Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Niagara County was hit with a pretty severe snow storm this week, with some areas of the county digging out of over two feet of the white stuff. With that said, there was still plenty of fishing going on for anyone willing to brave the elements.
Lower Niagara River
Both boat and shore fishermen were pulling some nice trout out of the water. Even with the snow and wind, the water was still fishable due to the northerly wind directions. Boaters were drifting pink egg sacs or minnows off three-way rigs in Devil’s Hole and along Artpark. Steelhead and lake trout were the most cooperative, but the occasional brown trout is also showing up. Shoreline casters are still using spoons and spinners, but the secret bait on Tuesday was soft plastics that were being cast by Ricardo Davila of Wheatfield. He caught 5 nice lake trout in the blizzard. Remember that walleye season is now closed, along with northern pike, pickerel and tiger musky. Shoreline casters were using spoons and spinners to take fish. The Niagara River Anglers Association will be holding its 12th Annual John Long, Sr. Raffle and Feast is set for April 2 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Niagara Active Hose on Lockport Road in Niagara Falls. Call 628-1460 for information.
Lake Ontario And Tributaries
The lake and piers have pretty much been off limits with the snow, wind and cold. The only open water has been at Burt Dam on 18 Mile Creek and a few browns and steelhead have been caught. Egg sacs, small jigs tipped with a wax worm or spikes, a few different fly patterns … the fish change their mind on what they want on any given day. Hopefully it will get better next week! If you enjoy antique fishing tackle, there will be an antique fishing tackle show in Lockport on March 25. It will be held at the Elks Lodge, 6791 N. Canal Road, Lockport from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information call Dan Bedford at 713-9410.
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Oswego River Report
According to Capt. Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift:
Very cold weather on Monday but we were still getting them. Not for the faint of heart. Cold, wind and lots of snow yesterday and today so no report. Our anglers couldn’t get here.
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 the Douglaston Salmon Run:
It’s been quiet on the Run this week with the weather. One angler did report two steelhead on Monday but yesterday and today have been rough with wind and snow. The water release at the dam is 1700cfs and 1990cfs at Pineville. The snow will subside overnight and temperatures will begin to moderate on Friday with highs in the 30s through the weekend
Oneida Lake report:
We have had very little to report from these waters. We have had cold temperatures over the last few days but also heavy snow and strong winds.
Orleans County
Orleans County Tourism
It may only be 6 days until spring on the calendar but Mother Nature has some different ideas.
The wind and snow of the past few days continues today with high winds, lake effect snow and cold temperatures which are keeping traveling almost impossible and fishing just a fleeting thought.
Most tributaries within Orleans County have at least some bank ice and with the colder temperatures will continue to ice over.
The temperature will not rise above the freezing mark until possibly Friday but then will dip again next week.
Northwest winds are keeping Lady O riled up and will do so for at least the rest of today.
Fish seem to be smarter than we are because I’m sure that right now they have found a quiet place to hang out until conditions greatly improve.
Assembling the pens for the pen rearing project is still scheduled for April 1st at Ernst’s Lake Breeze Marina so come out and help our continued success with this project.
Remember there are only 52 more days until the Spring LOC Derby begins.