Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Happy Thanksgiving!
This is the calm before the storm. A cold front is expected to blow in today with gusts up to 60 miles per hour. It could be a repeat performance from Halloween. No treats here.
Things were slowly starting to improve as the last round of winds subsided last Friday in the Niagara River. The water was off-color over the weekend and into the beginning of the week. Tuesday it was near perfect and fishing was good. We will probably be back into the same muddy mess after this storm.
Mark Plennert of Niagara Falls had some success off the NYPA Fishing Platform in the gorge when waters finally cleared this week but take note the last day for the season that it could be open is Nov. 30. Call 286-6662 to check first. The stairs leading down to the shoreline is already closed due to erosion. Tuesday of this week Capt. Frank Campbell of Lewiston and Gary Hall of Niagara Falls timed things just right to catch some nice steelhead to 12 pounds, using MagLips off three-way rigs. Egg sacs will also work. Mike Marisa of Johnstown, Pa. shares that he caught quite a few steelhead using a mix of beads and egg sacs in pink – along Artpark and up in the gorge around the whirlpool just prior to the last wind event. Things were a bit more difficult earlier this week due to turbid conditions. When the water starts to clear, the shore guys will start catching fish first.
For the Lake Ontario tributaries, Scott Feltrinelli of Ontario Fly Outfitters reported catching some brown trout and steelhead this past week. Water temperatures and conditions were very favorable and should stay nice through Christmas if Mother Nature cooperates. The water has been high and lightly stained due to snow melt. This is perfect for big fish to move throughout the creek systems and feed in a post spawn manner according to Feltrinelli. Bug streamers have been working well for fly fisherman targeting browns. Other baits that are working are beads, egg sacs and jigs. Steelhead are moving into the creeks in better numbers as well. You still must move around to seek out active fish. Fishing pressure continues to be down due to hunting seasons.
Remember that November 30 is the final day for muskellunge in the upper Niagara River. However, the Lower Niagara River, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River season is open through Dec. 15. This is one reason why the Niagara Musky Association holds its John Henning Memorial Musky Tournament in December, set for December 1 in the lower river only. You must be a member of NMA. Call Scott Kitchen at 939-0006 if you are interested. Nov. 30 is the final day of the regular bass season in the state. For the most part, it turns into a catch and release season on Dec. 1 throughout most of the state. One exception is Lake Erie where a special season begins Dec. 1 allowing for 1 bass with a minimum size of 20 inches long. You can also fish with live bait. If you have any questions, consult the regulations at dec.ny.gov. One final note is that lake trout season opens on Dec. 1 in the lower Niagara River on the Canadian side only. This was one of the reasons that an extended lake trout season was proposed in the lower river in NY. The comment period for that ends Dec. 14. Lake trout season opens Jan. 1 in New York waters of the lower Niagara and Lake Ontario. If you do catch a lake trout incidentally, please release it quickly and unharmed.
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau of the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning.
Oswego River Report
According to Oz Angling Tackle:
The Lake Ontario tributaries are abundant with steelhead and brown trout right now. Late November presents a unique opportunity to enjoy some world class trout fishing on the Oswego River. A few trout were caught off the wall yesterday. Beads, egg sacs, and marabou jigs were working. The wall bite wasn’t hot and heavy but good enough to keep things interesting. After being down to 5,000 CFS the flow has risen to 10,200 CFS over the last few days. With rain in the forecast for later today, keep an eye on the flow.
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:
Over the weekend, the middle part of the run seemed to produce the most activity. Anglers reported a steady pick Monday with some areas producing better than others. Those who put the time in were rewarded with at least a tug or two on the line. We had reports of fresh chrome, a few browns, and even a king brought to hand. Reports from anglers indicated a pretty good day down on the run for some. Others are still struggling to find them but it seems that everyone was able to bring at least one to hand Tuesday. Seemingly alternating days, with every other day being more productive.
