Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Some ice chunks continue to come down through the Niagara River system, serving as obstacles in the upper and lower river sections. This stems from the fact that the ice boom is still in place at the head of the river between Buffalo and Fort Erie. Winds from the southwest will push ice pieces over the flexible boom. As of Tuesday morning, there was 372 square miles of ice left. There needs to be 250 square miles of ice or less before the boom is pulled. Ice thickness varies right now from 6 inches to 28 inches. We will keep you posted. In the upper river, Jeff Pippard at Niagara Outdoors in North Tonawanda reports that perch have been hitting around Beaver Island State Park at the marina and in many of the bays around the Island. Just look for the Emerald shiners. A few rainbows and lake trout have been taken off Gratwick Park in NT on spinners, too.
There has been good trout action in the lower Niagara River around Devil’s Hole and Artpark from boat and shore anglers according to Lisa Drabczyk at Creek Road Bait and Tackle in Lewiston. Boat drifters are using minnows, shiners and egg sacs. Shore casters are using spinners, spoons, jigs and egg sacs or egg imitations. Some captains insist that there are some smelt in the river, marking large pods of bait away from the shoreline. However, none have been dipped yet at night. Some local smelt dippers insist that this could be the week. Remember the Lewiston Smelt Festival will be in Academy Park in Lewiston on May 3 starting at 5 p.m. New this year is a smelt eating contest. If you want to sign up, call the Niagara River Region Chamber at 754-9500.
For Lake Ontario and the tributaries, steelhead were hitting flies on the surface in some of the creeks. Browns have been hitting eggs, so sacs and beads will do the trick. Pier action has been good in Wilson and Olcott according to Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctors in Olcott. Spoons, spinners and eggs. Out in the lake, trolling stickbaits in shallow water is working in front of 4 Mile and Wilson to take browns. Capt. Matt Yablonsky of Youngstown reports good action on a mixed bag, including a number of Coho salmon on Dreamweaver Super Slim “Get ‘er Done” spoons and Jr. Challenger Lady Bug lures off the boards, the downriggers and flatlining off the back of the boat in relatively shallow water. Capt. Alan Sauerland of Newfane was fishing spoons and stickbaits to take lake trout, brown trout and bass. The lakers were coming from 65 to 70-feet of water in front of Wilson. A few Chinook salmon are also being caught. Just a reminder that if you are fishing the lake and catch any Coho salmon, the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is still conducting a study to help them determine the success of stocking spring yearlings versus fall fingerling plants. DEC biologists are asking anglers to donate any Coho salmon heads and the information of your catch, whether the fish has a tag or not. The process is straight forward. Catch a Coho and check for an adipose fin clip. Mark all the information at a freezer site such as Fort Niagara State Park, Wilson Harbor (Bootleggers Cove and the Wilson Boat Yard) and Olcott at the Town of Newfane Marina to name a few. Bags and labels are available in the freezer. Make sure you provide the information of where you caught the fish, whether it had a clip and total length of the fish. For more information contact MiKe Connerton with DEC at 315-654-2147.
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau of the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning.
Oswego River Report
According to Oz Angling Tackle:
Steelhead fishing is heating up on the Lake Ontario tributaries. From the big rivers to small creeks, the spring steelhead run is definitely on. Lots of fish are in spawning mode right now but with fresh fish pushing up and some drop backs in the mix, there are plenty of fish to keep things interesting. With some recent rain, the water level has creeped up to 10,300cfs. Areas along the East River Walk behind the hotels and along the West River Walk are suggested areas to try.
According to Capt. Tom Burke of Cold Steel Sportfishing:
We brought the lake boat to Oswego this week and had a great first trip on the lake. All browns for us except for a small Atlantic. Early signs on the lake are very positive for another great season.
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. The Oswego Fire Department offers loaner life jackets at no charge through its “Loaner for Life” program. For more information contact the fire station, 35 E. Cayuga St., at 315-343-2161.
Salmon River Report:
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
The DSR remains closed at this time due to high water. The current flow is 2,200cfs. We will reopen when the level drops below 2,000cfs. Please check water flows periodically and exercise extreme caution should you be near the rivers and streams due to slippery banks, debris in the water, and high flows.
According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop and Motel:
Wednesday morning started out cold but with blue skies and plenty of sunshine, the temperature reached near 60 degrees. The water level is still high but anglers are fishing and making the most of conditions. Over the last couple of days we’ve had dry conditions which has helped with the runoff. Anglers we have staying in the hotel have been floating the river with drift boat guides or fishing some of the smaller local tributaries.
