Greater Niagara Region
Frank Campbell
Action has not been consistent the past week. Overall it has been a tough bite according to Capt. Frank Campbell of Lewiston. There have been limited numbers of steelhead and brown trout available. The best bite has been with lake trout, both in the river and on the Niagara Bar. Minnows will give you the most bites for the day. A large chunk of the ice bridge broke free last weekend. Once the ice is gone, the water temperatures should start to warm up. Shore anglers have been picking up some trout in the gorge. Mike Ziehm of Niagara Falls reports that a couple lake trout up in Devil’s Hole were cooperating along with bass. His 5/16th white jigs worked best. Water is finally stained after months of clear water above the power plant. Visibility is finally down to 3 feet and the power plant was still pumping a little dirty water as well. The steelhead bite has been slow. The ice bridge is finally gone according to Ziehm. The only person who did respectable on steelhead was Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls on Monday and Tuesday. He was casting his homemade jigs and spinners to take a couple steelhead each day in the gorge area he was fishing. NYPA fishing platform action was okay by the corner. He saw 10-15 dark ‘bows jump Tuesday with 4-5 feet of visibility.
Lake Ontario tributaries have been giving up a few steelhead here and there as temperatures start to heat up and fish drop back to the lake according to guide Scott Feltrinelli with Ontario Fly Outfitters. Brown trout numbers in the tributaries still seem to be very low. Look for fish on gravel or faster water during this time of year. Faster water provides the much needed oxygen these fish need to move and feed according to Feltrinelli. The gravel offers opportunities to catch fish that are trying to spawn in these ideal water temps; which will not last long as April fades. Smallmouth bass are entering the creek to spawn during this time of year, so be prepared to hook up with aggressively feeding bass. Large pike are also entering the small creeks to spawn as well. Remember that pike season opens on May 1. The Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association will have a Fishing Flea Market from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. before their meeting on April 14 at the North Amherst Firehall, 2200 Tonawanda Creek Road in Amherst. The meeting at 7 p.m. will feature tips on spring king salmon fishing.
The 10th Annual Niagara County Bullhead Tournament was held last weekend and in the tight contest, Matt Wilson of Wheatfield scored the win with two bullheads weighing 4.15 pounds. He won $420 for his first place win among 114 anglers with 41 junior fishermen. Wilson was fishing the east branch of 12 Mile Creek with green worms at night. Runner-up was John Pinkham of Newfane with 4.11 pounds for two bullheads, fishing Olcott Harbor with shrimp during the day. He won $250. In the youth division, Paul Fioco of Ontario (NY) set the pace with two fish weighing 3.88 pounds. He was fishing in Olcott Harbor with shrimp in the morning.
Oswego County
Lake Ontario Report
Special Spring Report Focused on Lake Fishing
- Lake Ontario Spring Fishing Tips (Top 10)
- Dirty water = bright baits. Clear water = natural baits.
- Stealth is the key. In clear water, lighten up your leader.
- Stretch your lures back – away from the boat. You’re fishing very shallow and the fish spook easily.
- Utilize side planers, inline or planer boards. This helps get your lures away from the boat. It also allows you to run more lines.
- Vary your speed and make turns to figure out what the trout want.
- Add Scent! Adding scent to your baits will get more bites especially in dirty water.
- Look for warm water pockets. The warm water will attract bait which will, in turn, attract the predators.
- Stay away from the pack when the water is clear.
- Run a variety of baits. Size, brands and types. 2-5” spoons, plugs, etc.
- Invest in a good rubber net; it will save you a lot of aggravation in the long run. Small trebles and nylon nets don’t get along.
Watch Our Spring Brown Trout Video
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
There was stained water out from Scott’s Bluff east of Port Bay on Saturday. Browns were caught in 10 fow in and out of that mud line.
So far it has been a great season for browns. The sizes are larger than last year and the catch rate is much higher.
There have been a few spring kings in the mix just west of Pultneyville.
Water temps are 35 degrees in Rochester and 38.8 out from Fair Haven.
Glow stick baits like Bay Rats have been working trolling them back 100 feet.
The wind is still hanging around, however today is not what we have experienced the last couple of weeks.
The Coast Guard Station launch is open at Sodus Point. The Bear Creek launch will not be opened until Memorial Day.
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 Port Bay perch have been scattered and the bite is not there. On Sodus Bay fish around LeRoy Island for perch using glow jigs tipped with spikes. Use the same jigs used during the ice season.
Some crappies and a few bullheads have been caught on Bay Bridge…the southern end of Sodus. With all the recent rainfall, the tribs will be dumping warmer water into the bays. That’s when bullheads bite. Use cut bait, corn, or worms.
The limit on perch is 50 fish with no minimum length.
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
The current in the canal has been strong, so use caution fishing from shore or boat. Panfish were being caught between the lock in Newark. That’s a productive place for bullhead when the water warms. Crappies are always caught near the Port Gibson Bridge. They are suspended in the water column so fish around two feet off bottom.
The 2022 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 2022 canal hours. 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:
Some rain on the order of a 1/4 inch fell last night but not a big change in trib flows. Amazing how when the vegetation awakens and the runoff equation changes. Warm temps are forecast today and tomorrow and seasonable thru the beginning part of the weekend. There’s a chance of rain or storms later tomorrow and, you guessed it – another significant cool down for the end of the weekend or start of next week! At least whatever trib and near shore Lake Ontario trout action that is underway is not likely to experience a temp spike anytime soon.
Flows in the Oak are moderate and mostly clear. Thin reports from anglers, so far, the beginning part of the week but thru the past weekend guys were still into a few fish. Look for dropping back steelhead from the dam, a few spawning fish and a chance for fresh fish trickling in. Other area smaller tribs have low to moderate flows possibly getting a little bit of stain from the most recent precipitation. Since 1/4 inch of rain did not do much it looks like 1/2 inch or more of rain in a storm or otherwise would be needed to effect any positive change in flows. Civilian small boat trollers reported to be having good brown trout action so that tells me the land lubber casting chances should be good too. Look for cooperative wind and wave action now and thru mid week with chance for higher wind forecast at the end of the week and subsequent tougher dirtier water chances.