Greater Niagara Region
Frank Campbell
Fishing the lower Niagara River continues to be a hit or miss proposition as the late fall conditions take hold. With that said, warm water species like smallmouth bass are putting on the feed bags and trout fishing is improving every day. Good numbers of chunky bass have been cooperating throughout the river (both upper and lower) on live shiners; also, crankbaits, swimbaits, and plastics off a drop shot rig. Brown trout are starting to respond to beads and shiners fished off three-way rigs in the lower drifts, while steelhead, a few leftover salmon, and incidental lake trout are being taken in the upper drifts on eggs, beads, and MagLips. As of this report, the water has stained a bit and could become unfishable with high winds in the forecast this week. In the meantime, the best color was chartreuse or similar bright offerings.
Alan Raymond with the Wicked Worm in Youngstown reports that smallmouth bass are still being caught consistently using shiners. Out of season lake trout are being caught as anglers target other species. Lake trout season will reopen on Dec. 1. A few guys are still catching salmon from shore, and fishermen are starting to transition to egg sacks and beads to catch trout. Raymond noted that he is starting to see an influx of walleye back on the Niagara Bar. Mark Mika of Newfane was fishing with Capt. Paul Karelus of Early Risers Charters over the weekend, and they were targeting brown trout and steelhead on the Bar. Instead, they hit some nice walleyes on a Demon Dancer spoon and a Mepps Syclops spoon. Brown trout are being caught from the Youngstown public docks according to Raymond.
Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctors and Tackle Barn in Olcott reports good action at Burt Dam in 18 Mile Creek. Brown trout is the primary target and there are still a few salmon hanging around. Egg sacs, flies, and beads in peach colors have been working best. Olcott Harbor has been producing some brown trout as well. Blue/silver and orange spoons and spinners have been working for casters. A few yellow perch are also being caught.
Nov. 11 is Veterans Day. It is also the final Free Fishing Day in the state for 2025. Take a veteran fishing!
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Streams
With some more rain Maxwell Creek will finally be an angling stream. This morning it was close to opening wider to Lake Ontario.
For those who like to cast at the piers, the Sodus Bay channel is really pushing the bay water into the lake. It’s the same for the Port Bay outlet. It is a smaller channel; however, the browns and steelhead can still be caught with bright spoons cast from the piers.
Other streams in the county that are open to the lake are Bear Creek in Ontario, Salmon Creek in Pultneyville, and Furnace Creek in Wolcott.
Bays
Port Bay has seen some catches of larger perch. They are still scattered throughout the bay, however, try off the points…Tomkins Point, Graves Point, and Loon Point. (Check your maps)
Fish the east side of the bay using small 2-inch grubs, white with a yellow tail. Put 4 or 5 fresh spikes on the hook 15 inches above a sinker.
Sodus Bay has seen some pike action with anglers trolling around LeRoy Island. Fresh pike minnows have been the dominant presentation for pike.
Regs for northerns are 22-inches and a five fish limit. The pike season closes on March 15th.
Sodus Bay boats can be launched at the Margaretta launch on the west side of the bay or Bay Bridge Sport Shop at the south end. The lower water level will make Margaretta difficult as the dock is not a floater. Launch at Bay Bridge where you can get in your boat without a “ladder.”
Port Bay has the south and north DEC launch sites from West Port Bay Road. Both are in great shape for boats with enough parking for the trailers.
DEC docks have been pulled so use caution when you launch. Be careful with a south end launch as the water level is extremely low. Don’t destroy your props.
*Hopefully, we will have a great ice fishing season like last year. The weekly fishing updates will be reporting the thickness of safe ice during this winter. Spray some silicone on the bottom of your sled and get your shanty ready for some Wayne County perch.
Erie Canal
Widewaters had less wind than the other bodies of water…especially the bays. However, with intense winds you can fish the shoreline on the north side of Widewaters. And there are a few pull-offs next to the locks on Route 31, where you can cast into the canal. The largemouth bass are still hitting if you launch at the county park and fish the south side of Widewaters.
The canal is currently closed for recreational boat traffic.
New York, the open season (harvest) for largemouth and smallmouth bass, collectively known as black bass, runs from June 15 to November 30, with a catch-and-release season from December 1 to June 14.
