Upstate and Western New York Fishing Report – August 26, 2021

Greater Niagara Region

Frank Campbell

In the Reelin’ for a Cure Ladies Tournament held out of Wilson and Olcott last Friday, the winning team was Trolling for Tata’s from Wilson, fishing aboard the Salmonboy with Capt. Joe Oakes. The leading ladies were Stacey Austin, Jassy Moberg, Anjolie Plante, and Charlene Loeschke, all from Wilson. Their best 6 fish weighed 116 pounds for a total score of 176 points. There were 40 teams in this year’s ladies’ event, a fundraiser for Hope Chest Buffalo this year. Oakes says there are fish offshore in 400-plus feet of water with a mix of steelhead and salmon hitting spoons and flasher-fly combos, and there is some salmon inside of 200 feet hitting spoons, flasher-flies, meat, and plugs.

The LOC and Fish Odyssey Derbies are both underway and like we say for every derby, you must be in it to win it. Capt. Anthony Sambunjak of Ohio ran a charter on Tuesday this week out of Olcott and the customers decided not to get in it. They ended up catching a 33-pound, 12-ounce king salmon that would have taken the lead for the $25,000 LOC grand prize. The current leader is a 32-pound, 2-ounce fish out of Wilson this week, reeled in by Theresa Hoodley of Pottstown, Penn. fishing out of Wilson. Cut bait was the secret. However, on the Niagara Bar for John Van Hoff of North Tonawanda last weekend, he boated 9 mature king salmon out of 16 hits using all spoons and flasher-flies. It just depends on the day. They did catch one king that made the board, a 27-pound, 5 ounce fish reeled in by Adam Gierlach of Lockport. Also on the Niagara Bar, Capt. Frank Campbell took Chris Shaffer of Pautzke Outdoors out for salmon and trout. He ended up getting 3 kings including one mature fish, 1 brown trout about 10 pounds, 1 lake trout, and 4 steelhead, the biggest in the teens. All were on spoons, like the DW glow hulk and purple clown. All spoons were covered with herring and sardine fire gel from Pautzke.

Mark Romanack with the Fishing 411 TV Show filmed an episode at the end of last week. They enjoyed another great trip to the Niagara Region of Lake Ontario. This time they fished Olcott, and the lake gave up some beautiful steelhead and chinook salmon. Meat rigs on Pro Troll rotators produced the salmon and the steelhead came on Silver Streak spoons. The Fish Hawk unit was once again the ticket for finding temperature and trolling speed. One complaint by many trollers on the lake was biting flies. Several people in the know have insisted that Natrapel is something that works. Check it out. The piers in Olcott are closed while construction is going on according to Karen Evarts at the Boat Doctors in Olcott.

Schaffer of Pautzke Outdoors also filmed a show with captains Jeff Draper and Frank Campbell on the lower Niagara River. Bass action was tougher than it had been, but they still managed to get a couple dozen smallmouth on film, half on live bait like crabs and shiners and half on artificial plastics like Strike King Dream Shots (doused with Fire Gel) off drop-shot rigs. Lisa Drabczyk with Creek Road Bait and Tackle reports that the walleye action has picked up this week on worm harnesses in the lower river. Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls hit the upper river on shore, downstream from the Grand Island bridge 2 times and got 10-12 bass each time. He then switched over to some scuba fishing. He went upstream from Mississippi Mudd’s restaurant in Tonawanda and targeted smallmouth bass while in the water. He caught 15 or more in an hour. Best lure was a white-silver jig. He found a drop off from 10-18 feet, not far from shore.

Oswego County

Report is Courtesy of the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning

Lake Ontario Report:

Lake conditions have been very calm over the last week. The last few days have been very warm. We look for mixed up conditions the next few days.

The following report is courtesy of Captain Andy Bliss of Cold Steel Sportfishing

The fishing this last week has been challenging at best. Salmon are starting to stage in shallow water and becoming very cranky. As they get more used to the new environment fishing should pick up.

After a week of stable winds, we finally have stable conditions and less current making trolling and staying on fish easier.

