create a permanent path from the upper lot. Casting spoons or drifting skein is the best approach. The shoreline from Devil’s Hole to the Whirlpool is also a good area to cast some hardware. With trout starting to show up, the Artpark trail is another good spot to cast spoons, spinners or eggs. Perch are still an option near the sand docks in Lewiston and bass can still be caught from Stella Niagara to the mouth of the river on shiners, crabs or tube jigs. Lake trout season is closed now until Jan. 1, 2014.

Upper Niagara River – Bass fishing has been good when the conditions allow. Earlier this week turbid waters slowed the action down but it should be clear by this report. Live bait or plastics fished along weed edges are the best methods. Focus on the islands around Beaver Island State Park or at the head of the river. Musky action should start to pick up in Buffalo Harbor and around the triangle at Strawberry Island, as well as in the east river along Grand Island. Pike fishing can be good this time of year at the southern tip of Grand Island. Shorefishing along Ontario Street launch, Broderick Park and Bird Island Pier can be good for a mixed bag of fish this time of year.

Fair Haven / Cayuga County Fishing Report

by Captain Werner Stenger

Salmon have moved into the park pond and into Little Sodus Bay in Fair Haven. Anglers are casting rattletraps and hotand tot variants to catch Kings from docks and pier heads. Perch are still holding outside the bay as waters slowly cool.

Chautauqua County Fishing Report

Lake Erie – Smallmouth bass bite on Lake Erie is picking up as lake temperatures start to cool. The smallmouth have started to move out of the deeper shoals and reefs into the shallower areas. Fall smallmouth can be found in shallows off the Dumping Grounds out of Dunkirk Harbor in 10-20 feet. Best bets for artificial baits are tube and grub system baits.

As the water temperatures cool and with the recent rains this past weekend the steelhead are starting to move into the tributaries of Lake Erie. This includes Chautauqua, Canadaway and Cattaraugus Creeks. To fish Chautauqua and Canadaway Creeks a current New York State fishing license is required. With the majority of the Cattaraugus Creek running on Seneca Nation reservation, a Seneca fishing license is required. Reservation licenses are available at several Seneca business along Routes 5 and 20.

Early fall steelhead anglers find egg sacks to be their best bet for fishing for steelhead in the creeks. If steelhead haven’t all moved into the creed, wading at the mouths of the creeks and throwing spinners and spoons can catch some the fish as they start to stage before they run up the creeks.

Chautauqua Lake – Early fall anglers are finding good quality and quantity of yellow perch staging just outside of the weed edges in Bemus and Ashville Bays. Fishing under a bobber with a unpainted jig head tipped off with a night crawler is working best. With the occasional walleye hitting the same offering also.

Largemouth bass are beginning to move to the outside edge of structure, working the cover for an easy meal as the temperatures begin to drop. Spinner and crank baits worked along the edges of Rock and Grass Islands in the southern basin by anglers in the morning are working best.

Muskie hunters are still reporting good catches casting along the weed edges in 10 to 16 feet of water in the southern basin. Suspended muskies are being caught in depths of 25 to 35 feet trolling the northern basin.

Oswego County Fishing 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, after reaching almost 14,000cfs yesterday, the river flow is dropping flowing at 9,880cfs this morning. This makes some areas along the river difficult to fish but the kiddie pool, hobo alley and bridie hole along with the linear walkway are places to try. The same baits including egg sacs, skein and smack beads are working well. 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 Tourism web site at www.visitoswegocounty.com and look for the fishing report under fishing and hunting.

According to Capt. Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift, Thursday afternoon was one of the nicest afternoons you can get. Beautiful weather and great fishing with salmon, steelhead, rainbows and even a catfish in the mix.

Pulaski area/Salmon River – According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle, the rain last weekend really pushed the fish up the river. Things have quieted down in the estuary although there are a few fresh fish still working in from the lake. Most of the action can now be found from the village of Pulaski up through Altmar. Anglers are likely finding fish in Grindstone Creek and the Sandies.

According to Garrett Brancy of the Douglaston Salmon Run, fishing has varied some over the past few days. Since Monday the upper end has fished very well for kings. A few anglers looking for trout have remarked that there have been almost too many! Action in the lower end has slowed down for salmon but yesterday a big pod of steelhead kept everyone more than occupied. Some brown trout remain in the mix as well. As you might imagine with steelies, egg patterns have been tops. Oregon cheese glo-bugs with a red blood dot #8-10. White/pink & white/orange crystal eggs or estaz eggs #8-10 were also very productive on the trout. E.S.L. style buggers and bunny leaches in olive, black, and purple have been getting it done on the kings.

According to Capt. Troy Creasy of High Adventure Sportfishing Charters, on Sunday, the rain stopped but it started pouring giant salmon with another major push through the river. On Monday my clients from South Africa experienced our world class fishing. Each had their limit by 11 a.m. and could not believe the strength of the fish they were reeling in.

Oneida Lake – Although the night bite for walleye has been slow, temperatures are expected to drop into the 40s for the next several nights so this may spark some activity. Daytime temperatures are forecast to be slightly above normal so open water fishing for perch is still likely with minnows and worms working well. For the downloadable Oneida Lake Association boating safety map, visit their web site at www.oneidalakeassociation.org