Oswego County
Oswego River/Lake Ontario – The fishing on the river has been good although a little sluggish at times. The water flow has been running a little higher the last couple of days reaching 12,700cfs this afternoon.
According to Capt. Andy Bliss of Chasin’ Tail Adventures, now that the water has cooled off, start concentrating on the slowest deepest runs to constantly find fish throughout the winter. Spawn, jigs and beads are your best choices for bait.
According to Capt. Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift, we have seen some good action on the river with some days a little easier than others. We had one client with a very large, wide rainbow. Nice fish!
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. The Oswego Fire Department offers loaner life jackets at no charge through its “Loaner For Life” program. For more information contact the fire station, 35 E. Cayuga St., at 315-343-2161.
Salmon River – According to Garrett Brancy of the Douglaston Salmon Run, fishing was decent on the run yesterday but you had to work for them. The anglers I spoke with had multiple hook ups and landed several steelhead. One angler even caught a late female king salmon that had not spawned out yet. We have had some rain and the wind has made for raw weather conditions. The water level will hold at 500cfs through midnight tonight. Washed out egg patterns have been working for the fly contingency while egg sacs in blue/white are working for the center pin anglers.
According to Harry Powers of Salmon Heaven Lodge, we have had some good fishing on the river with a lot of fresh, chrome fish between Altmar and 2A. The fly anglers have been doing well in the fly zone and have reported a lot of fresh fish as well. Remember to take as much time as needed to revive your fish before letting them go!
Oneida Lake – Conditions on the lake remain about the same. We have not had consistent cold temperatures for solid ice formation. The extended forecast is calling for highs above freezing into the low 40s over the next several days. The shore walleye fishing has slowed down but the occasional angler has had some success casting stickbaits.
Sandy Pond – According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle, there is no activity to report on the pond. Although nighttime temperatures will be in the 20s over the next few days, daytime highs will be above freezing.
Niagara Region
Lake Ontario and tributaries – Good news for tributary anglers along Lake Ontario: the snow is melted and we received a fair amount of rain at mid-week to increase flows a bit and stain the water to allow for a more effective presentation. Water was low and clear at Burt Dam just prior to the rain and snow melt, but with colder temperatures in the forecast it should be good this weekend for anglers on 18 Mile Creek. Taz Morrison of Barker reports that the bite has been tough below the dam, but that should improve with the medium-stained water and more flow. It could pull some more fish in, too. Small jigs tipped with a wax worm and fished under a float is one approach; egg sacs or egg imitations like trout beads is another. Pier casters should still be able to catch some fish in Wilson and Olcott on spoons and spinners. Perch are also available.
Lower Niagara River – Lower river water clarity became a little more cloudy on Wednesday (probably from run-off – rain and snow melt) and let’s hope the front blowing in on Wednesday doesn’t muddy the water up too much. Trout action has been good most of the time. Patience is important on occasion. Devil’s hole, Artpark and the Niagara Bar have been the best three spots, but a few fish are starting to show up in the down river drifts. Kwikfish, MagLips, minnows and egg sacs (white, yellow and pink) are all working to varying degrees depending on the day. Remember that lake trout season reopens for the Lower Niagara River and Lake Ontario on January 1, 2015 – good news for drifters and casters. Lake trout season is open on the Canadian side of the river. This will be the place to beat for that category for a new fishing contest that will be starting on January 1 across the state. The Winter Classic Tournament will run through Feb. 22, 2015 and local weigh stations are The Slippery Sinker, Olcott; and All in the Same Boat, Newfane. This contest will be for fish caught through the ice, in open water, in the tributaries, and rivers. Categories are trout (including browns, lake trout and steelhead), pike, walleye, pickerel, crappie, yellow perch and panfish (sunfish and bluegill). Check out www.nysiceproam.com for more details or stop in to the two tackle shops mentioned earlier. The fish cleaning station in Lewiston is back to being functional.
Upper Niagara River – Nothing changed from last week as far as options … unless the water turns murky from blowing winds on Wednesday. Trout and perch top the list of preferred targets, from Buffalo to Niagara Falls – depending on location. Outdoor Trade shows will be starting up soon, too. January 23-25 are the dates for the Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo and things are really starting to come together nicely. Check out www.niagarafishingexpo.com for details including a list of speakers and exhibitors.