Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Lake Ontario And Tributaries
Fishing in Lake Ontario is really starting to pick up according to local anglers Dick Conley and Terry Goerss of Lockport, along with Tom Danaher of Waterport. Fishing in the top 70 feet of water out of Olcott over 300 foot depths, the trio managed to reel in 14 fish for a morning outing – a mix of steelhead and salmon. Biggest salmon was 18 pounds; biggest steelhead is on the board of the derby in 9th place at 11 pounds, 2 ounces. Capt. Taz Morrison of Barker sends word that some mature kings have been hitting in 100 to 200 feet of water and the offshore bite has been consistent from the 23 line north for a mix of steelies, cohos and kings. For the kings inside, spoons and cut bait have both been effective. Offshore it’s been all spoons and the east-west line doesn’t seem to matter. That said, it could have changed considerably with the northeast winds on Wednesday. I guess we’ll just have to find out this weekend with the Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association’s two in-club events Friday and Saturday. Keep posted at www.lotsa.org. Membership is just $10. In the summer Lake Ontario Counties trout and salmon derby that ends on July 26, there is just a little over a week left to win up to $29,000 in prizes – including a $10,000 grand prize for the largest salmon. Biggest king right now is a 27 pound fish reeled in by Daniel Manti of Cortland while fishing out of Oswego. For an updated leaderboard check out loc.org.
Lower Niagara River
With the recent fatality in the lower river in the gorge area, it’s important to emphasize the tremendous respect everyone must pay to the waters of the lower river. Massive amounts of tumultuous water are flowing through that gorge area and one mistake can result in a dire situation of life or death. Early in the morning when water levels are low, rocks can be slippery. Don’t take any unnecessary chances – whether you are fishing, hiking or photographing and enjoying nature. The same goes for the boaters heading into the Devil’s Hole area. If you’ve never done it before, go up with a guide first. Fishing action has been fair to good the past week with smallmouth bass at the top of the list. Good numbers of silver bass are also being reported. Tube jigs have been producing some nice bass, but crayfish and shiners will also lead you to some consistent action, too. If you do have live bait, stay out of Canadian waters. They have been enforcing live bait restrictions for nonresidents. Fines up to $500 have been reported with no warnings being issued. The Niagara Bar around the green buoy marker was producing some nice bass and sheepshead combinations according to Capt. Joe Marra of Lewiston. One morning this week produced over 25 fish with crayfish.
Upper Niagara River/Erie Canal
Bass fishing continues to be good in the upper river around Grand Island, Strawberry Island and at the head of the river. If you are fishing in Canadian waters, make sure you don’t have shiners or crayfish on board. And if you have worms, make sure it’s in bedding, not dirt. Province of Ontario enforcement officials have been pressing hard and writing tickets for illegal bait. Fines up to $500 have been issued, even from boats that might come out of Big Six Marina on Grand Island and motor out into the West River with no intentions of fishing there. They are still transporting the bait. The 25th Annual Erie Canal Fishing Derby is over and we have the unofficial results. The official results will be announced at the awards ceremony on Sunday at the Gasport Fire Hall at 3 pm. Grand Prize winner will be drawn from a hat from each of the first place winners. Those first place winners are Sara Caltagirone of Lockport with a 3.87 pound bass; Michael Boncore of North Tonawanda with a 6.9 pound walleye; Dan Converso of Medina with a 5.87 pound northern pike; Katrina Russell of North Tonawanda with a 1.97 pound bullhead; Carleen Beback of North Tonawanda with a 10.57 pound catfish; Joe Henneberger of Tonawanda with a 21.41 pound carp; and Holly Sewar of Lockport with a 16.51 pound sheepshead. Youth winners were Jacob Velesko, Pierce Frombgen, Brandon Belt, Dasanti Jones, Timothy Hughes and Colby Lawrence. There were also four tagged fish caught during the 12-day derby.
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Oswego River/Lake Ontario report
According to Larry Muroski of Larry’s Oswego Salmon Shop:
The river took a sharp drop yesterday running below 4,000cfs but is once again up to about 8,000cfs this morning. The most active area continues to be near the powerhouse. Anglers are finding walleye, sheepshead, smallmouth, catfish, rockbass and long-nosed gar using minnows, crayfish, worms, and leeches. They are also finding some action at the dam. Smallmouth bass, sheepshead and panfish are taking worms, crayfish and minnows.
Lake Ontario
According to Capt. Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift:
The salmon bite remains excellent in Oswego. We are catching all sizes which is a good sign for the next couple years.
According to Capt. Mike Conroy of Proteus Fishing Charters:
King salmon are finally starting to show up on the eastern basin of Lake Ontario in dribs and drabs. The charter fleet is taking some nice Kings in 150-400 feet of water, down 80-110 feet. Glow e-chips and flies early, mixed in with stingray stingers, glow early and UV in the sun light. Dipsy divers and copper rigs have been the most productive over the last few days with some cutbait rigs also taking some fish. North and south troll the last few days is the only direction catching fish because of strong west currents. It appears that salmon season is here and more numbers are arriving daily.
