Niagara Fishing Forecast
by Bill Hilts, Jr.
Lake Ontario and tributaries – Fishing was tough this week, with a few glimmers of hope shining through for those that could find pockets of warmer water. Last Thursday in the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Charity Fishing Outing, it was Capt. Jerry Felluca of Hilton coming through with a three-peat by winning the big fish contest with a 26.3 pound king salmon. The following day, it was Dave Antenori and his Screamer team winning the best three fish contest in the Don Johannes-Pete DeAngelo Memorial and Capt. Harry Zimmerman of Ohio reeling in the biggest fish of the day – a 23 pound king. What a difference a week can make, though, especially as it relates to fishing. In the first weekend of the Niagara USA version of the 30th Annual Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament out of the ports of Olcott and Wilson, tournament limit catches were the norm. In the final weekend of the two-tournament contest held May 31-June 1, only one team had a 12-fish limit both days – and they won the tournament. In the Classic Division of the two-day tournament, Reel Excitement led by Capt. Bob Songin of Rochester was the top dog by putting together two consistent days of fishing for a total score of 360.2 points (based on 10 points per fish and a point per pound for the contest). They were fishing the Niagara Bar area for most of their fish, using spoons to take a majority of their fish. In the Trophy Division of the tournament, which represents the best five fish each day, Screamer led by Dave Antenori of Pennsylvania moved in from eighth place after the first day to nip Day One leader Ace and Capt. Jim Samia of Massachusetts by less than three points – 198.05 to 195.10. For the Niagara USA Classic Cup, awarded for consistency over the two weekends, top team was Capt. Chris LoPresti’s Maverick team with a final score of 533 – earning a check for $20,000. In the Niagara USA Trophy Cup, Antenori scored 538 overall to win the $5,000 check. In the Recreational Open Division, Renegade led by Anthony LaRock of Burt won top honors with a score of 85.55 points which included a big fish of 22.27 pounds. For the Sunday Recreational Open contest, Tri-Lakes, led by Matthew Briggs of Arkport was the leading scorer with a total of 75.84 points. They also weighed in big fish for the day, a 22.79 pound king salmon. In the battle for supremacy in the Open Cup, Renegade came out on top over Balls Deep 3 by a score of 169.23 points to 164.47 points – another close battle of consistent performers. With all of the east wind, the warmer water has moved around and it’s been difficult to figure out where the fish are. One of the keys for one of the teams was to fish higher in the water column. This weekend is the Oak Orchard Open tournament so teams are still being tight-lipped on where the best spot are and what baits are working best. We will try and have a better report next week.
Lower Niagara River – Trout are still cooperating nicely for boat and shore anglers with Devil’s Hole and the Niagara Bar being the two primary destinations for fishermen. Minnows and Kwikfish work best for the trout right now, but shore anglers can still toss out spoons and spinners to take fish. Capt. Jeff Draper of Grand Island reported some nice steelhead and lake trout earlier this week at both locations. Capt. Steve Drabczyk of Lewiston did one better when it took Cory Andrews of Youngstown down to the mouth of the river and worked the current rip near the Coast Guard station with flies. He ended up with three Coho salmon, one steelhead, three smallmouth bass and two sheepshead the other day. The stairs leading down to the shoreline at Artpark is still not completed but they are getting close.
Upper Niagara River – Waters are warming quickly in Lake Erie and that means the upper river action should be improving for warm water fish species. Bass fishing has been good on tube jigs around Strawberry and Motor islands, as well as near the Huntley plant. Perch have been hitting around Grand Island in 15-18 feet of water. In the Erie Canal, don’t forget the White’s 10th Annual Kids Free Fishing Derby on June 7 at Widewaters Marina in Lockport from 8 am to noon. Call 578-7932 for more info. Also on June 7 is the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge’s 23rd Annual Youth Fishing Derby from 8 to 11 am at the Rickneck Overlook on Oak Orchard Ridge Road. Call 585-948-5445 for more info.
Fair Haven/Cayuga County Fishing Report
by Werner Stenger
We are having a good June bite out of Fair Haven. Steelhead and Kings are ready to play from 30′ to 200′ depths surface to 50′ down. Most bites coming on spoons.
