Pictured above: Nick McAndrews
Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Lake Ontario And Tributaries
The first day of winter and things are actually warming up a bit – into the 30’s all week; the 40’s after Christmas. The big news this week was the formation of up to five inches of ice in the back bay of Wilson Harbor. However, caution is still advised. Make sure you take every precaution and never fish alone. There is no such thing as “safe ice.” Pike, perch and trout were being reported. Nothing hot and heavy, but hard water fanatics just want to be out there enjoying the season. As far as tributary action, brown trout and steelhead dominate the catches at Burt Dam and 18 Mile Creek in the Town of Newfane. There is open water from the base of the stairs at Fisherman’s Park to the dam. Jigs tipped with a wax worm or spike, eggs or egg imitations should produce some fish – fished under a float. Water was low and slightly stained. Melting snow and ice should help improve water color.
Lower Niagara River
High winds out of the southwest on Tuesday made for some turbid conditions on Wednesday so it will be a few days before any boaters will score on trout again. Fishing was good earlier in the week for steelhead and there were plenty of lake trout still around, no matter what you were using for bait. Small egg sacks in pink and chartreuse were working off three-way rigs, as was Kwikfish and MagLips. Lake trout season re-opens on Jan. 1 in New York’s lower river; Canada’s season is already open. If you do fish in Canada, and you catch one for the frying pan, don’t stop in NY waters when you head back. And make sure you follow all of the necessary procedures. A new license year starts Jan. 1 in Canada, too. There’s a new educational option tied in with the Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo set for Jan. 20-22, 2017 at the Conference and Event Center, Niagara Falls. A little mini on-water steelhead fishing session with area guides is now available. Check out niagarafishingexpo.com. Shore fishermen can do well when the water is a little murkier. Cast brightly colored jigs, spoons or spinners to take trout. Artpark is the best spot to cast.
Upper Niagara River
The water is stained and there’s not much going on right now. When the waters start to clear, don’t be afraid to cast some hardware off Broderick Park for a trout – spoons, spinners and jigs. Water temps are down to around 34-35 degrees.
Here’s wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Oswego River Report
The water flow has been around 10,000cfs for the last couple of days. This afternoon it is running at 11,600cfs. We have had cold temperatures and wind at times over the last few days. Temperatures are expected to be in the 30s climbing to near 40 degrees in the seven day forecast.
According to Capt. Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift:
Conditions have been tough with the cold temperatures but we have been persistent with some nice fish coming to the net. Several doubles over the last few days.
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:
Monday was a cold day with the morning temperature in the single digits and the afternoon reaching into the teens. With the cold temperature slush ice was a factor in the lower end of the river. The few anglers that we spoke with who fished the upper end of the river between Altmar and Pineville reported having a slow day with just a few hook ups. The weather conditions are expected to improve for the remainder of the week.
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
Anglers on the run yesterday reported some success after the slush subsided in the morning. One group reported going 4/4 in the Glide. The estuary has been frozen as far upstream as you can see from the Rte. 3 bridge. This is likely to change to open water with the warmer temperatures expected over the next few days.
Oneida Lake report:
We have had variable conditions with cold temperatures but the wind has been an issue at times. After today the temperatures are expected to be in the upper 30s to near 40 by the weekend. Winds over the next few days are forecast to be 15 to 25 mph which could have an impact on any ice formation. Please be patient and wait for safe conditions.
Sandy Pond report
Although we have had cold temperatures, we have also had a good deal of wind. Some areas of the pond have ice but at this point much of it is not safe. Temperatures over the next few days are expected to warm up to near 40 degrees by the weekend so please be patient until we have safe conditions.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Streams
The streams are still open, although if we receive colder temps Maxwell Creek will freeze-over. However, that is currently not the case.
There have been reports of steelhead hitting egg sacs and red beads act. You can fish on both sides of Lake Road and the water flow is excellent.
You can also cast off the south end of the Sodus Pier where there is no ice build-up.
Bays
There is a skim of ice covering all the bays, however it’s not really safe ice. With temps reading 40 degrees we are not making ice. The perch are in all the bays. As soon as safe ice is available the fishing should be excellent.
The first ice at Sodus Bay is usually at the northeast end by LeRoy Island. That’s where the pike fishing is the best. Just make sure you have a solid four inches because there is an underlining current next to the islands in Sodus.
Remember…if we have open water and you use your boat 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 has ice but it’s not really thick enough. You’ll have to wait. At least the temps are below freezing at night.
Orleans County
Orleans County Tourism
The colder than normal temperatures over the last week or so have started forming ice on portions of Lake Alice but don’t break out the ice fishing gear quiet yet.
Warming temperatures for the rest of this week and into next week will weaken what ice there is to the point of being totally unsafe to be on.
The warming trend should be a benefit to flows in our tributaries with the melting of our present snow pack but I’m not sure just how long that will last.
On the Oak there is still open water from the dam thru the Archer’s Club area and beyond with fair to good fishing conditions.
Catches of both Brown trout and Steelhead are still being reported.
The other tributaries within Orleans County are reporting low water and icing conditions but that may change with the warmer weather.
With Christmas being this Sunday fishing pressure should be extremely low.
Speaking of the holidays may you and yours enjoy a safe and peaceful holiday season.