Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Weather conditions certainly impacted the fishing this past week. High winds and rain resulted in water temperatures dropping 5 degrees since last weekend. That said, it could be just what the fish doctor ordered to force a transition into the next phase of fall fishing.
Upper Niagara River
In the Upper Niagara River, the last month of musky fishing action improved with the adverse weather, just in time for the Niagara Musky Association’s Tim Wittek Memorial Catch and Release Tournament on Nov. 5 out of the launch ramp area at the foot of Sheridan from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. To get your blood circulating again, there will be a post-tourney chili fest at the foot of Sheridan in Tonawanda. Cost is $25 to enter this catch-and-release “iron man” tournament. Call Scott McKee at 225-3816 for more information. If you just want to find our more information about fall musky fishing in the Niagara, stop in at the NMA monthly meeting at the Eldredge Club, 17 Broad St., Tonawanda on Tuesday night (Nov. 7) starting at 7 p.m. Guest speaker will be Marc Arena with Red October Baits. Water conditions were murky this week thanks to the wind. The lower river musky season extends to Dec. 15.
Lower Niagara River
Speaking of the lower river, we had a report that there were some boats on the water today, just prior to the weekend and the first fish they caught was a musky – drifting MagLips off three-way rigs. They also caught a walleye before they hit some trout – steelhead and lake trout. Lake trout season is closed until he end of the year, but sometimes you just can keep them off the hook! In the gorge area of the lower river, shoreline casters are still catching a mix of salmon and trout. Treated egg skein fished under a float has been a consistent producer for Rich Pisa of Kenmore around the whirlpool area. Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls was picking off some steelhead and salmon on a No. 4 spinner while casting the New York Power Authority Fishing Platform before he was chased off due to high water levels (probably due to the high winds). If you want to check whether or not the platform is open, call 796-0135 Ext. 45. It usually closes down for the winter around Dec. 1.
Olcott and 18 Mile Creek
In Olcott and 18 Mile Creek, good reports of steelhead and brown trout have surfaced to complement the salmon that are still hanging around at Burt Dam. Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctors in Olcott reports that there are king and Coho salmon in various stages of their life cycle, including some fresh ones entering into the system. Egg skein and egg sacs work best. If the water is stained, Chartreuse and Orange colored egg sacs are best. If we get the rain we are supposed to receive, you can try drifting an egg sac or a single egg in some of the smaller streams like Keg Creek to the east of Olcott or 12 Mile Creek at Wilson. Fishing pressure should drop off a little bit as whitetail deer fall into their rut stage as crossbow season opens Nov. 4 and the regular big game season kicks off for the Southern Zone on Nov. 18. Waterfowl and other small game are also open to spread the activity out. No reports on perch in the harbors but if the waters are clear enough, they should be starting to move in and become active. If you catch any nice fish, please share with us at bhilts@niagarafallsusa.com. Stay safe!
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Oswego River Report
The rain last weekend has caused a definite spike in the water level. It has reached 20,000cfs but is down to 16,500cfs as of this morning. There is a 40% chance of rain over the next couple of days with Saturday expected to be dry and the pick day of the weekend. This water level, however, makes fishing difficult in most areas along the river. Driftboats did well on Saturday with a mix of steelhead, brown trout and a few salmon.
Notice: The bridge to Leto Island is closed, and there are mandatory personal flotation device (PFD) zones on the river. For more information, visit our website at www.visitoswegocounty.com and click on the Fishing Report along the top bar on the home page.
Salmon River Report:
According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop & Motel:
The water level is still high (16,500cfs through Friday) and the runoff is slowly coming down. Angler reported that the water clarity has improved over the last couple of days. No question the water level is high, but a few anglers are still fishing and making the most of conditions. The driftboats have been floating the river and taking advantage of the high water while the majority of bank anglers have been fishing the upper end of the river between Altmar and Pineville. If you plan on coming up be sure to check the water levels before making the trip.
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
We are open. The water level from the reservoir has been dropped to 1650cfs and the flow is currently 2600cfs (and dropping) at Pineville.
Oneida Lake Report:
The weather pattern has changed over the last few days with rain and cooler temperatures. This will likely spark a good walleye night bite. The suggested application this time of year is casting stickbaits from shore just before and after dark as the walleye move in closer to the shoreline.
Sandy Pond report:
There is very little activity to report at this time.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Lake Ontario
There are browns close to shore for anyone that wants to fish the lake. Yesterday’s blow will certainly change where they are, however when the lake calms-down you can still catch BT’s.
Streams
Five inches of rain has the streams in Wayne County flooding. When the water level subsides, the stream action will be phenomenal.
The run will continue with the browns following the salmon in the tribs eating the delicious eggs.
Maxwell was hot last week with some big kings hitting beads, egg sacs, and small spoons. You can fish both sides of Lake Road. The stream is small, however during mid-week you can find spots to cast.
There is plenty of parking on both sides of Lake Road.
Bays
The perch are hitting at Sodus Bay. You can find them off the loop at Sodus Point or on the west side of the bay near Arney’s Marina.
The perch are hitting minnows and artificial rubber (2inch) with spikes.
The crappies are in Port Bay and although many are smaller than the 9-inch limit, there are still some nice keepers. Crappies are suspended and will hit anything that is bright. Just keep your jigs small. You can use your ice fishing jigs for autumn crappies.
Don’t forget you need to wear a PFD starting tomorrow, the first day of November.
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
Autumn fishing the canal usually consist of largemouths, crappies, bluegills and some perch. The bass are five pounds plus near Widewaters.
Orleans County
Orleans County Tourism
This Halloween the trick is to make the perfect cast with that special fly to that very special spot and catch that ever elusive fish you have been dreaming about for years.
This fall has been an absolute bonus year for both Lake Ontario and the tributaries of Orleans County.
Those with small boats are still doing well in the near shore waters of Lake Ontario while all of our tributaries within Orleans County are alive and producing an abundance of the cold-water species.
Salmon are still entering the tributaries from the lake in good numbers and the brown trout and rainbow/steelhead trout are starting to really pick up in numbers.
With temperatures falling to more seasonal levels and water flows at excellent levels, great fishing is in the forecast well into the future this year.
The Erie Canal has yet to start their dewatering process so good water flows should continue well into the winter months.
On the lower stretches of the “Oak” Perch fishing has been good and reports have an occasional Northern Pike being taken along with a bass or two in the mix.
On Lake Alice it’s been mostly bass in the upper stretches.
I haven’t had any reports from the Erie Canal but I have to believe that at least bass are still active.