Niagara Fishing Forecast
Lake Ontario and tributaries – Burt Dam and 18 Mile Creek are still holding fair numbers of trout. Best bait is a jig tipped with a wax worm and fished under a float, but egg sacs or egg imitations will also work for you. We received roughly a foot of snow on Wednesday and Thursday this week and temperatures will be forecast into the 40’s soon so that should melt the white stuff and possible stain the water a bit and add a bit more flow. It was low and clear as of this report. It should also bring in a few more fish. The Niagara River Anglers Christmas meeting is Dec. 15 at the Sanborn Farm Museum located on Route 31 at 7 pm and the Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs will be meeting at Cornell Cooperative Extension Niagara, Route 78 in Lockport at 7 pm on Dec. 17.
Lower Niagara River – The Lower Niagara River turned muddy again last weekend with the high winds on the previous Wednesday night and that could happen again this week if the wind directions and severity of the blowing is right. Right now, with wind out of the north, it shouldn’t be a problem. However, that direction does make for some tougher fishing conditions. Fishing was good when things finally cleared last weekend, especially at Artpark and the Niagara Bar, and it continued to be good when north wind wasn’t blowing too hard. Steelhead, browns and lake trout were all cooperating in the river; browns and lakers on the bar. All the traditional baits will catch fish including minnows, wobbling baits like Kwikfish and MagLips, and egg sacs or egg imitations. Devil’s hole was producing some fish, too. Shore fishermen are back to catching fish, as well. Spoons, spinners, beads and egg sacs are good to use. Tip of the week comes from Capt. Jeff Draper of Grand Island. Make sure you have oil in the oil reservoir for your outboard. If your motor starts making a strange beeping noise, be sure to check the oil first.
Upper Niagara River – The waters finally cleared again but another snow storm this week will probably limit the amount of fishing going on. Musky season is closed, bass is catch and release, but there is some trout and perch fishing going on. Broderick Park, the northern tip of Squaw Island and Ontario should produce both. Minnows for perch; spoons, spinners or egg sacs for trout. Casting the upper rapids area along the Robert Moses Parkway is another good trout hang-out this time of year.
Oswego Fishing Report
Oswego River/Lake Ontario – According to Larry Muroski of Larry’s Oswego Salmon Shop, the water level has not varied a lot over the last few days. This morning it is 10,300cfs. Trout are active throughout the river with smack beads, egg sacs, flies and pink worms continuing to work well.
According to Capt. Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift, we have seen some good fishing with crusher action on an entire trip earlier this week. We even captured a late season Coho. All released to fight another day.
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 visitoswegocounty.com and look for the fishing report under fishing and hunting. The Oswego Fire Department offers a Loaner for Life program, offering loaner life jackets at no cost at the east side fire station, 35 E. Cayuga St., Oswego. For more information call 315-343-2161.
Salmon River – According to Garrett Brancy of the Douglaston Salmon Run, there were only a few anglers on the run yesterday and all of them got into some fish. Two Centerpin anglers using egg sacs holed three fish while another dedicated angler hooked two fish swinging large 4” flies. It wasn’t gangbusters but it was better than it has been the past week. The water flow has dropped to 900 cfs through midnight tonight.
According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop & Motel, Wednesday was a cold, snowy and windy day. As of early this morning the snow has ended and we are digging out of the roughly eight inches of snow we received. The weather for the upcoming weekend is forecast to be a bit warmer and relatively clear. Over the past week the water level has been high but the river is fishable and anglers have been fishing both from the bank and driftboats. Single egg patterns, nymphs, trout beads and egg sacs continue to produce results.
Oneida Lake – With some winter weather passing through the area this week, activity on the lake has been quiet. Although we have had snow, we have had no extended period of cold temperatures. Nighttime temperatures in the upcoming forecast will be in the upper 20s to near 30 degrees but daytime temperatures will be pushing 40 degrees. Solid ice is not in the foreseeable future as yet.
Sandy Pond – According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle, there is no activity to report on the pond. With no period of cold temperatures in the forecast, it will be a while before there is ice fishing on the pond.
Wayne County
Streams – The only option for anglers this time of year is stream fishing. Maxwell Creek has brown and steelhead action.
Some anglers are actually using worms…something that isn’t very common for stream fishing near Lake Ontario. The Finger Lakes streams have seen brown trout action with worms, so I guess our tribs can produce the same results.
Use egg sacs, worms or small spoons and jigs.
With snow currently fallen the streams should be in great shape. It’s supposed to warm up this weekend which means melting…which means water flow!
Another option for stream anglers is Hughes’ Marina on Lake Road just east of Pultneyville. There is a $5 permit fee and you can fish the small lagoons which connect to the lake.
The ponds at Hughes’ are still ice free… so far.
Bays – It’s a tough week for any boat fishing. Nothing happening in Wayne County bays.
Remember the New York State law which requires you to wear a PFD if you are in any type of watercraft. Be safe…it is a very smart law!
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 – A thin layer of ice is covering the canal. Early December is the transition month for anglers.