Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Lake Ontario
After a bit of northeast wind, Lake Ontario saw fish scatter. Yes, fishing suddenly became a bit more difficult after a month that was often spectacular.
The tough conditions can only mean one thing – the Greater Niagara Pro-Am Tournament must be here! When the contest is in May or June, it seems like when the tournament shows up the fishing changes, almost on cue. Set for June 1-2 out of Wilson and Olcott, this year will see 43 boats plying the waters in search of salmon and trout.
In the meantime, despite the tougher conditions, the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Charity Fishing Outing went off without a hitch on Wednesday and plenty of fish were caught by the 22 boats who participated. The largest fish weighed in was “only” a 17-plus pound salmon hauled in by Bob McManigle of North Tonawanda while fishing with Jonathan Ross of the Tomahawk boat. Second place was a 16-plus pound king, reeled in by Bill Santana of Wilson while fishing with Capt. Matt Yablonsky aboard the Wet Net. At least, those were the ones weighed in. Capt. Joe Kyle of Onacona Charters had a Sabres Alumni group that decided a fish pushing 18 pounds wouldn’t make the cut so they released it. They lost out on a $550 cash prize! Many of the fish were found up higher in the water column and the winning fish came 37 feet down on a slider. They were using a homemade green magnum spoon. When the wind moves the water around, those fish can be almost anywhere and many boats opted to head out deep to search out pods of salmon and trout. We’ll have a full recap for you on the tournament next week.
Niagara River
In the lower Niagara River, there are still steelhead and lake trout hanging around if you want to fish a minnow or run a Kwikfish off of a three-way rig. Of course, you will also catch other fish species like bass, walleye, silver bass or just about anything that swims in those waters. You can fish from shore in the gorge, too, such as off of the NYPA fishing platform. Along Artpark, there has been good action on silver bass with small jigs and spinners. Upper Niagara River action for bass has been decent but you must use artificial baits if you are targeting bass. Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls is still doing well on northern pike in the upper river tossing jigs and plugs at those fish.
It’s National Fishing and Boating Week June 2nd through the 10th, a nationwide celebration of these popular outdoor pastimes. At the top of the list for Saturday June 2, the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge will be hosting a Kids Fishing Derby from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Ringneck Marsh along Oak Orchard Ridge Road. Call 585-948-5445 for more information. At the tail end of National Fishing and Boating Week, June 9th will be a Kids fishing derby at West Canal Marina Park, Pendleton from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Get out there and enjoy yourself!
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Lake Ontario Report
The lake fishing remains very good. Brown trout are keeping anglers busy in 20-40 feet of water using stickbaits and spoons. Salmon are active in 100-200+ feet of water with spoons working well and a few lake trout are being taken in 120-140 feet of water.
According to Capt. Andy Grisenthwaite of Broad Horizons Charters:
Fishing out of Oswego has been going steady with the option of trout or salmon within easy reach of the harbor. Bait has been moving in shallow and water temperatures are rising. So far the season is shaping up to be one you shouldn’t miss!
According to Capt. Andy Bliss on Cold Steel Sportfishing Charters:
Brown trout fishing has been as good as it gets lately!
Oswego River Report
The water level has been dropping over the last several days. This morning it is running at 3,690cfs. Areas all along the river are fishable at this level. Walleye are responding to large stickbaits. Anglers are finding some sheepshead and smallmouth bass. Remember it is catch and release with artificial lures only for bass.
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.
Pulaski Area and Salmon River Report:
According to Woody’s Tackle:
The fishing has been very good on Lake Ontario. Brown trout have been very active in 8-40 feet of water along the eastern end of the lake. Anglers are finding a few salmon in the deeper water but they are more active to the west near Oswego.
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
We had a few season pass holders join us yesterday and they covered the run top to bottom swinging streamers. While they worked hard, they were rewarded with a handful of nice smallmouth bass up to 17″ and had run-ins with both carp and gar to boot -but those battles didn’t last long! Hot flies were mainly minnow type patterns such as BH wooly buggers, emerald shiners, and muddlers. The water temperature was 63 at 8 am this morning and had increased to 72 near 1 pm.
Oneida Lake Report:
Walleye activity is continuing with decent action around Lewis Point and toward the eastern end of the lake. Bucktail jigs and blade baits are working well. Pickerel have been taking stickbaits and crankbaits and a few nice northern pike have been reported. Perch action is increasing and the bullhead bite has been good in the evening.
Sandy Pond report:
According to Woody’s Tackle:
The walleye bite has been good on the pond and there is some perch action too. Anglers are also finding some bass which are catch and release only until the season opens June 16. Stickbaits, crankbaits, jigs, small minnows and nightcrawlers are working well.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Lake Ontario
The king bite is phenomenal with spring fishing the best in decades. The browns are still close to shore, however everyone on the lake is targeting spring kings.
Kings have been in 100 to 250 feet of water, down 50 to 70 feet. Straight out from Sodus Bay has been the “go to” location, however spring kings are being caught along the entire south shore of the lake.
The basic set-up has been the same; riggers, boards, wire and lead core. Bright spoons have been catching most of the kings. Flasher flies have also filled the boxes. Straight out from Hughes’ Marina has also been a great place to start your troll.
Bays
Perch, pike and walleye have been caught in Sodus Bay and the bullheads are hitting near Bay Bridge.
Port Bay action has been at the south end with crappies still hitting on the east side in 18 feet of water.
The channel at Port Bay has been a great place for bullhead fishing and perch are still in the bay hitting minnows. Fish from shore at the north end barrier road or launch and fish the north cove.
The DEC docks are in place, so launching is a simple process.
Check out the rest of the Wayne County Tourism web page for the locations and hours of local bait and tackle shops. waynecountytourism.com