Niagara Fishing Forecast
by Bill Hilts Jr.
Lake Ontario and tributaries – Fishing is slowly starting to improve on the big lake for salmon and trout according to Capt. Bob Cinelli of Newfane, fishing out of Olcott. Most of the salmon action has been in the 100 to 300 foot area, targeting the top 60-70 feet of water with spoons, flasher-fly or cut bait. Some of action has been out deeper, from the 27 to the 30 line, offering a mix of steelhead and salmon. One suggestion that was made is to head north out of the port at Wilson or Olcott and motor until you see a pod of bait. At that point set up and continue to head north, seeking out active fish and looking for the best areas. Wes Walker at The Slippery Sinker reports that a few early mature kings are starting to show up early in the morning inside of 100 feet of water and some browns are being taken inside of 60 foot depths. A few browns have even been caught off the piers in Olcott on spoons. Fish could be just about anywhere. Ask Capt. Roger Young of Connecticut with Papa Smurf charters out of Wilson. In the Lake Ontario Counties Derby that ended last Sunday, Young reeled in the first place brown trout last weekend while trolling between Wilson and Olcott in 300 plus feet of water with a Silver Streak spoon. He had just lost a 30-plus pound salmon at the back of the boat due to some netting issues when his wire diver set back 130 feet went off. They thought they had another salmon. Instead, it turned out to be the first place brown trout at 21 pounds, four ounces. Top lake trout was also from Niagara, a 24 pound, 10 ounce fish reeled in by Bob Turton of Sanborn while fishing the Niagara Bar. Second place was Richard Barber of Niagara Falls with a Niagara Bar laker, just two ounces back. Both were caught on the final weekend of the derby. Stephanie Brace of Oswego held on to win the $10,000 Grand Prize by weighing in a 31 pound, 11 ounce fish while pre-fishing a tournament out of Sodus Bay. Top rainbow was reeled in by Mike Sabo of New Jersey, a 16 pound, 8 ounce trout caught during the Sodus Bay Pro-Am. Next LOC event is the fall derby August 15 to Sept. 1. Check out www.loc.org for details. Greater Niagara Fish Odyssey registrations are now on sale at registration outlets. The derby is August 16-24 and the website is www.fishodyssey.net.
Lower Niagara River – Capt. Lloyd Schrack of Niagara Falls reported some decent fishing last weekend for bass and sheepshead while targeting bass. Using a mix of live bait and Kwikfish lures, the managed to catch around 20 bass and at least that many sheepshead. After fishing the lower stretches of the river, a north wind sent them motoring up to Devil’s Hole and they proceeded to catch bass and sheepies. They did reel in a bonus muskellunge that stretched out at 42-inches long and released. It hit a Kwikfish. The Niagara River Anglers bass contest was held last Saturday and top angler was Brandon Walsh of Niagara Falls with 9.96 pounds for two fish. He didn’t have the biggest single bass though. Ron Mrzygut of Grand Island walked in with a 5.74 pound smallmouth for lunker prize and he ended up in second overall with a two fish weight of 9.8 pounds. They were all caught on the Niagara Bar using shiners, tube jigs and jigging spoons. The Independent Living Center of Niagara County will be holding its annual bass contest on Sunday, August 3. Walleye fishing is starting to pick up a little, too. Worm harnesses on the bar, but you can also catch some ‘eyes along drifts in the river like Stella, Artpark, Peggy’s Eddy and Johnson.
Upper Niagara River – Not too much changed from last week with decent bass fishing being reported around the river – in the West River near Navy Island and around Staley’s Reef; at the head of the river; and around Strawberry Island, as well as Motor Island. Musky action is also an option, especially working large tubes around weed edges like the Strawberry Island area. Live bait is working for shore fishermen around the traditional Buffalo-area spots like Broderick Park, the foot of Ferry and Ontario streets, and the Bird Island Pier. Finally, congratulations to Todd Wells of Medina who won the Grand Prize in the Erie Canal Derby after the awards ceremony drawing was held. He won a boat, motor and trailer.
Fair Haven / Cayuga County
by Werner Stenger
The storms and high winds that have passed over our area in the past two weeks have scattered the fish. We have had to work for every bite. Now the good news, there have been several fish pushing 30 pounds caught in the last few days. We should see a large migration of adult salmon into our area any time now.
Oswego County
Courtesy of the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning
Oswego River/Lake Ontario – According to Larry Muroski of Larry’s Oswego Salmon Shop, the river flow has been low, between 1,000-2,000cfs, for the last couple of days. This afternoon it is running at 1600cfs. The construction is completed and the walkway to the dam is open. Anglers are finding sheepshead, some walleye and both catfish and smallmouth bass galore. Crayfish, nightcrawlers and minnows continue to be the baits of choice. 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 Larry Muroski of Larry’s Oswego Salmon Shop, the lake fishing has been decent. Anglers are finding some salmon although they are spotty. Look in 200-300 feet of water down 40-50 feet from the surface early in the day. Later in the day, go down deep. Anglers are finding a few lake trout and a brown trout bite early in the morning. Flies and cutbait are working along with spoons.
According to the Harry Powers of Salmon Heaven Lodge, we are in the salmon transition where they are around but not in great numbers just yet. Some days we have really good days and other days we get a few. There is still a decent brown trout bite so we can target them as well.
Salmon River/ Pulaski Area – Activity on the river is usually quiet this time of year.
Pulaski Area – According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle, there has been a fairly steady bite on the lake although the salmon are scattered. Look in 150 feet of water, down 80-110 feet from the surface, off Nine Mile Point. Flies and flashers are the choice of bait although spoons are working too. There is a good brown trout bite in 80 feet of water on spoons off Catfish. Lake trout have been active from the Salmon River north with cowbells and peanuts working well. The bass fishing continues to be a little slow in Mexico Bay. Minnows, crawfish and nightcrawlers are suggested bait.
Oneida Lake report – According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle, reports are indicating that there is a steady walleye bite on jigs or worm harnesses pulled through the weeds along the shoreline. The deeper water, 30 foot range, is also producing some walleye with worm harnesses off bottom bouncers. Anglers are finding a few bass along the weed edges.
Sandy Pond – According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle, with the weed growth, activity on the pond is slow. Anglers are finding an occasional bass or northern pike but overall the pond is quiet this time of year.