Upstate and Western New York Fishing Report- March 24, 2022

Greater Niagara Region

Frank Campbell

The bite on the Niagara River has been really tough the last couple of weeks according to Capt. Matt Yablonsky of Wet Net Charters. The trout only seem to want minnows. A couple of bites a day has been the norm for most boats. There are still some lakers in the river that are willing to bite. There has also been quite a bit of ice in the river from the wind pushing it over and under the boom. At last report, the boom could be considered for removal starting next week. However, there must be less than 250 square miles of ice left in Lake Erie before that can happen. The Bar has been okay according to Yablonsky, but with the wind and ice you must have the right conditions to get out there. We are in the March lull right now. Capt. John DeLorenzo of Niagara River Guides agrees. Fishing has been slow for the most part. Minnows are the best baits to use while drifting. There is a lot of bait in the river. DeLorenzo did catch a few fish on pink sacs. The Niagara Bar and lower drifts are holding a few browns. Tommy Ortolano of Lake Effect Bait and Tackle in Tonawanda says that 3.0 MagLips are taking some lower river trout, too, fished off three-way rigs. He also reports that some anglers are catching perch around Beaver Island; rainbows and lake trout are being caught from Ferry Street all the way up to the bridge, and perch are being caught around the Ontario Street lighthouse and near the sand piles along Tifft Street near the skyway. On April 1, the NYPA fishing platform in Devil’s Hole, as well as the NYPA reservoir and water intakes access sites will be opening up if the weather is agreeable. Trout are still cooperating in the gorge from shore according to Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls, casting spoons and spinners. Beads or other egg imitations will also work for you.
 

Lake Ontario trollers are already starting to hit the lake in search of trout in the shallows. Roy Letcher of Burt reports that boats have been finding some success using stickbaits inside of 20 feet of water. Pier action is starting to take off, too. The West Pier in Olcott is open as is the Wilson pier. Casting with Little Cleos or stickbaits will catch fish. Also using minnows and worms will work. There are some perch around, too, in Wilson and Olcott. A stocking of coho salmon took place last week so be careful with them. Tributary action is fair, with Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls catching some brown trout up to 10 pounds. Burt Dam has been producing a few fish, too. Rain is in the forecast so that could impact the tributaries heading into the weekend.

The DEC announced the adoption of numerous freshwater fishing regulations this past week that will make things more streamlined, less complicated, and easier to understand starting April 1. The agency will also be reducing the number of special regulations.

Some of the more significant changes include opening dates for several species. Walleye, northern pike, pickerel, and tiger musky will now open on May 1 (instead of the first Saturday in May); the inland muskellunge season will now open on June 1 (instead of the last Saturday in May after this year), and June 15 is the opener for black bass. New panfish regulations will also be going into effect, reducing the daily limit on sunfish from 50 to 25 fish and increasing the minimum size on crappie from 9 to 10 inches. There are numerous other changes, too. Check out the DEC website at for details. The new regulations guide will be out shortly.

Oswego County

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

Lake Ontario Report

Lake conditions have been rough this week, with lots of wind. We expect this trend to continue into next week.

The following report is courtesy of Captain Casey Prisco, of Dirty Goose Sportfishing. Since the warm spell last week, we have been targeting nearshore brown trout. And we have been seeing great results! Lots of cookie cutters this year, which is a nice turnaround from last year. Most days the fish have been cooperative.

The best technique this time of year was running planer boards with shallow diving stick baits. Bright colored baits have been working well in the dirty water, with naturals producing in the clearer patches. One of the best presentations has been a size 2 Chinook River, 10-12’ out pulling stingers.
Bayrats, in “Ridin Dirty” and “Goose n Tonic,” Smithwicks, in “Bill/Silver,” and “Firetiger” have all worked well. Standard Stingers in “Can’t Afford It,” “Mongoose,” “Artic Ice,” “Uv Green Glo,” “Alewife” and “Lances 2 Face” have been great as well!

We’re mostly finding success trolling at speeds of 2.2-2.7 mph.

Please note as of today the Wrights Landing boat launch is still blocked off from reaching the lake due to the oil spill in the Harbor. So, for those looking to get out we recommend making the trip to the Mexico State boat launch.

Salmon River Report:

This week’s report is provided by Capt John Kopy of Little John’s Guide Service.

