Pictured above: Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls shows off a dandy Burt Dam steelie.
Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
In the ice fishing arena, it’s been a good ice fishing year so far but with the recent rain and warm weather, you will rally want to be very careful out there. The last time this happened a few weeks ago, the ice in Olcott Harbor was affected due to the excessive flow coming through the 18 Mile Creek system. Wilson was not as severely affected and at last report there was up to 6 inches of ice. There is quite a bit of water open right now at Burt Dam and 18 Mile Creek and with the added flow of water, it should be pulling in some fresh fish into the system. Anglers are reporting steelhead with the occasional brown trout mixed in. White or black jigs tipped with a wax worm and fished under a float was working for Greg Schloerb of Amherst this past week.
In the lower Niagara River, fishing for trout and walleye has been surprisingly good. While melting snow, run-off and rain could muddy things up for a bit, there are plenty of trout available from boat or shore. If you are fishing from shore, again, extreme caution should be taken in the gorge area where most of the fishing is taking place. Jigs seem to be the bait of choice right now. From boat, the Lewiston launch ramp is the easiest access to get you on the water. Fish can be caught from Devil’s Hole to the Niagara Bar. Steelhead, brown trout, lake trout and walleye are all being caught with regularity and the bait you use is dependent upon the conditions. If the wind is out of the south or southwest, use a lure like a MagLip or Kwikfish off a three-way rig. If the drift is slower, use a minnow or an egg sac. Several reports came in the last two days of boaters catching a limit of trout and walleye. If you do target walleye, remember that you only allowed one fish per person from Jan. 1 to March 15.
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Oswego River Report
The water flow was running between 14,000-15,000cfs over the weekend. Although it was down just under 14,000cfs early in the week, it is now up to 16,500cfs. The flow makes it difficult to fish along the river. With the high water there has not been much activity.Warmer temperatures are expected to return for the weekend with some rain in the forecast so we will have to keep an eye on the water level.
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:
Please check the waterline for the latest update. The water level has come down. Tuesday was another mild day with the temperature in the mid 40’s before it started to drop. Over the last couple of days the few anglers we have spoken with reported getting into fish in both the upper and lower end of the river. Dead drifting with nymphs or float fishing with egg sacs and pink worms produced the best results. In the upper end of the river anglers have been getting into fish in the Lower Fly Zone with nymphs working well. Those who are bottom bouncing or float fishing in the mid to upper end of the river have had the best results with egg sacs, beads and pink worms.
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
The DSR opened yesterday for fishing for the first time in nearly three weeks. Flows from the dam have dropped to 500cfs. We had a DSR guide float through and land double digits of steelies all of which were fresh chrome. He reported ice free conditions on the upper half of the run but the lower half still has significant ice banks on the north shore. In some areas the banks were still 6+ high between the Spring Hole and Meadows. Two other anglers took advantage of the lower flows.
Oneida Lake Report:
Anglers are reporting good ice on the lake with some areas measuring 8-10 inches. It has become slick as there is no snow so cleats are suggested to make walking easier. Anglers have been finding a good perch bite along with walleyes. Although there are many shorts out there, there have been some nice catches reported.
Sandy Pond report:
According to Woody’s Tackle:
Ice fishing conditions continue to be good on Sandy Pond. Most areas have 8-10 inches of ice. There is no snow on the ice so cleats are suggested. Anglers are doing well with perch along with a few walleye and Northern pike. Areas off the Elm’s, Green Point and the state boat launch at Groman Shores are seeing a lot of activity.
Eastern Finger Lakes / Central New York Fishing Report
Mike Crawford of upstateguideservice.com
Despite freezing and thawing…up and down temperatures…the ice remains good on most lakes in Central New York and The North Country.
Fishing on Oneida Lake remains steady. Anglers are weeding through dozens of short Waldo’s on popular spots to find a keeper.
The Pin Pike…as Oneida ice anglers call the numerous and aggressive sub-legal (less than 15-inches) walleyes…deserve some respect!
They are the future so please release them unharmed! Mature walleyes are numerous as well and large schools of jumbo Perch are available as well.
As much as the internet wants you to…don’t follow the pack. Find your own fish.
Ice fishing on Oneida is not for the novice. It is no Massachusetts kettle pond.
It is big, ugly and unforgiving and infested with quality walleye and perch!
Being mobile…wether on foot or with machine…is the key. Ice anglers who work at it and move around are rewarded with the best ice fishing available in the eastern states!
Anglers who follow the crowd find fish as well. Be safe and consider a fully outfitted and expertly guided ice fishing trip on Oneida Lake with Upstate Guide Service to get you started!
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Bays
Fifty degrees today for the high and then down below freezing…so that’s a good thing for ice anglers. The ice is still safe running over a foot on Sodus and Port Bays. But…you still need to realize that the run-of from the creeks will travel underneath ice and make certain locations un-safe.
Remember, as ice anglers you are visiting the bays, so don’t trespass on land where you don’t have permission to park. And don’t leave stuff on the ice, like propane tanks. The word is that there have been parking issues and litter left behind near the loop at Sodus Point. Make sure you respect where you are because the hospitality given to ice anglers can end quickly.
Wayne County has an ice fishing guide which gives you the basics of fishing on our bays. Contact the tourism office if you wish the brochure.
Erie Canal
There is plenty of ice on the canal and if you are tired of catching all the perch from the bays, try for bluegills at Widewaters.
Check out the rest of the Wayne County Tourism web page for the locations and hours of local bait and tackle shops. waynecountytourism.com.
Orleans County
Orleans County Tourism and Ron Bierstine at Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge
All of the area tributary flows are on the rise from a couple days of warm temps. The warm temps have caused more snow melt whereby most of the area’s snow pack and piles have gone away, except for protected woods.
Smaller tributaries are high and dirty now and, with any future blown flows, they should pretty much open up completely from any ice and debris. Look for flows on the Oak to be similarly on the rise with the chance for some overflow and dirtier water color thru about the mid part of this week if all the forecasted precipitation is realized.
Fishermen are out now finding fishable conditions and were out thru the past weekend. Steelhead action is on and off, not too hot and heavy, most guys getting a few hook-ups thru a day’s effort.
Seems like when the flows were more stained about a week + ago, there were more hook ups. Any future higher and dirtier flows could draw in some late winter, early spring fresh fish with hopefully some good action thru February and March.