Upstate New York Fishing Report for November 10, 2016

Pictured above: Joe Manhart of NJ with a Niagara Bar walleye he hooked while fishing with Wet Net Charters

Greater Niagara Region

Bill Hilts, Jr.

Lake Ontario And Tributaries

With high winds in the forecast today, you might be better off waiting to cast a lure. DEC reminds us that tomorrow, Nov. 11 – Veterans Day – is a free fishing day for any veteran out there that wants to dunk a worm or wet a line. Go to the DEC website at dec.ny.gov to find our more details. Wes Walker at The Slippery Sinker in Olcott reported a fresh push of kings, but it was a smaller school of fish. The numbers of browns in 18 Mile Creek have increased, too. With water temps below 60 degrees, the steelhead won’t be far behind. Pike and perch are regulars in Wilson and Olcott harbors. Some browns and steelies are being reported in Wilson, too, but in much smaller numbers. When you can get on the piers at Olcott, browns and a few coho salmon were reported. Spoons and spinners work off the piers, but you can drift egg sacs or skein under a float, too. The latter works at the dam along with egg imitations. In the King of the Creek contest run by All in the Same Boat Tackle in Newfane, it was Josh Wittcop as the Grand Prize winner in the Stream Division with a 27.93 pound king. Bob Rustowicz was the Grand Prize winner of the Boat Division with a 29.85 pound salmon.

Lower Niagara River

Not too many salmon are left in the Devil’s Hole area. Those salmon have been replaced by trout. Water temps are around the 55 degree mark and shore anglers are doing well along Artpark on lake trout and the occasional steelhead. Casting spoons or spinners should produce fish. Best colors have been green and orange, but don’t be afraid to mix it up. Egg sacs or egg imitations under a float should trick a trout to hit, as well. Boaters are also focused on either Artpark or the Niagara Bar at the mouth of the river near Fort Niagara. Kwikfish or Mag Lips fished off three-way rigs is the way to go. Remember that Lake Trout season is closed so release those fish as quickly as you can … unharmed. If you want to try and target bass, try drifting a minnow or toss out a tube jig.

Upper Niagara River

Musky action has picked up a little the past week. In the Niagara Musky Assn.’s Tim Wittek Memorial Tourney last weekend, the top three fish were caught trolling, jigging and casting – in that order. Ken Szymanski of Buffalo was the top fish catcher with a 48-inch musky. Quite a few smaller fish were also reported. All were released unharmed. The musky season in the upper river and Lake Erie will end on Nov. 30. Bass action should also be picking up in that section of river. The regular bass season also ends Nov. 30.

Oswego County

Mary Ellen Barbeau

**November 11th has been designated as a Free Fishing Day. On that day, anyone can fish the fresh or marine waters of New York State and no license is required!

Oswego River Report

The water flow has generally been a bit lower over the last couple of days. This morning it is flowing at 5,970cfs.

According to Capt. Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift:
Good fishing continues with a decent water flow for us. A mixed bag of steelhead, rainbows, brown trout and lakers. There are even some kings still around. All 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 Capt. Troy Creasy of High Adventure Sportfishing:
We covered a lot of water on Tuesday, got lucky and landed some shiny ones. There are not a lot of fish in the river but if you move around and work hard, you can find a few. Blue egg sacs, beads and small egg pattern flies have been taking all our bites. I’m finding most of the fish in the fast water and deep pockets.

According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop & Motel:
Yesterday the best reports we had came from the upper end of the river between Altmar and Pineville. Anglers got into steelhead while bottom bouncing or float fishing with egg sacs and trout beads. Anglers in the Upper and Lower Fly Zones reported getting into a few steelhead with egg patterns and nymphs producing the best results.

According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
We have been getting mixed reports from clients. There is not much happening in the Meadows, but some action was taking place at the Little Black and the Glide earlier this week. The water flow at the dam is 500cfs.

Oneida Lake Report

The perch action 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 chilly temperatures overnight especially this week, 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.

Orleans County

Orleans County Tourism
More seasonable temperatures and off and on rain throughout the next few days should keep fishing conditions in great shape.

There are a good number of salmon throughout all the tributaries within Orleans County including a fair number of Atlantic salmon.

Numbers in the upstream areas including the dam on the “Oak” are probably at a peak or close to it.

Brown trout and steelhead numbers are increasing every day.

Fishing in Johnson Creek has really picked up in the last few days at least for salmon.

It seems like the baits that are hot right now are everything including worms but black and green in the artificial baits, especially Stone Flies, are doing extremely well.

On the lower stretches of the “Oak” Perch and Bass are still being taken but again a lot of smaller ones in the mix.

Lake Alice is still giving up some Perch and Bass but again in smaller sizes.

Remember that the Erie Canal closes on November 20th this year and then the de-watering process will begin shortly after that.

Please take a few moments this Friday, Veterans Day, to thank a veteran for their service to our country for they are the reason that we have the freedoms that we enjoy today.