The CFS at Pineville was at 1440 as of this morning. Flows have been very high this week, even reaching flood levels. Temperatures have been hanging in the low 30’s. Click Here to see the CFS at Pineville

The water flow on the Salmon River has seen flood levels this week due to big rains. This has led to some very tough and at times, unfishable conditions. However, fish are being caught around the inside edges and belly of the pools. Most steelhead are pushing to the slowest water they can find.

We recommend using big and bright baits; 10-12mm beads or bigger and large egg sacs. Good colors are chartreuse, orange and pink. You have to make sure your bait can be seen in these conditions.

Tight Lines!

Oswego River Report

Click Here to see the CFS at Oswego River

This week’s report is similar to last week. The Oswego flows have been very high this season, limiting fishing.

Some anglers are still seeing fish on the west side above the powerhouse. Fishing jigs, beads and egg sacs under floats has been the most productive.

The lower Oswego behind the hotels has been producing trout. Casting swim baits has been the best technique to trigger bites. Please keep in mind that walleye season closed on March 15th.

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.

Wayne County Fishing Update

Chris Kenyon

Lake Ontario

Some boats are already cruising the shorelines for the browns. Water temps in the lake have been between 35 and 40 degrees. There has been some nice, stained water from the recent winds. The browns like to hide in the muddy water. Look for any temperature breaks.

The few boats braving the chilly weather have been catching browns and steelhead. Bay Rat stick bait and UV green and black spoons are working.

The Coast Guard Station launch is open at Sodus Point. The Bear Creek launch will not be opened until Memorial Day.

If you want to fish next to the power plant, you’ll need to launch at Sodus Point or Hughes’ Marina when that opens. (soon)

Streams

Some steelhead are still in Maxwell. Fish the pools with fresh eggs.

Lake Ontario tributary regulations

Three fish in combination and not to include more than one Rainbow Trout (or Steelhead) and One Brown Trout.

Bays

You can launch boats at the Coast Guard station at Sodus Point or at Bay Bridge Sport Shop at the south end of the Sodus Bay.

The water has been too cold for bullhead fishing; however, you can catch crappies from Bay Bridge.

The south end of Port Bay has a ramp; however, DEC docks are not in so use caution at that launch site.

The perch have been hitting glow jigs tipped with spikes.

The pike season ended Tuesday, March 15th.

The limit on perch is 50 fish with no minimum length.

Remember you need to be wearing your PFD until May 1st.

Remember you need to be wearing your PFD until May 1st.

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

Some crappies and bluegills were being caught near the Port Gibson bridge…fishing from the shore. Use glow-bright jigs.

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:

Flows in the Oak are on the drop slightly after a bump up from the past weekend’s rain. Flows for now are slightly high or maybe one click less consisting of all turbine water at 2+ feet of visibility. You might expect the water color to be dirtier for the height it is. Look for flows to hang in or drop back another notch toward medium in the near term. Decent, fair weather days are forecast thru the beginning part of the week, then seasonably cool for mid and end of the week. Forecast is for precipitation again Wednesday and a chance of showers thru the end of the week. Any significant precipitation could bring flows quickly back up and off color. So, flows, weather and fishing action are somewhat up and down. Nothing new about that for steelhead angling!

Last week, on good flows, there was good action, then tougher again thru the past weekend on higher flows and now this week before another potential rise in flows there are a few more guys out there getting scattered hook ups. Looks like, just today, guys are paying more attention to the gravel spawning spots so they are finding those spread-out fish that were somewhat cloaked in the previous higher water. Those fish committed to spawn are pretty much going to continue to spawn with only minor stalling due to cold water. Water temps had bumped up into the 40’s°F and the ice on Lake Alice is gone.
There should be a mix of spawning and staged fish in the holes with fresh fish trickling in anytime. Then there are those fish more or less landlocked in the overflow pools. Anglers might consider re-releasing those fish in the turbine channel. Without access back to Lake Ontario, those overflow fish are likely goners unless there’s a perfectly timed spate of water later this spring. Fishing pressure is moderate right now and generally guys are moving around – offering chances to fish different spots between the swingers and the drifters be it fly, float or spin.

Other area smaller waterways are at about medium level and back on the clearing to slightly stained from the past weekend rain. Any new precipitation could likewise bring those flows back up and dirty. For now, cool weather and cool water action is hanging on and there’s no serious warmup forecast in the near future. So come get in on the cold water action before the inevitable warmup. Only a sucker here and there reported. A few civilian small boat trollers noted in the near shore/good looking/semi stained waters off Point Breeze. Private launches are available while public launches wait to reopen. Good casting chances for light/med spinning spoon or plug chuckers from the foot brigade.