Greater Niagara Region
Frank Campbell
If you missed Valentine’s Day, it might be a good time to take your significant other fishing this weekend. Saturday and Sunday are part of a free fishing weekend in New York, and you can save a few bucks on a license, especially if you are going to be hiring a charter or a guide to lead you to the fish. It’s also a good time to take a friend or family member fishing this weekend and show them what fishing is all about – on soft or hard water.
Shore fishing in the lower Niagara River was a little more difficult this week because of clearer water according to Mike Ziehm of Niagara Falls. However, he was still hitting some nice fish. Ziehm was using a mix of orange and white jigs and No. 5 spinners in white and chartreuse colors on Monday. The water is very clear at 6-foot plus, so fish are being picky with the increased visibility. Steelhead was his primary focus, but he also caught lake trout and walleye the past week.
Capt. Ryan O’Neill of Buffalo Wingz Waterfowl and Sportfishing reports that he has earned some silver and gold this week from his boat in the lower river, a great comparison to the Winter Olympics that are going on right now. According to O’Neill, Lake Erie is now covered in ice and the water clarity has stabilized. The bite has been steady, and he has been targeting walleyes early then grabbing a few steelies to finish the day. Or just the opposite. Southerly winds have been great for turning the boat sideways and pulling plugs for steelhead, especially on cold days. You can wear gloves and just hold on tight. Silver and green or silver and yellow 3-inch Yakima MagLips are always a favorite. Any North wind keeps the Niagara Bar off limits, but when the conditions are right, the Bar can be a ton of fun. There are a few walleyes around. They have been eating green beads with a live shiner underneath with a No. 12 hook. O’Neill insists on handling these fish with care and release immediately upon taking a quick photo. It’s more about trophy fishing and protecting the unique lower river fishery. Keeping a small eater size walleye from time to time is acceptable or a trout or 2 for the smoker. However, O’Neill strongly suggests to customers to practice catch and release, especially the big walleye hens so we can continue to enjoy and conserve this fishery.
Remember the NRAA Roger Tobey Memorial Steelhead Contest is set for Feb. 26 in the lower river and in Lake Ontario tributaries from sunrise to 2 p.m. Scales will be set up at Lewiston Landing. Sign up at the launch ramp the morning of the event or in advance at Creek Road Bait and Tackle in Lewiston. You must be an NRAA member to participate.
Weather forecast is calling for temperatures into the 50s today and tomorrow with some rain so it could have an impact on the ice fishing in Wilson and Olcott. It should open some of the tributaries like 18 Mile Creek, but it could be high and muddy for a few days.
Oswego County
Report is Courtesy of the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning
Salmon River Report:
Click Here to see the CFS at Pineville
This week’s report is from Capt Stephen Shen of STS Guide service.
The February thaw is upon us. Milder temperatures have been a welcome relief from the deep freeze we have been in. Thursday’s rain has also added some much-needed water. The first sign of the spring steelhead spawning season are showing as well.
Most of the fish are still in the deeper slower pools. Just be willing to try the deeper slots adjacent to the spawning gravel. The best baits have been blue and white
egg sacks, pink worms and marabou jigs.
Oswego River Report
Click Here to see the CFS at Oswego River
The Oswego levels will likely come up with the large amounts of rain we are receiving. Use caution when wading.
Anglers are seeing fair numbers of fish in the river. Most anglers are fishing jigs, beads and egg sacs under floats to generate bites. The high wall is fishable currently. As it gets colder fish will migrate to the deeper spots. The best jigs are typically white as the fish feed heavily on shad.
The lower Oswego behind the hotels should produce browns and walleyes as the water levels increase.
Year-Round Notice: There are mandatory personal flotation device zones on the river. Visit visitoswegocounty.com for more information. The Oswego Fire Department offers loaner life jackets at no charge through its “Loaner for Life” program. For more information contact the east fire station by calling 315-343-2161 or Click here for the Brookfield Varick Fish Safely brochure.
Oneida Lake Ice Fishing Report
We now have approximately 14-18″ of ice in most places on the lake. The lower 12-14″ is clear black with 2-4″ of softer white ice on top, but with the usual pressure cracks, especially near Taft Bay. The top will become soft and create some slush for Thursday and Friday with the warmer temperature and heavy rain…Ice should be solid for the weekend as temperatures drop below freezing again.
The following bite report is courtesy of Captain Shaun Kennedy of Irish Knots; check him out on Instagram (@Irishknotssportfishing).
