Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Lake Ontario report:
According to Capt. Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift:
The lake finally calmed down enough yesterday to fish. Many small browns with a few nice ones mixed in.
According to Capt. Ed Monette of Cannonball Charters:
Before the wind earlier in the week, fishing was fast and furious. Conditions did settle down yesterday. The key in the spring is working with the water conditions. With muddy water Michigan Stingers in orange, chartreuse and green work well. With a change in wind direction to a south breeze, the water cleared and natural colors were successful.
Oswego River Report:
The water flow remains low running at 2,830cfs this afternoon. Rain is in the forecast over the next few days so this may change. Steelhead and brown trout are still being taken along the river although the number of them is down. Walleye season remains closed until May 7. Look for bullhead at Wright’s Landing with worms and minnows the suggested baits.
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 along the top bar on the home page. 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 Fat Nancy’s Tackle Shop:
The lake fishing for browns has improved with some nice catches being taken on Smithwick stickbaits as well as Michigan Stinger and Finger Lakes Tackle spoons.
Salmon River report:
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
Guests reported that fish activity started off slow yesterday morning, likely due to the nighttime chilly temperatures. However as the day went on fishing picked up considerably. A few anglers reported catching drop-backs swinging flies and several more reported success fishing under floats. The catch consisted of a mixed bag, numerous smallmouth bass, drop back steelhead and even a few browns.
According to Fat Nancy’s Tackle Shop:
The water flow is 500 CFS. The best fishing has been from the 81 Pool downstream to the Town Pool .The best baits right now are blue egg sacs, white egg sacs, pink worms, and nightcrawlers.
Oneida Lake Report
The lake is providing a variety of species for anglers. Bluegills are active in the bays along with some perch although that bite has slowed somewhat. Worms and minnows are working well. Black crappies are being taken along the shoreline along with a few bullheads. Remember walleye season is closed until May 7.
Sandy Pond report
According to Woody’s Tackle:
The activity on the pond is rather quiet. Anglers are finding some perch and a few crappies with minnows and worms. Just a reminder that walleye and northern pike seasons are closed and will reopen on May 7.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Lake Ontario
Some browns came from 10 to 20 feet from Sodus Bay east to Fair Haven. Fish the Maxwell Creek area working in front of Port Bay. That was the catch over the weekend.
Today it’s raining, which is a good thing. However the wind yesterday was a strong North-East. That’s a bad thing.
The Bay Rat stickbait is working…the one called “Cheap Sun Glasses” or something like that. The lakers were in 50 to 100 feet of water.
Don’t forget the Pro-Ams which are happening along the southern shore of Lake Ontario. Niagara, Wayne and Oswego, along with Orleans Counties all have competition.
Bays
The bullhead fishing has been great at Bay Bridge. And with the recent rain it should get better. Crappies are being caught at the south end of Port Bay. The perch fishing has been tough. This is the time of year where they leave the bays and hang-out in 10 to 20 feet of water in Lake Ontario. What fish are caught have been around the Sodus Bay channel.
Check out the rest of the Wayne County Tourism web page for the locations and hours of local bait and tackle shops. 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.
Erie Canal
The crappies are at Port Gibson. You can launch a boat at Widewaters or fish from the shore near the bridge.
Remember…you still need to wear your PFD. It has to be worn, not sitting in your boat. You need to wear it until May 1st.
Orleans County
Orleans County Tourism
Once we get thru the cold temperatures of last night, more spring like conditions will come into play.
I mean after all May 1st is this coming Sunday.
The Erie Canal opened today, just slightly early of their normal opening date.
On Lake Alice both Bluegills and Crappie have been fairly active along with bass.
Please remember that opening day of bass season is not until the 3rd Saturday in June, so for now it’s catch and immediately release.
Also on the tributaries within Orleans County Bullhead are still being taken by those who know their super secret hideouts.
On Lake Ontario the system seems to be fish for Brown trout when the mud line is present and if it’s not go out for Lake trout.
Over the past few days the surface temperature has dropped about 5 degrees with those wonderful Northerly winds.
The story at the Niagara Bar is this weather pattern has kept the Kings from turning on yet but that could change very quickly with some more favorable winds.
The cooler temperatures also mean that we may be able to keep our pen fish a little longer so please give a helping hand with the feeding and cleaning of the pens.
As always, this summer is filled with some of the very best fishing derbies and tournaments you can find anywhere covering all of Lake Ontario.
Why not join in on all of the fun and the possibility of cashing in on some very impressive prizes.
Salmon River
Michael De Rosa – Zero Limit Adventures – Tailwater Lodge
Yea, spring is really here!!! Water releases went from 500 cfs to 300 cfs a couple of daysago. Water temperature is at the magic 50 degree mark and as a result fishing has picked up significantly. We have had several slow mornings because of frost conditions the night before but, like always, the sun comes up and the water warms a degree or two and game on!
Douglaston Salmon run had a good week overall. They reported drop-back Steelhead plus a couple of Landlock Salmon, some Brown Trout and a number of Smallmouth Bass from 2 – 4 pounds. The Bass were caught all the way to the boundary of the property near Pulaski meaning that they will soon spread throughout the river system. Drop-Backs remain the primary target up-river with the major pools and the Fly Zones fishing well. It’s a great time to make your trip with a great weather forecast and active fish in the river.