Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Lake Ontario And Tributaries
Happy New Year! Some nasty winter weather finally arrived on the scene along with some rain, snow and sleet. Burt Dam and 18 Mile Creek saw another slightly increase in flow which brought in a few more trout – fresh browns and steelhead finally arrived according to Wes Walker at The Slippery Sinker. Water flow was at 257 cfs at the dam but water should have crested with a good green color. The piers in Wilson and Olcott are still good spots to cast hardware like spoons and spinners to take a brown or steelie, if the winds aren’t too bad and it’s not too slippery. With temperatures as high at the 40s this week, there should be some activity going on around the tributaries and harbors, including some of the smaller ones like Keg Creek. As long as the mouths are open, they should be attracting some trout. Some perch are hanging around in Wilson and Olcott harbors, too. The New York State Winter Classic Fishing Derby will be kicking off on Jan. 1 and The Slippery Sinker in Olcott is now the only weigh station in Niagara County for the statewide event. The derby runs through Feb. 28. For more info check out www.nyswinterclassic.com. The Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo is just around the corner, set for Jan. 22-24 at the Conference and Event Center Niagara Falls. Check out the website at www.niagarafishingexpo.com for all of the details in place so far … with more to come! Don’t forget the Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association’s Salmon School slated for Jan. 23 at the Expo, too. Log on at www.lotsa.org for details and registration. Seating is limited and they are going quick. Lake trout season is now open for any trollers and drifters working the Niagara Bar area off the mouth of the river.
Lower Niagara River
Despite some uncomfortable weather conditions, boat and shore fishermen are both doing well on trout. Starting on Jan. 1, lake trout season will be open full bore. From boats, the drifting has been good for trout with baits like Kwikfish and MagLips, but the spoons and live bait will also work from boats. Minnows were hot this past week, fished off three-way rigs. From shore it has been spoons, spinners and eggs or egg imitations. Pink, green or chartreuse and blue colored spinners have been producing a mixed bag of fish along the Artpark area according to Chuck Booker of Amherst who has been supplying some of his “custom crafted” spinners for casters. January 1 is also the start of a new walleye regulation in the lower river. You may only keep one fish as part of your daily limit, a regulation change designed to protect large females getting ready to spawn. Remember that Jan. 1 is the start of a new license year in the Province of Ontario waters.
Upper Niagara River
Nothing new to report since the waters cleared – trout around the head of the river from shore; other fish like bass and walleye being caught by casters in places like Broderick Park. For trout and walleye, one effective rig has been a bottom bouncer with minnow attached.
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Oswego River Report:
With more rain over the last few days, the water level is running at 13,300cfs as of this morning. Anglers are finding some steelhead and brown trout along with a few walleye in the river. Egg sacs and beads are working well.
According to Capt. Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift:
I never should have mentioned the great weather. Sunday it was windy, 38 degrees along with rain. Last night we had some snow before changing to sleet and freezing rain. On Sunday our clients did tough it out with their frozen hands. Lots of fish hooked up but the landing ratio was down. Yesterday we worked for them but ended up with a good day. The cold front makes them real picky. All released to fight another day.
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:
Over the weekend the best fishing was from the School House Pool to the Trestle Pool. The best baits have been pink and white egg sacs and 10mm UV orange beads.
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
We woke up to much colder temperatures and the tiniest dusting of snow this morning. A few fishermen came out to try their luck on the run. The few anglers we spoke with said catching action was slow and the water flow remains high at 1800cfs. With the sleet and freezing rain overnight, conditions will be extremely slippery so proper footwear and safety gear are essential. Temperatures are expected to be above freezing by this afternoon. One angler reported a steelhead, domestic and a stocked brown yesterday afternoon.
According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop and Motel:
Anglers are making the most of the high water conditions. The drift boat guides are taking advantage of it and covering lots of water while floating most of the river. The majority of bank anglers are fishing the upper end of the river between Altmar and Pineville or some of the smaller local tributaries. Anglers fishing from the bank reported hooking into some fish along the soft edges and inside seams, but said landing them was difficult. Bottom bouncing with pink egg sacs or flies was most productive. Anglers who are float fishing have had results with pink or blue egg sacs, steelhead beads or pink worms.
Oneida Lake Report
There is not a lot of activity at this time on the lake. Although we have had some cooler temperatures, ice is still a ways off. A few perch still can be found in the bays and anglers are taking a few walleye just before and after dark. Casting stickbaits and blade baits remain successful applications. 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 Flotation Device while underway.
Sandy Pond report
The pond is quiet and with the temperatures we are having, ice is a ways off yet.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Streams
Not much to offer for a stream report. There are some browns in Maxwell, however not many anglers trying their luck. I guess you can throw out beads and eggs sacs for browns or steelies. If they hit it appears to be under a drifting bobber. Stay on the north side of Maxwell.
The Sodus Pier was a good place to throw out spoons; however the ice and snow storm from two days has created some slippery spots on the pier. If you want to try your luck you can fish near the Coast Guard Station end.
Bays
It’s still open water on all bays, so you can still launch a boat. Just be careful of slippery ramps. The perch are still scattered near the points in Port and Sodus Bays.
The crappies are hitting near the south end of Port Bay and some pike are being caught near the islands in Sodus Bay.
Not much else happening this holiday week.
If you do fish from a boat remember it’s a New York State law to wear your PDF.
I guess the bad news is no ice fishing yet. The good news is you can cover a lot more area with your boat… if it isn’t winterized.
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 canal has open water, however no one has been out. This has been a tough transition year. Ice anglers are waiting!!
Orleans County
Orleans County Tourism
Due to the upcoming holiday the fishing report is being updated a day early.
The rain, snow, sleet and freezing rain of last night should provide some needed water flow in all of the tributaries within Orleans County for at least a day or two.
Temperatures are still remaining above average in the long range forecasts and with that in mind I’m just not sure that the solid water fishermen are going to get a chance to ply their trade this winter season.
Of course we all know that this to can change overnight.
With the increase in water flow in all of our tributaries, fish, mainly steelhead and some brown trout should be on the move as they experience faster moving water.
Those that are getting hook-ups right now are using stone flies, woolie buggers and egg sucking leeches in several different colors, along with wax worms and spikes.
On Lake Alice the Bluegill catch is up around the Kenyonville Bridge and Perch are still being caught in the same area, just not as many as the Bluegills.
Bass can still be caught in the deeper waters but of course it’s catch and immediately release.
I hope that the New Year brings each and everyone health, well being and most of all peace throughout the year.