Greater Niagara Region
Frank Campbell
Happy New Year!
Mild weather and a lack of snow continues to dominate the local weather scene and allow for some very good fishing opportunities. As the calendar turns the page into the new year, one item you need to be aware of is walleye regulations for the lower Niagara River. As of Jan. 1st, the daily limit for walleyes is now one fish per person per day. This is to help protect the big females that are getting ready to spawn. The regulation is in place until March 15th. It does not include Lake Ontario. The season is closed from March 15th to May 1st.
Capt. Dave Scipione of Lewiston reports very good success recently with “Captain Kirk” Heilman of Top Shelf Fishing Charters in Grand Haven, Michigan, and his daughter Dakota. They fished the Niagara Bar in the morning one day this past week, catching browns, walleyes, and lakers on MagLips, golden shiners, and emerald shiners off 3-way rigs. They finished up the day in Devil’s Hole where they landed several more walleyes, smallmouth bass, and more giant lake trout.
Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island enjoyed similar success this past week. Steelhead are plentiful on the Artpark drift and up in Devil’s Hole. Using egg sacs and large emeralds is the way to go, fished off 3-way rigs, especially for steelies and lakers. Cinelli says he is also picking up walleye and perch on some of the lower drifts. There has also been a nice mix of steelies and lakers in Devil’s Hole. The Niagara Bar has been very good for brown trout and lake trout on live bait, jigs and Kwikfish for him.First fish of the new year? Gary Laidman of South Wales, fishing with Cinelli, reeled in a steelhead at 7:24 a.m. Jan. 1st.
Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls has been hitting the shoreline again in the gorge, producing a mixed bag of trout species. His favorite lure is a No. 4 or 5 spinner, but he will also use jigs. Tubes can be effective as well. Water clarity was about 5-foot, but that could change if we get any serious winds this week.
We are fast approaching the Greater Niagara Fishing Expo, set for Feb. 15-18 at the Niagara Falls Convention Center. The Salmon School is already sold out but there are still some seats available for the Walleye School. Top notch speakers include Lance Valentine, Craig Sleeman, and Don Ruppert. All three are licensed Great Lakes skippers, chock full of information that they are happy to share with you. It will be focused on the eastern basin of Lake Erie. Sign up at niagarafishingexpo.com.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Streams
All the streams are flowing in Wayne County. Over the holiday week some anglers caught steelhead in Maxwell Creek. Some of the other small tribs also held steelhead.
Fish the small pools with egg sacs.
All the smaller streams that have public access are next to Lake Road, which runs along the Lake Ontario shoreline.
Temperatures are currently below freezing… so if you want to fish the pier heads make sure they are not ice covered.
You can also cast out into Lake Ontario trying to net some browns. Take any of the smaller roads that end at the lake and cast out heavy spoons along the shoreline.
Remember the regulations for Lake Ontario tributary fish. Three in combination, not to include more than two Rainbow Trout (or Steelhead) in the lake, and not to include more than one Rainbow Trout (or Steelhead) and one Brown Trout in the tributaries.
Bays
There is no safe ice on any of the bays or ponds in the county, however the south end of Port Bay has a skim of ice so if we can have consistent freezing temperatures, fishing the hardwater might happened. Wouldn’t that be nice?
We will keep you “up to date” on ice conditions when they occur.
The anglers who were able to launch on Sodus Bay where catching perch in front of Oak Park and between the loop and the islands on the north end of the bay.
The fish are still scattered and are in 20 to 25 feet of water.
Bass season has closed except for catch and release fish until June 15th.
Pike season will continue until March 15th and when we get safe ice you should concentrate near LeRoy Island.
Erie Canal
Widewaters appeared to have some ice along the shoreline. Nothing thick, however this section of the canal will freeze fast. When it is safe for shanties, set up anywhere in the wide section.
Anyone underway in a boat less than 21 feet in length anytime between November 1 and May 1 must wear a securely fastened life jacket.
Bait for fishing is available on the south end of Sodus at Davenports and Bay Bridge Sport Shop.
On Port Bay Jarvis Bait Farm is open on Brown Road. The signs are on East Port Bay Road at the junction of Brown Road.
Toadz Bait is near the end of West Port Bay Road.
