Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Lake Ontario And Tributaries
Now that the official announcement that the ice boom is being taken out at the head of the Niagara River off Buffalo has been made (combined with the fact that there is very little ice left in Lake Erie), action in Lake Ontario for salmon and trout should slowly start to improve. We’ve actually been seeing some decent fishing along the Niagara County shoreline, from the Niagara Bar to 30 Mile Point, but it’s only when the high winds aren’t creating some problems for boaters. According to Capt. Jake Joseph of Jiggin’ Jake’s Charters, the lake trout bite in the lake continues to be very strong just past the green can at the mouth, having success running downriggers 5 feet above the bottom and dipsy divers on a No. 3 setting. Lures of choice have been watermelon colored Stinger spoons and Bay Rat Purple Wish shallow divers. Also some king salmon have been showing themselves along the Niagara County shoreline and Capt. Mike Johannes of Wilson sends word he had his first big salmon of the season that tipped the scales at 18 pounds last weekend off his home port on a spoon. Also a few salmon have started to show up on the western side of the bar and off St. Catharines fishing in 20 feet of water. Getting back to the home front, Wes Walker at The Slippery Sinker sends word that 18 Mile Creek water was stained with two feet of visibility as of Wednesday. Plenty of steelhead were being reported at Burt Dam. Out in the lake, target inside of 30 feet of water with stickbaits for browns and coho salmon. Off the piers, use spoons or stickbaits for browns, cohos and the occasional Atlantic salmon. If you do catch an Atlantic remember that the minimum size is 25 inches in length. Lake trout have been snapping in 30 to 70 feet of water between Wilson and Olcott. In the tributaries and the harbors, Wilson is still producing some nice bullhead. In the recent contest there run by the Wilson Conservation Club, the overall winner was Jeff Budziszewski with two fish totaling 3.88 pounds. He was using nightcrawlers at night in the west branch of 12 Mile Creek. Second place was John Pittsley with two fish weighing in at 3.56 pounds, also fishing the west branch of 12 Mile Creek. Third place was Justin Koralewski with 3.54 pounds total, caught at night at Golden Hill State Park, another hot spot for bullhead. In the Youth Division, Emily Phillips led the way with a two fish total of 2.38 pounds, caught on crawlers during the day at Wilson-Tuscarora State Park. All the tributaries are experiencing some suckers showing up, but there are trout available, too. Some pike and carp are showing up in the harbors, too. Remember that pike season doesn’t open until May 2 this year. Two contests to consider are the All in the Same Boat Tackle Shop Brown Trout Derby that will run through May 10 and the LOC Derby May 1-10. The ABS Derby was extended a few days due to the inclement weather. Sign up for $10 at the shop. All proceeds will benefit the Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association’s pen rearing project in Olcott. Some great prizes will be up for grabs at the Newfane tackle shop. Incidentally, LOTSA will be receiving their fish for the pens on Friday, April 24 at 1 pm. Anyone interested in helping with the feeding should go online at lotsa.org and sign up. The LOC Derby is just around the corner, too. Best spot to be is right here in Niagara where more than 60 percent of all the winning fish come from. Check out loc.org for details.
Lower Niagara River
No word on smelt yet, but it shouldn’t be long before the tasty baitfishes begin to show up in catchable numbers. The Smelt Festival is on schedule for May 1 at Lewiston Landing near Water Street Landing starting at 6 pm. Sponsors include Tops of Lewiston, Water Street Landing, Waste Management and the Niagara River Anglers Association. Shorefishing is beginning to slow down with smallmouth bass starting to show up and give people an unexpected battle. However, trout are still available for those anglers willing to hike into the gorge. Fishing in the river has been a bit slow for boaters, too, according to Capt. Frank Campbell of Niagara Region Charters. Most of the boats are averaging three to six fish per trip with minnows, Kwikfish or egg sacs the top three baits – not necessarily in that order. Every day is different.
Upper Niagara River
With the removal of the ice boom, fishing should really start to heat up – quite literally. Warming water temperatures should trigger fish to hit around Grand Island and the Tonawandas in the shallow bays, marinas and inlets. Trout should still be available at the head of the river around the Bird Island Pier or Broderick Park on egg sacs, spoons or spinners; or at the head of the rapids in Niagara Falls on the same baits.
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Oswego River
This morning the water level dropped to 14,800cfs. This is still high for fishing along the river but behind the hotels is one suggested area with jigs the bait of choice.
Lake Ontario
According to Capt. Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift:
It was a little rough on the lake yesterday but my crew didn’t care. We had constant action the entire trip. We lost count they were coming in so fast.
According to Capt. Mike Conroy of Proteus Fishing Charters:
On Saturday we set up in the harbor and looked for warm, muddy water in search of Oswego’s favorite spring fish, Lake Ontario brown trout. 48 degree water was our ticket. Small flutter spoons off of riggers and stick baits with orange bellies were the only thing that worked. We took all of our action off of side planers, 100 ft. back; and a couple of riggers down 5 ft., back 70 ft. We boated nine nice browns with the two largest being 9 and 10 pounds. This week has been challenging with the wind.
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 Whitaker’s Sport Shop & Motel:
The water level has come down some although it is still high but at least we are going in the right direction. Yesterday we had scattered rain showers throughout the day, this morning snow showers. Yesterday anglers in the motel made the most of difficult conditions and were able to fish some of the smaller local tributaries.
According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle:
Although the water level on the river is very high, the streams are doing well. Anglers are finding some good steelhead action with eggs and various larva such as wax worms and meal worms.
Oneida Lake
The weather has not been very cooperative this week with wind and colder temperatures. This morning snow showers are moving through the area. There is not a lot to report as the season gets underway. Just a reminder that walleye season will open next Saturday, May 2.
Sandy Pond
There is not a lot to report from the pond as we continue the transition into open water fishing.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Streams
The streams are running!!! Anglers are still catching steelhead, although this should be the last week. The fish will finish the spawning run and enter the lake.
Use egg sacs and you could try casting out into the lake from the northern end of Maxwell Creek. Or try your luck from the pier heads at Sodus Bay.
Lake Ontario
The action has started. Browns, steelhead and Atlantic salmon have been hitting close to shore from Bear Creek to the east side of Port Bay.
Yesterday’s rain has produced some great mud lines, plus the warm water coming from the bays entices some nice strikes.
Stickbaits are the dominate presentation. Be ready to fish at dawn as browns are not very tolerant of bright light. That’s why you find them in stained water.
Look for the temperature breaks and fish in and out of any mud lines and concentrate your effort in front of the bay outlets and stream mouths.
Bays
Bullhead fishing is hot. Try any slow shallow water and use leeches. You can fish from the south end of Sodus Bay on the Bay Bridge.
Crappies are still hitting in Port Bay and if Lake Ontario is rough try trolling for browns. Some “holdover” trout are still in Sodus and Port Bays.
Erie Canal
The canal waters hold all sorts of fish. Launch at Widewaters and fish towards Port Gibson for crappies, bluegills and sunfish.
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.
Fair Haven / Cayuga County reports
Crappie have moved into shallow water. They are falling prey to buckeyes and jigs fished under floats plenty of big ones mixed in the schools. The bite has been on one minute off the next, but put in your time you can fill a pail.
The bullhead bite is starting in stained water, near and in the mouths of feeder creeks, the town park, park pond. Crawlers fished with slip sinkers get the job done.