Greater Niagara Region
Frank Campbell
The Niagara River gorge is still the best place to be for consistent trout fishing according to Mike Ziehm of Niagara Falls. His best tip for success for shore fishing involves the use of spinners. Use No. 4 and 5’s with weights of 3/8-to-7/16-ounce . Add in one or two 1/16-ounce split shots approximately 20 inches above the spinner depending on how fast and deep the water your fishing is. Get that lure down to the bottom and keep the retrieve slow. The river finally cleaned back up from this past weekend where winds and rain created about 4 feet of visibility. There are still plenty of minnows and other baitfish hanging around in the Devil’s Hole powerplant area. Ziehm caught a bunch and lost a few on Tuesday, all on his homemade No. 5 spinners. A few bass are becoming more active, too. Capt. Ryan O’Neill of Orchard Park has been picking up steelhead and lake trout using shiners when the water is clear in Devil’s Hole. If the water is stained, he likes to use peach or white beads, fished off 3-way rigs. At the mouth of the river on the Niagara Bar, some small boats have been drifting (depending on the winds) or slow trolling MagLips or live bait off 3-way rigs to take kings and cohos. The smelt run is slowing down according to Lisa Drabczyk with Creek Road Bait and Tackle. Artpark and Lewiston Landing still had some smelt, but later at night was better than earlier.
Out in Lake O., Capt. Joe Oakes of Newfane reports that fishing is good to very good right now for cohos, browns, lakers and kings. There are browns, cohos and kings inside of 20 feet and lakers, cohos and kings in 60 to 200 feet. There hasn’t been a particular hot bait as he has been catching fish on spoons, stickbaits and flasher-fly combos. Capt. Richard Brant of Tonawanda ran his 20-foot Lund Pro-V out of Wilson this week and did well in 60 feet of water with a Spin Doctor and No-See-Em Dream Weaver fly. Kings were hugging tight to the bottom, and he caught Coho salmon up high.
May 1st is the opening day for four different fish species – walleye, northern pike, pickerel, and tiger muskie. Thanks to numerous simplified regulations that became law April 1, anglers will be getting on the water early for all these species. There are numerous events this coming week into next weekend. The Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association will be holding its annual “Dock Talk” on Thursday, May 5 at Bootleggers Cove Marina with Capt. Rich Hajecki of Crazy Yankee Sportfishing. Hot dogs at 6 p.m. and the seminar at 7 p.m. The Spring Lake Ontario Counties Trout and Salmon Derby starts on Friday, May 6 and runs through May 15. Check out loc.org for details. And there will be an antique fishing tackle show on May 7 at the Elks Lodge in Lockport from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call Dan Bedford for more info at 713-9410.
Oswego County
Lake Ontario Report
Click Here of the 10 day Forecast
Shoreline fishing out of Oswego has been improving lately. With the Oswego River running at a higher flow, there has been good colored water to the east of port. The higher river levels have also attracted a few salmon to the waters around the harbor.
Best baits for kings have been Stingray sized spoons on 2-4 color leadcores and slide divers. Tuxedo, Frostbite, Glow Alewife and Gators have been the best colors.
Mexico, NY – Lake Ontario Report
Click Here of the 10 day Forecast
Without much color along the shoreline most anglers have been finding better success in 100-150’ fishing for lake trout.
Fishing close to the bottom with hammerhead blades in blue and silver & lemon/lime towing Spin-n-glos in glow/green and blue/silver have been best.
Salmon River Report
Click Here to see the CFS at Pineville
The flow as of this morning is 750; it has dropped from earlier this week. Water temperatures have been steady in the low to mid 40’s.
The fishing this week has been steady. With the recent cold spell and continued rain. We should have decent water and a strong bite for another week, maybe two!
Fish have been found from the fly zone all the way to the lake. As temperatures increase the lower river should see some of the best fishing. The key right now is to cover water and find active pods of fish. Where you find them today might not be where they are tomorrow.
Our recommended baits are egg imitators, since the steelhead are picking up on the last of the dropping eggs.
Oswego River Report
Click Here to see the CFS on the Oswego River
During the spring and summer months, a variety of species are plentiful. Including walleye, bass, pan fish, and carp. Check back with us in September when the king salmon make their way into the river system.
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
The browns have been hitting stickbaits…chartreuse works. Bay Rat LS has been a favorite.
For spoons try Stingers glow-green or Moonshine Wonderbread.
Fishing has been great except for the relentless winds. Today the lake has laid down and you can fish browns in stained water.
Kings are also hitting in 20 to 30 fow east of Sodus Bay.
The Coast Guard Station launch is open at Sodus Point. The Bear Creek launch will not be opened until Memorial Day.
Bays
The 80 plus degree air temperatures experienced over the weekend have disappeared and we now have 50 for the rest of the week.
The strong south wind kept boats off the bays over the weekend, however today it’s calm. Perch are scattered. There has been some luck on the north end of Sodus near Leroy Island.
The bullhead bite is on…and anglers are catching them off Bay Bridge (south end of Sodus)
Another location is the south end of Port Bay. Launch at West Port Bay Road and head south into the creek for bullheads.
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
Anglers are waiting for the canal to be flooded and opened on May 21st. There are sections where the water is never lowered. Widewaters is the longest stretch.
Fish for bluegills, sunnies, and crappies during the spring.
Summertime bass are caught in the six-pound range.
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 Captain Bob Songin from Reel Excitement Charters
Captain Bob gives an impressive report from yesterday, April 25th as they trolled west to the Bar in Niagara County. On their way to Wilson Harbor, he reports that they started catching browns and cohoes just east of Shadigee in 7-10 FOW. On the west side of Shadigee just past Flat Top, they hit their first King and the further they went, the better it got – consistently doubles & triples all throughout the area, in 7-10 FOW, then followed along the green water (as opposed to the murky brown water). View his full report, “From at the Oak to the Bar” on his Facebook page.
• Starting this weekend, they will be fishing at the Bar chasing Kings then return to the Oak around Memorial Day as the Kings migrate east.