Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Lake Ontario And Tributaries
Rough conditions and cool temperatures the past week has made it pretty rough on the fishermen. On Monday, we only know of a couple charter captains who braved the waves and, while conditions were uncomfortable, they did catch fish. The most consistent fishing has been in 350 to 450 feet of water with a mix of steelhead and kings in the top 100 feet. Spoons work best up high; flasher-fly combos work best down deep. Cold water could be found down 50 feet so patterns for this time of year are messed up according to Wes Walker at The Slippery Sinker. There have been some fishing in the 100 to 150 foot range, too. Some browns can be found inside of 40 feet off Olcott and Wilson. Because of the cold water, some browns can also be caught off the piers. In 18 Mile Creek in Olcott, the river water was in the mid-60s so the bass are also starting to turn on all the way to Burt Dam. Remember bass season doesn’t open until June 18 so if you are going to target bass, make sure you use artificial baits. Panfish and pike are also available in both harbors. Some kids fishing derbies are on the angling docket for the next couple of weeks including the youth fishing derby sponsored by Faith Lutheran Church on the west side of 18 Mile Creek in Olcott Harbor from 8 am to noon. For more info call Joe Thomas at 531-5815. On June 18, the Wilson Conservation Club will be holding its annual county-wide fishing derby for the kids from 8 am to noon. Measure your fish by noon at the club located on Route 425 in Wilson. Awards will be held at 1 pm. Call 930-7500 for more info. On June 19, there will be a kids fishing derby at Widewaters Marina in Lockport, hosted by the Lock-City Moose Lodge 617. Registration at 7:30 am; fishing from 8-11 am. Call 417-4198 for more info. Don’t forget about the kids derby at the Town of Newfane Marina on June 25, which also happens to be the state’s Free Fishing Days Weekend.
Lower Niagara River
Fishing has really slowed down the past week. Not because the fish aren’t there, but because the dreaded moss has finally arrived in larger quantities to take some of the joys out of fishing in this productive stretch of water. There are actually a few steelhead still hanging around, but it’s anyone’s guess how long that will be. Bass is a better option for getting a fish to hit, but the moss really limits how much time you can keep your lures in the water. Remember that the Catch and Release season is in effect in the Niagara River until June 18 and only artificial lures can be used up until then. Tube jigs, swim baits and jerk baits are all good options for this time of year.
Upper Niagara River
Nothing was on fire the week with the weather. Musky anglers can’t wait for the June 18 opening and neither can the bass guys. Speaking of bass, Kelly’s Korners in Niagara Falls will be holding an opening day bass contest on June 18 and most of the fishermen and women will be hitting Lake Erie. It’s your best two fish for the day. Hours are from 5 am to 4 pm that day. You must be signed up by June 17. Best two fish total weight wins the prize money. For more information call 283-2040. Northern pike, perch and other panfish can also be caught throughout the upper river and even into the Erie Canal. There will be a kids fishing derby at Widewaters Marina in Lockport on June 19, hosted by the Lock-City Moose Lodge 617. Registration begins at 7:30 am; fishing from 8-11 am. Call 417-4198 for more info. Speaking of the Canal, the Hooked on the Tonawandas fishing derby is set once again for June 25-26, the same weekend as the free fishing days. Check out bgcnt.org for details.
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Lake Ontario report
The wind has been the biggest player over the last couple of days. Waves of up to 6 feet have kept boats dockside. Conditions are expected to settle down some by tomorrow. Early in the week lakers were the most active with an occasional brown being taken. Salmon have been elusive.
Oswego River Report
The water flow has been up and down some the last few days. This morning it is flowing at 5,090cfs. Anglers are finding sheepshead, smallmouth bass and an occasional walleye or catfish. Even a few largemouth bass have been reported. Worms, minnows and stickbaits are working well.
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
Windy conditions have made for little fishing on the lake over the last couple of days. Prior to this blow lakers were the most active in 100+ feet of water and a few brown trout were reported. As conditions settle down we will have to see if these west winds bring some salmon our way.
Salmon River report
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
Smallmouth bass have been the most active on the run. Monday there was a report of a nice brown trout being taken and Tuesday’s fishing for one angler brought a nice eight pound Atlantic salmon to the net. The river is continuing to flow at 185cfs.
Oneida Lake Report
When anglers have been able to access the lake this week, they have found a few walleye particularly early in the morning and later in the day. Stickbaits and bucktail jigs tipped with a worm are working well. Anglers are finding a few bluegills and pickerel in the shallow water and a few smallmouth bass in 5-10 feet of water.
Sandy Pond report
According to Woody’s Tackle:
Conditions are about the same on the pond. The North pond is producing some walleyes but only a few keepers size wise in the catches. Stickbaits and jigs are working well. There is very little perch activity.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Lake Ontario
You need to be on the water before the sun shuts down the brown bite. The trout are coming from Sodus Bay east to Port Bay. Troll that line in 15 to 30 feet of water, looking for any stained water.
When it gets bright try fishing 150 to 300 fow. Fish 50 to 90 feet with riggers and 300 feet of copper. Good luck pulling that copper in, however it works.
The bite has been tough so try looking for any temp breaks…if there are any. The surface was 65 degrees.
There are some smaller kings being caught with spoons, Michigan Stingers, NK’s and Revolution Spoons.
Currently, the charter captains are waiting for the larger kings to come into Wayne County waters.
Bays
Sodus Bay has pike action on the east side and a few walleye are being caught near the outlet. You can rent boats from Bay Bridge Sport Shop and Davenports on the south end of Sodus and Warrens at Sodus Point.
Bass season starts the 18th of this month. The largemouths will be in any of the bays. Fish the weedlines with rubber, plastic or spinnerbaits. They all work.
There are plenty of panfish everywhere so take the youngster out fishing…from the boats, docks, or shoreline.
Don’t forget the Wayne County Youth Derby which starts this Saturday June 11 and runs until July 24th.
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 canal waters are high because of some significant rain this past weekend. Be careful the current. They are catching huge bluegills near Widewaters and the cats are hitting near Palmyra.
Orleans County
Orleans County Tourism
A series of cold fronts moving through our area coupled with strong Northwest winds have put a damper on Lake Ontario fishing for today.
The forecast for later this week looks much more favorable which is great for this weekend starts with the Condor Derby on Friday followed by the 4th Annual Oak Orchard Open Tournament on Saturday and Sunday.
Normally a Northwest wind helps set up our portion of the lake for some great fishing but I guess we will just have to wait and see what the fishing gods bring us.
Before the winds picked up fishing was good with a mixed bag of species in each catch.
It seemed like the 95 to 150 feet of water range was holding a good number of fish but some fishermen were doing well as far out as 200 feet of water.
Most fish were being taken in the top 80 feet of water but as always some were deeper.
On Lake Alice fishing has slowed slightly but catches of Bluegill, Crappie and Bass are still being taken.
Just a reminder that Bass season opens the 3rd Saturday of this month so for now it’s still catch and release.