Greater Niagara Region
Frank Campbell
Ice is still a major issue in more ways than one. Ice is packed into the launch ramp areas in the lower Niagara River, making boat access impossible. The Village of Lewiston public works will be attempting to free up some of the ice this week, but more frigid temperatures will arrive this weekend so we may have to wait for a warm-up. Ice is also an issue along the shoreline for casters. Even if the ice appears safe, don’t venture out. It is very dangerous. Alan Raymond with The Wicked Worm in Youngstown reports it seems like the only available open water is the Whirlpool area. The ice near his shop is starting to erode a bit with the river current. The sun and warmer temperatures should help the cause this week, but another Arctic blast will hit this weekend.
Open water has been limited at Burt Dam and 18 Mile Creek near Olcott reports Karen Evarts with The Boat Doctors and Tackle Barn. The more consistent action has been ice fishing at Wilson Harbor with pike chubs and wax worms. Scott Brauer of Gasport reports that Wilson Harbor is fun with the kids as there are a lot of small fish around. You must work through the smaller ones to get to the bigger ones!
Remember that the niagarafishingexpo.comis Feb. 19th to Feb. 22nd at the Niagara Falls Convention Center. With over 200 seminars from experts in the fishing world, this is a good time to check out the website at www.niagarafishingexpo.com for all the details!
The Birds on the Niagara International Bird Festival will kick off on Feb. 12 and run through Feb. 16. There is a long list of activities, from keynote speakers to birding tours. Check out bird-niagara.org for details. On the fishing side of things, Feb. 14 and 15 will be a free fishing weekend in the state. Anyone 16 years of age or older that is required to have a license can fish for free on Saturday and Sunday.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Streams
Wayne County received two feet of snow and higher drifts along the shores of streams. It has been tough finding open holes, and with temperatures predicted to again slide below 10 degrees the smaller streams will freeze over.
Bays
Sodus Point Bass Club Open Team Ice Fishing Tournament This Weekend!
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THIS SATURDAY 2/7/26 is the ice fishing tournament with Sodus Point Bass Club!! $50 entry, 2 person teams, closed to Sodus Bay only. You can register any time now until Saturday at 6:45 am at the shop.
Weigh in will be held at Riley’s Bar & Grill on the deck. Food and drink specials will be available. 2:00 pm sharp!
The ice is at least 14 inches thick and safe on most sections of Sodus Bay. The only issue is the two feet of snow on the bay. It will take you forever struggling to pull a shanty to drill some holes.
The hardy folks at Bay Bridge Sport Shop have some excellent advice.
Four wheelers don’t work; however, snowmobiles do. The hard water anglers are making a trail with machines…then coming back and grabbing their equipment.
Yes… the perch are biting when you get to your favorite location. The smaller variety (dinks) ae mixed with the “thumpers.”
If you do get out, stay away from the loop on Sodus Bay. It is not safe.
The pike were hitting last week so, fish near LeRoy Island with fresh minnows.
Dock bubblers on Sodus and Port Bays are creating very large open holes. Port Bay had open water on the east side which almost made it to the middle of the bay. Be very careful if any of our Lake effect snow covers thin ice.
You can now park at Davenport’s Marina on the south end of Sodus. See Don at the bait shop for information.
Erie Canal
Widewaters has safe ice…at least 12 inches thick. There is snow covering the ice; however, the white stuff is not as deep at the northern bays. Panfish being caught include bluegills, sunfish, and some crappies.
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.
Orleans County
Orleans County Sportfishing Coordinator Ron Bierstine:
Winter weather is hanging in with cold temps and snow showers off and on. On the ground, there is 2 +/- ft of windblown snow. There is a chance for 1 – 3 inches of snow from an area-wide system for the end of the week.
The LES machine off Lake Erie is reduced now that ice cover predominates. Shifting ice, cracks, or winds could change that formula at times and again toward spring warm-up when open water returns. Depending upon winds or weather patterns, WNY can still see some LES from the upper Lakes or Lake Ontario.
Temps are forecast in the 20’s F for this week, and then the forecast is for another cool down for the weekend with highs in the single digits.
Flows in the Oak are low and clear. There is still open, but skinny moving water down through about the Archers Club with some bank ice. Flows at the dam are open and there could be some frozen foam right there at the turbine tunnels. A few anglers are scoring steelhead hook-ups at the dam each day on mostly small and light and bait presentations. Flows may continue to drop back and/or close in with ice or bank ice with more cold weather. Downstream flat water areas are frozen over and the other area, smaller waterways are low and clear and frozen. Access at the dam is good with the parking lot plowed out. Anglers looking to hit any of the downstream moving skinny water may be busting a trail through some snow if no one has been ahead already.
Ice anglers are out on area inland waters like Lake Alice or the big Lake embayments, or lower trib areas. Tip-up anglers typically pursue pike or even trout. Be aware of the special seasonal tributary regs that may or may not apply for the waters you set up on. Jigging anglers are usually after panfish or perch and can be surprised by large browns or steelhead grabbing tiny jigs or bait. Now that’s a battle on a light jigging rod! Use caution and all safety considerations for venturing out on safe ice. Heavy snow cover on top of ice can lead to soft, slushy, or thin ice underneath.
Oswego County
Conditions are feeling like déjà vu once again. After a relatively mild midweek period, another brutally cold weekend is setting in, bringing a return to true winter conditions.
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Salmon River, Pulaski NY
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Fishing has remained strong for anglers willing to contend with the frigid temperatures. Most fishing pressure has been concentrated in the upper sections of the river, as cold water temperatures have made the lower stretches extremely slushy and covered with anchor ice. For those able to locate open water below Pineville, fishing pressure has been significantly lighter and opportunities remain.
As is typical in mid-winter, egg sacs have been the most productive presentation, followed closely by jigs. Blue remains the top egg color, with blue and purple also producing well. Jig colors producing best have been white, brown, and black.
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Contact the Oswego County Tourism Department:
Oswego River
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River levels are beginning to drop, and wading access should become possible again soon, along with improved shore access. Anglers have been finding success fishing from the high wall in the slow corner near the powerhouse, with jigs serving as the primary presentation. The harbor behind the hotels has unfortunately frozen over. Anglers are strongly advised not to walk on the harbor ice, as conditions can shift rapidly and create extremely unsafe situations.
Cold Weather Reminder:
With temperatures forecast to fall below 10 degrees, fish gills and eyes can freeze quickly when exposed to the air. If photos are desired, keep fish in the water as long as possible and limit air exposure to only a few seconds.
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.
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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.
Click Here to Order Free Information, or email tourism@oswegocountyny.gov
Sandy Pond
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Currently there are 10-15” across the pond, and 1-2’ of snow. The crappie bite has been good. Some pike, but few perch or walleye.
This Saturday is the “Mad River Club Derby” at the Sandy Pond Sportsman club. Pike, Perch, and Walleye. Registration on-site all day Friday and Saturday morning. Fishing is Sat. noon-4pm.
Thanks to Woody’s tackle for the help with this report. Be sure to check our Facebook page, Oswego County Fishing, or else call Woody’s tackle directly for info about future derbies.
The main points of ice access for Sandy Pond are: “The Elms,” Wigwam, Greenpoint and the DEC launch at Stanley Drive.