The bass bite is on also weather fishing the big lake for smallmouth bass, or the bay and ponds for largemouth. Fish are still near beds and hungry.
For those that catch their own bait the Alewives have moved into the bay. Locate a school and Walleye are sure to be nearby eager for a late night snack.
Wayne County Fishing Report
by Christopher Kenyon
Lake Ontario – Hello June! Lake Ontario fishing has been producing some nice steelhead. Some are 7 to 12 pounds…nice fish and great to watch.
Kings have been coming from 150 to 220 feet down 30 to 50 feet. All the colors in the spectrum are working. Take your pick.
Lakers are on the bottom and the browns are scattered. You can still catch the brown trout close to shore early in the morning; however you will have more luck starting deep; your choice.
The kings are in the 20 pound plus class, which is a great catch for spring fishing.
Bays – There is plenty of action in all the Wayne County bays. On the east side of the county anglers are catching pike in Blind Sodus Bay. Port Bay has suspended crappy fishing near the south end of the bay. If you fish the channel you’ll catch everything.
Some walleye are being caught near the islands of Sodus Bay and anglers are catching trout casting in the channel at Sodus Point.
Don’t forget the Wayne County 5-Grandslam and Merchants Challenge Youth Derby which is happening right now. Click on Grand slam for more information. The youngsters are starting to catch fish. Don’t miss this great contest.
Check out the rest of 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 – Some nice walleye are being caught in Lyons and Palmyra. Jig for them with purple buck tails. Put a piece of worm on the end. The water is high from recent flooding, however that won’t affect fishing.
Oswego River/Lake Ontario Fishing Report
This report courtesy of the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning.
According to Larry Muroski of Larry’s Oswego Salmon Shop, the water flow 7,200cfs this morning. This level makes fishing easier for shore anglers. One area to try is the West River Walk for walleye using stickbaits. Anglers are finding rock bass down in front of Breitbeck Park. A minnow on a jig is the suggested bait. 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.
Lake Ontario – According to Capt. Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift, the fishing remains excellent! I’m not even calling it fishing the last few days. I’m calling it catching. I never was able to put the GoPro on or even get all the rods out. Lots of kings, steelhead, rainbows and lakers. The fish counter was clicking at a high rate. Wednesday we tried to stay away from the steelhead and fished deeper for kings. We couldn’t get away from them. Many steelhead landed plus 9 kings.
Salmon River/ Pulaski Area – According to Garrett Brancy of the Douglaston Salmon Run, we received some much needed rain Tuesday night and again yesterday afternoon. Thunderstorms broke the hot and humid weather pattern and gave way to cool and overcast conditions today. Even though it was a pleasant day to be on the water, our lone guest shared that both fish and bug activity was nil this afternoon. Perhaps things will shape up with the forecast showing cooler temperatures for the next two days. The water line reports flows will remain 185 cfs thru Thursday at midnight.
According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop & Motel, the few anglers who are fishing are focusing on the Upper Fly Zone in hopes of catching an Atlantic, Skamania or Brown Trout. In the lower end of the river anglers are picking up smallmouth bass in the deep holes such as Papermill, Longbridge and Black Hole
Pulaski Area – According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle, water temperature has not changed in the area much so activity remains about the same. Anglers in the area seem to be looking far and wide for pods of fish. Steelhead reportedly are the most active as they are making their way out of the rivers and streams back into the lake with a few salmon being taken in deeper water.
Oneida Lake – The walleye bite continues to be good. Anglers are taking fish on jigs tipped with a nightcrawler, blade baits and trolling worm harnesses. Look in 15-30 feet of water with the deeper end of this range most active. Anglers are finding a night bite from shore casting jigs or stickbaits. Panfish are being taken in shallow water with worms or small jigs working well.
Sandy Pond – According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle, conditions on the pond continue to be good. The weeds are not high so the fishing has been good. Trolling plugs or spoons is working for northern pike. Worm harnesses and jigging with bucktail jigs tipped with a worm are taking the walleye.