Greater Niagara Region Fishing Report

Lake Ontario and tributaries – Jamie Stanley at All in the Same Boat reports that tributary action is drawing mixed reviews. Her husband Greg was fishing Burt Dam and 18 Mile Creek on Wednesday and he managed to produce a few browns on jigs and minnows but found the water very stained. It should start to clear up by the weekend. Keg Creek was too high and muddy to fish and Johnson Creek to the east also had turbid conditions and fishing was slow. When things start to clear those trout should be hungry. Wilson Harbor was still sporting up to 8 inches of ice but caution is advised after the recent warm snap that brought temperatures into the 50s and some rain. Some trout were being reported along with the traditional perch, bluegills and crappie. Use ice jigs tipped with minnows, wax worms and spikes. Pike minnows are being used, too.

Lower Niagara River – Action starting to pick back up again at mid-week, but high winds on Wednesday could rile things back up again. We’ll have to play that by ear. Trout were hitting wherever you could find a bit cleaner water. Devil’s Hole and some of the mid-river drifts were producing some steelhead, browns and lake trout. The Niagara Bar and the mouth of the river was too muddy to fish but that could change by the weekend. Trout have been hitting minnows and egg sacks consistently. Kwikfish lures will also work if the wind conditions are right.

Upper Niagara River – Not too much to report. We’re only a week away from the first annual Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo, set for Jan. 24 thru 26 at the Conference and Events Center in Niagara Falls – in the shadow of the Seneca Niagara Casino in downtown Niagara Falls. Parking is for free in the casino parking areas for this show, including the lot right across the street from the conference center. The speaker schedule is now finalized and it looks like it’s a good one if you want to learn about fish and fishing – from bass, walleye and musky to salmon and trout. The Expo has put together an excellent lineup of top name fishing experts like Mike Iaconelli, Pete Gluszek, Bernie Schultz, Ott DaFoe, John Murray and Chris Zaldain on the bass front; Capt. Pete Alex and Capt. Brian Garrett on the Lake Ontario salmon and trout front; Capt. Frank Campbell on the Niagara River; Lance Valentine giving a Walleye 101 instruction for beginners; Nick Lange, a Salmon River fishing guide, will give a talk on bead fishing; Jeff Snyder will be talking ice fishing tactics; Chuck Booker will be talking about stream fishing in the local tributaries; and there will also be seminars on the history of hunting and fishing from Fort Niagara; the different species of fish available locally from the Aquarium of Niagara Falls; and Helen Domske of Seagrant will discuss invasive species. There will also be kids fishing seminars and beginning and intermediate salmon trolling instructions by the Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association. Go to www.lotsa.org to find out when some of these things are going on; log on to www.niagarafishingexpo.com for the complete seminar schedule. If you want to improve your fishing skills, there really is something for everyone at this expo. See you there!

Oswego County Fishing Report

Courtesy of the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning

Oswego River report – The water level has been as high as 16,000cfs this week but is running at 13,700cfs as of this morning. Conditions have remained about the same with many areas not accessible for fishing with this water level. The river walk area behind the hotels is suggested. 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.

Pulaski area/Salmon River report – According to Garrett Brancy of the Douglaston Salmon Run, our guests reported a fair pick of fresh steelhead and one big rainbow down on the run yesterday. Some very nice fish were reported to have been caught on the swing with big intruders. White, chartreuse, and blue egg sacs were also effective. Temperatures look favorable overnight into tomorrow. This should give fishermen another good opportunity at some winter steel. The flow cast remains at 1,800 cfs thru Saturday night according to the waterline.

According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop and Motel, No question the water level is high, but anglers are fishing both from the bank and drift boats. The majority of drift boats have been floating the mid to upper section of river and getting into fish. Some days the bite has been better than others, but overall anglers are getting into fish. We got mixed reports from bank anglers staying in the motel, some groups got into fish, while others had a tough time. Over the last couple of days bank anglers have gotten into fish in the upper section of river between Altmar and Pineville with the Schoolhouse, Wire Hole, Trestle Pool and Pineville producing action. Bottom bouncing with egg sacs or nymphs and float fishing with egg sacs or beads produced the best results.

Oneida Lake report – Considering the weather recently, the ice has held up fairly well. There are some areas of pooled water, large auger holes and areas near creeks and running water are deteriorating. However, after we get through tomorrow the forecast is calling for a steady drop in daytime high temperatures with real cold air moving in by Tuesday. The fishing has been spotty but anglers have found some walleye and perch taking minnows. Big Bay is producing blue gills and crappies on small jigs tipped with spikes. Be sure to use caution if you venture out this weekend.

Sandy Pond report – According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle Shop, the warmer temperatures and rain over the last few days has created problems with the ice. Areas of pooling water and gas pockets are creating unsafe conditions on many parts of the pond. Temperatures will begin to drop over the weekend and a blast of cold air with temperatures only in the teens is expected by Tuesday and Wednesday. The ice on the pond will heal quickly under these conditions but please be patient and wait for safe ice.

Wayne County Fishing Report

Streams – Steelhead were being caught in Maxwell. The water flow is excellent and the shoreline ice is not too bad. Egg sacs were the bait. Last year, February was one of the best months in years for steelhead action. If we can keep the stream open the fishing should be excellent. That all depends on how far the temperatures drop next week.

Bays – Port Bay has solid ice running about eight inches thick everywhere. There is no snow cover so the ice is very slippery. Do not fish without creepers. The perch have been a hit and miss situation. One day they are there in decent numbers…the next day on the ice and they have disappeared.

They have been hitting small football jigs tipped with a few spikes. Minnows are also working, however the jigging has proved to be the dominate bait catching the larger fish.

Sodus Bay has seen some nice pike action. Fish near the islands and use pike minnows. Follow the crowds if you are perch or pike fishing. Most of these anglers know the hot spots. That doesn’t mean you can’t find your own perch hole. The fish haven’t really set-up a pattern. February is usually the best time for consistent perch action.

The NYS Ice Fishing Pro-Am comes to Sodus Bay February 22-23, 2014. All the information is on the web at www.nysiceproam.com

Check out the Wayne County Tourism web page for the locations and hours of local bait and tackle shops. 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. We also have a new publication on Great Lakes fishing.

Erie Canal – The shanties were out on the Widewaters section of the canal last weekend. The ice is safe.