Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Lake Ontario And Tributaries
The big news locally was the announcement yesterday that three poachers – we can’t call them fishermen – took two enforcement agencies on a wild fish chase around the Burt Dam area of 18 Mile Creek. They were finally caught and brought to justice. In their possession were 69 salmon ranging from 5 to 35 pounds, using weighted treble hooks at night to illegally take the fish. They were charged with 32 violations. Yes, 69 fish in one night. If you were wondering why the salmon run has been down a bit when you arrive in the morning, this could very well be one of the reasons. It’s highly unlikely that this is the first time that this has ever happened. It’s important to police our own ranks. There are nearly 70 fish that law-abiding citizens CAN’T catch. Call 844-DEC ECOs for any fish and game law infraction. You can remain anonymous. In the meantime, despite the illegal activity, there has still been some decent numbers of fish around at Burt Dam and in 18 Mile Creek. At the dam, eggs or egg imitations top the list of best baits to use for salmon. Brown trout like small flies, egg sacs and live bait like worms. Down the creek further, some salmon are still being caught in some of the deeper holes from boat by using treated egg skein under a float. Casters off the piers – at least when you can get out there – are doing pretty well on brown trout right now. Cast spoons or spinners. Both harbors – Wilson and Olcott – are good spots for pike and perch. If you want to target bass, both largemouth and smallmouth can be caught. The Wilson pier is a good spot for browns, too.
Lower Niagara River
The salmon run is slowly being replaced by the trout run – steelhead, lake trout and even an occasional brown. In fact, a stocking of brown trout is going to take place next week along with a Coho stocking. In the meantime, one of the best drifts on the river has been along Artpark with Kwikfish lures from boat. Shoreline casters are tossing eggs or egg imitations and fishing under a float to take trout. Spoons and spinners will also work for you. Part of the gorge trail under the Whirlpool Bridge is closed down for some repairs right now. Devil’s Hole is still producing a few salmon and some trout are moving in. Bass and walleye can also be caught on occasion. Remember that lake trout season is closed through Dec. 31. If you catch one, please release it as soon as possible.
Upper Niagara River
With water temperatures in the lower 50’s now, the muskellunge are responding nicely. A nice musky was caught at the foot of Ferry Street earlier in the week while he was casting for bass and walleye. Walleye have also hitting off the wall at Broderick Park. Bass and walleye are on their fall feed right now. Our biggest recommendation we can give you is to know exactly where you are in the river and make sure you stay in New York waters if you don’t have a Canadian fishing license or failed to call into the Canada Border Services Agency. They are really starting to play hardball over there, enforcing laws on the books for bait, working papers (if you are a charter captain), licenses and customs issues.
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Oswego River Report
According to Jake Metcalf of fishoswegoriver.com:
With high and dirty water conditions on the Oswego River, I decided to use a double bead and skein rig to target salmon and trout. The big presentation produced some nice results. I ended the morning going 3 for 7 with a catfish, steelhead and a king.
According to Capt. Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift:
The elusive fantail rainbow. The coolest fish that I catch and I usually find one every couple of years. 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 Whitaker’s Sport Shop & Motel:
Yesterday the anglers we spoke with who fished the lower end of the river for steelhead reported having a tough day. The few anglers who did land steelhead were in the upper end of the river between the Altmar bridge and Schoolhouse Pool as well as the Lower Fly Zone. Anglers who fished some of the smaller local tributaries reported getting into just kings.
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
Fishing was very slow on the run yesterday. Anglers reported at most two hook-ups, mostly steelhead. No particular end of the run did better than the other. The river is currently flowing at 750cfs.
Oneida Lake Report
The perch bite is continuing along the North shore of the lake. Minnows and worms are taking fish in 10-14 feet of water. There have been reports of more activity with walleye and with cooler temperatures expected over the next few days, hopefully we will see some good action. Casting stickbaits just before and after dark is the suggested application.
Sandy Pond report
There is not much activity on the pond this time of year.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Streams
Maxwell Creek still has some running water at the north end. The south side of Lake Road is still seeing the results of our summer drought.
If you fish Maxwell try the north end parking lot and walk along stream bank or go right to the lake and cast at the mouth of the stream. The water level in the lake is low enough to walk the shore. Cast out small spoons.
There are a few kings and browns being caught with egg sacs, however it’s not a fast and furious bite. The other streams in Wayne County, like Furnace Creek in Wolcott have seen some fish, but we need more water. It’s supposed to rain hard tomorrow so that should help.
I hope the anglers from PA who were fishing Maxwell yesterday hooked-up with a few fish.
Hughes’ Marina is another option for stream anglers. The ponds are not exactly streams, however because of the outlet to the lake, the browns and kings are there. Hughes’ is just east of Pultneyville.
Bays
All the bays have low water so if you are launching your boat be carefully. They are catching bass in Sodus By and some nice pike were coming from the east side. Port Bay has perch on the north end. Fish from the shore with minnows or small jigs and spikes.
Remember…you need to wear your PFD from November 1st until April. It must be worn or you’ll be ticketed.
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 canal water is still high and when they do drain the waterways the Widewaters section is not affected. Bass fishing in New York State is open until the end of this month, so go get them.
Orleans County
Orleans County Tourism
Temperatures over the next week should be in the higher than normal range for this time of year.
Rain in the forecast for today and tomorrow may not be significant enough to make any great change in water flows in the tributaries within Orleans County.
Right now flows are at a moderate level on the “Oak” and moderate to slightly low levels on the other tributaries.
Most tributaries are producing a good mixed bag of salmon, brown trout and steelhead with fresh salmon still in the mix.
Atlantic salmon are still being taken in what is considered fairly good numbers and size.
On the lower stretches of the “Oak” Perch numbers are holding their own but a lot of smaller ones are in the mix.
Hopefully this is an indication of some great perch fishing in the future.
Bass and Northern pike are also being caught.
On Lake Alice fishing from the Waterport Bridge has slowed and bass fishing seems to be mainly along the weed beds for now.
Remember that Bass season closes on November 30th and then reopens the 3rd Saturday in June.
Also the Erie Canal will close on the 20th of November this year and de-watering should start several days after that.
For the ice fishing fans out there, don’t get your tip-ups out quite yet if the weather patterns stay behind schedule as they have been.