Niagara Region

by Bill Hilts, Jr.

Lake Ontario and tributaries – There’s still plenty of good fishing to be had in the tributaries off of Lake Ontario like 18 Mile Creek in Burt-Olcott. With the mild weather this past week, the streams are flowing and they should be prime for some good trout action. Because steelhead are starting to drop their eggs as part of the spawning ritual, egg sacs or egg imitations are always good baits to try and target trout. According to Greg Stanley at All in the Same Boat Tackle Shop in Newfane, in addition to eggs, small jigs fished under a float is another good approach. Tip the jig with a wax worm. The water is a bit stained right now and if we don’t see too much rain, it should get better by the weekend. The important thing is that they are catching fish. Keg Creek has some open areas, too. If you can get out on the piers in Wilson or Olcott, cast spoons or spinners to pick up trout. Just around the corner is one of the first contests of the year – the Wilson Conservation Club’s bullhead contest, set for April 11-13. Jean’s Bar in Wilson is also going to sponsoring a bullhead event later in the month, the last weekend in April. More to come.

Lower Niagara River – The water was a little stained on Wednesday morning, but fish were consistently being caught by boat drifters working Kwikfish lures off three-way rigs. Captains Ernie and Nick Calandrelli were both working their magic for customers on Wednesday morning and managed to hook 10 steelies by 10 am, all on Kwikies. Egg sacs and minnows will also work for you. Brown trout and lake trout are both available, as well. The same will work in the lower river in places like Devil’s Hole or the Whirlpool. Spoons and spinners are popular hardware for rod-tossing. Be careful when walking the shoreline along the river – that water is 32 degrees!

Upper Niagara River – Safe ice is still being reported at the Buffalo Boat Harbor. No reports of late at Grand Island. Caution is advised with the recent warm ups. Casting the shoreline for trout at the head of the river or just above the upper rapids with spoons or spinners are good bets this time of year. Sunday, March 23 is the Niagara River Anglers Association’s big fundraiser – the John Long, Sr. Memorial Raffle and Feast at St. Vincent DePaul Hall on Military Road in Niagara Falls starting at 2 p.m. Be there!

Chautauqua County

by Craig Robbins

Lake Erie and Lake Erie Tribs – In the Harbor at Dunkirk, anglers are starting to see some steelhead being caught off the pier. The tribs be will starting to open up later this week with Chautauqua Creek opening up first. The lower end of the creek should see open water at its mouth. Egg sacks and spinners are working well.

Chautauqua Lake – With walleye season officially over as of March 15th, anglers have been working the shallow bays for perch, sunfish and crappie.

Ashville Bay and the narrows between the bridge and Stow Ferry have been producing good numbers. Anglers are finding minnows are working best, early in the day and just before dust. With nightcrawlers keeping tip ups moving throughout the remainder of the day.

A few reports of crappie being caught on minnows off Lake Bar in 6-10 feet are being reported.

Ice has been good, but recent warm days will test its strength and it is always important to check conditions before heading out.

Oswego County

This report courtesy of the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning

Oswego River – According to Larry’s Oswego Salmon Shop, with the rain last night and snow melt, the river is running at 10,600cfs this morning. Anglers are somewhat limited to the walkway, the Kiddie Pool and Bridie Pool and behind the hotels. Due to construction in the area, there is no access to the dam. Driftboats are reporting a good steelhead bite along with a few brown trout. Smack beads, egg sacs and marabou jigs are working well. 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, our anglers did well this week on the river. On one trip we were crushing them with double digits in less than two hours. All released to fight another day!

Pulaski area/Salmon River – According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop and Motel, we have gotten mixed reports from anglers. Some groups did well while others had a tough go; it all depended on where you fished and the experience level. The upper end of the river between Altmar and Pineville is holding the most fish but is also getting the most fishing pressure. Suggested baits are nymphs, single egg patterns, egg sacs, beads and pink worms. The river is currently running at 500cfs as of this morning.

According to the Douglaston Salmon Run, anglers reported decent action on Tuesday throughout the run once the sun came out and burned off the slush. Several fresh steelhead were reported in the black hole and glide. One lone angler had the Run to himself on Wednesday and he thoroughly enjoyed it. Catching a trophy spring brown trout and tangling with chrome will make anyone’s day! Nuke eggs size 8 to 10 in natural roe colors were the ticket.

Oneida Lake – Although we have had several milder days this week, temperatures are expected to drop back into the 20s as we move into the first part of next week. Action on the lake was slow this week with few reports of good catches. Big Bay is producing a nice panfish bite. Use caution as you venture out as cracks and gas pockets may have increased with the week’s temperatures. Also use caution around areas of flowing water.

Sandy Pond – According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle, we have plenty of ice on the pond. Even though we have had a few warmer temperatures this week the mercury will be dropping again by Sunday with nighttime temperatures in the teens. Walleye and Northern pike season are closed but anglers are finding some perch activity with minnows being the choice of bait. Greene Point is producing some crappies on small green and red jigs tipped with minnows.