Greater Niagara Region
Frank Campbell
The hot fishing spot this week has been 18 Mile Creek and Burt Dam reports Karen Evarts with The Boat Doctors and Tackle Barn. The popular fall area has been on fire for trout fishermen. At the same time, there have been runs of Chinook and Coho salmon being reported over the weekend, giving casters and drifters some early Christmas presents. Brown trout are still at the top of the trout list, with a few steelhead also starting to show up. There are some Atlantic salmon being caught as well. The downside is that with all the fish, the fishermen have also shown up in greater numbers according to Evarts. During the week is probably a better time to give it a try. Egg sacs, egg imitations, and small jigs are all working to catch fish.
Lake trout season is now open in the lower Niagara River and Lake Ontario, giving anglers another great species option for targeting purposes. Too bad the water was trashed in the river from recent windstorms. Fishing has been incredible when Mother Nature allows for it , reports Joe Srouji of Angler’s Edge Outdoors. The month of November gave us a roller coaster ride of weather systems and water clarity, especially the past week of huge wind and muddy water. Srouji fished in all the conditions that he was dealt, and trout even cooperated in muddy water as well. Big bright beads and egg sacs fished off 3-way rigs took fish throughout the entire system. Last weekend, muddy water was just too much and fishing suffered. Prior to that, Srouji said that he had from a foot of visibility to 5 feet of visibility. Beads took more fish than anything else. Upsize or downsize bait and leader to match water clarity. Srouji advises all boaters who are fishing the cold weather months to please take a moment and drain your trailers over the water before pulling out of the ramp. This could be a safety hazard for any boater launching after you. Your water trail will most certainly freeze and make conditions unsafe. Lewiston has salt at the ramp to use, too. Chuck Szpylman of North Buffalo hit some of the downriver drifts and was using swimbaits to take his personal best brown trout that tipped the scales at 13 pounds, 6 ounces. Fishing went from being on fire to tough over the course of a week but it’s not due to lack of fish. If you are going to venture out, try bright colored plugs such as MagLips or eggs tied into very large egg sacs which offer both visibility and scent while the plugs have flash and additional vibration to entice strikes. When the water does clear up to a more favorable color it should be lights out fishing in the same drifts and the same baits that have been producing all fall season. One trick that’s been working is coating the MagLips with UV by Mad Scientist.
Shore fisherman Mike Ziehm of Niagara Falls reports that the river has been too muddy to fish this week. Just before the storms, he caught all kinds of trout. He is hoping to get out later this week and weekend. He thinks by Wednesday it will be fishable somewhat again from shore. The shoreline usually cleans up sooner than the main river channel. He looks for at least 1 to 2 feet of visibility to cast his homemade spinners.
Muskellunge fishing season in the Great Lakes closes on Dec. 15. You will have to wait until the waters clear before targeting these predators because these fish are sight feeders. If you want to learn more about the status of Lake Ontario stocking, forage base assessments and more, the Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association will be holding its annual Christmas meeting on December 11 with DEC, and Chris Legard, Lake Ontario Unit Leader, is the featured speaker. It starts at 7 p.m. at the North Amherst Fire Company, 2200 Tonawanda Creek Road in Amherst and it’s free to attend.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Streams
Lake effect snow continues to drop its flakes in Wayne County. It’s nothing new for this region. Lake Ontario water temps from Rochester are 45 degrees.
There are some flows to the lake from Maxwell Creek, Salmon Creek, and Furnace Creek. Furnace flows into the south end of Port Bay.
If there is a calm day, walk to the lake from the east side of Maxwel Bay. Cast out into Ontario with heavy spoons.
There is a small opening at the mouth, however Maxwell Bay has very little water.
Salmon Creek in Pultneyville is open to the lake. The lake water is low, however there is still a good flow. Use egg sacs to catch steelhead and browns.
Bays
There were a few hardy anglers fishing out of Sodus Bay on Monday. The perch are in the bay. If you can launch safely, search for them in deeper water…30 fow.
Remember you must wear your life jacket (PFD) from November 1st until May 1st.
At this point we are waiting for some ice to start the “hard water” season.
Remember you must wear your life jacket (PFD) from November 1st until May 1st.
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. Currently, do not use the south ramp. The water level in the bay is too low. DEC docks have been pulled so use caution when you launch.
*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
Fishing the canal is easier than the bays. There are pull-offs along Route 31 where the canal has not been drained. And Widewaters has open water for anybody with a boat. They are still catching panfish near Port Gibson Bridge.
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 weather is getting a little chilly, but good late fall and early winter trib action can keep you warm! The forecast ahead for this week is for temperatures dropping back into the 20s with 30s F for highs, so water temps are going to continue to ease down.
There is a chance of light snow accumulation from a region-wide storm through Tuesday, with greater impacts expected southeast of the area along the storm track. By mid to late week, lake-effect snow is possible, beginning off Lake Erie and then becoming more impactful for the Niagara Frontier as northwest winds off Lake Ontario develop.
Water flows across the region are benefiting from recent precipitation, snowmelt, and likely the early stages of the Erie Canal winter drawdown. Winter drainage is scheduled to be completed by mid-December and typically takes one to two weeks. It is likely the process has begun, but it’s not known exactly at what rate through what tribs the winter time drainage will take place.
Different successful techniques in use – fly, spin or float for spawning and post spawn browns and fresh steelhead. Fishing pressure is the most manageable yet of this season and anglers can likely find unharried water on their favorite trib.
Flows in the Oak are medium and mostly clear. Browns and steelhead are spread out, with scattered Atlantic salmon hookups reported. A few Kings still reported at the dam. Plenty of water flows there to hide fish and make for good drifts in fast water spots or downstream flat, frog water.
Flows in Johnson are moderate and steady for now, with flows in Sandy real fishy at med. With the good water flows, there are a few guys on that waterway who are quietly enjoying good action on mostly browns, with a few more steelhead reported just recently.
Further to the west, still hearing of good brown trout action at 18Mile at Burt dam. There’s been a good number of steelhead hookups to the east on the Genesee River – with some fishing pressure picking up there.
Oswego County
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The temperatures may be falling, but the fishing is heating up. We can expect to see some early winter conditions setting in this week.
Salmon River, Pulaski NY
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Fishing has been very good, with steelhead remaining well-distributed throughout the river – always a welcome pattern this time of year, as it helps reduce angler congestion in any single area.
As usual, concentrate your efforts on the deepest water you can find. Productive locations include Schoolhouse, Wires, Trestle, Island, Pineville, Ace, Sportsman, Glass, Clark Falls, Papermill, Trooper, Route 81, and the Town Pool.
Egg patterns continue to produce fish, especially in blue, purple, white, and peach.
Oswego River
Click Here of the 10 day Forecast
Fishing has been very good, with steelhead remaining well-distributed throughout the river – always a welcome pattern this time of year, as it helps reduce angler congestion in any single area.
As usual, concentrate your efforts on the deepest water you can find. Productive locations include Schoolhouse, Wires, Trestle, Island, Pineville, Ace, Sportsman, Glass, Clark Falls, Papermill, Trooper, Route 81, and the Town Pool.
Egg patterns continue to produce fish, especially in blue, purple, white, and peach.
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!
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Contact the Oswego County Tourism Department:
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.
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