Keys to our success can be credited to ATOMMIK meat rigs behind Stinger Flashers and Oki kingfishers. Specifically, pigpen, scumline,2 face, and bullfrog. With Primetime, glow, and warship meat rigs.

We have been catching fish from 50-100 down. Remember as these kings start to stage; their preferred water temps are changing. Don’t be afraid to start targeting the warmer water many kings will hold and 60 to 67° water this time of year. Some days you’ll find the only active fish are up in that warm water, so don’t be afraid to fish up high.

Mexico bay has seen an invasion of salmon; from 9-mile point to the high rocks has been a consistent producer for a lot of boats. In front of the Salmon River is another “go-to.”

Oswego River Report

Spring and summer mean bass on the Oswego River. Anglers also target carp, walleye, and pan fish.

The salmon have also started to trickle in but in small numbers. Please check our website for the current CFS, and check back in the coming weeks for our 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

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.

Salmon River Report:

We have report of the first salmon of the season about a week ago. The angler was Norbert Samok who was a guest at Eddies Salmon River Lodge.

With the Highwater event we’ve had last week a small number of salmon have entered the river. The receding water and very high temps we’ve had the last few days, should limit the number of new fish entering the salmon river. Unfortunately, the fish that have already made their way upriver will be facing some very tough conditions for survival.

If you’re planning to make a trip up look for the fastest water. With the warmer river temps salmon will be holding in the most oxygenated water which is typically in the bubbles and fastest runs.

Wayne County Fishing Update

Chris Kenyon

Lake Ontario

The kings have been in water 100 to 200 feet deep, down anywhere from 50 to 90 fow. Meat rigs, flasher flies and mag spoons are working. Carbon 14 has been hooking kings.

Riggers down to 50 and divers out 200 to 250 feet was the presentation this past weekend. Lots of bait and charter captains are working that area changing trolling speeds and re-rigging with different arsenals from the tackle boxes.

The LOC started Friday and runs until September 6th…Labor Day.

Dave Chilson and company keep the LOC leaderboard updated on an hourly basis. Register now and see your name at the top of the list!!!! www.loc.org

LOC Fall Salmon Derby Aug 20th – September 6th
$67,400 Total Cash Pay-Out
$25,000 Grand Prize for the largest salmon

Bays

The bass are hitting on Sodus and Port Bays. Fish the weedlines with Senko rigs and other rubber or plastic stickbaits.

Fish around the points and docks casting out larger spinnerbaits.

Pike are being caught on the east side of LeRoy Island. You can troll early morning or still fish with pike minnows.

Perch are still in Port Bay because of all the baitfish. Fish the north shoreline.

For Port Bay boaters, launch on the north barrier bar off West Port Bay Road. The road is bumpy so trailer your boat slowly. The south DEC ramp is still closed.

There was a local bass tournament on Saturday with most of the boats targeting fish on the south end of the bay.

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

The canal water is still high so be cautious if you are fishing from a boat. The current is also swift after the recent heavy rain.

The largemouth bass are extra large in the Erie Canal. They are weighing six plus pounds.

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 Pic of the Week is from Ted Hill

Ted, Gene, Jill and Beth from Ohio on their annual trip to the Oak. They fished “way off shore” on the Pirate Queen with Captain Tom Wolfe. Their “Catch of Kings” ranged from 16 to 22 lbs.

Boat Launch Construction Notice

Starting Tues, Sept. 7th, the Orleans County Boat Launch at the end of Ontario Street (east side of the river) will be closed for reconstruction. Please use the Oak Orchard Boat Launch on Archbald Rd. Access fees will be waived. FREE boat launching until the Spring!

CURRENT DERBY UPDATES

As of 8/23/21, the current leader of the Fall LOC Derby is Theresa Hoodley from Pottstown, PA with a 32 lb 2 oz Salmon, weighed in at Wilson. The derby runs until Sept 6th and the awards ceremony will be held at Captain Jacks in Sodus Point. Check out current standings.

The Greater Niagara Fish Odyssey is underway in Erie, Niagara and Orleans County August 20 until September 5, 2021. New for 2021: enter and weigh from your phone! For more details including payouts, visit their website.