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:
The area is getting some consistent precipitation now after a long period of dry conditions. Temps have cooled off too and it’s feeling a lot like good fall fishing weather. There were thunderstorms with wind and hail that passed through Orleans County late Monday after some rain earlier in the day. All the trib flows are hanging in at med to slightly high with a little stain to the water. All the latest precipitation is maintaining the good flows which seems to be encouraging brown trout migrations and more salmon movement. Forecast is for chance of rain or showers Wednesday with windy conditions and chance of more precipitation for end of week and upcoming weekend. These windy conditions are making for lots of leaf fall so expect daily water level fluctuations in the Oak due to hydropower operations for turbine rack cleaning.
There are a fair amount of anglers out there like on the Oak and spread through the other waterways. Most guys are targeting browns with less guys left targeting salmon. The salmon “run” in the Oak is now probably past half way and approaching 3/4 played out. Some fish will still straggle in joining the party of earlier run fish. Some fish are showing signs of wear with more zombies on patrol. The majority of anglers are reporting good fishing for browns all around and some Atlantics and a few steelhead on the Oak.
The cooler weather and good water flows are making for more cooperative biting fish with anglers making good drifts and swings. That’s a little different then the earlier season theme of good numbers of fish not really in a biting mood. We’ll take that! But of course the fish turn on and off through the day and you might find a hot period early or late. Egg patterns and eggs and beads have been the most consistent with light line drifts accounting for more hook-ups.
With the current and forecast ahead look for slightly high and slightly stained flows in the Oak. The other area smaller waterways east and west are likewise up a little with approx med flows in Johnson and something close to slightly high in Sandy. In those smaller waterways with longer watercourses fish will be spreading out farther upstream with new fresh fish in the lower reaches. Look for slowly falling flows all around unless there is significant new precipitation.
The St. Mary’s Archers Club 2025 public access fall season parking will be from Oct. 10 through Nov. 11. Parking is $10, with gates opening at 4-5 a.m. and closing at 4 p.m. A lunch will also be served this year. For updates, visit the Sportsman’s Archery Club of St Mary’s Inc Facebook page.
Oswego County
We finally have some decent flows in Oswego County tributaries. The steelhead are loving the extra water and are on the move!
Salmon River, Pulaski NY
• Click Here of the 10 day Forecast
Now that water levels have improved, steelhead have begun migrating from the estuary throughout the entire river. Anglers are finding success in all stretches. This time of year, as usual, focus on faster water — steelhead are looking for easy meals. The heads of pools, runs below spawning areas, and pocket water are your best bets.
Beads in 8, 10, and 12mm sizes have been most effective in natural colors. There are still plenty of salmon eggs in the system, so “match the hatch.” Glo bugs, Estaz flies, and Woolly Buggers have also been productive. As always, don’t be afraid to throw a curveball — something bright to get their attention!
Oswego River
Click Here of the 10 day Forecast
Fishing on the Oswego River has been good for those fishing off the wall. The powerhouse is running, drawing more trout into the deep channel. Beads and jigs fished under a slip float have been the ticket.
Please note: there is significant construction on West 1st Street, so plan accordingly.
Please Consider the Following Year-Round Notice: There are mandatory personal flotation device (PFD) zones on the river. The Oswego Fire Department offers loaner life jackets at no charge through its “Loaner for Life” program. For more information contact the fire station at 35 E. Cayuga St. by calling 315-343-2161. Click here for the current water flow.
Additional Oswego County Locations
North Sandy Pond:
A few cars were spotted at fishing access paths, but there wasn’t much activity earlier in the week. The water level was low with little flow. As of today (Wednesday, 10/22), there’s been more activity, with anglers spotted under the Woodville bridge. There’s also an increased flow of water that seems closer to normal levels, but little angler success.
South Sandy Pond:
A few vehicles were parked at fishing access walk path locations, but no anglers were visible earlier in the week. Little to no flow. As of today (Wednesday, 10/22), many anglers were spotted upstream under the bridges at Ellisburg, Joslyn Rd, and Monitor Mills Rd. Water has also risen a little to a more normal level with decent flow. There have been a couple of kings caught.
Little Sandy Creek:
Water seems to be on the lower side. Some flow.
Grindstone:
There is some flow, but there have been no anglers spotted.
Little Salmon:
Water is on the lower side; some flow. There has been decent angler success at the Jellystone campground, all catching kings. Otherwise, it’s been slow.
Request a Free Fishing Map for Salmon River!
Designed to slip into your pocket, this map covers popular public and private fishing locations, as well as boat launches. The best news: it’s completely free!
Contact the Oswego County Tourism Department:
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.