Greater Niagara Region
Frank Campbell
Capt. Mike Johannes of On the Rocks Sportfishing reports decent action this week out of Wilson from 150 to 350 feet of water. There was a good mix of salmon and trout – kings, Cohos, steelhead and lake trout. The biggest king was a 17-pound fish hitting a Carbon 14 spoon down 62 feet. Other hot spoons included purple alewife and the UV Hulk. He did take a few fish on divers set on No. 3 and out 150 on the line counter. The biggest lake trout was 18 pounds. Most of the fish came from 52 to 87 feet down.
Weather continues to play a role in angling success, evident by the results of the Orleans County Open Salmon and Trout tournament. Saturday was a cancellation for the day, but Capt. Pete Alex of Vision Quest Sportfishing (who operates out of Wilson) had a plan in place should they fish on Sunday. Thursday they had started fishing from 30 Mile Point to Point Breeze and found some big bites off shore, 13 miles northwest of the Oak Orchard River. That was where the team went on Friday and they located a good mix of king salmon and steelhead, including the biggest salmon for the day at 23.6 pounds. On Saturday night, Alex looked at surface charts and saw a break had set up right at his Thursday and Friday spot. Without hesitation, he went to the same area, targeting bigger fish with 8-inch and 10-inch Spin Doctors with meat, and regular size Dreamweaver spoons. Kings came from 60 to 130 feet down, while steelhead came from 50 feet and up. Their final score was 266 points based on tournament scoring of 5 salmon and 5 trout. Screamer, last week’s Pro Division winner in the Pro-Am, was second with 256 points. In the Amateur Division, Roll with It led by Richard Raidline, set the pace with 156 points.
Capt. Frank Campbell of Lewiston reports that the moss is still heavy in the river but there are still fish to be had including bass, walleye and even the occasional trout. Bass are in all phases of the spawn, from pre-spawn to post-spawn. Different presentations will work for the different phases. Walleyes are present in the river system and feeding, but the challenge is getting a lure to them without getting too mossed up.
Capt. Dave Scipione of Lewiston wanted to get out on the lower river despite the moss and struggled at first in the lower stretches of the river. That was when he decided to give Devil’s Hole a try. While moss was still present, it didn’t seem to be as bad. He ran his custom pink beaded worm harnesses with a gold Colorado blade off three-way rigs to take walleye and steelhead. They even caught some smallmouth bass, even though they were not targeting them. Remember that bass season opens up in the state on Saturday. Great Lakes musky season also opens on Saturday.
In the upper river, moss is still a problem there, too. Steve Brzuszkiewicz of Marilla tried to find a derby fish by casting firetiger stickbaits in the Strawberry Island area and did managed to catch a few walleyes but only around 24 inches – good eaters but not legal fish for the Southtowns Walleye contest. Matt Wilson of Lewiston figured the bass out good enough to catch nearly 40 bronzebacks on Saturday fishing the upper river with Shane Stark and his C-Head jigs and blades. Field testing some new products, they used their electronics to find a hard river bottom which had less moss. They found a big school of bass in 8 to 14 feet of water in an area stained up from the rain. Tip from Wilson was to use the wind to your advantage when casting. They let their bait hit the bottom and then slow-rolled it back to the boat. It was all goby and natural black shad swimbaits on Stark’s jigs. On Sunday, it was Wilson by himself and he hit 20 bass by using a drop shot set-up with the plastic shad in white 18 inches above the weight, which also helped to keep some of the moss off.
The Wilson Conservation Club is hosting its popular kids fishing derby for any water in Niagara County from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 15. This is a fish contest based on length. No salmon and trout please. Make sure you are at the club (located on Route 425 in Wilson) before noon on Saturday. It’s an event with free lunch and kids activities.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Lake Ontario
The relentless wind kept boats off the lake, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. It’s calm today; however, the temperatures are scattered.
Fish 180 to 240 fow and go deep with spoons. The salmon are on the bite and some nice fish are being netted.
Favorite spoons are Carbon 14, Michigan Stingers, Moonshine RVs, and Dreamweaver Mags.
Flasher flies are also catching kings.
Don’t forget to sign-up for the LOC Summer Derby.
Bays
Saturday is June 15th, and the bass are waiting. It’s opening day for smallies and largemouth bass. NYS’s regulations are 5 fish with a 12 inch minimum.
Both Sodus and Port Bays have an excellent reputation for bass. Some smallmouths have been caught during the fish and release season, however largemouths are the usual target.
Concentrate on the south end of both bays, casting near the weeds. Senko rigs, weedless jigs, and top water baits all work.
Fish around the docks with spinnerbaits and crankbaits.
Largemouth action is also around the islands in Sodus Bay and on the east side of LeRoy Island.
For the smaller tasty variety, the bluegills and sunfish have finished spawning and are now looking for food. Use 2-inch grubs tipped with fresh spikes.
Limits for northern pike are 5 fish 18 inch minimum.
Limits for walleye are 5 fish 15 inch minimum.
