Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Lake Ontario And Tributaries
Nearly an inch of rain fell on Nov. 30 and into Dec. 1, helping along some of the tributaries. The best spot to be is still 18 Mile Creek and Burt Dam for trout and, believe it or not, there was a fresh run of salmon that arrived this week. Browns, steelhead and salmon are still available, but water was low and clear for the most part before the rain. Downsize your baits to single eggs, small sacs or smaller streamers and wooly buggers in more natural colors if the water is still clear. However, with the recent rains, it could stain the water up a bit and it will give you some more options.
Lower Niagara River
More steelhead are starting to show up every day! Devil’s Hole is the best spot for your best chance at a steelie, but Artpark is producing a few, too. Eggs or egg imitations in yellow, pink or chartreuse are all good colors to try. Kwikfish and MagLip wobbling baits will also catch you trout. Remember that lake trout season is closed in New York until the end of the year, but if you venture over into Canadian waters, laker season opened on Dec. 1. The lower river is the only body of water (along with Lake Ontario) that still has musky season open. That season is open until Dec. 15. This Sunday, Dec. 4, is the John Henning Memorial Musky Tournament from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information contact Adam at (623) 205-9939. Kyle Kraft of Akron, Ohio caught a 44 inch musky earlier in the week on a MagLip while trout fishing. He also caught some nice bass over 5 pounds in the river using tubes and minnows. The minnows were fished off three-way rigs. Shore fishermen continue to do well on trout and if the winds stain the water up at all, it should help the shore guys out. Spoons, spinners, egg sacs or egg imitations such as beads – both hard and soft – are working well. In fact, both shore and boat guys are using beads to catch trout. You can keep posted on things that are happening in the Niagara USA area by signing up on Facebook for Niagara USA Fishing and Outdoors.
Upper Niagara River
With the closing of the musky season, anglers still have the option to catch other species like the catch-and-release bass season, walleye or trout that might be starting to find their way into the upper river. Make sure you mark your calendar for the 4th Annual Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Report set for Jan. 20-22, 2017 at the Conference and Event Center Niagara Falls. A huge ice fishing section is included in a packed house of vendors and education. Check out niagarafishingexpo.com. More information is going on the site every day. We will keep you posted!
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Oswego River Report
With the rain we have had over the last couple of days the water flow has risen to 15,500cfs as of this afternoon. This level makes many areas along the river unfishable.
According to Capt. Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift:
We have big water but we’re still getting them. 15,000cfs with lots of color in Oswego lately. We are putting our time in for sure but it’s paying off. 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 Fat Nancy’s Tackle Shop:
The Salmon River is flowing at 750cfs. The fishing has been fair from the Schoolhouse Pool down to the Trestle Pool. The best baits have been blue egg sacs, pink worms and 10mm orange uv beads.
According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop & Motel:
The mild conditions we have had are beginning to change with temperatures dropping back into the upper 30s for the weekend. With the combination of heavy rain we have had and melting snow there is plenty of runoff in the lower end of the river. Anglers who fished the upper end of the river on Tuesday reported landing some steelhead in the Lower Fly Zone. Yesterday we did speak with a few anglers who reported having a slow day. Just a reminder that the Upper Fly Zone is now closed until April 1 but the Lower Fly Zone is currently open.
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
Overall the increase in water flow seems to still have the fish adjusting. Most of the anglers we spoke with yesterday struggled for a hook up or two. That said, a couple of lucky anglers that we spoke with later in the day wound up having a solid outing. Both of those guests, who fished separately, reported the upper end of the run was most productive with egg sacs the bait of choice.
Oneida Lake Report
Some anglers have taken advantage of the warmer temperatures over the last few days to get in some perch fishing. Fathead minnows have been working well. Temperatures are going to cool down again over the next few days so we hopefully will see a more active night bite for walleye. Stickbaits cast from shore 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
The streams have some nice water levels. More rain is predicted for tomorrow so that will add to the flow. Maxwell Creek has decent flow on both sides of Lake Road.
Some steelhead were caught this past weekend. Some anglers were visiting from New Jersey and caught some colorful rainbows. Egg sacs was their bait.
You can also check-out some of the smaller tribs, like Salmon Creek and Bear Creek. If we receive some more rain the stream fishing should be excellent. About time!
Pier fishing has also been better. There is no ice build-up on the Sodus Pier because it’s 50 degrees. You can cast out for browns or steelhead. Use bright heavy spoons.
Bays
Bay fishing continues to be a great way to spend a day. The perch are near the Sodus Channel and off the points at the south end of the bay. Port Bay saw some perch action at the north end of the bay… although the fish were small.
You can catch bass until Wednesday. (November 30th)
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
Widewaters and sections of the canal in Lyons and Clyde are not drained for the season, so you can fish anytime. Actually, if we receive some cold weather you can ice fish Widewaters.
The catch this time of year is usually panfish.
Orleans County
Orleans County Tourism
It looks like today will be the end of the above normal temperatures for a long time.
Rain mixed with snow is in the forecast for the rest of the week and into next week.
They are finally dewatering the Erie Canal.
Last week it seemed like they had started to dewater but then it stopped as quickly as it started.
Water flows on the “Oak” remain at a moderate level with Browns and Steelhead moving thru the system.
The other tributaries within Orleans County have lower flows but still are offering some good fishing conditions.
The lower portion of the “Oak’ is still providing some Perch fishing opportunities but as it has been for a while now, you have to sort thru the smaller ones to get a decent catch.
Lake Alice is still providing Bluegills, Perch and some Bass but levels continue to drop off.
Just a reminder that Bass season closes today so from now until the 3rd Saturday in June it’s catch and release only.
Remember to watch for shore ice as night time temperatures dip below the freezing mark on a more regular basis.
Just think, only 20 more weeks until boating season starts!!!