Pictured above: Native stream browns in Central New York on nymphs. Photo provided by Mike Crawford of upstateguideservice.com
Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Lake Ontario
Water levels are continuing to come down in Lake Ontario to the delight of boaters and landowners. However, the water levels have not had any effect on the fishing in the lake. Salmon fishing continues to be very good out on the Niagara Bar, as well as out of Wilson and Olcott. Salmon action just off the drop on the Bar continues to be excellent. Spin doctors and flies are near the top of the list for preferred baits; a flasher and meat rig with cut bait is another. Some fish are being caught on spoons, too, but they seem to be third on the list. The new A-Tom-Mik stud fly has been mentioned quite a bit by trollers in the lake. Niagara Falls USA waters are still at the top of the Lake Ontario stage for the Summer LOC Derby that is going on through July 30. Leading grand prize salmon is still a 27-pound fish caught by Lee Beaton of Clifton Springs caught out of Wilson and first place salmon is another Wilson fish, a 26 pound, 10-ounce king weighed in by Charles Jaenecke of North Tonawanda. Steve Klejdys of North Tonawanda is back at the top of the lake trout leaderboard with a 23 pound, 13 ounce Niagara Bar fish and Darryl Raate of Fulton is in first place in the steelhead division with a 13-pound trout he caught while fishing out of Wilson. Top brown trout is a 16 pound, 2-ounce fish weighed in by Joey Guernsey of McGraw while fishing out of Fair Haven.
Lower Niagara River
Action has been good and the moss has not been as much of a factor as in previous years for some reason. Shoreline casting with 2-inch pearl tubes was working for Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls this week, catching double digit bass and even a 9-pound steelhead. Boaters are still doing well on bass by casting the shoreline with spinnerbaits or working shiners or crayfish off three-way rigs. On July 17, the Devil’s Hole State Park stairs and trail will be shut down until the spring of 2018 for reconstruction and repairs. There are still plenty of other access points to get you into the gorge, but this trail is one of the more popular ones. Alternative access can be gained through the New York Power Authority’s South Access Road where a fishing platform and stairs to the shoreline is available from April 1 to Dec. 1. Other access points include the stairs at Whirlpool State Park; the Suspension Bridge Stairs (under the Whirlpool Bridge); the Great Gorge Railway Trail (that begins at the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center); and the elevator at the Schoellkopf Site (adjacent to the Discovery Center). A copy of the Niagara Gorge Trail Map is available at: WhirlpoolNiagaraGorgeTrailMap.pdf
There are lots of fishing contests going on. The 27th Annual Erie Canal Derby is going on through Sunday the 16th. Some pretty impressive catches have already come to the scales that will be tough to beat. For example, Michael Boncore of Buffalo is leading the carp category with a 28.02-pound fish; Todd Wells of Medina leads the sheepshead category with an 11.39-pounder; and Charles Rizzo of North Tonawanda has the leading catfish with a 14 pounder. The new walleye leader is Albert Whaley of Tonawanda with a 5.19-pound fish. Upper Niagara River action continues to be good for bass, walleye and the occasional musky. A spinner and a worm produced all three this week for Capt. Chris Cinelli. The musky was about 46 inches long, probably in the mid-30’s as far as weight. It was caught by Jerry Howe of Grand Island
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Oswego River Report
The water flow has definitely dropped over the last few days. This morning it is running at 4,060cfs. This flow makes most areas along the river fishable. More rain is in the forecast over the next few days so keep an eye on the flow. Anglers are finding walleye, sheepshead and smallmouth bass.
Lake Ontario report:
According to Capt. Troy Creasy of High Adventure Sportfishing Charters:
It has been a bit crazy on the big O. We have seen a few flat cam beautiful days, gale winds that kept us on the dock and everything in between. The good news is the kings have moved into the eastern basin and the bite is on. Depth and presentation changes but mainly 49 degree water is where they are calling home. A-tom-ik flies and meat are taking the bulk of the fish. You can catch them on anything as long as it is green. Other colors work too, but you know what I am saying. Closer to shore brown trout continue to entertain those of us who like to catch them. Spoons in lemon lime, grog patterns and natural are getting it done.
Pulaski Area and Salmon River report:
According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle:
The salmon fishing in Lake Ontario continues to be very good. Rain with a front passing through this afternoon may cause a slump for a day or so but the action is expected to pick right up again. Anglers have been targeting 150-180 feet of water. Spoons, flashers and flies, and cut bait are suggested baits. Bass fishing also continues in Mexico Bay in 10-20 feet of water with soft-shelled crabs and nightcrawlers working well.
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
Yesterday we had five guests fishing the lower end of the run. Three guests swinging flies subsurface reported a few active fallfish but otherwise slow action. Two others, a little later in the morning, were casting deer hair poppers and found some bass that were willing to play. Rain went through last night with more expected over the next couple of days with a little cool down temperature wise which should get the bass more active.
