Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Lake Ontario And Tributaries
Winter finally arrived on the local scene and it has impacted angling activities a bit. Water levels have come back down in 18 Mile Creek around the Burt Dam area of 18 Mile Creek. According to Wes Walker at The Slippery Sinker, the water flow was around 120 cubic feet per second and there were decent numbers of steelhead in the water along with a few brown trout. The water was slightly stained. He would like to see the water temperatures come down a few more degrees to pull some more fish into the creek, too. Congrats to Scott Parks of Clarence who took over the early lead in the new catch-and-release Steelhead Division of the Captain Bob’s Outdoors Winter Fishing Derby with a 27-3/4 inch fish caught at Burt Dam and 18 Mile Creek. He was using a pink VooDoo jig tipped with a wax worm and fished under a float. That same set-up produced a half-dozen other fish. The derby continues until March 20. Not too much pier action going on with the northerly winds. But with temperatures forecast into the 40s for this weekend, you still might be able to cast some hardware for trout.
Lower Niagara River
In the lower Niagara River, action has been hampered by muddy conditions again and it should be fishable by this weekend if the winds hold off until then. Casting spoons or spinners from shore could produce a trout – steelhead, laker or brownie. From boats, the same three options are available, but the best baits have been minnows, Kwikfish or egg sacs – all fished off three-way rigs. No one has been able to get out onto the Niagara Bar because of those north winds, but if it’s calm enough, you can do well. In the NYS Winter Classic contest, a statewide fishing event, open water is also available and trout is a category – including lakers. Might want to consider signing up to compete. Go to www.nyswinterclassic.com for details and a current leaderboard. The Slippery Sinker is a weigh station in Niagara County. Speaking about fishing in Niagara USA, you better have Jan. 22-24 marked down on the calendar for the Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo. Check out www.niagarafishingexpo.com for all of the details. Tip of the week comes from Ernie Calandrelli of Lewiston who emphasizes the importance of knowing where you are when drifting on the Niagara Bar. “Watch out for that green buoy off the mouth because it can come up quick on you when you are distracted by catching fish.”
Upper Niagara River
Best spot to catch fish continues to be Broderick Park where anglers are picking up trout and walleye on minnow rigs. At least, when the water is clear. That water should be clear again by the weekend. Jay Brudz of Lancaster took over the early lead in the Rudd category for Capt. Bob’s contest with a 16 inch, 2.44 pound upper river fish caught on a Trout Magnet jig. For more info on the Capt. Bob’s Outdoors contest call Steve Hawkins at 407-3021.
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Oswego River Report:
With no precipitation over the last few days, the water has dropped to 10,100cfs as of this afternoon. Anglers are finding some steelhead and brown trout with egg sacs and beads working well. The thermometer is expected to reach near 40 degrees over the next couple of days with colder temperatures returning next week.
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:
Yesterday we had three anglers on the run who each landed one and reported other hook ups. This morning warmer weather and lower water levels brought out a number of anglers. One reported going 0-2 but was pleased with the two good bites. He also reported another angler having landed a fish. The water level at the dam is 750cfs and 998cfs at Pineville through midnight tonight.
According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop and Motel:
Yesterday the majority of anglers stopping into the shop and staying in the motel fished the upper end of the river in Altmar. The Lower Fly Zone is getting the most attention but is also producing action on a daily basis with nymphs and single egg patterns working the best. Yesterday in the morning we had slush ice in the lower end of the river but it did clear late in the afternoon. I fished the DSR with my son late in the afternoon once the slush ice cleared and we managed to land some steelhead while float fishing with pink and blue egg sacs.
Oneida Lake Report
There is not a lot of activity at this time on the lake. Temperatures will reach near 40 degrees over the next few days with another cold snap forecasted next week but we will have to see if it sticks around long enough to produce ice. A few perch still can be found in the bays and anglers are taking a few walleye just before and after dark. 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 at this time. Cold temperatures are expected to return next week but we will have to see how long they last.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Streams
It is now a new season of fishing. Maxwell Creek had a decent flow; however some ice build-up has occurred with the 10 degree temps. It’s supposed to warm up in a few days and then drop down in the frigid zone.
There have been a few steelies caught in Maxwell using egg sacs and bright colored beads. They were caught on the south side of Lake Road which has the most current.
Unfortunately the pier at Sodus Point has iced over, however you can still cast from the south end. Again…it has been a steelhead fishery with a hit and miss catch rate.
Bays
Because of the colder temps the bays are in between ice and open water. The shorelines areas of bays are making ice which means you can’t launch a boat. There are no frozen bays so….fishing is out of the question unless you want to cast from the shore.
If it would just remain cold the ice can be safe in a few days, but that will take temperatures in the 15 to 20 degree range. Keep your fingers crossed!
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
Just like the bays the canal water is in between open and freezing. The only place you can actually fish is from the shore near the locks, however that water could already be frozen. Sorry!
Orleans County
Orleans County Tourism
Temperatures will moderate throughout the rest of the week and into this weekend. The cold snap of the last few days have kept all but the hardiest of fishermen out of the tributaries within Orleans County. Those who did brave the elements found low water on Marsh, Sandy and Johnson Creeks and varying flows on the “Oak”. They also found some icy conditions along water’s edge.
There have been some reports of fresh steelhead in the system along with spawned out steelhead and brown trout, mainly in the “Oak”.
If we get the warm-up predicted for the rest of the week we may pick up some water flow in all of our tributaries which will help move fish out of the deeper pools.
With the colder weather Lake Alice fish have most likely moved into deeper water and the upper portion has started to ice over.
Like they say too much ice for soft water fishing and not enough ice for solid water fishing.
Sports show season starts next weekend with a show in Charleston West Virginia at the Civic Center.