Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
The calendar has aligned once again to bring Lake Ontario anglers 3 different fishing derbies for one special weekend. The Orleans Rotary Derby is winding up and will end on Sunday, August 18. It’s still not too late to enter. The current Grand Prize leader is Larry Duckworth’s 27-pound, 8-ounce Point Breeze salmon. The Fall LOC Derby starts August 16th and runs thru Labor Day with a $25,000 Grand Prize. Check out www.loc.org for details. And the Greater Niagara Fish Odyssey Derby is August 17th to the 25thfor Niagara, Orleans and Erie counties. Kids 15 and under can fish for free in any of the three counties. Grand Prize for the adults is $3,000. Seven Different categories for the adults and the kids and they are somewhat different in each. Check out www.fishodyssey.net for details. The NYS Summer Classic Derby is into its final two weeks of action, too. Check out www.nyssummerclassic.com. Remember that it’s free fishing on Lake Ontario and the lower Niagara River through Labor Day thanks to a special state promotion. It’s also half-off any Lake Ontario state campgrounds or admission into state parks.
Lower Niagara River action has been great for walleye. Parker Cinelli of Grand Island caught and released an 11-1/2 pound fish early this week on a spinner and a worm. There have been some big bass around, too. George Shively, a 19 year old from Annapolis, Maryland, was fishing with Capt. Joe Marra of Lewiston on Tuesday when a 6-1/2 pound smallmouth hit his minnow in the lower river. Action overall has been consistent from Artpark to Lake Ontario. This will be a popular stretch of water for the Fish Odyssey Derby that will be starting up on Saturday, August 17.
Capt. Jim Gordon of Appleton headed out of Olcott 9-10 miles and did well on a mix of salmon and trout using spoons, flasher-flies and meat. Rigger depths were 50, 60 and 80 feet, producing a limit on kings. The spoon bite was hot with silvers, greens. The in-shore bite in 100 to 200 feet of water was good last weekend and started to pick back up Tuesday, but it’s anyone’s guess what will happen with east wind in the forecast for the start of the LOC and Odyssey contests. Fish were also reported on the Niagara Bar drop-off, but many of those fish were smaller according to reports from Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctors. Rock bass and bowfin were being caught in Olcott Harbor, too, from shore.
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau of the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning.
Notice: Due to high water levels, a local state of emergency order for a “No Wake Zone” has been established for boats 1,000 feet from the Lake Ontario shoreline and tributaries. All motorized boats within 1,000 feet of the shoreline and within these waterways must operate at idle speed.
Notice: Now through Labor Day, New York State is offering free fishing on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. Also, 30 state parks along the shores are offering half-price vehicle entry and camping.
Lake Ontario/Oswego River Report
The wind was a factor a few days ago but conditions have settled down and are expected to remain that way through the weekend. Anglers are finding fish in a variety of depths with spoons, flies and flashers, and meat rigs working well.
According to Capt. Troy Creasy of High Adventure Sportfishing Charters:
The fishing remains about the same with plenty of targets but some days the bite is better than others. We catch a few in 150 feet of water and we catch a few in 450 feet. It seems like the fish are everywhere.
Oswego River Report
According to Oz Angling Tackle:
The river flow was up between 2,000-3,000cfs for a day or so. This morning it is flowing at 1,130 cfs. As many of you have probably already heard, there has been a decent number of fish entering the Salmon River over the last four days, which means they will be showing up in Oswego any day now. It’s time to start gearing up and preparing for the action. Throwing plugs (Thundersticks, Hot-N-Tots, Kwick Fish) off the wall is a great way to intercept one of these early season kings, as well as wading up to the dam and using flies or egg imitations. We will keep you posted as the reports come in.
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:
Nearly a dozen anglers joined us on the run Tuesday and about half of them were able to get into at least one salmon. A group of four anglers that were with us for the day were able to land four fish with the high rod going three for three in the afternoon. Another angler that fished in the morning saw about ten salmon and went two for four. Two other anglers saw salmon so there are a few around. Wednesday was a bit slower with not as much fish movement reported, but still everyone that I spoke with at least saw some fish and many of our anglers were able to bring a salmon to hand. The water flow remains at 185cfs.
