Niagara Region
By Bill Hilts, Jr
Lake Ontario and tributaries – Tributary action at Wilson and Olcott has really picked up. Capt. Dan Evans of Wilson reported that both branches of 12 Mile Creek were loaded with salmon and 18 Mile Creek in Olcott has been great for both salmon and brown trout, with an occasional steelhead. Greg Stanley at the new tackle shop in Newfane (All in the Same Boat, www.asbtackle.com) also reported some super action for salmon with a few trout at Johnson Creek to the east of Olcott, as well as in 18 Mile Creek. Egg imitations have been extremely productive, especially cream-colored trout beads. Pier fishing at Wilson and Olcott can be good if the winds aren’t out of the north. Casting spoons like Little Cleos or KO Wobblers can be very good in blue-silver, orange-silver or firetiger color patterns. Both trout and salmon can be caught off those structures that extend out into the lake. Some Olcott Harbor fishing is also taking place for salmon and trout, including some trolling from small boats with large stickbaits like J-13 Rapalas. You can also drift treated egg skein from small boats, fished under a float. More rain is in the forecast this weekend so look for tributaries to be filled (with the exception of some of the smaller streams like Keg Creek which are still closed at the mouth) with both water and fish, but they could be stained for a day or two until waters clear. Tip of the week comes from yours truly: When you pick up minnows for bait, make sure they are bagged or secured properly in a pail so that when you open the door they don’t tip and fall to the ground. Also, if you do fail to secure the pail properly, make sure you have a change of clothes.
Lower Niagara River – The lower river is seeing some improved action for trout, and bass are still hitting if you can find where active fish are. In the trout department, the Artpark area of the river was producing some decent action for steelhead and lake trout at mid-week according to Capt. Steve Drabczyk of Lewiston. Remember that lake trout season is closed. Golden shiners produced 10 fish along with a few misses on Wednesday. It has been a good spot for shore fishermen casting spoons, spinners or drifting eggs and egg imitations. Pink has been a hot color for egg sacks. Bass fishermen have been targeting several drifts in the river and at the mouth around the fort to take some nice smallmouth that are going on their annual fall feed. Paul Ellingson of Pendleton and Mark Ellingson of Idaho were fishing with Capt. Frank Campbell on Wednesday to reel in 25-30 bass on golden shiners. They had to move around to find active fish, but when they found them they did very well. Fish up to four pounds were reeled in. A fair number of boats were targeting perch off the Lewiston sand docks area and catching fish. Some fishermen off the sand docks have been catching a mixed bag of fish – including salmon and trout – by casting flutter spoons into the river current. The salmon run in the river is pretty much over but the trout fishing is just getting started. Paul Ellingson reported at least one trout was seen grabbing his shiner while they were drifting for bass down river below Stella. With winds up to 50 mph in the forecast again, it could stain the water going into the weekend.
Upper Niagara River – More strong winds could impact water clarity this weekend so anglers will have to play things by ear. If the conditions are okay, bass action continues to be good to very good around the standard locations such as around Strawberry Island, the Huntley Plant and the head of the river. Shoreline casters are starting to work the upper rapids area in Niagara Falls for trout with spoons, spinners and egg sacks. Musky action has been decent on live bait (large common shiners), large tubes and body baits. A 30-pounder came to the net from one report. Shoreline action up around Buffalo such as the foot of Ferry Street, Squaw Island, Ontario Street launch and Broderick Park is also producing a mixed bag of fish, but a big focus has been on perch with minnows. An occasional trout is also starting to show up.
Chautauqua County
by Craig Robbins
Lake Erie – Rainstorms over the past week have kept Lake Erie tributaries at levels where steelhead can move in and spread throughout their reaches. Anglers are seeing action in all streams and catching steelhead. All Lake Erie tributaries are in good shape, with good flows and clearing conditions. Cattaraugus Creek is running at about 570 cubic feet per second and is still quite murky but with clearing skies in the forecast the Catt will be good shape by later in the week.
Lake Erie steelhead commonly hit natural baits like egg sacs and worms, flies such as egg imitations, streamers and bugger patterns, and lures like minnow-type stickbaits and in-line spinners. Anglers can also target steelhead from the Cattaraugus Creek breakwall or off creek mouths by casting spoons, spinners and stickbaits.
However, when weather permits anglers still have good opportunity to catch yellow perch. Previously, anglers were seeing good perch catches off Cattaraugus Creek to east of Sturgeon Point in 45-65 feet of water.
Chautauqua Lake – Trolling for muskies along the weeds edges in Ashville, Dewittville and Bemus Bays with large jointed stickbaits is a good bet.
