Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Niagara River
The salmon run is happening in the Niagara River right now from both boat and shore. From boat, treated egg skein is the ticket. From shore, try tossing glow in the dark spoons or spinners under low conditions. The amazing weather we’ve been experiencing does have a down side. Water temperatures in the river have risen by 4 degrees already and it could impact the salmon run. If the kings and cohos make it up into the warm water, they probably won’t last long. Or they could head over to the tailrace of the power plant and the fishing platform guys and gals will do better. Things have slowed down a little there. Some bass and walleye are still available in the river, too. One area is just north of the Lewiston Landing area, where they have also been taking some perch. Directly relating to the run of salmon in the river is the Niagara Bar fishing. Capt. Matt Yablonsky of Wet Net Charters reports that the kings are staging again at the drop-off in 70 to 80 feet of water with E-Chip flashers and A-Tom-Mik flies or meat. Glow in the dark spoons work early morning and at dusk. In Olcott and Wilson, there has been some pier action for salmon and trout. Again, spoons and spinners work best. There was actually a hot bite for steelhead the past 24 hours for some reason up a Burt Dam, but with the warm temperatures near record-breaking the next 4 or 5 days, those fish will probably head back out into the lake. Speaking about out in the lake, trollers are using spoons, flasher-fly, flasher-cut bait or J-plugs to take salmon and the occasional trout inside of 100 feet of water. Fish are also available out deep. Wilson harbor was also producing some nice northern pike on spinnerbaits. Check out some of the catches featured this week in the Buffalo News website to see what’s really happening here fishing-wise (buffalonews.com).
Upper Niagara River
Upper Niagara River action has been good for bass and walleye the past week. Try around the head of Strawberry Island, at the head of the river and around the walls off Buffalo.
National Hunting and Fishing Day is Sept. 23. Niagara County’s version of this celebration is tied directly to the Wildlife Festival sponsored each year by the New York Power Authority and the Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs. The Festival is held both Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the NYPA Visitor’s Center located at 5777 Lewiston Road, Lewiston. Call 286-6661 for more information. All of the old stand-by presenters and vendors will be in attendance like the Primate Sanctuary, the Buffalo Zoomobile, Hawk Creek and Nickel City Reptiles. The Niagara River Anglers has their fishing pond set up and the Federation’s shooting trailer will be up for some plinking. Did we mention that this is all free? It’s great fun for the whole family. This event will be held, rain or shine. If you are a goose hunter, this is the final weekend for the nuisance goose season, ending on September 25.
Oswego County
Mary Ellen Barbeau
Lake Ontario Report
The fishing continues to be very good as the lake season is winding down. However with the very warm temperatures and sunny days this week, these conditions have kept a number of salmon in the lake so the fishing is still very good. There are plenty of salmon, both kings and cohos, in up to 100+ feet of water with the waters off the Oswego River and Nine Mile Point being popular areas. The same baits are continuing to work well – flies and flashers, spoons, cut bait and j-plugs.
Oswego River Report
The fishing at the dam continues to be good. Lower water levels and warm, humid temperatures this week have slowed the action some but there are still a large number of fish in the river with many more to come once the weather changes to more seasonable fall temperatures. Stickbaits or using skein under a float are suggested applications. The water flow has been fairly consistent the last few days. This morning it is flowing at 1300cfs.
Notice: The bridge to Leto Island is closed, and there are mandatory personal flotation device (PFD) zones on the river. For more information, visit our website at visitoswegocounty.com and click on the Fishing Report along the top bar on the home page.
Pulaski Area and Salmon River report:
According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle:
The fishing is outstanding. The lake fishing remains very good with some of the charters still booking double charter days. With the warm, dry weather we have had the lake fishing will likely continue until the weather changes. Glow spoons are working very well along with flies and flashers. The estuary of the Salmon River is loaded and there are fish moving up through the river. There will likely be a marked increase in that movement once the cooler temperatures arrive if not before then. Egg sacs, floating egg sacs and flies are suggested baits.
According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop and Motel:
This week we have had some warm and humid weather along with plenty of sunshine. We currently have fish spread out in the river from top to bottom. The last couple of days anglers have reported fish in both the Upper and Lower Fly Zone, Trestle Pool, Sportsman Pool, Town Pool and the estuary. With the recent hot weather the fish movement has slowed down some and the best action continues to be first thing in the morning and late in the day.
According to the Douglaston Salmon Run:
River Patrol reports early this morning mentioned a medium sized push of primarily kings into the lower section and the middle section seeing a lot of fish moving upriver. The upper section has a “lot of fish.” One happy but exhausted client came up about 9:30 to report he was going home after 40 hookups. He was an exception but other clients reported fairly good, consistent action throughout all sections of the run.
Notice: The Salmon River Fish Hatchery will hold its annual Open House this Saturday, September 23, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Oneida Lake Report:
Conditions are about the same on the lake. Smallmouth bass have been active and walleye are responding to worm harnesses and blade baits in deeper water. Anglers are also finding some yellow perch with small minnows.
Sandy Pond report:
Weed growth is making conditions difficult which is typical for this time of year. A few anglers are using weedless baits for bass.
Orleans County
Orleans County Tourism
Well it looks like we are in for another long stretch of pleasant summerlike weather conditions.
This should slow down the migration of trout and salmon towards their spawning grounds just a bit.
Early morning and late evening fishing from the pier heads have been fairly productive as has been trolling the “wall” at those times.
There are still a good number of fish and bait in the 70 to 200 feet of water range for those who still have boats in the water.
This past weekend I was at a function at the Archers Club and conditions never looked better.
There is a good water flow throughout the entire area which should make for some fantastic fishing this fall.
They also have made some great improvements to the facilities in the enlarged kitchen area.
Mark on your calendar October 18th,19th and 20th for the St. Mary’s Archers Club Catch and Release Fly Fishing Derby.
This great event features 3 days of great fishing, fantastic food and some wonderful prizes, truly an event not to be missed.
With the warm up, fishing in the lower stretches of the “Oak”, Lake Alice and the Erie Canal has slowed a bit except for the small mouth bass fishing.
That will all change once some cooler temperatures return to our area.
Initial reports from the DEC creel census folks look like this has been one of the highest catch rates for trout and salmon they have ever seen proving once again that Lake Ontario and its tributaries are alive and very healthy, even with the little extra water Mother Nature has given us.