Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
The signs of spring are all around us. The New York Power Authority started pulling the ice boom at the head of the Niagara River where it meets up with Lake Erie and remaining ice is minimal due to the extreme wind event last week. There is still a pile of ice hanging around the base of Niagara Falls, but the warmer temperatures and rain should break that up in the coming week.
Lower Niagara River trout action took back off when the waters cleared this week and Capt. Frank Campbell of Niagara Falls had a banner day earlier this week with double digit trout with a mix of steelhead, browns and lake trout. Minnows fished off three-way rigs were the bait of choice. No reports on the shore fishing action and the NYPA fishing platform is still closed due to the high water and potential for ice coming down the river still. No word on smelt other than the Lewiston Smelt Festival is set for May 4 this year. This will NOT coincide with the Spring LOC Derby as dates have been pushed back to May 11-20 this year. Check out loc.org for details.
Over in Wilson and Olcott, ice that was flowing north out of the Niagara River after last week’s wind storm encountered some strong northwesterly winds in the lake that ended up pushing ice into Wilson and Olcott. It was a mess for boaters and pier casters. With some warmer temperatures on the way, and rain in the forecast again, things could be back to normal by the weekend. According to Wes Walker at The Slippery Sinker in Olcott, the LOTSA pen rearing project received fish from DEC on Monday and that operation is underway. Shoreline trolling with stickbaits should resume in 10 to 20 feet of water along any mud line or creek mouth. Seek out warmer water temperatures for best success. Pier casters should do well with spoons or spinners.
Last weekend, the Wilson Conservation Club held its 5th Annual Wilson Bullhead Contest and some 43 adults and 5 youth participated in the spring kick-off event. In the Adult Division, the best two fish bullhead weight and overall winner was Francis Holly IV of Wilson with a 4.23-pound total. He was using cider worms at dusk to catch his bigger fish in 12 Mile Creek. Second place was Tyler Morrison of Appleton with 3.70 pounds of bullhead. He was fishing during the day in the west branch of 12 Mile Creek using shrimp. Third place went to John Pittsley of Lockport with 3.46 pounds using shrimp both day and night. In the Youth Division, it was Trever Wilson winning with a weight of .95-pounds.
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Oswego River Report
The water flow was up and down several times last weekend. Over the last couple of days it has gradually dropped under 10,000cfs running at 9,420cfs this morning. This level is still high for some areas along the river for shore fishing but behind the hotels is a spot to try. The occasional driftboat has also been seen in search of steelhead and perhaps a brown trout.
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 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 flow is 1500cfs through Thursday evening. We have fish and the few anglers who are fishing have had some success. The driftboats have been taking advantage of the high water and floating most of the river. The majority of bank anglers are fishing the upper end of the river between Altmar and Pineville as well as the side channels and diversions. For those anglers who are float fishing, blue egg sacs, pink worms and beads have all produced results. Anglers who are fly fishing have had success dead drifting with stoneflies, squirmy worms or woolly buggers. Egg patterns such as glo-bugs or sucker spawn fished under a strike indicator have also been productive.
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
We had 7 anglers on the Run yesterday and received reports of success during both morning and afternoon. One fresh steelhead was caught on the swing in the lower end mid-morning. Another angler who was fairly new to steelhead fishing reported hooking up with a nice steelhead mid-afternoon. Unfortunately, it shook off on the second jump, but that was enough – he’ll be back for more tomorrow!
Oneida Lake Report:
There is not much to report from Oneida Lake. The weather with winds and snow showers has not been very favorable for open water fishing. Just a reminder that walleye season closed on March 15 and will reopen on May 5.
Sandy Pond report:
The pond is quiet this time of year as we wait improved weather conditions and open water fishing. A reminder that walleye and northern pike season closed on March 15 and will reopen on May 5.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Don’t forget B-E Fishing Tackle’s Annual Spring Birthday sales happening Saturday and Sunday, April 14-15. The open house event is from 9 till 5 both days. There will be pro-staffers on hand and plenty of discounts on tons of “Fishing Stuff.” They are located at 6275 Dean Pkwy, Ontario, NY. Next to the windmill on Route 104.
Streams
Anglers are still pulling steelhead out of Maxwell Creek. Temps are going to finally make it above 32 degrees this week, and the water level is excellent. Now is the time for some early spring rainbows.
Lake Ontario
Some charters are already doing brown trout trips from Sodus Bay and Hughes’ Marina. Water temps are 37 to 39 degrees. There is an excellent mudline created by the latest blow we had on Wednesday and Thursday.
If you can get out in the lake head east towards Chimney Bluffs or west past Maxwell Creek. You don’t have to go far to find browns. Fish in 10 to 15 feet of water.
Stickbaits are working and spoons are not.
Bays
Crappies are still hitting near Bay Bridge, however this continuing cold weather has stop the spring bullhead run.
Perch are in Port Bay; however, they are moving around and only schooling in limited areas. You’ll need to move around to find them.
You’ll need to wear a PFD until May 1st and remember if you are dressing for cold weather, you’ll be extra heavy. Don’t take chances because hypothermia is quick and deadly.
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
Its open water on the canal. You can fish near the locks between Lyons and Newark, or you can launch at Widewaters Park.
The canal opener, when they flood the entire water way, is scheduled for May 18th.
Orleans County
Orleans County Tourism and Ron Bierstine at Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge
Finally some weather this week feeling a little more like spring! Forecast is for warming temps in the 40’s – 50’s°F through the week with chance of showers on and off. Look for warming water temps and definitely an acceleration of steelhead spawning and spring migrations.
For now, with plenty of previous cold temps and high water, temps in the Oak have not moved much thru the 40’s, but look for quickly rising temps through the 40’s and likely into the 50’s°F now sooner then later. By steelhead standards the flows are real nice at slightly high and stained with about 1 – 2 feet of visibility. There’s plenty of water and stain for cover for fish to be any place they want to be in the river. Look for most consistent action downstream of the dam around post spawn dropback spots or gravel where they are spawning.
Fresh fish could arrive to the party at any time and go right to gravel – so action right at the dam may be slowing for steelhead. Some suckers are reported and look for more of those rubber lips going forward. Even a few smallmouth are in the mix now too.
Fishing pressure has been real light. Today, with a handful of anglers out, most are reporting at least a couple of hook-ups on a morning’s effort. The other area smaller tributaries are hanging on probably to the last of the decent action now and before water temps spike up high on medium and slightly stained flows.
Small boat trollers and land lubber casters had been on hold through the past week or so due to the cold and windy weather. With stable wind and near shore water conditions and warming weather ahead, look for good action again. Fish as soon as you can now to take advantage of the spring time cool conditions before tributary and lakeshore water temps warm too much sending the steelhead and browns back to deeper big lake O waters!