Greater Niagara Region Fishing Report
by Bill Hilts, Jr.
Lake Ontario and tributaries – Local creeks like 18 Mile, Keg and 4 Mile were all producing some nice trout all week despite some high and stained conditions. Pink or red colored egg sacs, egg imitations or small white jigs tipped with a wax worm are good approaches for taking steelhead and brown trout at Burt Dam according to Greg Stanley at All in the Same Boat in Newfane. With some warm rain in the forecast, it should be the ticket to attract some more fresh fish into the streams and also help pier casters catch a few trout in Wilson and Olcott. Casting or trolling the mouths of these streams will also work and it should get better from here on out. The LOTSA pen rearing project is starting work on Saturday morning, April 5 in the Town of Newfane Marina starting around 8:30 am so get ready to help feed those fish. Check out www.lotsa.org for more info. The Oak Orchard pen project starts April 5 at 8 am at Lake Breeze Marina. Remember that there is a new license fee structure in place for resident and nonresident anglers. Seven day licenses were actually reduced once again with the passing of the state budget. Nonresident seven day licenses are now $28; resident seven day licenses are $12. Annual licenses are $50 for nonresident; $25 for resident and they are good for a full year from the date of purchase. Check out the DEC website for more info at www.dec.ny.gov.
Lower Niagara River – The lower Niagara River is doing well with trout, too. Good reports have come in from Devil’s Hole all the way to the mouth of the river on the Niagara Bar. Steelhead, browns and lake trout are all being reported by drifters using egg sacs, minnows or Kwikfish lures fished off three-way rigs. Shore fishermen have a bit of a problem with access, though. The stairs at Devil’s Hole, Whirlpool, the NY Power Authority access road and Artpark were all closed last week. Whirlpool and Devil’s Hole were dealing with ice problems. Call 284-5778 for an update on the parks access. Artpark stairs were going through renovations and they are projecting that project to be completed by mid-May. The NYPA access road and fishing platform is also going through a construction issue to improve safety and the road, stairs and platform are all closed until further notice. For updates on the fishing pier and construction call 796-0135 Ext. 45.
Upper Niagara River – Try casting for trout off the Bird Island Pier or Broderick Park with spoons, spinners or egg s. The Power Authority did announce that the reservoir is now open for fishing as of April 1. Trout stockings at Hyde Park Lake and Oppenheim Park Pond will take place on April 11th.
Chautauqua County Fishing Report
By Craig Robbins
Lake Erie, Lake Erie Harbors and Tribs – Dunkirk Harbor has been producing a good bite for trout, rainbow and browns. Minnows or jigs with grubs fished under a float, and casted spoons or spinners have worked well. Barcelona Harbor is still iced-over, but the Cattaraugus Creek breakwall has been providing some good numbers of steelhead.
The spring run is on for Lake Erie tributaries in Chautauqua County. With this past weekend’s rain and snow, the tribs should be a bit high and cloudy but by week’s end they should be in good shape. Lake Erie tribs during the spring run of steelhead hit a variety of baits including egg sacs, egg pattern flies, trout beads, jigs with grubs (fished under a float), minnows, nightcrawlers, streamer patterns and bugger patterns. When fishing murky conditions, brightly colored baits and flies are good bets.
Chautauqua Lake – While Chautauqua Lake still had some fishable ice this past weekend, rain has made the creek mouths very dangerous. A good crappie bite has been happening last weekend off Grass Island and Ashville Bay in the southern basin. The Mayville flats have been producing much of the same in the early morning and evening hours. With the weather changing daily it important to check ice conditions before heading out.
Wayne County Fishing Report
by Christopher Kenyon
Streams – The steams are alive! The recent rain and snow melt has provided the perfect temps for trout. Maxwell Creek and the other streams are seeing the best fishing since October.
Steelhead and browns are hitting egg sacs and chartreuse jigs. The popular “Little Cleo” spoons have been the hot lure.
The trout are also hitting off the piers at Sodus Bay. The action is fantastic.
Bays -The ice fishing season is really over for the safe angler. There is thick ice however it is now slushy and you should not take any chances trying to be the last angler on ice.
You will fall through slushy ice, especially after it has been made porous by the recent rainfall, so do not take the chance.
It has been the best season in years; however it’s time to put the shanties away until next year.
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– Nothing happening on the canal.