Oneida Lake Report:
There is not a lot to report from Oneida Lake at this time. Anglers are beginning to do some open water fishing and looking forward to the opening of walleye season on Saturday, May 4.
Sandy Pond Report:
There is little activity to report from the pond. A reminder that walleye and northern pike seasons open on Saturday, May 4.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Lake Ontario
Yesterday was another windy affair. The relentless wind seems to appear every other day. The good news is yesterday’s west blow created a nice mudline on the lake. Browns love stained water.
The set-up has been the usual stick baits trolled in 8 to 20 feet of water. The warm pockets have been in front of the Port Bay channel and straight out from Sodus.
The browns are also hitting out from Hughes’ Marina and west towards the power plant.
The most popular plug has been the Bay Rat stick baits, perch color.
The pen rearing kings are due this week and the brown hatchery truck will be dumping 25,000 browns in the lake near the Sodus Channel near the end of this month.
Streams
The water flow in all the streams is excellent and although many steelhead and browns are now in the lake, there are some hold-overs. And there are no crowds fishing the creeks.
Bays
Perch and crappies are hitting at the south end of Port Bay. The access ramps are at the north and south end of Port Bay and Sodus has ramps at Margaretta Road, Arneys, and Bay Bridge Sport Shop.
The bullhead fishing has slowed a bit, however warmer temperatures should heat the water. You can fish them off Bay Bridge, the southern end of Sodus Bay.
You can rent a boat at Bay Bridge Sport Shop and won’t have far to go to catch crappies and bullheads.
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
It has been great spring fishing in the canal. You can set-up near the locks close to Route 31 for shore fishing or launch in Lyons, Clyde or Widewaters in Newark. The crappies continue to hit near the Port Gibson bridge.
Orleans County
Stream Fishing Report
Orleans County Tourism and Bierstine of Oak Orchard Tackle and Lodge
Thanks to the rain toward the end of the weekend through early Monday, flows in the Oak and other area smaller tributaries are back up. There are real nice conditions to help preserve the steelhead action and maybe draw in some more fresh fish. Flows in the Oak are slightly high with what looks like a good head of turbine water. There has been no overflow water and water color is stained at about 2 ft of visibility that may get a little dirtier through today. Seasonably cool temps are in the forecast today and tomorrow with warmer temps and a chance of more precipitation by the end of week. Look for flows to hang in around high-ish – or go higher if there is anymore significant precipitation.
Water temps are flirting with 50°F but cold nights have stalled the rising temperatures for now in the high 40’s°F. By the end of the week and weekend with warmer weather, sun and dark water, look for a rise in water temps probably into the 50’s.
Guys are into good steelhead action on mostly spawning and staged/dropback fish and some fresh fish. Light to moderate fishing pressure has allowed the few persistent anglers to take advantage of the good flows and stay on the fish now later in the season for mid April and likely through the end of April. The other area smaller tribs have medium to slightly high and dirty flows. Those flows should be crested and on the retreat now at least before there is anymore significant precipitation. There is mixed bag action all around – mid sized tribs like the Oak or Burt are hanging on to steelhead with a few fresh fish thrown in. The Niagara and bar are coming into its own now with spring warm up and the near shore big Lake O small boat trolling or casting action is productive when wind and waves cooperate.
Lake Fishing Report
Orleans County Tourism and Capt. John Oravec, Tight Lines Charters
What happened to Spring? This week the south shore shallow of Lake Ontario was stirred to mud by cold fronts and rough water. Yours truly has seen over 44 such Spring seasons so in lieu of glowing catch reports, how about Plan B! When faced with chocolate water, troll north seeking the milky green edge switching to downriggers, leadcore, divers and a slow spoon program. Seek out the 40 to 80 foot drop off and tune in your fish finder looking for Lake trout and kings.
Plan C is to carry a stream combo with a simple kit of terminal tackle, a pair of waders and head for the Oak where steelhead are available.
Myself, I am making good brown trout catches on live minnows drift fishing at the Niagara River where the waters are clear. So there you go!
By being versatile, well equipped and ambitious, any visiting fishermen can score a catch when the skinny waters inside 15 feet are unfishable! Part of making the most of your visits to Orleans County is knowledge. Now you have it!