Upstate New York Fishing Report for November 19, 2015

Greater Niagara Region

Bill Hilts, Jr.

Lake Ontario And Tributaries

Stream anglers have been disappointed with the lack of rain the last few weeks. Low, clear conditions have left only the harbors of Wilson and Olcott, as well as 18 Mile Creek, the only options – until we see more rain. There could be some salvation in 18 Mile Creek and the Burt Dam area with the de-watering of the Erie Canal. That should help increase the flow and attract more fish. It should also provide a little stain to the water. For the fish that are available, use light line and small egg or bait presentations to combat the clear conditions. Primarily trout are available to anglers, but the word is that fish numbers are limited. If you can get on the piers in Wilson or Olcott, casting spoons or spinners might produce a trout. That has been a big “if.” Lake temperatures finally hit 50 degrees this past week.

Lower Niagara River

With more wind in the forecast, we’ll have to wait and see how that shakes out for lower river drifters and casters. In the meantime, shore fishing in the gorge area has been the best angling option in Western New York for anyone looking to wet a line. Despite chocolate-like conditions throughout the river corridor, the shoreline has cleared enough to allow for some decent trout fishing. Casting spoons or spinners will work for you, as will brightly-colored egg imitations. Options include the Artpark trails in Lewiston; the trails along Devil’s Hole and Whirlpool state parks; and the NYPA fishing platform – all good access points. The Fishing Platform will remain open until Dec. 1 or when the snow starts flying, whatever comes first. The elevator there is being worked on so that access is not available. If you catch any lake trout, remember that those fish should be put back into the water immediately as that season is closed. Lake trout season does open on the Canadian side of the river on December 1. Steelhead and brown trout are both available to anglers as well. No boating reports in the past week and all of those fish will be available to anglers if the water clears at all. Remember that musky season in the lower river extends to Dec. 15. The regular bass season closes on Nov. 30.

Upper Niagara River

Not good news for musky fishermen with the last week being a wash due to turbid conditions. The season ends on Nov. 30. The only option the past week was some shoreline action up towards Buffalo. Due to severe winds, some of the access points like the Bird Island Pier were not fishable. With another wind event happening at mid-week, we’ll have to wait and see what happens with that. Sounds like hunting might be a better option – the big game regular season opener is Nov. 21. Stay safe out there. If you are not a hunter, check out the Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo website at www.niagarafishingexpo.com to see what’s planned for the third annual show set for Jan. 22-24, 2016. It’s going to be a great one!

Oswego County

Mary Ellen Barbeau

Oswego River Report:

According to Larry’s Oswego Salmon Shop:
The water level dropped to about 2,500cfs yesterday but is up to 3,620cfs this morning. Cooler, more seasonable temperatures are expected for the weekend. Anglers are finding steelhead, rainbows, and browns along with the occasional salmon. Egg sacs, smack beads and skein continue to be working well.

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:

According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
Reports indicate the fishing in the middle to lower sections of the river has been slow with one or two “skippies” (small steelhead) being taken. The water has increased to 750cfs with very cool temperatures overnight – perhaps a little adjustment period taking place. Cloudy skies with some rain in the next couple of days may jump start the fish.

According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop and Motel:
We finally got a change in the water level. Yesterday the majority of anglers we spoke with fished the upper end of the river between Altmar and Pineville and we got mixed reports. For those anglers who are fly fishing pale colored single egg patterns under a strike indicator or small streamers on the swing have both produced results. For those anglers who are bottom bouncing or float fishing, blue, pink and chartreuse egg sacs, steelhead beads or pink worms have all been working well.

Oneida Lake Report

Conditions are about the same on the lake. Cooler temperatures are expected over the next few days with some rain and possible snow showers. Anglers are still finding some perch in the bays and the walleye night bite has continued. Casting stickbaits and blade baits is working well. A reminder that from November 1 to May 1, all persons regardless of age, aboard a pleasure vessel less than 21 feet, must wear a Personal Floatation Device while underway.

Sandy Pond report

The pond is quiet this time of year.

