Greater Niagara Region
Frank Campbell
The summer LOC Derby is into its final weekend of action, ending July 25 at 1 p.m. The current Grand Prize leader is Michael Paddock of Albion with a 31-pound, 7-ounce king salmon he caught out of Point Breeze. John Gordon of Rochester is currently the top brown trout angler with a 19-pound, 15-ounce brown to hold the lead. Top lake trout is still Hope Starling of St. Pete’s, Florida, weighing a fish that pulled the scale 23 pounds, 11 ounces. First place walleye is still from the Niagara River, a 10-pound 10-ounce ‘eye reeled in by Burt Lickers of Niagara Falls. It is still not too late to enter. Check out loc.org for a complete leaderboard and details.
Fishing has been difficult the past week. Kyle Hovak of North Tonawanda and his Mean Machine shared some information from last Friday’s win in the Curt Meddaugh Memorial contest held by the Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association. He fished the river water on the Niagara Bar and used a north-south troll in 200-250 feet of water at the drop. A-Tom-Mik meat rigs fished deep on his riggers did the damage. He only had one hit on a diver that broke off. It was a relatively slow bite, averaging 1 hit with each south troll pass. Temperature break was about 80 feet down. It was tough fishing for everyone when a massive amount of warm water moved into this section of the lake. Hovak also won the LOTSA 3-2-3 contest for the best 3 fish over 2 days of fishing, weighing in his best 3 fish on Friday with a 61.53-pound total. Meanwhile, Matt Dunn of Newfane and his Streaker team won the Big Fish LOTSA tourney with a 25.75-pound king salmon on Sunday after the Saturday contest was postponed. He, too, was fishing the Niagara Bar in 130 to 220 feet of water and almost all his salmon came on a 300-foot copper line outfitted with a white spin doctor and a meat rig with N & D cut bait. He ended up with 57.58 pounds for his best 3 fish. Out of Olcott, Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctors reports that the water is still messed up with some cold water inside. Some trollers found 42-degree water from the top down 120 feet. Look for the bait. Fishing is slowly starting to get better.
Fishing has been a bit tough the past week but Lisa Drabczyk with Creek Road Bait and Tackle in Lewiston reports that anglers are hooking up with some smallmouth bass on crayfish and minnows from boats and off the NYPA fishing platform. Some walleyes, too, using jigs and spinners from shore. From the boat, try using a worm harness or a sparkle jig. Some of the walleyes have been taken at night. Casting from the sanddocks with Fin-S Fish plastics is taking a few ‘eyes, too. Bass down river are coming on Ned rigs and swim baits in addition to the live bait options.
There are still some openings for the youth fishing contest for ages 12 and under at the NRAA nature preserve in Porter on August 14. Call Paul Jackson at 998-8910 to reserve a spot.
Oswego County
Report is Courtesy of the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning
Lake Ontario Report:
Lake conditions have been windy over the last week, with lots of changing wind direction. The last few days have been relatively calm though, so we look forward to more favorable conditions in the coming days.
Oswego:
The following report is courtesy of Captain Andy Bliss of Cold Steel Sportfishing.
Fishing out of the port of Oswego has started to really heat up for Salmon within the last week.
After a weekend of unstable winds, we were unsure how our fishing conditions would be. Fortunately for Oswego, the salmon fishing has only improved by the day. Plenty of Kings have been anywhere from 120 feet of water to beyond 500 feet of water right out front of the harbor.
A distinct thermocline has yet to develop but we have salmon holding temps from 40-100.
Keys to our success can be credited to ATOMMIK meat rigs behind Stinger Fflasher and spin doctors. Specifically, uv 2 face, white green dot, and green jeans with pro-am and warship meat rigs.
Mag spoons have been best in frost bite, sea sick, uv green glow alewife, and lances 2 face.
We have been catching fish as high as 30 feet all the way down to 115 feet, but 50-70feet has been a sweet spot.
Brown trout fishing has been tougher this week but with influx of salmon. But nobody minds this time of year.
Mexico:
Report is Courtesy of Todd Sheltra of Strike Zone Charters
The Brown Trout fishing got a little tougher recently due to them moving into 40 ft of water and there being heavy fishing pressure. Uv Michigan stingers in all sizes have been working well. Riggers, dipsys and coppers are all producing too.
Our Salmon bite has been West of the Salmon river in 100-140 feet of water. It’s still mostly a spoon bite but some are being taken on meat and flies behind attractors. Lake Trout can be had in 120-140 feet of water up off Southwicks. Blue and silver and yellow and glow bells with spin-n-glows fished on the bottom are all working.
Tight lines everyone!
Oswego River Report
Summer means a mixed bag on the Oswego River. Anglers can target bass, carp, walleye, and pan fish. Occasionally a summer run steelhead or Atlantic salmon is spotted in the mix too.
Our recommendation for walleye is to fish on the west side, between the two bridges, especially at night. Most walleye setups will get the job done.
Please check our website for the current CFS, and check back in late-August for the fall salmon report.
Please check our website for the current CFS, and check back in late-August for the fall salmon report.
Please Consider the Following Year-Round Notice: 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 at 35 E. Cayuga St. by calling 315-343-2161.
Click here for the Brookfield Varick Fish Safely brochure
Click here for the current water flow
Year-Round Notice: 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 at 35 E. Cayuga St. by calling 315-343-2161.
• Click here for the Brookfield Varick Fish Safely brochure.
