Upstate New York Fishing Report – May 4, 2017

Pictured above: Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls caught numerous smallmouth bass last week tossing white and yellow jigs on the NYPA Reservoir

Greater Niagara Region

Bill Hilts, Jr.

There is still a state of emergency along the Lake Ontario shoreline for high water levels. This isn’t really going to affect the fishing that much, but the Niagara County Sheriff is asking that boats creating a wake stay at least 500 feet from shore. This doesn’t include trolling. Caution is advised for floating debris when you are out in the lake moving around.  The Spring LOC Derby (www.loc.org) is full steam ahead so good luck to all your derby fishermen and women. For fishing, it’s been a mixed bag for trollers. Stickbaits or spoons in tight to shore off boards or riggers in 10 to 25 feet of water for browns, a bit deeper for Coho salmon and the occasional king salmon. After the hard east blow last Sunday, things need to settle down a little for the kings to show back up again in any numbers. If there is a mud line, work it for any shoreline trolling. Head out to 50 to 125 feet of water for lake trout on the bottom and Cohos up top, too. The Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament is set for May 19-21 out of Wilson and Olcott. The registration link is now live for registering. Go to www.lakeontarioproam.net.  Of particular note is the revamped Amateur Open Division with each day being a separate event. Just bring in your best three fish and win some great prizes. The Wilson Harbor Invitational Tournament is May 13. Check out www.wilsonharborinvitational.com for details. Speaking of Wilson, if you launch at the state park, bring along some boots. At least until the new floating docks are put into place. Those should be in by this Saturday.The Don Johannes and Pete DeAngelo 3-fish/1-fish contest is May 18 as a precursor to the Pro-Am. Sign up at any of the LOC weigh stations in Wilson and Olcott. The piers are questionable because of the high water levels. Don’t take any chances out there. The pier at the foot of Route 425 is currently underwater. Yes, it’s over 20-inches high out in the lake. The creeks are all high and muddy. More rain is on the way!

Lower Niagara River

Fishing action slowed down considerably yesterday with the muddy water coming down the river. The place with the cleanest water was Devil’s Hole or on either side of the river current in the lake. The high water levels in the river have not had a huge impact on the area fishing … so far. However, a recent note from the New York Power Authority stated that the fishing platform built at the Niagara Power Project was closed down on Monday due to high water levels. It remained closed until water levels receded. Before you head down fishing there, you might want to call 796-0135 Ext. 45 to see if it’s open. As of May 3 it was back open again. Some steelhead, lake trout, smallmouth bass and silver bass have been caught off the platform last week. Those fish can still be caught off the shoreline in Devil’s Hole and along Artpark, too. Some nice bass were also caught downriver on swim baits and jerk baits. Another fishing option is the NYPA Reservoir. Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls caught numerous smallmouth bass last week tossing white and yellow jigs. There is access at Reservoir Park and off Upper Mountain Road at the Fire Company. The Fort Niagara launches should both be open on Friday of this week.

If you want to learn more about the fishing in Lake Ontario, you’ll want to attend the next LOTSA meeting May 11 in Lockport starting at 7 p.m. They will be holding a round table session with their members. The Lewiston smelt festival is set for May 5. Cooking starts at 5 p.m. For more details on that, go to the niagarariverregion.com.

Mike Crawford of upstateguideservice.com

The water level in the eastern Finger Lakes is as high as I have seen it in twenty years.

The fishing is good, but boaters should be cautious when running the open lake. Flotsam and debris are adrift and a sharp eye should be kept when navigating.

The creeks and streams are at high levels as precipitation has been a major player in the local forecast for the last several weeks. High spring water levels will equal good fishing into the summer.

Water temps are exceeding 50 on the eastern Finger Lakes and insect and fish activity continues to build. The bass are becoming active, yet the trout fishing continues to dominate. As water temps climb, so does the aggressiveness of the fish!

