Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Lake Ontario
Despite record high water levels in Lake Ontario, salmon and trout fishing continues to be good in the lake although it did slow down a bit with the recent east winds. Some good fishing was being reported over the weekend from Tanner Niezgoda of Newfane while fishing out of Olcott. Best depths were 60 to 80 feet down over 150 to 300 feet of water with spoons and flasher-fly combos. Salmon up to 22 pounds were caught by Tanner and his sister. Many of the captains have been tight-lipped on information with the Orleans County Open happening this weekend. Be forewarned about the Niagara Bar with a report that moss is starting to come down through the river system.
Lower Niagara River
In the Lower Niagara River, the fishing has been good to very good the past week. Steelhead and lake trout are still holding on, but they probably won’t be around for long as the water nears the 60 degree mark. Minnows, Kwikfish and MagLips were all working on trout from boats up in Devil’s Hole; shore casters in the gorge have been using tubes, swim baits and marabou jigs. That same hardware will also work on smallmouth bass downriver but Chuck Booker of Amherst proved that his signature in-line spinners can also catch bass by going 17 for 20 on his last outing this week north of the sanddocks in Lewiston. Yes, some moss is starting to show up be you can still catch fish just fine. It will continue to get worse, though, as the month progresses. Outdoor Writer Mike Brown of Ohio came into town over the weekend and his crew of family and friends managed to catch about 40 fish while fishing with Capt. Joe Marra of Lewiston. Tip of the week: Don’t set your rod down to take a picture for your story in the Niagara River without reeling in a little line first. Anyone who hooks into a nice spinning outfit in the river with a brand new reel on it could be returned to Capt. Joe.
Upper Niagara River
Upper Niagara River bass fishing also continues to be good. Remember that the regular season doesn’t open until the third Saturday in June (June 17 this year) and if you are targeting bass, you must use artificial baits. Speaking of bass, the Annual Opening Day Bass Contest sponsored each year by Kelly’s Korners will NOT be held this year. Organizers for the tournament didn’t want to see the big bass end up in a fish fry and they decided to retire the event to help protect the resource. Some walleye are being caught at the head of the river and at the head of Strawberry Island on worm harnesses and jigs. This could be a sleeper area for the Southtowns Walleye Association’s tournament that kicks off on Saturday, June 10. southtownswalleye.org
To help Celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week, there will be a Free Fishing Clinic at Ellicott Creek Park on Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call Mike Todd at 851-7010 to pre-register – although it’s not required. Just a quick reminder on water levels: 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 600 feet from shore. This doesn’t include trolling. Caution is advised for floating debris when you are out in the lake moving around. The problem seems to be launching. The best spot to be right now is the Town of Newfane Marina in Olcott. Fort Niagara has an open launch but you need boots up to your knees or above. Golden Hill State Park launch is closed and Wilson-Tuscarora Park is day to day (but you need hip boots there, too). It’s worth the effort for the good fishing!!
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Oswego River Report
After being down just under 10,000cfs at times this past weekend, the recent rain has increased the flow to 13,500cfs this morning. This makes most areas along the river unfishable. Behind the hotels is a suggested area for smallmouth bass, walleye and sheepshead.
Lake Ontario report:
The fishing has been up and down this week very much like the weather. When the bite is on brown trout are being found in 10-25 feet of water with stickbaits or spoons the choice of bait. The deeper depths, 80-200+ feet of water, are seeing kings, cohos and lake trout. Spoons and flasher/fly combinations are working well.
According to Capt. Tom Burke of Cold Steel Fishing Charters:
We have been fishing everyday this week. The catch has been up and down. One day is great the next day is a grind. The June transition is upon 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 Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle:
The brown trout fishing continues to be very good in 20-40 feet of water from Oswego to Mexico Bay. Anglers are also finding some kings in deeper water from 80 feet out to 300 feet of water. Spoons have been the bait of choice.
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
Activity on the run has been slow this week. With rain, thunderstorms and a flow at times reaching 1400cfs few anglers have ventured out. The forecast is improving with only scattered showers over the next few days and temperatures becoming more summer like. The water flow is at 750cfs through midnight tonight.
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. You can reach the hatchery at 315-298-5051, Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
Oneida Lake Report:
Anglers are finding a decent walleye bite trolling worm harnesses or artificial lures. The deeper waters are seeing some good yellow perch activity using minnows and small jigs.
Sandy Pond report:
According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle:
The fishing continues to be good for those anglers who are able to access the water. Northern pike and walleye are taking worm harnesses and stickbaits. The high water continues to cause issues in the Sandy Pond area. The DEC boat launch remains closed until further notice.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Lake Ontario
The action on the lake continues. The word from the Sodus charter captains, “it is transition time on the lake.” The water temps are 55 degrees on the top and 45 degrees down 140 fow.
That’s good water top to bottom.
The brown trout bite has slowed, however the kings, cohos, and lake trout action is great. Concentrate in water 140 to 200 feet deep, fishing straight out from Sodus Bay.
Stickbaits, and spoons are working. Glow-green mags for the silver fish and flasher flies for the lakers. It’s been a mix bag of trout and salmon, which equates to a “lot of fun.”
Bays
The only launch site on Sodus Bay is Margaretta Road. All the others are closed. The situation on Port Bay is the same.
Most anglers are fishing from the Sodus Pier and at the Bay Bridge walk-way. The crappies are hitting at Bay Bridge and the pike are in shallow water near LeRoy Island. You can fish off the bridge to LeRoy.
Because of the high-water situation, the speed on the bays is still idle. It’s a Wayne County Emergency condition. There is no restriction on Lake Ontario.
Both the north and south DEC ramps at Port Bay are still closed. Again, the speed limit on all bays is idle.
Check out the rest of the Wayne County Tourism web page for the locations and hours of local bait and tackle shops. waynecountytourism.com.
Erie Canal
Anglers were catching crappies on the south side of the canal next to the Port Gibson bridge. You can also catch blue gills, sunnies near Widewaters. The ramp is open at Widewaters and there is plenty of space for boat trailers.
Orleans County
Orleans County Tourism
Well it looks like temperature wise, Summer might finally be just around the corner.
Temperatures will be on the rise through the rest of this week with highs in the 80’s forecasted for next week.
With that a change in wind direction should also be in the forecast, which will be a blessing for those living along the shoreline of Lake Ontario.
Fishing at the Point and throughout the lower stretches of the “Oak” are offering a mixed bag of fish including pike, White bass and perch.
On Lake Alice things have slowed a bit but they are still catching White perch, Bluegills and some Crappie.
Lake Ontario took a beating yesterday with hard Northeast winds which may have rolled the lake over. Between that, the Condor Derby and the Orleans County Open Tournament taking place this weekend, information is going to be hard to come by.