Greater Niagara Region
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Walleye, pike, pickerel and tiger musky under the state’s general angling regulations opens on Saturday, May 2. Know the regulations for the body of water you intend to fish. With more wind in the forecast, you will have to pick your spots to fish.
Out in Lake Ontario, Tanner Niezgoda of Newfane reports good salmon and trout action out of Olcott in 60-130 foot of water. The fish were spread out. The kings were down anywhere from 30-50 foot below the surface. They were hitting green and yellow colored spoons, fishing out of Olcott. Josh Dunkelberger of Olcott reports that he was doing well on a mix of lake trout and salmon trolling between Wilson and Olcott with team Northern Outcasts. Dreamweaver NBK spoons on the riggers 45 down over 60 feet of water took some nice kings. So did divers set back 115 feet back on a 3.5 setting. A hot spoon on lake trout was Lucky Flounder. There has been a bit of activity off the piers when the winds cooperate in Wilson and Olcott. Pike season opens on Saturday and Wilson and Olcott harbors are good spots to try with spinnerbaits, spoons or live bait like chubs or large minnows.
Scott Feltrinelli on Ontario Fly Outfitters reports that he fished high water on the drop earlier this week on a small tributary and found a fair number of steelhead. This time of year, they are in as fast as they are out. Lots of decent activity over the past weeks as temperatures are right in the “groove” for this fish to move in and out of the tributaries. Some smallmouth bass are starting to move in with larger numbers in some areas.
In the lower river, action has been good for a mixed bag of fish – whatever you want to target. There are still plenty of steelhead in the river with a few lake trout swimming around. Silver bass have started to hit and smallmouth bass action is starting to increase at the river starts to warm. Shore guys like Mike Rzucidlo and Mike Ziehm of Niagara Falls continue to hit steelhead from shore casting spinners. Aaron Horvatits of Buffalo was using a chartreuse glass bead in 12 mm size to score on some feisty steelhead. It all depends on how you want to fish for them. There should be a few walleyes around for the opener, too. Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island reports good bass fishing throughout the upper river on a mix of artificial baits. Capt. Ryan Shea of Tonawanda has been using ned rigs to score on some big smallmouth, but he will also catch a mixed bag of other fish using that same technique. Crankbaits were working, too.
Remember that social distancing should always apply. The marinas and launch ramps are open for business and make sure to take the necessary precautions. We will get through this eventually.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Lake Ontario
The surface temps straight out from Rochester today are running around 42-43 degrees.
Yesterday’s north-east blow has created a different pattern for fishing the lake.
That wind direction has never been the highlight for Ontario anglers. However, some browns were searching for warmer water in the Sodus Channel. Throw-out some green/glow Cleos.
Some nice browns and steelhead have come out of the channel waters.
On the water troll west towards Ginna and fish in 20 to 30 fow, down 10 to 15 feet. Use spoons or stickbaits off the boards and riggers. There have been steelhead in the mix and a few spring kings.
Try to find temperature breaks, where warmer water will hold the browns. If there is a mudline, troll in and out of that stained water.
Bays
The bullheads have started to bite where warmer water enters the bays. Bay Bridge, on the south end of Sodus Bay, is a great location to fish. You will also find bullheads at the south end of Port Bay back in the swampy water of Furnace Creek.
Some crappies are still being caught at the south end of Port Bay. (Launch is open) There are suspended down two feet over 20 feet of water. Use bright white plastic bait under a bobber. Tip your bait with spikes.
The pike and walleye season opens the first Saturday in May and Leroy Island on Sodus Bay is one of the better locations for catching northerns. Some walleye can be caught between the islands. Use black/purple bucktail jigs.
Remember while
Erie Canal
The canal bite is off to a slow bite because of the colder temperatures. The water needs to heat-up. There have been a few panfish caught across the canal at Widewaters.
Boat Launches Opened
Privately-owned marinas, boat launches, and many other recreational marine locations are now opened.
The official statement from New York State is made in conjunction with similar ones from the governors of New Jersey and Connecticut, is the latest change to the guidance from Empire State Development on what is and isn’t affected by the governor’s Executive Order 202, which ordered employers to reduce the number of employees working at individual locations to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.
The guidance regarding privately-owned marinas, boatyards and recreational marine manufacturers allows for operations and boat repair/maintenance so long as the facilities ‘adhere to strict social distancing and sanitization protocols.’ However, watercraft cannot be used for charters or rentals, and any restaurant facilities there must remain take-out or delivery only.
Safety Precautions from DEC
While enjoying the outdoors, please continue to follow the CDC/New York State Department of Health guidelines (leaves DEC’s website) for preventing the spread of colds, flu, and COVID-19:
- Try to keep at least six (6) feet of distance between you and others.
- Avoid close contact, such as shaking hands, hugging, and kissing.
- Wash hands often or use a hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
- Avoid surfaces that are touched often, such as doorknobs, handrails, and playground equipment.
When fishing, DEC recommends avoiding busy waters and following the guidelines on DEC’s website about fishing responsibly in New York State. If an angler arrives at a parking lot and there are several cars, they should consider going to another parking lot. If an angler is fishing upstream, they should fish downstream of the other angler or consider fishing another day. Anglers fishing from boats should be able to maintain at least six feet of distance between one another. For more information about the benefits of being outdoors safely and responsibly, go to DEC’s website.
New York State is open for fishing and DEC encourages anglers to recreate locally at a nearby waterbody. New York’s lakes and streams offer great opportunities for fishing in a wide array of settings across the state. Even during the current COVID-19 public health crisis, getting outdoors and connecting with nature while angling in New York’s waters is a great way to help maintain mental and physical health.
Charters and Guides
The “New York State on PAUSE” Executive Order, a 10-point policy to assure uniform safety for everyone during the COVID-19 response, includes a directive that all non-essential businesses statewide must close effective at 8 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, and temporarily bans all non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason.
At this time, fishing guides or charters of any size have been determined to be not essential and are subject to workforce reduction requirements of the Executive Order. The full and updated guidance on which types of businesses are determined essential and other designations associated with the order can be found online. For more info https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026
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