• Click here for the current water flow.
Oneida Lake Report:
Walleye season opened the second weekend of May, and with an average depth of 22’ bass can be caught throughout most of the lake. We recommend first-timers who are targeting bass to try the mouth of the Oneida River as well, since it’s easy to identify where the cover is.
Check out our website for more information on charters.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Lake Ontario
The nasty northeast wind stopped the Sodus Pro-Am boats from competing on Sunday, however they did manage a full day on Saturday. The Sodus event had 63 teams registered (excellent field) and A-Tom-Mik took first place for Pros with team Warship taking the honors for the Ams. CHECK THE FINAL RESULTS
The salmon caught in Wayne County waters for the tournament were west of Sodus Bay in 150 to 200 fow. Meat rigs worked the best.
A cold front is approaching today, and the temperature breaks will be moved around, however try to stay in 200 fow.
The LOC Summer Derby started Saturday, June 26th and runs until this Sunday, July 25th. Awards at Captain Jacks in Sodus Point @ 3pm.
Bays
The bass were hitting on Sodus Bay Saturday and the northeast blow on Sunday didn’t affect bay anglers too much. The weed growth in all the bays is heavy and the largemouth were hitting Senko rigs.
Fish the points and the water between the three islands. Panfish are every where with plenty of action with rock bass.
For Port Bay anglers, launch on the north barrier bar off West Port Bay Road. The south DEC ramp is closed.
Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Federation of Sportsmen Clubs are pleased to announce the 22nd Wayne County Youth Fishing Derby for anglers ages 4-16. The event runs June 19th-July 31st, 2021and covers the waters in Wayne County.
The 2021 New York State fishing guide can be found at dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7917.html for downloading and printing at home. Production of hard copies is finished and have been delivered to License Issuing Agents. Hard copies can be requested by emailing FWFish@dec.ny.gov.
Erie Canal
There is high water on the canal from the weekend’s rain. Over 3.5 inches was recorded near Lyons. You can launch boats; however, the current will be a constant issue for boat anglers. Fish from the shore with heavy sinkers on the terminal end of your line.
Keep informed from the NYS Canal web for changes and restrictions with canal waters. Keep informed about 2021 canal hours. (There will be no fees for the 2021 canal boating season.) May 21st is the scheduling for the canal opening. Hours are 7 am till 5pm. Stay informed with the below web page.
Safety Precautions from DEC
While enjoying the outdoors, please continue to follow the CDC/New York State Department of Health guidelines (leaves DEC’s website) for preventing the spread of colds, flu, and COVID-19:
- Try to keep at least six (6) feet of distance between you and others.
- Avoid close contact, such as shaking hands, hugging, and kissing.
- Wash hands often or use a hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
- Avoid surfaces that are touched often, such as doorknobs, handrails, and playground equipment.
When fishing, DEC recommends avoiding busy waters and following the guidelines on DEC’s website about fishing responsibly in New York State. If an angler arrives at a parking lot and there are several cars, they should consider going to another parking lot. If an angler is fishing upstream, they should fish downstream of the other angler or consider fishing another day. Anglers fishing from boats should be able to maintain at least six feet of distance between one another. For more information about the benefits of being outdoors safely and responsibly, go to DEC’s website.
New York State is open for fishing and DEC encourages anglers to recreate locally at a nearby waterbody. New York’s lakes and streams offer great opportunities for fishing in a wide array of settings across the state. Even during the current COVID-19 public health crisis, getting outdoors and connecting with nature while angling in New York’s waters is a great way to help maintain mental and physical health.
Orleans County
This week’s fishing report provided by Rick Hajecki and This week’s fishing report is from Capt. Bob Songin’s video from Reel Excitement Charters
Fishing is scattered. A lot of big fish are being caught. Catches are 4-8 or 9 fish but not filling up the box. Some on meat, some on flies. We’re seeing fish that don’t want to bite (Steelhead). There’s a lot of run-off from the recent rain from the creeks with a lot of grass and weeds in the 150 range. There’s a lot of fish in there, but you’ll spend time cleaning your rigs, lines, divers and coppers. There’s fish at the 26-27 line, some mixed classes of salmon (big). Caught some at 300 and 200-220. No specific bait that’s working. Had a fish on meat, fly set ups, spoon bites (smaller fish). Temperature is good: 50-80 down on the riggers, divers out 180-200, 400 coppers.
Archer’s Club Update for 2021 Fall Stream Fishing
The Archer’s Club will be open for parking from about the beginning of October until mid November Fridays to Mondays and food will be available on Saturday and Sunday. The gate at the top of the driveway will be down after 2 PM on those days. Only members and their guests are allowed on the premises Tuesday through Thursday. The gate at the top of the driveway will be down on those days.
Access for fishing will be allowed on Tuesdays through Thursdays like it was in 2020 – and anglers will need to walk and wade in from either the Park Ave Ext. Fishing Trail or from the Waterport dam. Like in 2020, anglers can fish all the same water on Tuesdays-Thursdays by wading only and are not permitted to be on the Archer’s Club property. Immediate bankside access for landing a fish, to lay a rod down or walk around a wading obstruction, etc. is allowed, but only members and their guests are allowed fully on the premises Tuesday-Thursday. No access will be allowed by parking at the top of the Archer’s Club and walking down the driveway at any time.
The Catch and Release Fly Fishing Contest is not yet scheduled at this time, but may take place depending upon the Archer’s Club directive.