Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Lake Ontario And Tributaries
Action on Lake Ontario continues to be very good for trout and salmon trollers working out of the mouth of the river, Wilson and Olcott. In the Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association’s King Salmon Tournament last weekend, Fisherman’s Daughter came away with the win for big fish – 27 pounds 14 ounces and the 3-2-3 win with 65.56 pounds for three fish! Impressive totals. Capt. Matt Yablonsky of Wet Net Charters has been doing great all week. Last weekend this was his hot set-up on the Niagara Bar. Morning bite was in 190-205 feet of water around the red can, 40-60 down and an all-spoon bite. Early afternoon bite was 140-150 feet of water but closer to the Canadian line, 55-80 feet down down with still mostly a spoon bite. Silver Streak lures were taking most bites. Afternoon/early evening bite was 100-150 feet of water on the ledge. Tried to turn a few but was never able to. He ended up by 4 mile. He couldn’t keep his spin doctor and A-Tom-Mik flies in the water. Afternoon matures all came on flies. There has been a good mix of fish off Olcott 40 to 50 feet down over 80 to 100 foot depths. Spoons or flasher-fly rigs. Of course you can also fish out deep over 300-plus feet of water for a mixed bag of salmon and steelies. Stephen Liebler of Williamsville reeled in a 30.02 pound salmon earlier in the week to take over the lead in the Salmon Division on a flasher-fly. Larry Wills of Lewiston is still leading for the Grand Prize with a 30 pound, 15 ounce fish. Wade Winch of North Tonawanda is still the top steelie catcher, but Alfonse Gouker of Pennsylvania got close Sunday with a 17 and a half pound steelhead weighed in at The Slippery Sinker. Bob Turton of Sanborn lost hold of the lake trout lead when Ephriam Burt weighed in a 24 pound, three ounce fish in the eastern basin around Henderson Harbor. First place brown is still 17.06 pound brown trout caught out of Wilson by Thomas Gies of Ann Arbor, Michigan. The derby continues to July 31 and the website to follow the action is loc.org.
Lower Niagara River
Moss is slowly starting to dissipate and bass are starting to cooperate a bit more. The Niagara River Anglers Assn. Bass Contest is Saturday, July 23 and you can sign up at Creek Road Bait and Tackle. Crayfish and shiners are the best live baits; tubes and drop shot rigs for artificials.
Upper Niagara River-Erie Canal
While bass numbers have been decent, bass size has been smaller for the Bassmaster pros fishing the bracket tournament right now. Catch some of the live action at bassmaster.com. The two top fish catchers going into Thursday action was Kevin Van Dam and Brett Hite with 20 pounds 8 ounces and 21 pounds, 14 ounces respectively. Action continues through Friday. The Erie Canal Fishing Derby is over as far as the fishing is concerned but the real excitement will take place at the Awards Ceremony on Sunday in Gasport at the fire hall starting at 3 pm. The unofficial leaders for the different divisions are: Here’s some of the leaders so far: Ron Robel of Wheatfield with a 8.4 sheepshead; Craig Udell of Gasport with a 19.9 pound carp; Patty Young of Kent with a 9-plus pound catfish; Albert Whaley of North Tonawanda with a 7.9 pound pike; Shawn West of Lockport with a 3.58 pound walleye; Joe Cwiklinski of Depew with a 2.9 pound bullhead; and John Justice of North Tonawanda with a 3.8 pound bass. The website is eriecanalderby.com.
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Lake Ontario report
Anglers are reporting some good action on the lake. A mix of species is taking the bait including salmon, an Atlantic or two, steelhead and an occasional laker.
According to Capt. Troy Creasy of High Adventure Sportfishing Charters:
Early in the week we bounced and bounced but the bite was pretty good. Conditions have settled down over the last couple of days with some good action. Cut bait along with flies and spoons have been working.
According to Capt. Andy Bliss of Chasin’ Tail Adventures:
Salmon fishing has really picked up in the last few weeks. Best baits have been cut bait rigs with spoons and flies a distant second.
