Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Lake Ontario and tributaries
Fishing conditions have been horrible to say the least. Frigid cold combined with snow and winds have limited the amount of angling activity – even for the ice fishermen. There should be a little bit of open water at Burt Dam and 18 Mile Creek and when conditions do improve in the temperature department fishing should be good. In the meantime, look for ice fishing to be your most viable option in Wilson and Olcott. Pike and panfish are leading the way for the kinds of fish being caught. If you are looking for something to do indoors, the Lockport Antique Tackle Show is set for Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Elk’s Lodge located on North Canal Road from 11 am to 2 pm. Also, the State of Lake Ontario meeting for Region 9 will be held at Cornell Cooperative Extension Niagara, 4487 Lake Avenue, Lockport on March 16 starting at 6:30 pm. Let’s have a good showing!
Lower Niagara River
The cold temperatures and the ensuing ice have posed major problems for anglers in the lower river below Niagara Falls. Most of the guides have cancelled trips the past couple of weeks but it looks like many of them will be working again starting on Friday of this week, Feb. 27. The launch ramp is now open and the ice has moved away from that staging area. Those fish should be hungry, but you will have to deal with clear water conditions. Minnows will probably be your best bet, but Kwikfish or MagLips will also catch fish when the winds are right, preferably out of the south or southwest. Use a three-way rig to maintain contact with the bottom and use smaller hooks and line to adapt your presentation to the clear water. You may have to lengthen your lead, too, off the three way swivel.
Upper Niagara River
Not too much changed from a few weeks ago. Target the harbor off Buffalo or the marinas around Grand Island for the best ice action.
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Oswego River
The water level has been gradually dropping over the last few days running at 3,300cfs this morning. The cold temperatures are still with us with daytime highs in the teens and nighttime lows below zero for a couple more days. The weekend shows some improvement.
Capt. Andy Bliss of Chasin’ Tail Adventures reports that with the weather conditions we haven’t been out on the river much. But we are getting ready, tuning up and re-spooling reels, new rods and new tackle. As long as it doesn’t warm up too fast we should have good water all the way into May. This will make for great steelhead fishing plus it will provide plenty of runoff to keep the brown trout action along the shoreline on fire!
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 the Douglaston Salmon Run the weather continues to be cold but not as cold as it has been the past month. We had about 20 degrees Tuesday, but with the windy conditions it felt much colder. Shelf and anchor ice are very prominent on the run. The closer we get to spring we will see some tolerable conditions. It only takes a couple degree bump to get fish active so take advantage of those days when we have a couple or more days above 40 and watch the steelhead explode out of their winter lethargy!
Oneida Lake
After very cold temperatures and wind chills, the weekend is looking better. That is until later Sunday when snow is in the forecast again. ATVs are out of the question for travelling on the lake. Snowmobiles are having some issues too with the slush under the snow. Those reports that we have received are indicating a slow bite for those who have made their way out. A few perch have been reported and an occasional walleye.
Sandy Pond
According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle the weather forecast is showing signs of some warmer temperatures coming in for the weekend and the beginning of next week. The snow is deep and the bite has been slow. Anglers have found a crappie bite at Greene Point and a few pike but the perch activity has been non-existent.