Launch sites for Sodus: Bay Bridge Sport Shop. 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
Widewaters is the section to catch hefty largemouth bass. The weedlines are on the south side of the canal, however the north side is weed free for spinnerbaits.
There are launch sites along the entire waterways. Check out our website for a listing.
The official opening of the canal was May 17, 2024. The water level is back for the boating season given anglers more areas to fish.
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.
Orleans County
Orleans County Sportfishing Coordinator Ron Bierstine:
Great job for the participants and organizers for the King of the Oak (KOTO Fri June 7) and the Oak Orchard Open (Sat and Sun, June 8 and 9). There was a small craft advisory for Saturday so the Oak Orchard Open tourney was a first day blow off and came down to a one day fishing strategy for Sunday. And the Lake was still kind of ornery Sunday but most teams toughed it out, stayed safe and had good one day action. You can bet charters and recs alike are looking forward to the rest of the season ahead for top notch trophy trout and salmon action At the Oak and Point Breeze!
The weekend action kicked off Friday with the first leg of the KOTO. Not a bad fishing day compared to the conditions that would come on Saturday. First place went to Capt. Mike Lavender team Intimidator, 2nd place to Bob Stevens team Sunrise II and 3rd place to Tom Riley team Shenanigans. Something like 31 teams got out to fish the KOTO which was a nice turnout. Capt. Mike L. of Intimidator Charters had a big 24+ lb King for 1st place big fish and the best 3 fish box worth 63 points. (Pictured below.)
At the end of the trolling season, who will be crowned King of the Oak? Stay tuned and get in on the action and maybe you’ll be crowned King of the Oak. You’re sure to have some great fun trying anyway!
Saturday, for the start of the Oak Orchard Open was a blow off day. Bummer! But it’s safety first and teams took the day to regroup and organize and make some strategy for what was looking like a one day Sunday shootout!
Sunday’s weather was better but still no daisy. Hey, it was getting pretty calm after weigh in don’t you know! The first part of the day, wind was stiff and the competition stacked for the 30 teams participating. There were 22 Pro teams and 8 Am teams. Again what a nice turnout – consider coming out in 2025! The good scoring teams did well with real nice Kings and rounded out their trout scoring with some decent steelhead. In the Pro division 1st place went to Vision Quest, 2nd place to Screamer, and 3rd place to Yankee Troller.
In the Am division 1st place went to Roll With It, 2nd place to Howell at the Sky and 3rd place to AA. Most fishing teams didn’t run all that far from port given the Lake conditions and they found good fishing west and east of port from about 150 – 400 fow. According to Cpt. Rick Hajecki of Crazy Yankee Sportfishing “that water is holding a lot of salmon and steelhead. Brown trout are found in the shallower water and the best thing to do is watch the Oak Orchard buoy info out front and look at where the thermocline hits bottom for the browns.”
So it was a nice unofficial start to the At the Oak season with good action for 2 of the 3 days available. All the signs are shaping up for a good trolling season. Come out and make your own great fishing and fun memories on Lake Ontario At the Oak and Point Breeze. Next weekend – Father’s Day – would be a great time to start!
Oswego County
Salmon fishing in Oswego County waters has really heated up since the big blow early in the week. Saturday looks a little rough, but otherwise the weather looks perfect!
Oswego Pro-Am Tournament
Come challenge Great Lakes anglers from far and wide in the 27th annual Oswego Pro/Am. July 8th and 9th in the great city of Oswego, NY. Weigh-in for the tournament is held at Wright’s Marina, it offers a convenient location with beautiful views.
The Port of Oswego is known for world class salmon fishing on Lake Ontario. Oswego boasts beautiful summers with a lively and walkable downtown. Come compete with the best of the best and enjoy our city!
Lake Ontario – Oswego
Click Here of the 10 day Forecast
Salmon anglers have reported that salmon can be found in 150-450 feet of water. Look for bait and you’ll find a feeding salmon.
After the blow, the cold water has been pushed very deep. We recommend:
- Downriggers from 90-175’ down
- Divers 275-350’ out
- Coppers 450-700’
Flashers and meat rigs have been taking the deeper fish. With spoons taking the higher fish. Mid-size and magnums spoons have been the best. Whites and chromes have been the best flasher colors. With blacks, greens, glow and silvers combos best in spoon patterns.
Lake Ontario – Mexico
Click Here of the 10 day Forecast
Most anglers are heading west, towards the high rocks, fishing in 30 to 70 feet of water from 20 down to the bottom.
Fish are making it as far west as the information tower. We recommend:
- Downrigger’s utilizing fixed and free sliders
- Slide divers and wire divers, as they go deeper
- 5 to 10 color leadcores
- 200-300 for coppers
- Browns have been eating standard and stingray size spoons.
Those looking to target Salmon are finding the best activity in 150 to 350 feet of water, from the center lineup to the five stacks. Most boats are finding success by employing the same techniques as used in the Oswego area.
Free Oswego Fishing Guide
The updated Oswego County Fishing and Hunting Guide is now available online and in print. The guide features a new cover and an expanded listing of fishing guides and charters.
The 67-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.