We are reporting everything from walleye to big perch. The finicky walleye are loving Caty jigs and the more aggressive fish have entertained Jigging Raps and some Caty jigging spoons. Otherwise, you can target perch in deeper water typically the 30’ range and the walleye have been cruising structure between 20’ to 28′. Our colors of choice have been Wonderbread, Glo Green, and Pink/White; with UV Pink taking a random bite. Tight lines!
Sandy Pond Report
The main points of ice access for Sandy Pond are: Greenpoint, “The Elms,” Wigwam, and the DEC launch at Stanley Drive, which is a free option for parking, but a bit further to walk.
There are two derbies happening this weekend: one at the Sandy Pond Sportsman’s Derby (call: 3153876310 for more information) and one at Amy’s Eddy’s Cove (call: 3153876828 for details).
The following report is courtesy of Woody’s Tackle Shop, just off Route 3 in Port Ontario.
We have plenty of ice, but it’s very slick. A lot of the 4-wheelers are using chains. The pike bite is hot and the perch bite continues to pickup with the warmer weather. Our go-to baits this time of year are Jaw Jackers, Soco eyeball jigs, slender spoons, Caty jigs, and Swedish pimples. Jigging Rapalas is another go-to technique.
Call Woody’s for more information at: 3152982378 or check out their Facebook page.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Streams
Streams are still locked-up, however there are some openings in Maxwell Creek. Warmer temperatures this week might move some ice around.
Wednesday and Thursday will see 50-degree days. That should open-up sections of Maxwell Creek.
Fish for steelhead using bright red beads or fresh egg sacs.
Lake Ontario tributary regulations
Three fish in combination and not to include more than one Rainbow Trout (or Steelhead) and One Brown Trout.
Bays
The ice on all bays is 12 plus inches, however the slushy surface has made dragging your sled a little on the difficult side.
Thursday the high will be in the 50’s but any rain with that forecast will make a very rough surface.
The Sodus Bay perch have been near Third Creek (Shaker Road) in 30 fow. You’ll need to drill a few holes if you are catching smaller fish. They will usually school by size.
They are also catching fish straight out from the old malt house. Known by local anglers it’s dubbed “The Trestle.”
The perch are hitting glow-jigs tipped with spikes. On the east side of Sodus Bay, straight out from Oak Park, has seen some perch action.
Check our web page for listings of bait and tackle locations in the county.
The Port Bay perch are also on the bite off the points and near the northeast side of the 500-acre bay. When you finish drilling the holes you’ll be on your knees. That’s how thick the ice is on the bay.
The limit on perch is 50 fish with no minimum length. Remember not to leave anything on the ice when you leave.
All persons on board a recreational vessel less than 21 feet in length (including canoes, kayaks, and rowboats) must wear a USCG–approved PFD from November 1 to May 1.
Erie Canal
There were a few shanties on the Widewaters section of the canal. You will catch perch, crappies, and blue gills. Use tiny glow perch-colored jigs for blue gills, and jig very slowly.
All persons on board a recreational vessel less than 21 feet in length (including canoes, kayaks, and rowboats) must wear a USCG–approved PFD from November 1 to May 1.
The 2021 New York State fishing guide can be found at https://www.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.
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 report is from Ron Bierstine from Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge:
Thanks to a return to cold temps and snowy weather, trib flows retreated for the beginning part of this week. This up and down would be mostly unnoticed under ice cover anyway, except for on the Oak. There was a few more inches of snow and more Lake Effect Snow showers are expected today here on the immediate Lake Plain. Forecast is for a warmup with temps around 50°F (and wind) for the mid week and chance of rain on Thursday. If the forecast is realized, with especially significant rain, there is the chance for high or blown trib flows. It is unknown for now if it will be enough to completely open up all the waterways.
The forecast after the warmup for the end of week/beginning part of the weekend is back to cold temps with snow on the backside of the rain – so the up and down, 2 – 3 day cycle will continue. Flows in the Oak are about medium and barely stained with about 2 feet of visibility for now. All the water is open to fish with some bank ice here and there in slack water areas. Bankside movement may be hard in spots if no trail is broken already.
Fishing pressure is real light with one or two guys reporting a few fresher looking steelhead hooked up. New migrations of fresh fish could come anytime during this part of the season with good flows or especially with any bump up in trib flows. More then likely flows will be on the rise in the near future and hydro managers could bump flows up beforehand in anticipation of higher run of the river flows to come. We had higher then average Fall water flows previously and there’s good likelihood we’ll have higher then average late Winter water flows in the near future or even thru the Spring. High water drifting as long as its not blown might be the name of the game!