Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Will it be a trick or treat for area fishing this week? High winds over the weekend created turbid conditions for drifters and casters.
Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls found some decent success off the NYPA fishing platform despite 2 feet of visibility, using eggs to take steelhead and carp; colorful jigs to take salmon and walleye over the weekend. There have been a few high water issues on the NYPA platform so be aware of that. Some fish are available along Artpark from shore, both steelhead and browns. Lake trout are also being caught, but lake trout season is closed. Spinners and eggs or egg imitations like beads are catching primarily trout.
Lisa Drabczyk of Creek Road Bait and Tackle reports bass are cooperating by Fort Niagara and big walleyes have been hitting along Artpark and Stella, as well as up in Devil’s Hole. The water was clearing but the next big wind event is set for the end of the week and will impact water conditions in the river. This could rile the water up again and affect the Niagara Musky Association’s Tim Wittek Memorial Tournament set for Sunday, Nov. 3. Musky action has been good in the upper river. Jeff Pritchard from the Lockport area was fishing with Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island last Saturday and caught four muskies in one trip bottom bouncing with large shiners. That is an incredible day.
Many of the tributaries flowing into Lake Ontario are murky, making for some tougher fishing. However, Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctors in Olcott reports that fish are being caught in places like 18 Mile Creek with egg sacs and beads at the top of the list for fish catching. Reports of a fresh run of salmon moving into the creek was substantiated on Tuesday by Evarts and things were hopping at Fisherman’s Park where Burt Dam is located. Some days are better than others, though. A few fish are being caught off the piers casting spoons, spinners or fishing eggs under a float. 12 Mile Creek was muddy, but as water levels drop and conditions clear, there should be some fish available.
There will be a special meeting with DEC to discuss the status of the Lake Ontario forage base on Nov. 13 at Cornell Cooperative Extension Niagara, 4487 Lake Avenue, Lockport starting at 6:30 p.m. If you can’t make it, there will be an online presentative (or you can call in) on Nov. 14. Check the DEC website out for more information at www.dec.ny.gov.
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau of the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning.
Oswego River Report
With the rain overnight Saturday night, the river flow was up to 11,500 cfs but is back to 9,710 cfs this morning. After beautiful fall days earlier this week, rain moved into the area overnight and is expected to be steady later this afternoon and through the night. Strong winds are expected tomorrow with the temperatures dropping into the upper 40s for the weekend. With the amount of rain predicted, keep an eye on the river level as it will likely rise. When conditions have been good, anglers are finding some nice steelhead and 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. 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:
Reports of steelies Tuesday may have lacked in numbers, but they were made up for in size. Anglers who managed to bring steel to hand reported large, powerful fish. One angler landed two steelies that were 12+ lbs. and another reported losing several that just simply overpowered him. Leaves continue to pose a bit of an issue. Wednesday was marked with short flurries of activity intermittently throughout the run. Anglers reported hook ups from top to bottom, and while they weren’t in any great numbers, steelhead and browns were seen throughout the run. With the recent rain the flow from the dam is currently 750 cfs and 910 cfs at Pineville.
According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop & Motel:
Over the last couple of days anglers have been working hard for the fish they are getting. Anglers having the most success are covering lots of water and focusing on the transition water. Dead drifting or bottom bouncing with egg patterns continues to produce the best results on a daily basis. The most productive patterns have been sucker spawn, glo-bugs, estaz eggs, steelie omelet, flesh fly and woolly buggers. For those anglers who are bottom bouncing with spinning gear or float fishing, pink and blue egg sacs, trout beads and pink worms have produced the best results.
Oneida Lake Report:
The walleye night bite has definitely picked up with the cooler temperatures. Casting stickbaits from shore just before and after dark is a suggested application for walleye this time of year.
Sandy Pond Report:
The pond is quiet this time of year.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Streams
The dark kings were in Maxwell, however not much happening with the browns. Maxwell was flowing this weekend and there are some nice pools holding fish…just not as productive has last year. That has been the reports lake wide for trib angling.
Anyway, throw out green beads, or egg sacs for the browns and fish both sides of Lake Road.
Bays
The perch are in the bays, however it’s still a search mission for anglers. You need to move around to find fish.
When you do locate the 12 inchers, drop down some shad rubber bait tipped with spikes. Or go with perch minnows.
The perch have been at the points in Port Bay and they are hitting from the north shoreline on the barrier road.
If you need tackle Bay Bridge Sport Shop and Davenports at the south end of Sodus Bay are always opened.
B-E is now closed after decades of offering bait and tackle for anglers fishing this region. Thank you, Pat, for all you’ve accomplished promoting fishing, and having the best tackle in Wayne County. We’re going to miss you.
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
The bass are hitting in the canal. No matter how much the wind blows you can always fish the Erie Canal. Sections will be drained, but Widewaters will not be affected.
Orleans County
Orleans County Tourism and Capt. John Oravec, Tight Lines Charters
We finally got some good precipitation this past weekend that had a decent effect on flows. It was the first good shot of water this Fall so look for some brown trout and steelhead migrations and whatever remains of tardy salmon. Flows in the Oak are about moderate to medium and slightly stained. Other area smaller tributaries are medium to high with stained water color, approximately 1 – 2 feet of visibility. Flows may retreat relatively quickly and some weeds and debris will be moving out, no doubt. The forecast is warm through the beginning part of this week then cooler and wetter again for mid and the end part of the week. We’re coming right into the part of the calendar typical for better brown trout action and now with more favorable conditions there should be better hook up chances ahead. Especially with more water and continued cooling temps.