The bridge to Leto Island is closed, and there are Mandatory Personal Flotation Device (PFD) zones on the Oswego River below the Varick Dam. For more information, view the Oswego County Tourism web site at www.visitoswegocounty.com and look for the fishing report under fishing and hunting. The Oswego Fire Department offers loaner life jackets at no charge through its “Loaner For Life” program. For more information contact the fire station, 35 E. Cayuga St., at 315-343-2161.
Pulaski Area/Salmon River report
According to Woody’s Tackle:
Although we have had a stretch of nice weather, it was a bit windy on Tuesday and Wednesday. Conditions are settling down this morning and relatively calm water is in the forecast through the weekend. The salmon fishing in the area is picking up as more are moving into the eastern end of the lake. Bass continue to be active in 10-13 feet of water with live bait such as minnows and soft shelled crabs working well.
Salmon River:
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
The water is currently running at 350cfs. Anglers are finding some smallmouth bass and a few brown trout along the river.
Oneida Lake
Conditions on the lake are settling down some. It would be wise to continue to use caution when boating with debris possible in the lake from the recent high water. Anglers are finding a good walleye bite in 30-40 feet of water with worm harnesses and jerking blade baits working well. Look for bass in up to 10 feet of water with crankbaits and tube jigs.
Sandy Pond report
According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle:
There is a good deal of weed growth which is slowing the fishing on the pond. Anglers are finding a few walleye and smallmouth bass.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Lake Ontario
The kings have arrived. Last week was slow, however the bite is on. Fish 200 to 220 feet of water down 80 to 90. Flasher flies and spoons are both working.
Colors are glow and green dolphin for the spoons.
The first place fish in the LOC Summer came from the Sodus area. Summer time trout and salmon action has always been in Wayne County waters.
Most of the catches are straight out from Sodus or west to Bear Creek. There has been a tough current, probably because of the flow coming out of the Genesee River. It will take a little time to set-up.
The Sodus Point Pro–Am is this weekend…. July 18 and 19th however the entire week will feature opportunities to fish and win cash. Check the web; soduspointproam.com or go to their facebook page for further information.
Bays
There have been many bass tournaments, both on Sodus and Port Bay. The largemouths have been along the entire shoreline of both bays. Use Zoom or Power Baits. The weed growth can get pretty heavy so make sure you are using strong line.
Check out the rest of the Wayne County Tourism web page for the locations and hours of local bait and tackle shops. www.waynecountytourism.com.
We have a brand new Wayne County Fishing Brochure. This publication features where to go, what to use, and what to catch. Call our office for a free fishing packet, including the new brochure. 1-800-527-6510. We also have a new publication on Great Lakes fishing.
The Wayne County Youth Fishing Derby is now in full swing with a brand new exciting division for youngsters 4-7 years of age. All the info is on our web page.
Erie Canal
Some of those extra big largemouths have been coming from the canal waters. The levels and clarity have finally stabilized, but we are expecting some more heavy rain today. Still… you will always find some great fishing in the “Erie.”
Lake Ontario
Capt. Chris Yard – Tailwater Lodge
KINGS have arrived!!!!
They are not in full force! But there are some around to fish not enough to fill the boat but to pick at!!!
Fished Friday with a local crew and we put the GRAND SLAM in the boat!!! Big Laker, gorgeous acrobatic Atlantic Salmon, 2 kings and a brown a few other bites that left us empty handed!
Gorgeous weekend of weather for fishing….
Saturday and Sunday i fished the Oswego Pro Am as part of Team OH Baby/ Irish Knots….. With a long time friend and excellent fisherman…. We headed back into my typical waters of Mexico Bay to fish on Saturday and struck out!!! We had a few bites only getting 2 into the cooler for weigh in…. we threw back a few short ones and dropped a major king salmon…. This put us in 18th out of 19 teams… UGH!!!
Sunday we went for a joy ride of 40 plus miles and an hour later we went to some familiar water that the team had fished previously… It “PAID” off – we boated 4 kings a small lake trout and 7 brown trout in only 2/3 of our allotted fishing time as these tournaments are all on time basis and limits of fish…
Needless to say we redeemed ourselves, finishing in 6th place and earning biggest come back award from day 1 to day 2…
SO after a weekend of fishing for myself and 2 clients from Vermont we are now if full swing into our summer-fall fishery
next stop mid September!!! Kings are showing – still a few brown and lakers around… Its not the best fishing we have or will have but its much better than its been… Rest up and look forward to spending time with all my upcoming clients for the remainder of the 2015 season!
LOC Derby is on!!!
www.LOC.org
Summer Derby…. June 13th to July 26th
Fall Derby…. August 21st to Sept 7th
Big Cash Prizes!!! Gotta Be in it to win it!!!!
Visit the “Prizes” Page on the www.LOC.org site