Greater Niagara Region
Frank Campbell
The water cleared in the Niagara River for a short period of time last week and Chris Megan from On The Water Magazine and TV Show was able to take advantage of the conditions and produce a solid segment showcasing lower Niagara River brown trout. Fishing with Capt. Frank Campbell of Lewiston, Megan landed double-digit numbers of fish, as well as fish over 10 pounds for the brown trout they boated using 3.0 MagLips in gold with chartreuse lip. The key to success was using the MagLips that were UV enhanced with Mad Scientist Technology that is more visible in stained water. The most productive drifts were Stella and Fort Niagara in 10-20 feet of water. All baits were fished off standard 3-way rigs.
Last time out right before the big winds churned up Lake Erie again, Capt. Dave Scipione of Scipione’s Fishing Charters hit the lower river to target trout. He was rewarded with some fast-paced fishing. Starting on the Niagara Bar, pulling MagLips in Double Trouble and Grinch colors, he managed multiple double header lake trout catches sporting decent sizes ranging from 16 to 18 pounds. That worked until the weather chased him off the Bar and forced him upriver to seek shelter from the wind. The Coast Guard drift action was excellent fishing with 8mm and 10mm orange and chartreuse beads on 3-way rigs. He boated a quick half dozen trout, but the wind was making things too difficult. Next, he hit the Stella drift with the same rigs, only this time producing nothing but steelhead. The biggest fish to the net was 11-1/2 pounds. Artpark was slow toward the end of the day, only giving up one nice colored up steelie as the water clarity was declining rapidly.
If you are planning on trying to fish from shore in the gorge, make sure you have some kind of ice grippers on your feet because it is getting slippery due to the cold temperatures and water level fluctuations. There was about one foot of visibility on Tuesday, which is usually a good time to start casting spinners and jigs from the shoreline, but more wind was in the forecast for this week with some possible rain so the water could be stained up again.
Ice fishing has started in some of the smaller bodies of water around the county. The only harbor showing any sign of safe ice is Wilson Harbor, but caution is advised. Matt Vogt of Newfane has been keeping a close eye on Wilson Harbor’s back bay. The ice was forming decently there, with about 2.5 to 3 inches of ice at his last inspection. There were many soft spots from gases releasing from the dying weeds. There seems to be a lot more weeds this time of year than in mid-January. Don’t take any unnecessary chances. You should have at least 4 inches of ice.
At Burt Dam and 18 Mile Creek, Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctors and Tackle Barn in Olcott reports that brown trout are still cooperating, but the average size has decreased. Wax worms and spikes have been the way to go. There are a few steelhead hanging around, too.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Streams
The streams are iced over, and the only open area would be Salmon Creek in Pultneyville. This could change with any warmer trends.
If there is no ice on the Sodus Bay pier head, you can fish the channel. Make sure you are safe because the current in the channel is swift and cold
Bays
Most of the bays are completely frozen which means the ice will be getting thicker without the wind making that impossible.
Currently, there is some safe ice at Port Bay at the narrows. This is the south end. The middle of the bay is not safe as of today.
Sodus Bay’s ice is between 4 to 5 inches…out from Davenports on the east side of the bay. You must stay in the cove.
LeRoy Island’s cove has safe ice if you are fishing between the island and the east shore.
Do not take any 4 wheelers on the ice. It is not safe enough.
The perch and some bluegills have been caught out from Davenports.
With the ice season here, you can park at Davenport’s Marina on the south end of Sodus. See Don at the bait shop for information.
Sodus Center pond has safe ice; however, parking is limited. Don’t fish next to the bridge. The pond has bluegills, and some crappies.
Erie Canal
All of Widewaters is frozen; however, because there is current the uniform thickness varies. Wait another week to fish for bluegills, crappies and catch and release bass.
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 early winter season cold weather we’ve been having has caused some low and clear flows all around. The smallest waterways are running icy and slushy or downright frozen in spots, especially downstream flat water areas. Fish are likely hunkered in the water cover they can find or have dropped back downstream.
Flows in the Oak are low and clear and the downstream frog water is reported frozen over. With the loss of the final bit of seasonal Canal water feed and drainage, all the trib flows took that next step down to low and lower flows.
Fishing pressure is real light. Look for a few guys at the dam on the Oak or else drifting the low, clear water slots and holes in the downstream fast water. Some hunkered post-spawn browns, Kings and steelhead can provide on and off action for light line drifters. There’s always at least a few fish holding at the dam!
There is a forecasted warm-up for mid and end of week with the chance of rain. There is light snow accumulation on the ground, but not a heavy snowpack. We’ll have to wait and see if the warm-up and precip will be enough to affect trib levels and raise flows or open anything up substantially. After the warm-up, the forecast through the end of the month and holiday time looks just seasonably cold for now.
Stay tuned for what the rest of the winter weather brings. The chances for good steelhead action in the traditional Feb and Mar timeframe ahead are looking good!
Oswego County
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Overall fishing remains consistent despite highly variable weather conditions.
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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.
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Salmon River, Pulaski NY
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The Salmon River has been fishing very well throughout the system, from the fly zones all the way through the DSR. Beads, jigs, pink worms, flies, and egg sacs have all been producing fish, so anglers should focus on the presentation they have the most confidence in and fish it thoroughly.
Following last week’s heavy snow and extreme cold, fish have settled into their winter holding areas. Concentrate on large, deep holes and the deepest parts of each run. Fish should be worked slowly, as they are becoming increasingly ornery, with the bite turning on and off throughout the day.
Oswego River
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After approximately a month and a half, the red light has finally changed to yellow, allowing anglers access to the entire river. This has led to improved fishing opportunities throughout the system.
Beads and egg sacs have been the primary producers, with beads and jigs showing the most consistent results overall. Both the high wall and low wall sections of the river have continued to provide productive fishing opportunities.
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.
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Contact the Oswego County Tourism Department: