Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Lake Ontario And Tributaries
Trout and salmon fishing has started along the shoreline for trollers working stickbaits or spoons in the shallows around creek outflows – especially off Wilson and Olcott – as well as off other streams like 4 Mile Creek. Trolling the shoreline inside of 15 feet is a good place to start. Some Coho salmon, brown trout and steelhead are being caught…when it’s not too windy and rough. There was quite a bit of wind the last week chasing trollers off the lake. The piers are also an option, casting spoons or spinners. Fishing a minnow under a float will also work, again when the winds will cooperate. In the harbors, there have been some perch around, but they have been more cooperative in Wilson because the water has been clearer according to Wes Walker at The Slippery Sinker. He also reported some trout are still being caught at Burt Dam in 18 Mile Creek, but the water has been stained. Smaller tributaries have been clear, but with an inch of rain in the forecast, look for action to shut down this weekend for the most part until the waters clear again. The Niagara County Bullhead contest IS next weekend starting at 5 pm on April 8 and continuing through 1 pm on April 10, sponsored by the Wilson Conservation Club. Best two fish. Weigh in will take place at the club on Route 425, Wilson from 9 am to 1 pm on April 10. Sign up at The Slippery Sinker. Some bullheads are being caught in Wilson. The Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Assn. are getting their pens ready to accept fish from the state. April 9th is when the group will be getting the pens up to speed at the Town of Newfane Marina at 9 am and they can use all the help they can get. They will also need help feeding the fish after that are put into the pens on April 13. The purpose of these pens is to improve the survival rates of the fish being stocked and to imprint them to the waters of 18 Mile Creek. Check out the group’s website at LOTSA1.org for details.
Lower Niagara River
High winds during the week stained the water up a bit and created unfavorable fishing conditions from boat and shore. Anglers started catching fish again on Wednesday, but with the weather forecast that was predicted, we could see more wind and rain heading into the weekend. We’ll have to wait and see what that will do to the water. In the meantime, trout have been cooperating for casters from shore with spoons and spinners. Egg sacs and minnows will also work. Boaters have been using minnows, too, and when the water is stained, adding some color with the new Pautzke Fire Dye. Steelhead and lake trout are the primary focus, but a few browns are still being caught in the river. No word on the smelt run yet. The Lewiston Smelt Festival is set for May 6. April 1 is the kick-off for the NYPA Access Road for the fishing platform and the stairs to the shoreline. This comes at a good time because of the construction taking place on the stairs at Whirlpool State Park. The stairs are closed there from now into July. The lower trail could be closed during the week from Tuesday to Thursday due to falling debris. Don’t forget that the Niagara River Anglers Association’s 11th Annual John Long Sr. Raffle and Feast will take place at Niagara Active Hose, Lockport Road, Niagara Falls on April 3 from 2-6 pm. Call 628-1460 for tickets.
Upper Niagara River
April 1 signifies the opening of the inland trout season. Niagara County inland stockings (these are different than the Great Lakes) will take place in mid-April at Oppenheim Park Pond in Wheatfield; Hyde Park Lake in Niagara Falls; and Gill Creek in Niagara Falls, the outflow of the lake into the Upper Niagara River. No exact date has been given yet as to when that stocking will take place. April 1 is also when NYPA opens up access to the Reservoir in Lewiston. Access is available off Upper Mountain Road at the fire department and at Reservoir State Park.
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Oswego River Report:
The river level was running at 3,880cfs as of this morning. We did receive some steady rain this morning so this may fluctuate some over the next day or so. All areas along the river are fishable. There have been a few brown trout taken although things have been a bit quiet with the lower water flow. Jigs and pink worms have been successful. Just a reminder that walleye season is closed and will reopen on May 7. It is bullhead time at Wright’s Landing. Worms and minnows are the suggested baits.
According to Capt. Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift:
We had a couple of days on the river over the last few days but also took to the lake for some good brown trout fishing.
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 Whitaker’s Sport Shop & Motel:
Yesterday was another nice day to be on the water and we got mixed reports from anglers. The majority of fish being caught are drop backs and the anglers having the most success are covering lots of water. Anglers who are fly fishing have had results with a mix of egg patterns, nymphs and streamers. Just a reminder that the Upper Fly Zone reopens on Friday, April 1st. The anglers who are bottom bouncing or float fishing have had success with egg sacs, beads and pink worms. Late yesterday afternoon we took advantage of the great weather and trolled along the Lake Ontario shoreline and caught some really nice browns.
