Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Lake Ontario And Tributaries
Salmon fishing has been slowly improving and lake fishermen have finally gained access to the big water on just about anything that floats. Mike Mainhart, an outdoor writer from Ohio, was on a quest to catch a king salmon from his kayak and he finally scored big-time with not one but two nice fish in the 25 pound class, paddling along with a large stickbait out in front of the piers at Olcott. It was one of his biggest thrills as an angler and he’s excited to write the story. He brought his wife back this week and she caught her first salmon, too! First light is when to start and inside of 50 foot depths. While big numbers of salmon have still not arrived at the dam, Wes Walker at The Slippery Sinker reports decent numbers in the lower stretches of 18 Mile Creek, especially in some of the deeper holes. One area has been around the Town of Newfane marina where dredging earlier this year deepened the waters there. Part of the problem with the dam area has been the low, clear conditions. That could change this weekend with the forecast of rain on Friday that could trigger a larger run of salmon, as well as trout. A few browns and steelhead have also been swimming around the creek. Night fishing off the piers at Olcott has been good for salmon, with an outside chance at catching a brown or steelie. Spoons are the most popular, but treated egg skein fished under a float will catch you fish, too – especially in the creek from boat. Over in Wilson, an 18-plus pound steelhead hit a K-O Wobbler off the east pier there, but don’t rule out the short pier at the foot of Route 425 for perch or browns. The harbor is holding some fish, including northern pike and perch, as well as trout and the occasional salmon. The short pier off Krull Park in Olcott is also a good spot to cast for trout and salmon.
Lower Niagara River
Salmon fishing has finally picked back up to more catchable numbers for boaters in the Devil’s Hole area. Drifting treated egg skein from three-way rigs is the best approach for hooking into a king or coho salmon. A few trout are swimming around, too. Local guides breathed a sigh of relief with the recent slug of salmon and some boats have reported as many as six or seven fish on a trip … if there are good sticks on the boat and the fish aren’t lost before making it to the net. Water temperatures are near the 60 degree mark. The mix of light versus dark salmon is still 50-50 at this point. The NYPA fishing platform is still producing nicely and the shoreline up into the gorge offers shore anglers more options. Don’t forget about the new access area at the Discovery Center where the Maid of the Mist winter over their boats. It is open 7 days per week, 7:30am-5pm. This schedule will remain in effect through October 31. It may cut back slightly November 1-8, with the last day being Nov. 8 at this point.
Upper Niagara River
Bass action continues to be good throughout the upper river system, from the head of the river to the safety zone area near the NYPA water intakes. Live bait like crayfish and shiners or minnows top the list of preferred enticements, but artificial baits like tubes and jerk baits will also work. Large tubes and jerk baits will also produce an occasional musky, but the best is yet to come there as water temperatures start to drop into the fall.
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Oswego River/Lake Ontario report:
According to Larry Muroski of Larry’s Oswego Salmon Shop:
The water level dropped steadily to under 3,000cfs from late yesterday afternoon to early this morning. It has been flowing between 3,000 and 4,000cfs since then. This level is good for fishing throughout the river. Anglers are finding a good number of salmon, brown trout and a few steelhead. Skein, egg sacs, smack beads, deep diving thunder sticks and hot-n-tots are working well.
According to Capt. Andy Bliss of Chasin’ Tail Adventures:
There are decent numbers of salmon in the river. Best baits have been deep diving crankbaits and skein under floats off the wall.
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 along the top bar on the home page. 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 Report
There has been increased fish movement with more salmon moving into the river. These fish will continue to move upstream. The deep holes such as Schoolhouse, Trestle, Sportsman, Town Pool and Black Hole are seeing activity.
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
Fishing continues to get better but still not a full-fledged run. Our guests reported a good day yesterday with many fish brought to hand, mostly kings. The upper end is no longer doing significantly better than the lower end. It has evened out a bit seeing roughly the same amount of activity throughout the run. We are optimistic for a good weekend.
Oneida Lake
Conditions have not changed much on Oneida Lake. There is not much deep water fishing to report as the season winds down. Anglers have found a little walleye activity from shore with the cooler temperatures.
Sandy Pond report
According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle:
There is no activity to report on the pond.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Streams
No water in Maxwell, at least at the south end. There is a little action on the north side of Lake Road; however the fishing has been real spotty. Not much happening! Rain is coming Friday so maybe the Columbus Day weekend will see some stream action.
Lake Ontario
Last week the north/northeast wind blew every day. It was relentless and not a very common blow for this time of year. Obviously no one was on the water.
Fishing has been very poor with the salmon not staging. They are scattered like last year. It could be the cold temps.
The last boats in have been catching a few cohos and lakers are on the bottom in 50 to 90 feet of water.
Bays
Salmon fishing has been poor, but the bay fishing has been excellent. Largemouths are being caught along the shoreline in Sodus and Port Bay.
Use anything from spinnerbaits to rubber worms. Perch have entered Sodus Bay, however they are scattered. Fish the drop-offs.
Crappies are suspended in Port Bay. Fish the south end. You can launch off of West Port Bay Road.
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
The bass have been hitting near Widewaters, the largest section of the canal. Cats are still in the deep pools however they will not be hitting like they did this summer.
Salmon River
Michael De Rosa – Zero Limit Adventures – Tailwater Lodge
Sporadic fishing the length of Salomon River. Douglaston Salmon Run fished well each morning, especially after 8:30 am when the sun hit the estuary. This caused staging Salmon in the estuary to move into the river seeking cover in broken water. A few Steelhead and browns were reported on the DSR and with Kings on beds and some eggs in the water, Steelhead are expected any day.
Up river it has been a case of “right time, right place” in the major pools. The Fly Zones have been good and sometimes very good, evidence that some fish are running at night as we saw last year.