Upstate New York Fishing Report for December 3, 2015

Greater Niagara Region

Bill Hilts, Jr.

Lake Ontario And Tributaries

All the Lake Ontario tributaries continue to be low and clear across the board for anglers pursuing trout in the streams. There has not been any additional flow of water from the Erie Canal in 18 Mile Creek due to construction near the Canal in Lockport. With warmer temperatures still around this month and no rain in the forecast, the fall fishing continues to be hampered in the creeks. Pier casters should be able to toss spoons and spinners to take trout and not worry about things icing up. Both Wilson and Olcott harbors should also be holding fish – a mix of pike, perch and panfish, as well as bass and trout. Remember that the regular bass season is closed and everything reverts to catch and release, artificial baits only for smallmouth and largemouth.

Lower Niagara River

Niagara River boat fishing has taken off for trout this week, while shore fishing has slowed a bit due to clear water conditions. Boat drifters are doing well on trout – steelhead and lake trout. Vince Iacovitti and Gary Hall (both from Niagara Falls) were fishing with Capt. Frank Campbell of Niagara Falls on Tuesday and the result was 23 trout for the morning – all caught on Kwikfish and MagLips off three-way rigs. Off the total, 13 were steelies and the better steel spot was Devil’s Hole. On Wednesday, Tim Wassberg with Sirk TV spent a couple hours on the water to film a quick segment with Michelle Blackley Glynn of Niagara Tourism and Convention Corp. From there it was a direct shot to the Culinary Institute of Niagara Falls to prepare their steelhead with a special recipe. Check the two of them out in the crossover event between the Outdoor Beat and Niagara Now on Channel 22, Time Warner Cable all week or on the website at www.lctv.net. Remember that lake trout season is closed in New York waters of Lake Ontario and the river until Dec. 31. However, the Canadian side of the river is now open for lakers as of Dec. 1. Shore fishermen are struggling a bit due to the clear water from Artpark to the Whirlpool. Use spoons, spinners and eggs or egg imitations for your best chance of taking a trout. Remember that the NYPA fishing platform is now closed, as is the upper reservoir. Bass season is closed for catching, but not catch and release. Musky season will continue until Dec. 15 in the Lower River and Lake Ontario. If you are a member of the Niagara Musky Association, the John Henning memorial tournament (catch and release) is set for Sunday, Dec. 6 from 7 am to 4 pm. Call Adam Kazmark for details at 623-205-9939. Cost is $25.

Upper Niagara River

With the water clearing finally, some trout are available for casters at Broderick Park or off the Bird island pier areas. Along Ontario Street, some shoreline action for a mix of perch and panfish is available. Bass, too, but it’s only catch-and-release with artificial lures only. The Erie Canal is still de-watering from the dam at Feigel Road in Pendleton to the east.

Oswego County

Mary Ellen Barbeau

Oswego River Report:

After the heavy rain yesterday the water level has risen to 12,900cfs this afternoon. This makes most areas along the river difficult to fish. However there is not much precipitation in the forecast for the next several days so hopefully this will be a temporary spike in the level. Over the last few days driftboat and shore anglers have reported some activity with a few nice brown trout and steelhead coming to the net. Smack beads are working well along with egg sacs and skein.

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 Fat Nancy’s Tackle Shop:
The water flow is 335cfs. The best fishing has been from the School House Pool to the Trestle Pool. The best baits have been blue egg sacs, white egg sacs, 8mm steelhead snot beads and stone flies. The water temperature is 41 degrees.

According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop and Motel:
With the recent rain we are getting some runoff in the lower end of the river. The extended forecast calls for some really nice weather for the upcoming weekend. Overall not a lot of anglers were on the water yesterday but Altmar continues to get the most fishing pressure on a daily basis. Anglers staying in the motel and stopping into the shop reported getting into a few fresh fish in the lower end of the river while float fishing or bottom bouncing with egg sacs. Just a reminder that the Upper Fly Zone is now closed and will reopen on April 1st. The Lower Fly Zone is currently open.

According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
We have had a good amount of rain over the last day or so and the water flow is running at 335cfs at the dam and 518cfs at Pineville. Anglers have reported slow fishing conditions. That being said, most anglers reported getting into a fish or two. We will have to see over the next day or so if the rain has brought in more steelhead.

