Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Lake Ontario and tributaries
The gradual warming trend has served many local anglers well. Many of the creeks are flowing freely and when they start settling down they should have trout in them. At the top of the list is 18 Mile Creek, offering steelhead trout and the occasional brown from the dam to the beyond the stairs. The slow melt has given the water a decent stain, giving an added advantage for anglers looking to score on some fresh fish entering the system(s). Silver bullets were caught earlier this week and the action should continue until this weekend and into next. Best baits were jigs tipped with a wax worm or eggs according to Wes Walker at The Slippery Sinker in Olcott. Fish the jigs or eggs under a float, use the color that works best for the conditions. Brighter colors like pink or chartreuse work in the stained waters; white or black as the waters turn clear. Keg Creek was high and muddy earlier this week but it should start to settle down soon. There should be trout available. No word on any other tributaries. The ice is out of Olcott Harbor and a few casters have hit the piers already seeking out trout or an early Coho. Some pike are still hitting lures, but remember that the season is now closed until the first Saturday in May. No word on Wilson Harbor for ice fishing. Conditions must be deteriorating quickly though.
Lower Niagara River
Trout action continues to be on fire for anglers taking advantage of the mild weather and relatively ice-free conditions in the main river. Minnows topped the list of favorite baits that also included Kwikfish, MapLips and egg sacs or single egg presentations and the water has a little more color to allow for more hook-ups. Brown trout are more likely downriver and on the Bar, proven by Capt. Matt Yablonsky in some trips this week; steelhead upriver and down, proven by Capt. Frank Campbell with some if his trips. A few lake trout are also being caught. Three-way rigs are the way to go to maintain contact with the bottom. Shore anglers have been picking up some trout but once again caution is advised with the melting shoreline ice. Spinners or spoons will work, as will eggs or egg imitations and fished under a float. Walleye season closed in New York waters on March 15. It is illegal to target them when the season is closed. Remember that the Niagara River Anglers Association will be holding its John Long Sr. Memorial Raffle and Feast at St. Vincent de Paul Hall on Military Road, Niagara Falls this Sunday, March 22 starting at 2 pm.
Upper Niagara River
Not too much changed from last week other than there’s a bit more open water around. Ice fishing is still taking places on hard water like Buffalo Boat Harbor, but the ice is starting to dissipate. Most of the perch have been smaller. Remember that walleye and pike seasons are closed.
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Oswego River
The water level has been on the rise this week flowing at 9,940cfs this morning.
Capt. Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift reports that they had one of the best steelhead days of the season early this week. The water came up and the bite was on. The quality of fish was totally amazing. You also never know what you will get in Oswego – a nice bonus Laker started our day on Monday. Yesterday the fish were definitely sluggish compare to the day before but we still managed some trophy rainbows.
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
The Douglaston Salmon Run reports that he shelf ice is gone from the river but the snow and iced covered banks , some 5 “ high, may be problematic when fishing your chosen lye. We had several clients on the river this week. Those that went upriver, Little Black Hole and the Glide, were bottom bouncing with pink egg sacs and enjoyed success. Those that fished the Joss and Flats swinging flies did not “touch” any fish. That has been the basic pattern the past few days, except drifting nymphs has also been productive.
Whitaker’s Sport Shop & Motel reports that with the recent break in the weather the fishing pressure has picked up and the Altmar area continues to get heavy fishing pressure on a daily basis. In the upper end of the river the fish have been holding in the deep holes in the Lower Fly Zone, Schoolhouse, Wire Hole, Ellis Cove, Trestle Pool, Pineville, Ace in the Hole and Sportsman Pool. In the lower end of the river the fish are also holding in the deep holes such as Papermill, Town Pool, Longbridge/Staircase, and Black Hole. Anglers who are float fishing or bottom bouncing have done well with blue or pink egg sacs, pink worms, trout beads and steelhead jigs.
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.
Oneida Lake
Although we have had some warmer weather, the temperature has dropped again for a day or two with cold nights. This will help to firm things up and make travel a bit easier. Big Bay seems to be seeing a good amount of activity. Just a reminder that walleye season closed on Sunday, March 15.
Sandy Pond
Anglers are reporting good ice on the pond. The last couple of days have been cooler and nighttime lows for the next several days will not reach 32 degrees. The perch bite has been slow but anglers are finding a decent crappie bite and a couple of nice pike with some of this activity taking place at Greene Point. Just a reminder that walleye season closed on March 15.