Greater Niagara Region
Frank Campbell
As waters began to clear in the Niagara River, the bite improved dramatically according to Capt. Joe Srouji of Angler Edge Outdoors. However, the winds this past week made it difficult to get out into the lake on the Niagara Bar some days. When Srouji could get out there and found somewhat cleaner water, the fish did not disappoint. Both trout and salmon were taking MagLips and stickbaits by trolling, and they also took fish on emerald and golden shiners. There are fish everywhere at the Bar. Concentrating your efforts in cleaner water close to mudlines is a good bet for both trout and salmon.
Capt. Frank Campbell of Lewiston coordinated a media event recently for members of the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers. The group did well on salmon, trout, and bass despite less-than-ideal conditions. The Niagara Bar is giving up a few kings and a better number of brown trout. On most days you can add some lake trout and an odd Coho salmon here and there. The best presentation has been drifting or pulling Maglips or minnows. The best is still yet to come with the rising water temperatures. Campbell also reported that lake trout and steelhead are available in the Devil’s Hole area on minnows, MagLips, and egg sacs. The middle section of the river has been a grind due to the presence of smelt. Some diehards are still dipping a few of the tasty baitfish. Mike Ziehm of Niagara Falls did hit some steelhead his last trip into the gorge, using No. 4 blue and chartreuse spinners and ¼-ounce white jigs. Wind and rain this week could impact water conditions again and we will have to wait and see what the results are.
Capt. Mike Johannes of On the Rocks Charters fished Sunday for about 5 hours in Lake Ontario. He started in 6 to 10 feet of water with planer boards, riggers, and divers. His crew quickly picked up a few quality 6 to 8-pound browns on stick baits and spoons, using mostly green and or chartreuse colors. After that they slid out to greener water in the 25 to 35-foot depth range and started picking up kings on 28 size spoons, mostly greens and blacks. They also picked up two beautiful Atlantic Salmon that weighed near the 10-pound mark. There were plentiful lake trout near the bottom in that depth as well. They were eating pretty much anything that moved slowly in front of them. Additionally, a few smaller cohos were caught on 1 and 2 colors of lead core line and orange or pink colored spoons.
Capt. Matt Yablonsky of Wet Net Charters was out recently with John Jarosz of Lakeview and his two sons Matt and Dave from Elma. Targeting 65 feet of water, just outside the mudline, they managed to catch a limit of chinook and coho salmon within three hours of fish. It was primarily a spoon program that produced the salmon, but they did catch a fair number of lake trout in the process that were all released. They did not target brown trout, but reports say they are still available at the mudlines all along the south shore of the lake with the occasional salmon mixed in.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Lake Ontario
The kings are in Wayne County waters. We are known for our browns, and they are close to shore, however the fishing has been fantastic for early spring salmon.
They have been in 75 to 120 fow down 36 to 60 feet. They have been hitting just about any color spoon. Moonshine and Stingers have been the dominant lures.
Start at dawn and fish the browns in 15 to 20 fow then slide out to deeper water for the kings. Cohos are also in the mix.
Bays
The perch have spawned and now are scattered in the bays. You need to move around to find them. Try working the drop-offs. You can still use white colored bait…2-to-3-inch rubber.
It’s seven days until the pike and walleye opener. Fish the LeRoy Island section of Sodus for both species.
The DEC docks at the launch sites are in place. The north and south end of Port Bay docks are all set for the new season.
Launch sites for Sodus: Next to the Coast Guard Station (till Memorial Day) and Bay Bridge Sport Shop. The water level in Sodus is still low, however it is rising slowly. Check out the Margaretta site to see if you can launch there. It’s on your right on Route 14 just past Martin’s Marina.
Launch sites for Port Bay: Barrier bar road at the north end of West Port Bay Road and the south end DEC site.
Erie Canal
A few Kayak anglers were casting for panfish at Widewaters on Sunday. The Wayne County Park at this section of the canal has sufficient room for boat trailers.
This is the hot spot for the largemouth bass.
The bass season starts June 15th if you wish to keep your catch. Make sure the fish are 12 inches and the limit is five fish.
The official opening of the canal is May 17. 2024.
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
Lake Ontario fishing continues to impress while the river fishing is slowly winding down.
Salmon River, Pulaski NY
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The fishing on Salmon River has been on a steady decline the last week. The upper half of the river has been near barren. Most steelhead are being found from the Sportsman Pool downstream.
If you are looking to get in one last trip, check out the High Bridge and Ballpark stretches.
The best baits are going to be the pink worm and 8mm beads. Yellow shades are still getting the job done.
Lake Ontario – Oswego
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Browns are biting everywhere, east, west, just take your pick.
Some days they want stick baits, Smithwicks, Rapala or bat rats. Other times they are going after spoons. We recommend a mixture.
Gold spoons have been good in the dirty river water. “The Doctor,” “Pickleseed” and “Dolphin” (in gold) have been great. Stickbaits in “Firetiger,” Can’t Afford It,” “Jailbreak,” and “Hot Steel” are other good options.
Lake Ontario – Mexico
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The salmon bite has slowed up from last week. But browns are plentiful and active when the conditions are good! Flat lines, short cores and mini divers have been the best presentations.
Overall, fishing in 10-25’ of water has been best. For baits, try “Chicken Wing,” “Rosemary Baby,” UV NBK,” “Black Widow,” “UV Die Hard” and “Black Wiggle.”
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Free Oswego Fishing Guide
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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.
Welcome to Oswego County – Watch the Video
Discover more at visitoswegocounty.com