Notable Freshwater Fishing Regulation Changes
The following list offers a summary of the most notable fishing regulation changes resulting from the adopted rulemakings described above.
- New statewide regulation for rainbow trout, brown trout, and splake in lakes and ponds. The season will now be open year-round, with a five-fish daily limit, any size, with a “no more than two longer than 12 inches” harvest rule.
- Statewide Atlantic salmon regulations will now allow for a year-round open season.
- Ice fishing is permitted on all waters in New York unless specifically prohibited with the exception of Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Warren, and Washington counties where previous rules remain.
- New specific dates replaced floating dates for statewide season openers to include:
- May 1 – Walleye, Northern Pike, Pickerel, and Tiger Muskellunge.
- June 1 – Muskellunge. (Note that in 2022, DEC will allow for the fishing of muskellunge beginning the last Saturday in May to accommodate previously planned fishing trips);and
- June 15 – Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass.
- A five-fish daily walleye limit in Oneida Lake.
- A new regulation to limit the growth of the walleye population in Skaneateles Lake. No daily possession limit; 12-inch minimum size limit, open year-round.
- The statewide sunfish daily harvest limit has been reduced from 50 to 25 fish: and
- The statewide minimum size limit for crappie has been increased from nine inches to ten inches.
Oswego County
The high water is finally receding. The Oswego has been dropping and is also clearing up, so look forward to good fishing. The Salmon River is now at a great level for wading and fishing remains steady. Overall, we recommend to continue concentrating on the slow edges, and stay warm!
Salmon River, Pulaski NY
• Click Here of the 10 day Forecast
• Click Here for the Current CFS at Pineville
As the water creeps closer to freezing the fish will be heading to the slow spots. Thankfully the high water has drawn in a few new fish so don’t be afraid to fish the entire river system now. We have heard of many new fish from DSR to 2A (an area that had been quiet before the big water).
The best baits have been natural-colored beads in 10-12mm. Egg sacs in purple, chartreuse, peach and pink have been producing well. This week we also recommend blue for the first time this season. Jigs have also been taking a few fish. And as usual, don’t be afraid to toss a pink worm.
Oswego River, Oswego NY
• Click Here of the 10 day Forecast
• Click Here for the Current CFS
The Oswego has been slow for the past week as water has been very dirty. But as the waters drop and clears, look for that to change.
In the current conditions bigger is better! Try beads in 10-12mm sizes. Chartreuse, oranges, and combination of the 2 colors, such as Starburst, Tangy, Atomix Yellow and SUV orange.
Just above the powerhouse has been a very productive spot. And as the water remains high don’t overlook the kiddie pool; lots of steelies hold there to get out of the heavy currents. They actively hit jigs, beads and stickbaits.
Tight Lines!
Note: Note about shore access: construction along the Riverwalk is complete in most areas, but much of the high wall remains closed. Click here to see a map of the areas that are closed due to construction.
Welcome to Oswego County – Watch the Video
Welcome to Oswego County. Nestled in the heart of the Empire State. A place where nature’s splendor mixes with vibrant communities.
A destination that excites the senses, and where each season paints its own masterpiece. Whether you long for sun kissed skin. Or lake effect snow. Or fall’s symphony of colors.
Discover 900 square miles of pristine landscapes, dozens of lakes, and countless trails. Whether kayaking the Oswego Canal, or casting a line on the legendary Salmon River.
Fuel your adrenaline at three racetracks. Or lean into the history that helped shape this country. From daring stories of the Underground Railroad to the depths of maritime heritage.
Whether you crave adventure. Or quiet relaxation. Let the sounds of a good time contrast with peaceful solitude.
Oswego County boasts a rich tapestry of experiences waiting to be uncovered. Come celebrate the arts, food, music and culture.
And, as the sun sets, you’ll be left with a sense of awe. And timeless memories. Welcome to Lake Ontario, welcome to Oneida Lake, and welcome to everything in between.
Discover more at visitoswegocounty.com
Free Oswego Fishing Guide
Click Here to Order a Free Guide
The 68-page guide includes a detailed overview of fishing opportunities on eastern Lake Ontario, Oneida Lake, the Oswego and Salmon rivers and a variety of other tributaries, as well as the more than 40,000 acres of public lands available for hunting.