Oneida Lake Report

Normal average temperatures returned this week with highs in the 40s. Conditions on the lake haven’t changed much. Anglers are finding some perch in the bays and the night bite for walleye continues just before and after dark. Casting stickbaits and blade baits remain successful baits. 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

Ya hoo it’s December. Another month disappears. Not many confirmed reports from Maxwell and the other smaller streams in the county. Some anglers were casting in Salmon Creek in Pultneyville. That stream doesn’t have many locations for access. There is a small section next to the bridge…that’s it.
There was a nice steelhead caught in Bear Creek, which again is a small stream with little access. You can try from Lake Road to the mouth. It’s a small area but it holds fish.
Maxwell was crowded over the holiday weekend; however the browns and steelies didn’t want to bite much. Use egg sacs and the usual bright beads ect.

Bays

The Sodus Bay anglers were in their boats catching perch this past weekend. They were hitting near the south-east side of Sodus near the “Dockers” restaurant.

Some crappies and perch have made their appearances at Port Bay. Usually this time of year the perch will be 20 to 30 feet deep near the points and drop-offs. Use small jigs tipped with spikes. So far they don’t like the big stuff.

If you find a school of small perch move until you catch 10 to 12 inchers. They like to school together.

It’s supposed to be a warm December so keep your motor on the boat. One way or another you can fish the colder season.
Don’t forget you need your PFD worn at all times. It’s the law…and a good one!

Check out the rest of the Wayne County Tourism web page for the locations and hours of local bait and tackle shops.

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 canal water has been dropped in certain areas, but you can fish at Widewaters or cast from the shoreline next to Route 31.

Orleans County

Orleans County Tourism
I know the calendar says that this is December but the weather is at least a month behind. Temperatures over the next week will remain in the 40’s to low 50’s during the daytime and nighttime lows keeping above the freezing mark. Chance of precipitation is low for most of the period.

The de-watering of the Erie Canal seems to be on the slow side this year but I haven’t heard of any reason why.

Unfortunately low water flows on Johnson, Marsh and Sandy Creeks have greatly curtailed the fishing opportunities on all three for now.

On the “Oak” fishing for Brown trout and Steelhead is up and down depending on water flow which is also up and down.

Fishing pressure remains fairly light with hunting season in full swing.

Lake Alice fishing is producing a mixed bag of fish with Bass topping the list.
Please remember that Bass fishing is catch and release only from December 1st until the 3rd Saturday in June.

Also being taken are Perch, Walleye and Crappie in varying numbers.

Salmon River

Michael De Rosa – Zero Limit Adventures – Tailwater Lodge
With the reservoir bumping up the release to 900 cfs, many people have been wondering what did they do to the fishery? In the grand scheme of things, not much! The fishing has picked up slightly over the past week throughout the river system as a whole. Some sections of the river are hot one day, then cold the next. Sections are being affected simply by the movement of fish. We are seeing fish continuing to trickle in to the watershed, but no significant increase in Steelhead has been noted. The Douglaston Salmon reports throughout the recent week have been sporadic. Anglers fishing the DSR are reporting some days maybe one or two hookups but the next day they are having better success with 6,7,8 + hook ups.

As for the rest of the river system, it has been the same way. The upriver fishing pools have had a steady number of hookups, but the major pools are holding vast numbers of fish. The Lower Fly Zone has been the most consistent producing section of water, but also the most heavily populated with anglers. Meanwhile, the Upper Fly Zone has been sporadic at best. The fish are seeming to be able to spread out amongst the river section. But the Upper Fly Zone has had little pressure from anglers. Weekends, the parking lots have few cars in them.

The Drift Boat Captains continue to report action with some Steelhead from Altmar Bridge through Pineville to the 2A Bridge. They are having success with a mix of patterns. Your Spey anglers have been reporting better success over the past few weeks with hookups with big easy flies. Some Drift Captains have reported their “go to” flies have been big buggers for their clients.

Tuesday afternoon, the parking lots were not crowded at all. A quick scan of the parking lots this afternoon, there were four cars at 2A Bridge, three at Sportsman pool, zero at the Trestle, ten at Lower Fly and zero at Upper Fly parking lots. The crowd numbers during the week is going down as the temperatures are getting colder.

This upcoming weekend at the Tailwater Lodge, Pig Farm Ink will be throwing two of their favorite events. Friday, from 8-finish, will be the Iron Fly. It’s an open door event where anyone who wants to tie some flies or just have a drink. Saturday and Sunday will be the Get Trashed event and the main focus of this event is to collect trash on the Salmon River and catch fish. Both events are free and open to anyone. There will be many prizes given out at both events. Hope to see you all there.