Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Lake Ontario And Tributaries
It will be a busy weekend in Wilson, Olcott and the Fort Niagara areas. It happens when the calendar aligns properly – three different fishing derbies on the same weekend, giving you nearly $100,000 in cash and prizes … if you get into all three contests. Just another friendly reminder that you have to be in it to win it and the odds are better for these contests than they are for the state lottery! Wes Walker at The Slippery Sinker sends word that the mature king salmon are starting to stage off Olcott in 50 to 100 feet of water as they start to darken up color-wise. Any lure that will get them to strike out of aggression – J-plugs, cutbait and flashers, flasher-fly rigs, or magnum spoons – will work on any given day. This is a time when you can catch them outside of the preferred temperature zones, too. Out deep, a mix of immature salmon, the occasional mature and steelhead will show up in the top 60-70 feet of water over 350 to 500 foot depths. Standard or super slim sized spoons are the preferred trolling bait. Perch and rock bass are being caught in the harbors at Wilson and Olcott. Largemouth, smallmouth and pike are also possibilities. Over in Wilson at the state park, some work around the launch ramp should be completed by Friday for the LOC Derby but it might take an extra day or two so be prepared for a secondary option for launching. Eighteenmile Creek has good water flow after recent rains. It was 87 cfs on Wednesday morning, blowing out duck weed and triggering some fish to hit. First up on the contest calendar is the Orleans County Rotary Derby, currently running through August 21. Yes, it ends this Sunday. The current leader for the Grand Prize is a 30 pound, 14 ounce king salmon reeled in by Julie Schaeffer of Sligo, Pennsylvania – well within reach. Top steelhead is a 14 pound, 1 ounce fish caught by Robert Griffith of Akron, Ohio. Jessie Pepper of Rochester has the top lake trout with 16 pounds, 12 ounces and Patrick Pullinzi of Hamlin is the leading brown trout catcher at 15 pounds, 7 ounces. The Lake Ontario Counties Trout and Salmon Derby – the Fall Return of the King event that runs for 18 days – starts on August 19 and will be offering up over $70,000 in cash and prizes including $25,000 for the largest salmon weighed in. Go to loc.org for details. The third event kicks off on Saturday, August 20 – the 40th Annual Greater Niagara Fish Odyssey Derby honoring the late, great Capt. Jeremiah Heffernan. The prize structure has been increased for this year’s history-making contest, including $4,000 for the Grand Prize. There are categories for salmon, smallmouth bass, walleye, carp and trout. The winning catches in each of those categories will be placed into a hat at the Captain’s meeting in Newfane. The winning pick earns the Grand Prize. Last year it was young Nick Perri, winner of the Brown Trout Division winning the top prize. The best part of the Odyssey is that kids fish for free in a special Youth Division. Lots of great prizes will be handed out – whether you catch a fish or not! Sign up at fishodyssey.net or at any of the registration outlets. Get out there and have some fishing fun. Also on Friday, August 19 is the inaugural Reelin’ for a Cure event out of Olcott.
Lower Niagara River
Walleye action has increased a bit, just in time for the NRAA walleye contest on Sunday. Worm harnesses or yellow sally flies rigged with a spinner and a worm, fished off three way rigs is the best approach. Mike Heylek sends word that the Niagara River Anglers Association will be holding its annual lower Niagara River walleye contest on August 21. There will be a guaranteed $500 prize structure no matter how many people are in – $250 for first; $150 for second; $100 for third. 100 percent cash pay back from the $20 entry fee and $5 big fish category. Best two fish, total weight. Scales will be open all day at the Lewiston Landing until 2 pm. The picnic and awards will also be at the pavilion at Lewiston Landing – pizza and wings from Mr. B’s. You can check the NRAA website (niagarariveranglers.com) and Facebook page Niagara River Anglers for details or stop in at Creek Road Bait and Tackle. If you fish in the contest, make sure you are registered for the Greater Niagara Fish Odyssey Derby set for August 20-28. Just ask John Walaczak! Bass action has also picked up a bit, but you do have to work for them. Crayfish and shiners top the list of preferred baits. Expect to catch a few sheepshead or silver bass, too.
Upper Niagara River
Bass is still the primary focus for drifters and casters with live bait working the best, fishing off three way rigs for drifters. Casters are using tubes, drop shot rigs or stickbaits – the same artificial lures that worked for the fishing pros a few weeks ago. Strawberry Island is always a good spot to start, at the head of the island or just east of the island. In the west river, bass action can be good, but remember that is mostly Canadian waters – follow the rules. The head of the river in the current is also a good spot to target bass and the occasional walleye. Sheepshead are showing up regularly.
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Lake Ontario report
According to Capt. Andy Bliss of Chasin’ Tail Adventures:
Fishing remains inconsistent at best but we are marking more fish daily. Cut bait and flies have been the best.