According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop & Motel:
Over the last couple of days the weather and water conditions have been stable and the fishing pressure has increased. With the low water conditions the fish have been holding in and around the deeper holes and larger runs. In the upper end of the river the Upper & Lower Fly Zone, Schoolhouse Pool, Wire Hole, Ellis Cove, Bovines, Trestle Pool and Pineville have produced some action. In the lower end of the river anglers have reported having some action around RT2A, Ballpark, Longbridge/Staircase, Black Hole and DSR. For those anglers who are fly fishing, dead drifting with nymphs or indicator fishing with single egg patterns has produced the best results. For those anglers who are bottom bouncing with spinning gear or float fishing have had the most success with blue, pink and chartreuse egg sacs, trout beads or pink worms.
Oneida Lake Report:
With the nice weather we have had over the last couple of days, anglers have taken advantage of the conditions casting stickbaits from shore just before and after dark. Today we are expecting some rain along with gusty winds moving in during the day and overnight. Colder temperatures are also returning tomorrow.
Sandy Pond Report:
No new report.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Streams
Stream fishing has been productive with browns and steelhead coming from Maxwell. There are also some browns coming out of Salmon Creek in Pultneyville.
There is a small trib off Furnace Road in Wolcott that still has some late running salmon. That trib runs into Port Bay.
The usual presentations work…egg sacs are the best.
The water flow is decent at Maxwell and with temps in the high 40’s, fishing has been comfortable.
Bays
The perch are setting-up in Sodus Bay. They are hitting shad colored or white 2-inch rubber bait. Just put some spikes on the hook and you’re in business. Currently they appear to be feeding on small live shad so go with light colored rubber.
You still need to locate larger perch if you are in a school of smaller ones. Move around and fish the drop-offs.
This might be the last week for fishing open water, so take advantage before the ice comes.
All launch sites are open; however, the DEC docks are not in the water. Be cautious of the ramps, as they are very slippery.
Remember…if you are on a boat now, you need to wear your PFD. That regulation started the last day of October and is in effect until May1st. It must be worn…not thrown somewhere in your boat.
If you need tackle Bay Bridge Sport Shop and Davenports at the south end of Sodus Bay are always opened. They both have live bait if you like fishing with small minnows.
Port Bay has open water and should remain clear of ice this holiday week. Temps are supposed to be in the 40’s plus through this weekend.
Erie Canal
Widewaters has open water and you can still launch at the county park, west of Newark on Route 31. The perch have been biting near the Port Gibson bridge. Bass season ends the end of this week.
Orleans County
Orleans County Tourism and Capt. John Oravec, Tight Lines Charters
It’s looking like the Erie Canal winter time drainage slug of water has pretty well run its course. Flows in the Oak and other area smaller tributaries are on the retreat. Today flows in the Oak are moderate and just slightly stained. I wouldn’t be surprised to see flows “re-regulate” at something a little higher – closer to medium – at least in the short term. Now, the system will respond to rain and snow and run-off for the run of the river flows, going higher and off color with any significant precipitation. It will be interesting to see what kind of action guys might get into on the Oak now with lower water and easier drifting.
There’s agreeable weather through today and just moderate fishing pressure. There should be the chance for some fish having migrated on the previous higher flows, still considering this season’s MO of upstream action for best hook-up chances.
Through the past weekend on the higher flows, guys were scratching out a few bites on browns, steelhead, Atlantics and Kings. Weather ahead looks cooler but not unseasonably cold with high winds expected tomorrow, (Wednesday) and chance for precipitation. The precipitation forecast is more scattered in nature.
The other area smaller tributaries have moderate to medium flows with slightly stained water color going toward clear. Haven’t heard much lately from action to the west except for the same kind of reports from Burt Dam like at the Oak. To the east lately, it definitely sounds more encouraging with some good brown trout action reported – enough that makes you think there’s a legitimate run of late fish. Considering that, we might see a late run of browns in the Oak too.