Wayne County Fishing Update

Chris Kenyon

Streams

Maxwell Creek has a decent flow, however not the optimum flow for for browns and steelies. Anglers are reporting the browns are in Maxwell but they are not hitting anything. Maybe some small jigs would work.
Last week a purple “Wally Wog” was catching steelhead and browns. It’s a small trolling, casting or drifting bait. It has a transparent body with a long tail that has excellent action. Give it a try!
Pier fishing is still an option, especially during this warmer weather and less wind than last week. Cast out spoons, like the excellent action Cleos.
Hughes’ Marina, just east of Pultneyville is another option when the streams dry-up.

Bays

Port Bay has produced some rock bass, smallmouths and blue gills, however the perch were hiding. It could be a late arrival from Lake Ontario, where they spend the summer.

Reports from Bay Bridge Sport Shop say the perch have entered the bay. It’s about time…we have been waiting a month to see them. They enter the bays from Lake Ontario during the autumn and stay until they spawn in the spring.

Fish them off the points in 20 to 26 feet of water. Use small jigs tipped with spikes and search for the schools that have some size.
They are also hitting near the Sodus channel.

Remember, you need to wear your flotation device at all times starting November 1st. It has to be worn, not just sitting somewhere in the boat. This is a New York State law for all waterways.

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

They are catching bass near Port Gibson. Boats are still launching at Widewaters. Bass season ends November 30th…a Monday.

Orleans County

Orleans County Tourism
Rain is in the forecast for Thursday November 19th and then the possibility of both rain and snow on Sunday November 22nd.

This coupled with the Erie Canal closing at 5 PM today with the de-watering process to begin shortly after and we have conditions that should bring the water levels in all of the tributaries within Orleans County up to a more acceptable level.

Presently Sandy, Marsh and Johnson Creeks are experiencing low water flows which make them very difficult to fish, but not impossible.
The “Oak” remains at moderate water flows which provide for much more suitable conditions.

Chinook salmon are quickly waning from the system and Brown trout are on the rise.

Also on the rise are Steelhead which will be in the tributary system all winter long.

On the lower stretches of the “Oak” Perch, Northern pike and Bass are being caught but not with any consistency.

On Lake Alice the Crappie are in hiding but Bass, Perch and Walleye are still being caught in varying numbers.

Please remember that Bass season closes on November 30th this year and remains closed until the 3rd Saturday in June 2016.

As the Erie Canal dewaters and colder weather approaches, please be mindful of debris that may dislodge from the banks of our tributaries and become part of the water flow.

Keeping an eye on your surroundings is the key to staying safe.

Salmon River

Michael De Rosa – Zero Limit Adventures – Tailwater Lodge
Just a year ago, parts of New York were covered in snow in amounts from two to seven feet, limiting anglers any opportunity of hitting our favorite streams for our beloved Steelhead or Trophy Lake Run Brown Trout. Well, it is November again and the holidays are just around the corner. The nights are getting colder, most dropping below freezing. This year, we have been blessed with little snow and “just okay” fishing conditions for some. For others, they have had some of their best days ever this year. It has been a season of hit or miss. Being in the right spot with the right choice of fly has been the key to success.

Fishing this week has still been slow to moderate throughout the river system as a whole. The Douglaston Salmon Run has been reporting few hook ups with Steelhead and the occasional Brown Trout. Most fish have been caught in the morning near the major pools. Other parts of the river are still crowded with many anglers. Activity in holes below the Altmar Bridge have been sporadic, one day hot, the next day cold. An hour to sunset, we have seen pods of Steelhead enter the schoolhouse pool to hold for the night. Fishing upstream has been moderate to great in most of the major pools in the Lower and Upper Fly. Drift Boat Captains continue to report hookups with Steelhead from the Altmar through Pineville to the 2A Bridge.

Since the last controlled release, the Salmon River has been flowing at a steady discharge of 400-500 CFS (cubic feet per second) in Pineville. With the recent rain we have received over the last week, the river discharge has increased to 900 CFS. With the recent push of water, we have not seen any major pushes of fish. A trickle of fish was reported all week at the DSR and today’s rise in water level had no significant increase in fish. Stay closely tuned to all your favorite friends and guides on the water. We may see an increase over the next few days.