Fall is one of the best time of the year to catch smallmouth bass. Outside of the weed lines and along rocky points have been providing good results. Throwing 3” tubes and grubs are good baits for the mid day bite on Chautauqua Lake, with top water baits like buzz baits working great in the morning and at sunset.
The panfish bite has been consistent in Bemus Bay on the outside edge of the weeds. Working a night crawler under a bobber in 6-8 feet of water is a good place to start.
Fair Haven/Cayuga County
by Captain Werner Stenger
Salmon continue to be cruising the waters between the pier heads, park pond outlet and marinas. Steelhead and browns are also within casting distance of the pierheads. Perch fishing is slowly starting to improve in the bay.
Oswego County
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 level has dropped to 3,860cfs this morning but there is rain expected throughout the area for much of the day so the flow may change. As expected, it has been a good week for trout with some nice steelhead coming to the net. Anglers are finding a few rainbows and there are still some salmon in the mix. Just remember that steelhead or rainbows must be 21 inches long and there is a one per day limit. Trout are hitting patcxe cured skein, smack beads and egg sacs.
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, the steelhead fishing is on fire and king fishing is out of this world. I can’t believe how nice the kings are. The boys from Maine crushed everything in the river. All released to fight another day!
Pulaski area/Salmon River – According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop and Motel, although the temperature is expected to be warmer over the next couple of days, rain will be over the area for much of today and high winds are predicted for Friday. The water flow is running at 1200cfs with anglers working the edges of the river. With the high water, fishing the smaller local tributaries has been a good option with chartreuse egg sacs taking a mix of kings and steelhead. In the lower end of the river anglers reported getting into steelhead in the Staircase/Longbridge with pink and blue egg sacs producing steady results. In the mid to upper end of the river anglers reported that Sportsman, Pineville, Trestle, Wire Hole and Upper/Lower Fly Zones were active with egg patterns producing the best results.
Oneida Lake – The night bite for walleye has been decent with the cooler weather. Anglers are casting stickbaits from shore with blue/silver and black/silver good color choices. Warmer temperatures are expected today and tomorrow but will drop some again for the weekend. Just before dark and after dark seem to be fairly active times.
Sandy Pond – According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle, things are quiet on the pond this time of year until the cold weather sets in and we get so
Niagara Region
By Bill Hilts, Jr
Lake Ontario and tributaries – Tributary action at Wilson and Olcott has really picked up. Capt. Dan Evans of Wilson reported that both branches of 12 Mile Creek were loaded with salmon and 18 Mile Creek in Olcott has been great for both salmon and brown trout, with an occasional steelhead. Greg Stanley at the new tackle shop in Newfane (All in the Same Boat, www.asbtackle.com) also reported some super action for salmon with a few trout at Johnson Creek to the east of Olcott, as well as in 18 Mile Creek. Egg imitations have been extremely productive, especially cream-colored trout beads. Pier fishing at Wilson and Olcott can be good if the winds aren’t out of the north. Casting spoons like Little Cleos or KO Wobblers can be very good in blue-silver, orange-silver or firetiger color patterns. Both trout and salmon can be caught off those structures that extend out into the lake. Some Olcott Harbor fishing is also taking place for salmon and trout, including some trolling from small boats with large stickbaits like J-13 Rapalas. You can also drift treated egg skein from small boats, fished under a float. More rain is in the forecast this weekend so look for tributaries to be filled (with the exception of some of the smaller streams like Keg Creek which are still closed at the mouth) with both water and fish, but they could be stained for a day or two until waters clear. Tip of the week comes from yours truly: When you pick up minnows for bait, make sure they are bagged or secured properly in a pail so that when you open the door they don’t tip and fall to the ground. Also, if you do fail to secure the pail properly, make sure you have a change of clothes.
Lower Niagara River – The lower river is seeing some improved action for trout, and bass are still hitting if you can find where active fish are. In the trout department, the Artpark area of the river was producing some decent action for steelhead and lake trout at mid-week according to Capt. Steve Drabczyk of Lewiston. Remember that lake trout season is closed. Golden shiners produced 10 fish along with a few misses on Wednesday. It has been a good spot for shore fishermen casting spoons, spinners or drifting eggs and egg imitations. Pink has been a hot color for egg sacks. Bass fishermen have been targeting several drifts in the river and at the mouth around the fort to take some nice smallmouth that are going on their annual fall feed. Paul Ellingson of Pendleton and Mark Ellingson of Idaho were fishing with Capt. Frank Campbell on Wednesday to reel in 25-30 bass on golden shiners. They had to move around to find active fish, but when they found them they did very well. Fish up to four pounds were reeled in. A fair number of boats were targeting perch off the Lewiston sand docks area and catching fish. Some fishermen off the sand docks have been catching a mixed bag of fish – including salmon and trout – by casting flutter spoons into the river current. The salmon run in the river is pretty much over but the trout fishing is just getting started. Paul Ellingson reported at least one trout was seen grabbing his shiner while they were drifting for bass down river below Stella. With winds up to 50 mph in the forecast again, it could stain the water going into the weekend.