Oneida Lake Report:
Anglers are finding some walleye activity in shallow water along the weed beds out to the deeper water, 25 feet or so. Worm harnesses, blade baits and stickbaits are suggested applications. You will likely find a bass bite in 5-15 feet of water.
Sandy Pond Report:
Notice: The DEC has announced the North Sandy Pond boat launch located in the town of Sandy Creek is now open following record-high water levels on Lake Ontario. During the closure, DEC implemented several site repairs to ensure safe and convenient public access to the launch.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Lake Ontario
The recent blow pushed the warmer water out. Currently, which changes by the minute, the kings were in 200 to 300 feet of water, down 100 to 140.
Flasher flies and cut-bait appear to be working. Green glow for the flasher fly rigs. The whole idea is to fish the hooks on your graph.
In Wayne County you should fish straight out of Sodus and Hughes’ Marina.
August 16th is this Friday. Mark that date like you mark fish because the LOC starts.
During the autumn LOC fall Derby, you can take home a whopping $25,000 for a Grand Prize salmon. The derby runs August 16 through September 2nd. No NYS fishing license is needed for the Fall Derby.
Bays
Wayne County still has a no-wake condition. The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office declared a State of Emergency on Sodus Bay, East Bay, Port Bay and Blind Sodus Bay effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday May 11.
SODUS BAY – IDLE SPEED ONLY CAUSING NO WAKE WITHIN 1000 FEET of shore.
PORT BAY, EAST BAY and BLIND SODUS BAY – IDLE SPEED ONLY CAUSING NO WAKE.
The docks at Margaretta Road launch are now finished. They are 60 X 60-foot poly deck dock.
To launch at Port Bay, use the south end DEC launch off West Port Bay Road.
Port Bay waters have produced some perch at the channel. The perch stay out in the lake all summer and return to the bays in the autumn. They do hang-out in the channel where the water temps are mixed.
Sodus Bay has been the hotspot for bass this year. Tournament anglers are catching five pounders.
If you need tackle Bay Bridge Sport Shop and Davenports at the south end of Sodus Bay are always opened.
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
Catfish are hitting in the deeper pools anywhere in the canal. Launching a boat is easy because there are ramps in Macedon, Palmyra, Newark, Lyons, and Clyde. Currently, the water level is normal.
The Widewaters has been hot for bass. Fish the southern shoreline with worm rigs.
Orleans County
Lake Fishing Report
Orleans County Tourism and Capt. John Oravec, Tight Lines Charters
They’re back! The Orleans County waters of Lake Ontario once again are teaming with big hungry king salmon. The first key area you want to hit are the 85 to 125 feet of water between the “Pump House” – a long troll – to the Little House”. Every time the wind turns to west , schools of matures show up. The fishing depths to rig your lure may range from 40 to 80 feet down. Myself, I am staying with an “O” Frawg spoon program. Yesterday, Ohio anglers hit them – slob to 26 # including 3 double headers! Many good boats (“rec” and charter) are having terrific action in this area. It is hot!
The Oak’s offshore waters 26.5 to 29.5 lines – that’s 280 to 500 ft of water are even hotter lately. The charters Pisces, Irish Thunder and Reel Excitement were heard talking about crazy good action on multi year class king and whopper steelhead when ever safe, calm conditions allow venturing to the shipping lanes. Always keep with the fleet especially when out deep, ok!
So there you have it! It’s a terrific August set up at the “Oak”! All ramps are open, marinas, restaurants, lodging and tackle shops are here to help visiting anglers get in on the best fishing in a decade! The Rotary Derby as well as the LOC Derby are underway AND FREE FISHING courtesy of New York State through Labor Day thanks to Governor Cuomo!
Spending a week on Keuka Lake. What type of fish should I expect to catch? Walleye, northern pike, trout, bass?
Should be good smallmouth bass and panfish this time of year. Good luck!