Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Lake Ontario And Tributaries
A few fish are still being caught off the Olcott piers the last couple of nights on the lake side of the piers. While spoons are normal hardware for casting there, it was Rattletraps that made the difference of late. Try skein under a float, too. A few slugs of salmon made it up into the harbor but no further than that according to reports. A few browns at the dam but only early in the morning at first light. Hopefully this rain that is in the forecast for Saturday will trigger some sort of a run in the creek at 18 Mile. Over in Wilson Harbor, there has been a good bite on northern pike. Try casting spinnerbaits. Wilson Pier is a good spot for browns, too, if we get some water flow coming out of the creek. Maybe this weekend. If you want to make it out into the lake for some trolling action, the better bite has been out deep for a mix of immature kings and some trout. Spoons are the way to go. Anchoring up at the pier heads in Olcott is another option to try and cast for kings. Lake trout season ended on Sept. 30.
Lower Niagara River
The kings finally showed up in Devil’s Hole a bit more frequently. Capt. Steve Drabczyk of Lewiston is reporting a minimum of five kings every trip out. Secret to his success if the “magic eggs” that have been cured by his wife, Lisa at Creek Road Bait and Tackle. He uses three-way rigs and bounces bottom to take his fish. According to him he is out-fishing everyone! The NYPA Fishing Platform is still one of the best spots for a king salmon. Casting spoons, spinners or rattlebaits can catch fish, but the best is yet to come. Other shore anglers have been using spoons, spinners and jigs to take a mix of fish, including bass and walleye. Try up toward the Whirlpool area, too. Some action along Artpark on mixed species. River water temp was down to the 60’s. Bass fishing continues to be spotty. Some days are better than others. The south launch ramp at Fort Niagara is closed as of Oct. 3 for some work on the ramp, shoreline and the dock.
Upper Niagara River
Bass action should start to pick up as water temps start to cool down. Ditto for musky action.
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Oswego River Report
According to Larry Muroski of Larry’s Oswego Salmon Shop:
With the low, warm water in the Oswego River, we’ve been finding some great action in the harbor.
According to Capt. Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift:
There is low water with very few spots to fish right now but doing very well. Hoping for some effects of the hurricane.
According to Larry Muroski of Larry’s Oswego Salmon Shop:
The river flow briefly spiked to about 2,500cfs late Monday but dropped to 1,460cfs yesterday. This afternoon it is at 744cfs. No rain is in the forecast over the next couple of days but the possibility of some for the weekend. Anglers are fishing off the wall using thunder sticks, hot-n-tots, and mag lips. Early in the morning and in the evening are producing the most activity. Anglers at the dam are using skein, estaz flies and rubber eggs.
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
Salmon River Notice: Due to the low water conditions anglers should be aware that the Lower Fly Zone is closed until further notice. For more information https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/NYSDEC/bulletins/16822b1.
According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop and Motel:
With the low water conditions the fish continue to be holding in the deeper holes during the day and the majority of fish movement has been during the night. The deep holes such as Trestle Pool, Sportsman Pool, Papermill, Town Pool and Black Hole have all been holding fish but also getting the most pressure.
According to Fat Nancy’s Tackle Shop:
The Salmon River is running at 185cfs until midnight October 12. There have been new fish entering the river everyday this week. With the low water most of the fish seem to be moving after dark or first thing in the morning and settling into the deeper pools.
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
The River Patrol reported decent fish in the estuary and throughout the river but not much movement after mid-morning. Still what can best be described as a steady trickle into the river and movement of small groups of 2-4 fish upriver has provided steady action for our anglers. Best action has been at first light and at the end of the day.
Oneida Lake Report
Temperatures have cooled off and the weekend brought some long awaited rain. Anglers are finding a good perch bite with minnows being the bait of choice. The fall walleye bite should be picking up with the cooler weather.
Sandy Pond report
There has not been much activity on the pond. Anglers are getting a few bass using jigs and plastics.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Lake Ontario
Not much happening in the lake. A few casters were trying for salmon off the Sodus pier. A few browns were caught on Cleos.
Last week’s one- inch rainfall didn’t do too much for the flow of Maxwell, however at least it’s a start. You can still fish the mouth, casting out in the lake, however that has been slow. More rain is the answer for returning fish.
Bays
The bass fishing continues to be excellent in Sodus Bay. There are launch sites on the south end and near the Arney’s Marina. DEC docks are still in which makes for an easy launch.
Anglers are still searching for perch but they have been scattered. The word from Port Bay is too much bait fish. You have to compete with the real stuff. This time of the season they are in 20 to 25 feet of water.
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
Canal fishing is still the best option for autumn fishing… from the shore or from a boat. Anglers are catching largemouths, catfish and a few crappies. There is always plenty of action in the canal, especially if you are searching for some big bass.
Orleans County
Orleans County Tourism
Today is Wednesday October 5, 2016.
The cooler temperatures of the past few days have the salmon population slowly moving towards their spawning grounds.
The biggest concentration of salmon on the “Oak” seems to be by the deep hole at the bridges area.
Later this week we should be experiencing even more of a cool down which should speed up the pre-spawn movement.
Water levels on all of the tributaries within Orleans County are at slightly below levels to low levels for this time of year.
With no great amount of precipitation in the near future these levels should remain.
On Lake Alice Bluegills are still being taken by the Waterport Bridge and now some Crappie are starting to show up.
Bass are becoming more active and should increase in activity as temperatures cool down.
Don’t lose out on some great fishing, food, friends and prizes at the St. Mary’s Archer’s Club Catch and Release Derby which will be held on October 19th to the 21st this year.
It is truly one of the great events of the fall fishing season.
Salmon River
Michael De Rosa – Zero Limit Adventures – Tailwater Lodge
Water flow continues at 185 cfs with some rain on the Tug Hill Plateau the last 2 days and some predicted over the next couple of days. Good news is that water temps are in the low 60’s.
The low water is NOT slowing the salmon run! The river is still fishing very well with large King Salmon and recentnumbers of Cohos moving. Again we are seeing Kings are measuring over 40” in length with girths of 20” -22”, so it looks like a big year group. We are seeing Coho Salmon from 7 to 15 pounds. Several steelhead and brown trout have been caught so far and there are reports of lucky anglers bringing in Landlock Atlantic Salmon.
As reported last: fish continue moving throughout the river with boat captains reporting multiple hookups. The total length of the river open to salmon is 13 miles from Port Ontario to the base of the dam at the Lower Reservoir. It does not take long for these fish to disperse throughout the system. Note, the Lower Fly Zone has been closed due to drought conditions.