Upper Niagara River – More strong winds could impact water clarity this weekend so anglers will have to play things by ear. If the conditions are okay, bass action continues to be good to very good around the standard locations such as around Strawberry Island, the Huntley Plant and the head of the river. Shoreline casters are starting to work the upper rapids area in Niagara Falls for trout with spoons, spinners and egg sacks. Musky action has been decent on live bait (large common shiners), large tubes and body baits. A 30-pounder came to the net from one report. Shoreline action up around Buffalo such as the foot of Ferry Street, Squaw Island, Ontario Street launch and Broderick Park is also producing a mixed bag of fish, but a big focus has been on perch with minnows. An occasional trout is also starting to show up.
Chautauqua County
by Craig Robbins
Lake Erie – Rainstorms over the past week have kept Lake Erie tributaries at levels where steelhead can move in and spread throughout their reaches. Anglers are seeing action in all streams and catching steelhead. All Lake Erie tributaries are in good shape, with good flows and clearing conditions. Cattaraugus Creek is running at about 570 cubic feet per second and is still quite murky but with clearing skies in the forecast the Catt will be good shape by later in the week.
Lake Erie steelhead commonly hit natural baits like egg sacs and worms, flies such as egg imitations, streamers and bugger patterns, and lures like minnow-type stickbaits and in-line spinners. Anglers can also target steelhead from the Cattaraugus Creek breakwall or off creek mouths by casting spoons, spinners and stickbaits.
However, when weather permits anglers still have good opportunity to catch yellow perch. Previously, anglers were seeing good perch catches off Cattaraugus Creek to east of Sturgeon Point in 45-65 feet of water.
Chautauqua Lake – Trolling for muskies along the weeds edges in Ashville, Dewittville and Bemus Bays with large jointed stickbaits is a good bet.
Fall is one of the best time of the year to catch smallmouth bass. Outside of the weed lines and along rocky points have been providing good results. Throwing 3” tubes and grubs are good baits for the mid day bite on Chautauqua Lake, with top water baits like buzz baits working great in the morning and at sunset.
The panfish bite has been consistent in Bemus Bay on the outside edge of the weeds. Working a night crawler under a bobber in 6-8 feet of water is a good place to start.
Fair Haven/Cayuga County
by Captain Werner Stenger
Salmon continue to be cruising the waters between the pier heads, park pond outlet and marinas. Steelhead and browns are also within casting distance of the pierheads. Perch fishing is slowly starting to improve in the bay.
Oswego County
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 level has dropped to 3,860cfs this morning but there is rain expected throughout the area for much of the day so the flow may change. As expected, it has been a good week for trout with some nice steelhead coming to the net. Anglers are finding a few rainbows and there are still some salmon in the mix. Just remember that steelhead or rainbows must be 21 inches long and there is a one per day limit. Trout are hitting patcxe cured skein, smack beads and egg sacs.
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, the steelhead fishing is on fire and king fishing is out of this world. I can’t believe how nice the kings are. The boys from Maine crushed everything in the river. All released to fight another day!
Pulaski area/Salmon River – According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop and Motel, although the temperature is expected to be warmer over the next couple of days, rain will be over the area for much of today and high winds are predicted for Friday. The water flow is running at 1200cfs with anglers working the edges of the river. With the high water, fishing the smaller local tributaries has been a good option with chartreuse egg sacs taking a mix of kings and steelhead. In the lower end of the river anglers reported getting into steelhead in the Staircase/Longbridge with pink and blue egg sacs producing steady results. In the mid to upper end of the river anglers reported that Sportsman, Pineville, Trestle, Wire Hole and Upper/Lower Fly Zones were active with egg patterns producing the best results.
Oneida Lake – The night bite for walleye has been decent with the cooler weather. Anglers are casting stickbaits from shore with blue/silver and black/silver good color choices. Warmer temperatures are expected today and tomorrow but will drop some again for the weekend. Just before dark and after dark seem to be fairly active times.
Sandy Pond – According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle, things are quiet on the pond this time of year until the cold weather sets in and we get so