Oswego River Report
The water level has been fairly consistent running between 1,000-2,000cfs for a few days. This afternoon the flow is 1,130cfs. Fishing is about the same on the river. Walleye are responding to stickbaits particularly after dark. Anglers are finding a few catfish and smallmouth bass. Cut bait and nightcrawlers 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
Anglers have been finding some good action over the last few days. Salmon, brown trout and steelhead are responding to flies and flashers along with spoons. There has been some decent bass activity in Mexico Bay using soft shell crabs, minnows and nightcrawlers.
Salmon River report
There has not been much to report from the river. Typically this time of year is quiet. The river flow remains 185cfs at the dam.
Oneida Lake Report
The walleye remains somewhat difficult with blade baits in 20-25 feet of water producing a few. Walleyes are feeding on May flies and gobies which is affecting their appetite for bait. Stickbaits are working in just a bit deeper water. Bass are being taken in shallow water along the weedbeds and around the shoals.
Sandy Pond report
According to Woody’s Tackle:
The pond is heavily weeded with little fishing taking place.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Lake Ontario
The Sodus Pro-Am this past weekend proved the kings have made their journey to Wayne County. Many boats ran west to Irondequoit Bay, however the leaders found their fish straight out from Hughes’ Marina and the power plant.
The lure of choice was cut bait…meat rigs. There were spoons used and some flasher flies. Some kings came from 70 down over 250 feet of water.
The temp breaks were 70 to 90, however that was two days ago. Currently the wind is calm so there should be some consistency in the catch rate. Look for the hooks, bait fish and the temp breaks. The kings that came to the weigh station were 20 to 25 pounds with a 30 pounder caught on Saturday.
Bays
There were two bass fishing contest on Sodus Bay Saturday and Sunday. One was out of Bay Bridge Sport Shop and the other was at Sodus Point. They hammered the largemouths…all released.
Just fish the weedlines and you’ll catch plenty of fish.
If you need to rent a boat they are available at Davenports, Bay Bridge Sport Shop, and Warren’s Hook, Line &Sinker at Sodus Point.
The event for the youngsters started June 11th and runs until July 24th. All the info is on the front of our county web page.
Catching a fish is something that is remembered forever… so sign-up today.
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 bass boats were also fishing the Widewaters Sunday. Largemouths weighing 6 or 7 pounds have come out of the canal. That is not a fabrication. I’ve seen them.
Orleans County
Orleans County Tourism
First congratulations to all of the winners of the 26th Annual Erie Canal Derby.
Some great fish were caught which proves what a great fishery the canal provides right at our doorstep.
It provides a great place to take a kid fishing on a lazy summer afternoon and enjoy nature.
Another great spot is Lake Alice which is producing Crappie, Bass and some Walleye right now.
Fishing can’t get much better than it is right now in Lake Ontario off the shores of Orleans County.
80 to 150 feet of water seems to be packed with fish, especially Chinook salmon of all age classes.
Although lure types change from day to day, all seem to be working at a steady rate.
Colors and patterns vary greatly depending on who you talk to, so as always start with your favorites and go from there.
With fishing this close to shore even smaller boats can participate when weather conditions allow.
Don’t forget that the LOC Summer Derby runs through July 31st this year.
Word has it that the lower portion of Oak Orchard River is teeming with Gar pike this year.
Salmon River
Michael De Rosa – Zero Limit Adventures – Tailwater Lodge
We continue to experience extended hot and very dry weather. Water flow has remained at 185 cfs, the minimum flow for this season. The second weekend “white water flow” for kayakers has been cancelled and the NYS DEC has issued a second update on the effects of the extended dry weather.
There are still Smallmouth Bass throughout the river and Brown trout from earlier stocking throughout the system. There are significant hatches and some good fishing in the evenings.
The Upper (Redfield) Reservoir continues to fish well for Bass, Walleyes and Panfish. As usual with hot and dry weather night fishing both the Upper and Lower Reservoirs can be very rewarding. Fishing may be best during the week as the Upper Reservoir receives increased boat pressure over the weekends.
The Tug Hill Fishing Club continues to produce trophy Largemouth Bass for our guests along with some pretty amazing Crappie that will give the fly rod a workout. With the increased heat we have changed our tactics and have been fishing earlier in the AM and later in the evening. The top water bite is still the best shot at the big boys!