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
Somewhat to our surprise, considering the cloudless skies on Tuesday, our guests reported that angling for steelhead was tough. A few fish were hooked and caught but those who were successful put their time in. Perhaps the water temperature dropping four degrees compared to Monday’s reading (40°F on Tuesday) played a factor in fish activity. It could have been the ice cold wind too!
Oneida Lake Report
Conditions remain the same on the lake. Perch are active in the bays and anglers have been finding crappies in the Toad Harbor area. Remember that the walleye season is closed and will reopen on May 7.
Sandy Pond report
Things are rather quiet on the pond as we transition to spring open water angling. The weekend is calling for rain on Saturday with much colder temperatures and possible snow showers on Sunday. Just a reminder that walleye and northern pike seasons closed on March 15. They will reopen on May 7.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Streams
There are still steelhead in Maxwell Creek and they are hitting anything bright. They should be in the lake within a few weeks.
Pier fishing can put you on steelhead and the browns are in the Sodus channel where the water is warmer. Cast out Little Cleos or any spoon that has some weight. Pier fishing is the next best thing to fishing the streams.
Don’t forget the April 1st opener, although that won’t affect any tribs bordering Lake Ontario. That season is always open. But…you can travel south in the Finger Lakes if you really enjoy smaller stream fishing.
Lake Ontario
The charters are catching a mix bag of browns, mostly on the eastern section of the county. Or you can fish straight out from Sodus Bay and troll to Maxwell. The spring browns are close to shore just like any year. Fish in 20 feet or less and have your presentation back 100 feet.
Use your favorite stick bait. The Bay Rat stick has been a favorite, although any “plug” will work.
The fish have been five to eight pounds; however the larger ones are roaming the shoreline. It’s raining today so maybe a nice mudline will set-up for any weekend fishing.
Bays
The boats are out in the bays, but the perch have been hard to find. The Port Bay channel is slated to open April 1st and you can use any of the DEC launch sites. The docks are not in so fish with a buddy for easier launching.
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
Some crappies are being caught next to the Port Gibson bridge. Anglers are fishing from the shore
Remember…you still need to wear your PFD. It has to be worn, not sitting in your boat. You need to wear it until May 1st.
Orleans County
Orleans County Tourism
The rollercoaster ride of weather conditions continues with mid week temperatures in the 60s and then 30s and 40s by the weekend.
Of course this is western New York and it is early spring.
Conditions on the tributaries within Orleans County are medium to slightly high flows with stained water conditions that offer 1 to 2 feet of visibility.
The good news is that both tributary and lake fishermen have great opportunities for plying their skills, mainly for brown trout and steelhead presently.
Of course suckers are ready and willing to take your offering if you’re drift goes too deep.
On Lake Alice catches of Bluegill have slowed slightly but Perch catches are on the rise.
A few Channel catfish have been taken in the main part of Lake Alice and Bullheads are being taken farther upstream.
The tributary discharge temperatures into Lake Ontario are bouncing from the low to high 40s which still offer great areas to concentrate your fishing efforts when the winds allow you to fish Lake Ontario.
Just a reminder that this Saturday, April 2nd, the pens are being assembled for the pen rearing project. Ernst’s Lake Breeze Marina is the site and work will begin at 9AM.
If you enjoy the great fishery that is offered in Orleans County why not come out and be part of a major reason that we have such a splendid fishery.
With the 1st day of the 2016 Spring LOC Derby just over a month away, it’s time to get those entries in, finish the last minute preparations for the boat and gear and get that shake down trip in early.
Salmon River
Michael De Rosa – Zero Limit Adventures – Tailwater Lodge
A full week of 500 CFS releases with flows ranging from 750-850 CFS. There was 1-2 inches of snow on the Tug Hill and a small amount of rain. The River continues to slowly warm and water temps were over 40 the last couple of days. Overall the fishing has been spotty but there have been few fishermen on the river to check with.
Douglaston Salmon Run has reported steelhead caught by anglers that have spent the time and effort. There is sporadic fishing at the major pools with some activity below the Altmar Bridge. There is sporadic fishing at the Lower Fly Zone and an increase Drift Boat hunting for drop- backs steelhead. The Altmar, NY Hatchery taken their quota of eggs sure sign that steelhead in a post-spawn condition and these will be released in the next couple of weeks.
Look for warming conditions in the immediate forecast to heat up the local fishing.