White green dot, Hammertime, pig pen, and white mountain dew attractors; glo bfly, glo hammer and green glo flies are suggested.
Oswego River Report
The water level was up just over 2,000cfs at times over the last few days. It also has been down as low as 400cfs and is running at 845cfs this morning. Anglers are finding a few walleye and smallmouth bass. Stickbaits, cut bait and nightcrawlers are working well. There is no salmon activity as yet.
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.
Pulaski Area/Salmon River Report
Anglers are reporting the bite has been slow but a few salmon have been reported in the area. A few bass are also being taken in Mexico Bay.
Salmon River report
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
Tuesday’s rain and wind gave us all high hopes that the first king salmon of the season would be spotted yesterday morning in the river. However, as dawn broke and the sun rose higher in the sky no salmon were revealed. Yet, the half a dozen or so anglers down on the run did enjoy their time on the water as the smallmouth bass bite picked up with the increased water flow and slightly lower water temperature (70 degrees 8:30am). A few larger bass in the 16″ range were reported caught. We’ll see what tomorrow brings!
Oneida Lake Report
The fishing remains about the same on the lake. The walleye bite remains spotty. Anglers are taking a few in 20-30 feet of water with blade baits and stickbaits. Smallmouth bass are responding to drop-shot rigs and crayfish around the shoals.
Sandy Pond report
According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle:
The pond is heavily weeded with little fishing taking place.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Lake Ontario
The LOC Fall Derby starts this Friday and runs through September 5. The big lunker Grand Prize king will put $25,000 in your pocket, so make sure you register if you are trolling the waters of Lake Ontario. Everyone on the boat needs to be registered.
Currently, most of the kings are coming straight out from Sodus Bay in 100 to 200 feet of water. They have been scattered, however they can be caught. Charter captains are using cut bait or flasher/flies if they are targeting extra heavy kings.
The best depth today was 85 to 125 down over 150 fow.
They have also been catching some steelhead straight out from Hughes’ Marina in 150 fow down 40 feet. Use red spoons.
Bays
The bass fishing has been excellent in Sodus Bay. It might be the warm water temps that are encouraging the largemouths to gobble food. Use just about any rubber or plastic. Zoom baits have been working near the weedlines.
The bay weed cutter is at the south end of Sodus, so don’t even bother to fish that location.
The largemouths are also hitting at Port Bay. Both the north and south end fishing access roads have been fixed so it’s an easy haul with the trailered boats.
Check out the rest of the Wayne County Tourism web page for the locations and hours of local bait and tackle shops. 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 cats are hitting in Palmyra. Cast out shrimp, cut bait, or dough balls. There have been a few bass tournaments last weekend. They were catching all the fish near Widewaters. What’s that tell you!
Orleans County
Orleans County Tourism
Last night we had a wild wind come through and really rile up the lake.
Reports this morning are that things are starting off slow and temperature is down below 100 feet out at the 30 plus line.
As short as the wind event was, I would have to believe that the lake should settle out rather quickly today.
Some great fish have been entered in the Orleans County Rotary Derby which ends this Sunday August 21st.
Also the Greater Niagara 40th Annual Fish Odyssey runs from August 20th to the 28th this year.
And of course let’s not forget the Fall LOC Derby running from August 19th through September 8th.
On the inland waters of Orleans County the warmer weather has slowed things down a bit but the cooler temperatures, well kinda cooler, and the rains should help to pick that fishery up again.
Whether it’s on the Erie Canal, some of the smaller lakes and ponds or on the mighty Lake Ontario, help further our youths interest in the great outdoors by taking the time to take a kid fishing.
Salmon River
Michael De Rosa – Zero Limit Adventures – Tailwater Lodge
After a very long hot and dry summer, conditions are showing signs of improvement. 2 inches of rain fell in the last week, and temperatures have decreased slightly, giving the local fisheries some modest but much needed relief. However, water flow has only slightly increased, and is currently running at 250 CFS.
A few juvenile smallmouth bass can be found throughout the river, but the larger fish have all returned to the lake. This is expected to hold true for the rest of the month, as is the typical calm before the storm when the salmon make their return.
The Tug Hill Fishing Club has picked up markedly in the last few days, most likely due to the cooler temperatures and recent rains. Revolutionary fly-tier and New York resident Pat Cohen provided the Zero Limit Adventures team with some of his signature bass flies. His purple “slurp and burp” proved deadly, bringing double-digit numbers to the net. You can check out Pat’s work at rusuperfly.com
Boats from Lake Ontario are reporting salmon being found around 90 feet of water, with tightening stomachs indicating that they are preparing for their river migration. Good numbers are being caught, and all fish look exceptionally healthy.