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 reporting more action this year on Oneida Lake than was taking place last year at this time. Walleye are being taken in 24-30 feet of water with jigs including the Rapala tipped with nightcrawlers a suggested application. Anglers are finding a few perch and bluegills in the mix.
Sandy Pond report:
According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle:
Reports on Sandy Pond have not changed. Access is a bit difficult in some areas but can be done at various marinas around the pond. Those anglers that are out are finding some Northern pike, walleye and bass. The DEC boat launch remains closed.
Eastern Finger Lakes / Central New York Fishing Report
Mike Crawford of upstateguideservice.com
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and size relative. My favorite five-letter word these days for trout is NYMPH!
The rain continues, as you know, but this past week we had four days in a row without rain!
Dry fly fishing is inconsistent and hatches have been held at bay in the many local trout streams. But trout catching is always better below the surface!
High water…climbing or dropping… means nymphing for trout on the creeks. Light tippet, high sticks and tungsten in pocket water and heavy flows have been producing native browns of modest proportions.
Bigger baits are the key on the turbid lakes to get the attention of smallies and shallow water fish. If it it rattles they can find it!
Lake trout fishing is good for both trollers and jiggers on the Eastern Finger Lakes, but lake trout fishing in shallow is past peak. The lakes have begun to thermocline and surface temps range in the high 60’s to low 70’s to a depth of 25′ below the surface.
Some lakers and trout are still being caught in near-shore vicinity, as the thermocline struggles to set-up on the Eastern Finger Lakes due to rain and wind.
The heavy rains wash lots of food into the lakes and creeks and the fish (and many anglers) are doing well with these conditions.
Recreational boat traffic on the lakes is at full force and safety is of prime importance when navigating often crowded waters.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Lake Ontario
Salmon are hitting 250 to 350 fow down 60 to 70. That was yesterday and anything can and will change. The Sodus Pro-Am is this week and the teams are in town looking for the fish.
Spoons have been the best choice, however, flasher flies and cut bait have brought in some nice kings.
The set-ups have been riggers, dipsy and copper, with the flat line out 500 feet. The mix of fish has included some browns; however, steelhead and kings have been the excitement.
Don’t forget the Sodus Pro-Am this week. Big Fish Friday is open for all boats, so if you want to see what it’s all about sign-up now. The web is http://www.sodusproam.com/ The main event is July 15-16, 2017.
Bays
Bass fishing has been very good in Sodus Bay. The pike are also hitting near the islands. The bass are post spawn and can be found along the weedlines. They have been very hungry for just about any artificial bait.
The launch sites at Port Bay are still closed but they might open by this weekend. There is launching at the restaurant on West Port Bay Road.
The no wake conditions remain on all Wayne County bays, so that will make getting to your preferred location very difficult.
Hughes Marina has a launch site, so you can head east on the lake and gain entrance to Sodus Bay or launch at Bay Bridge or Margaretta Road.
It sounds like a broken record however, the speed on the bays is still idle. It’s a Wayne County Emergency condition. There is no restriction on Lake Ontario.
The tackle shops. www.waynecountytourism.com.
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
The bass boats were out early Sunday morning and they were hitting largemouths along the Widewaters southern shoreline. You can also fish from the shore near the locks in Lyons, Newark, and Palmyra. The catfish bite is on. They are catching them with cut bait. Catch the small panfish from canal waters and use that bait for the cats.
Orleans County
Orleans County Tourism
It seems like this appears in my report a lot but rain is in the forecast for most of the rest of this week, except for Saturday, and into the first part of next week.
Even with that, the Army Corps of Engineers predicts that the level of Lake Ontario will drop by approximately 7″ by the end of July.
Maybe businesses and land owners along the shoreline will finally get a break.
As far as fishing goes along the Orleans County portion of Lake Ontario, things have been pretty consistent in a very good way for a change.
Most are working the Area from 140 to 240 feet of water with very good success.
Spoons are still taking a back seat to some type of spinner/fly combinations and sometimes cut bait has been the ticket.
With the Summer LOC Derby in full swing, some great catches are showing upon the leader board including a good number caught right here in Orleans County.
The derby runs through the end of this month so why not enter and get your share of some of those great cash prizes.
Don’t forget that this Saturday is the Drew’s Crew Fishing for a cure for Juvenile Diabetes Derby.
This is a chance to help out for a very worthwhile cause while enjoying some of the great fishing on Lake Ontario.
Enter by 7 AM this Saturday and be at the weigh-in at Ernst’s Lake Breeze Marina by 3 PM with your best 3 fish.
On the “Oak” it’s been a mixed bag of fish all the way to the dam consisting of Perch, bass, Northern pike and even some Walleye thrown into the mix.
Other tributaries within Orleans County are experiencing the same success including the Erie Canal.
Speaking of the Erie Canal, the annual Erie Canal Fishing Derby wraps up on July 16th this year so there’s still plenty of time to enter.
Word has it that some great entries have been made from the Medina and Albion area.
On Lake Alice fishing has slowed somewhat for bass and pan fish but I know of one lad that is doing very well on Carp off his grandfather’s dock.