Walleye and Pike season opens on Saturday the 6th and anglers are readying their rigs in anticipation. Trout in the ponds to the north have my attention and walleyes soon to follow.

The other day the forecast was for severe afternoon storms here. But the morning was slack and calm with light west wind and overcast skies. As the low pressure system began to bottom out, I launched for a couple hours. This native laker was 28″ Length with 14″ girth, while the smallie was 20″ with 12″ girth. Both released.

Oswego County

Mary Ellen Barbeau

Oswego River Report

After have a few days with the water flow slowly dropping to about 14,000cfs, the rain over the last couple of days has been between 17,000 – 19,000cfs. This morning it is flowing at 17,500cfs. With the high water level there is not much activity to report from the river.

Lake Ontario report:

According to Capt. Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift:
We had good fishing over the weekend even with some tough conditions on Sunday. Lots of nice size brown trout this year. Tuesday we had constant doubles and triples for the first couple of hours. We couldn’t even get all the rods out. Lots of brown trout but the laker fishing was tougher with only 10 or 12 attachments. We did mark some kings and had one going on the diver for a couple of seconds but he beat us.

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.

Pulaski Area and Salmon River report:

According to Fat Nancy’s Tackle Shop:
When the wind has not been an issue, the brown trout fishing on the lake has picked up with activity from the Salmon River to Sandy Pond in 7-13 feet of water. Suggested baits have been the Bay Rat s3 goby and Michigan Stingers goose and tonic.

According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
Anglers on the run Monday reported decent action prior to the storm that blew through around dinnertime. A beautiful hen steelie was landed in the morning along with an Atlantic. Anglers in the afternoon reported sighting at least three Atlantics but none were brought to hand. Smallmouth bass continue to provide excitement throughout the river. The run was closed yesterday due to the water flow running at 3,000cfs. The DSR will be closed until the water level drops below 2,000cfs.

According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop and Motel:
The majority of anglers we spoke with this weekend reported getting into some fish and covering lots of water continues to be the key. Those fishing the upper end of the river reported doing well in the fly fishing zones while swinging woolly buggers and egg sucking leeches with sinking leaders. In the lower end, the dropbacks have been holding in the faster water generally in the middle of the water column. By Wednesday the water level was up to 3,000cfs making fishing more difficult until the level drops to a more fishable level.

Salmon River:

Notice: The Salmon River Fish Hatchery building continues to be closed due to construction. The grounds, including picnic area and fish ladder, are still open dawn to dusk. We anticipate construction to be finished early summer. If you are planning a visit, we suggest calling the Salmon River Fish Hatchery in advance. You can reach the hatchery at 315-298-5051, Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

Oneida Lake Report:

Just a reminder that walleye season does not open until May 6. Anglers are reporting a yellow perch bite on minnows and a few bullhead are being reported. Anglers are also taking advantage of the catch and release bass season and seeing some action. Use caution when boating as there will likely be debris in the water with the high water level.

Sandy Pond report:

There is some activity taking place on the pond. Anglers are finding a good perch bite and some crappies. Just a reminder that walleye season is closed and will reopen on May 6.

Orleans County

Orleans County Tourism
One thing is for sure and that is we have more than enough water to go around and then plenty to share with others.

The extended dry spell of today will be followed by rain for the rest of the week, sometimes being very heavy.

All of the tributaries within Orleans county are running high, fast and muddy as all get out.

One person told me that Lake Alice was so muddy that he felt it could be plowed.

He also said that the only fish in Lake Alice that could see to bite a bait were Bullhead.

On the lower stretches of the “Oak” a good share of the docks are underwater and the river is running very swiftly towards the lake.

The forecast for today calls for swift Northwest winds which will not help the shore residence or the fishery one bit.

One boat went fishing yesterday and seemed to have a pretty good mixed bag of fish including browns, Coho, steelhead and possibly a chinook in the mix.

The calmest water seems to be that of the Erie Canal right now.

For all of you Spring LOC Derby fishermen, please be mindful of your surrounding conditions and above all else, be safe.