Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
February in Western NY is not supposed to be balmy weather. That’s exactly what we saw this week with today being forecast with a record temperature of 68 degrees. On Saturday, temperatures will plummet some 30 degrees in the afternoon, but it will probably be still above average and that trend should continue into March. It’s hard to believe spring is almost here! In the Niagara River below Niagara Falls, the water conditions were near perfect since Tuesday. Mixed reports on people catching fish from boats. Some of the guys have been doing pretty good picking away at them, using whatever baits the fish want or what the conditions allow for. For example, a strong SW wind was blowing boats down the river so switching your minnows or egg sacs over to Kwikfish or MagLip lures seemed like the logical solution. While some fish were caught that way, it was still slower than what most anglers would have liked. Boat control is critical. It wasn’t until afternoon that the steelhead turned on in the afternoon and it was egg sacs that worked for Capt. Frank Campbell. He had a couple veteran anglers on board – Buffalo Sabres coach Dan Bylsma and Jim Hanley. Using egg sacs that had been treated with Pautzke Fire Dye. Six nice steelhead were boated between noon and 2 p.m. including several over 12 pounds by Bylsma. See the full story next week in the Buffalo News on the Thursday Outdoors Page or online at BuffaloNews.com. Shore fishermen were struggling a bit for some reason and it was probably because of the weather. Casting spoons, spinners, egg sacs or egg imitations should produce some trout from Artpark to the Whirlpool. Take advantage of the nice weather!
Lake Ontario and tributaries
With the mild weather, boats were trolling the shoreline and picking up a few browns on stickbaits in the 6 to 20 foot depth range. Stained water was coming out of 18 Mile Creek at Olcott and trollers were sticking around close to the mouth on either side, using in-line planers to get their baits away from the boat. In addition to the browns, quite a few northern pike are also showing up for a fight. On the piers in Wilson and Olcott, casters are tossing spoons and spinners or drifting eggs under a float. Burt Dam has been producing some steelhead and browns, along with the occasional salmon. Perch have been everywhere, actually a nuisance for the trout guys. Keg Creek is wide open and clear. Bob Rustowicz of Cheektowaga reported banner days the last three days in various tribs he worked egg sacs and jig in. The Niagara Bar has been a little show this week, but it was good last weekend. It might be because there is a ton of bait around. Remember that the State of Lake Ontario will be held in Lockport on March 7th at the 4-H Building of Cornell Cooperative Extension Niagara, 4487 Lake Avenue, Lockport starting at 6:30 p.m. All in the Same Boat Tackle in Newfane is running a catch and release steelhead contest that starts today and runs through March 25. Stop down to the shop to register and pick up a copy of the rules.
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
With the warmer weather and snow melt, the water flow is up to 12,400cfs this morning.
Oswego River Report
According to Capt. Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift:
We had a great family day on the Oswego on Sunday. Had to get out and enjoy the gorgeous weather. On Monday our client also had a good day with some nice brown trout and steelhead coming to the net. The hard south wind made it a tough drift but we still made double digits. All released to fight another day.
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.
Salmon River Report
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
A handful of clients fished the run yesterday. One pair reported a domestic rainbow in the middle section swinging flies. Another pair reported a hefty brown trout well over 10# and more likely pushing 15#. The last group had four steelhead brought to hand. The key to their success was maintaining a deep drift rather than fishing the upper column of water. The flow is currently 750cfs.
According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop & Motel:
We got mixed reports from anglers with some groups getting into fish while others did not. The anglers who did have some success said that they covered lots of water and worked hard for the fish they got. Anglers who are bottom bouncing or float fishing have had success with egg sacs and beads. Anglers who are fly fishing have had success with black stoneflies and black hare’s ear.
Oneida Lake report:
There were some anglers venturing out over the weekend and early this week but with several days of 50 to 60 degrees this week, the ice is going to deteriorate quickly.
Sandy Pond report
The very unseasonable weather this week with temperatures up to 30 degrees above normal is taking a toll on the ice.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Streams
Stream flow has slowed a bit after the snow melt. Today it is a balmy 43 degrees with no snow cover or ice build-up on Wayne County streams. Even sections of the Sodus Pier are ice-free.
Maxwell has been producing steelies on both sides of Lake Road. They are hitting egg sacs and imitation beads. Use anything bright. There have been some browns caught. Not sure if they are hold overs or entering tribs from the lake.
There is plenty of parking for Maxwell on both sides of the highway.
Bays
There is no safe ice on any bays. Don’t even attempt to walk on any remnant ice. I guess the season is over. It’s supposed to be in the 50’s all week.
You can launch boats on Port and Sodus Bays. The DEC docks are not in; however, the ramps are ice free. Make sure you use your head…hypothermia is quick and deadly. You also are required to wear a PFD, which is a great law.
The large perch have been hanging around LeRoy Island and in shallow water on the north-east side of Sodus Bay.
The reports are of jumbos, weighing in close to two pounds. Those are some “thumpers.”
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
What little ice there is on the canal is very spongy. Don’t even try. With the warm week, ahead you might be able to launch a boat at Widewaters.
Orleans County
Orleans County Tourism
Above normal temperatures continue thru the rest of this week and well into next week.
Yesterday there were small boats on Lake Ontario working the shoreline around the tributary discharges and from what I’m told some brown trout were being taken.
On the “Oak” the best fishing seems to be close to the power generating facility with the flow being almost entirely from the generator discharge, where both steelhead and browns were being taken.
Flows were up to high and visibility reduced to about 2 feet.
Both Johnson and Sandy Creeks have good flows and both were producing a decent number of fish.
Marsh Creek flows were at a normal level but no reports from anyone who has fished it.
On the lower stretches of the “Oak” fishing for Perch should be good to very good but I have had no reports.
On Tuesday March 7th, Thursday March 9th and Monday March 13th the DEC will be holding their State of the Lake meetings at Lockport, Rochester and Pulaski respectively.
This is your chance to hear their presentations and ask questions so if you have any concerns please plan on attending one of these meetings.