Greater Niagara Region
Frank Campbell
It looks like the Lewiston/Niagara River Chamber of Commerce pet steelhead saw its shadow today and that means at least 6 more weeks of good trout fishing in the lower Niagara River!
Okay, maybe they don’t have a pet steelhead, but things are looking up for the trout action in the lower river. Lake Erie is nearly completely ice covered, which will mean you won’t have to worry about muddy conditions any time soon. Hopefully, the big storm blowing in tonight and hanging around until Friday will not have an adverse effect on those conditions. However, we are supposed to receive another foot of snow, so keep that in mind!
Fishing for trout from boats has been good since the weekend. Capt. Frank Campbell of Lewiston reports that fishing was good earlier this week for steelhead. Egg sacs have been the best attraction, fished off three-way rigs from boats. One issue was ice at the Lewiston Launch Ramp, but Public Works with the village have brought in some sand and salt to help the cause. Pautzke Outdoors was in town filming this week, getting enough quality footage for 2 shows on Tuesday. They caught over 20 fish, with a mix of lake trout, steelhead, and brown trout. They used MagLips, minnows and egg sacs to take all of their fish. Capt. Ryan O’Neill of Orchard Park hit some big walleyes on Tuesday using shiners. Kevin Fischer of West Seneca hit an 11.48-pound ‘eye, as well as a 10.01-pound ‘eye bottom bouncing. They also caught steelhead and brown trout using the live bait approach. From shore, the Mike and Mike show was back in action. Mike Ziehm and Mike Rzucidlo, both of Niagara Falls, tag teamed for some shoreline casting in the gorge and did well on Monday afternoon. The dynamic angling duo hit a half-dozen steelies and a nice brown trout using jigs and No. 5 spinners. Rzucidlo noted they did the best with spinners sporting silver blades on a green body and the best jig colors were orange and white. Ice floes coming down through the river was a bit of a problem for shore and boat guys. Water visibility was about 4 feet.
Last weekend, Brian Foster of Lockport and his son Riley decided to venture to Olcott for some ice fishing using pink Marabou jigs tipped with wax worms and set on a jaw jacker. Young Riley was about to catch what his dad called a “unicorn.” Whatever it was, it appeared to be big. Riley did it all (except hold it up for photos due to his cold hands) and finally outmuscled an 18-pound king salmon through the ice. Very unusual for sure. Meanwhile over in Wilson where 7-8 inches of ice was being reported by Matt Vogt of Newfane, he was catching some northern pike and large perch.
It’s the last few days to provide public comment on numerous proposed fishing regulations changes. The Feb. 6 deadline will allow for regulations changes to take effect April 1. Some of the changes being considered include season opening dates for walleye, pike, bass, musky, and pickerel. Go on the DEC website at dec.ny.gov to see the proposals and how to make comments.
Oswego County
Report is Courtesy of the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning
Salmon River Report:
The CFS at the Pineville gauge was at 436 as of this morning. The weather pattern this week was a roller coaster. A cold start to the week followed up with a nice warm up. But a cold front is settling in for the weekend.
As the water flow on the Salmon River is lowered to normal winter flows the fishing has typically led to good fishing this winter. The water is very clear right now, so the sunny days are tough. When there is cloud cover the fishing has been good. With the lower water and cold temperature fish have settled in and are biting.
Overall, we recommend concentrating your efforts on the bigger deeper pools and anywhere you find slow water. Fish the inside edges and the belly of the pool.
When winter sets in the more lethargic and less active the fish become. Finding baits that pique their interest this time of year seem to be the best method to triggering bites. Egg sacs have been the best bait in slow cold water. Blues really shines during wintertime. White and peach being the next best.
Other bait options are pink worm and marabou jigs tipped with wax worms. Best color combinations are typically white with a pink or purple collar. Black stoneflies with chart, blue, or copper back also working for bottom bouncers.
Oswego River Report
The Oswego has finally dropped below 5000 CFS, with todays reading at 4140. With these lower flows you are now able to wade the river more freely. Use caution when wading this time of year with cold conditions be very careful of shelf ice. The rock will have a lot of ice and a lot of slippery spots.
Anglers are seeing fair numbers of fish in the river. Most anglers are fishing jigs, beads and egg sacs under floats to generate bites.
This lower flow also makes the high wall very fishable. As it gets colder fish will migrate to the deeper spots. The lower Oswego behind the hotels saw a solid freeze up earlier this season. But after the heavy south winds it has opened back up. With the deep freeze and snow in the forecast it could quickly lock back up too.
Oneida Lake Ice Fishing Report
Temperatures warmed up a day or two ago, creating soft snow drifts and a little slush. It will be interesting to see how much snow this weekend storm drops on the ice. It could make it difficult for ATVs, until some roads are blazed by snowmobiles.
We now have approximately 10″ to 12″ of ice in most places but with the usual pressure cracks, especially near Taft Bay. Be careful on crossing, especially in the changing conditions, slush pockets are showing up here and there too.
The following bite report is courtesy of Captain Chris Yard of Irish Knots; check him out on Instagram (@Irishknotssportfishing).
We are reporting everything from walleye to big perch. The finicky walleye are loving Caty jigs and the more aggressive fish have entertained Jigging Raps and some Caty jigging spoons. Otherwise, you can target perch in deeper water typically the 30’ range and the walleye have been cruising structure between 18’ to 25’. Our colors of choice have been Wonderbread, Glo Green, and Pink/White; with UV Pink taking a random bite.
The following bite report is courtesy of Captain Chris of Irish Knots; check him out on Instagram (@Irishknotsfishing):
Sandy Pond Report
We still have plenty of ice on the north pond, but some slush from the recent warm weather. The following report is courtesy of Woody’s Tackle Shop, just off Route 3 in Port Ontario.
The pike bite is hot and the perch bite has been picking up as well. Our go-to baits this time of year are Jaw Jackers, Soco eyeball jigs, slender spoons, Caty jigs, and Swedish pimples. Jigging Rapalas is another go-to technique.
There is an open water derby with bass nation this Saturday, February 5, 2022. Woody’s is the weigh in station for the region, and you can also register there in the morning or online ahead of time. Call Woody’s for more information at: (315) 298.2378, or check out their Facebook page.
The main points of ice access for Sandy Pond are: Greenpoint, “The Elms,” Wigwam, and the new DEC launch at Stanley Drive, which is now a free option for parking, but it is a bit further to walk.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Streams
Streams are still locked-up and the temperatures are not predicted to soar and more snow is on the way.…so try your luck on the ice. It’s eight to ten inches thick.
Lake Ontario tributary regulations
Three fish in combination and not to include more than one Rainbow Trout (or Steelhead) and One Brown Trout.
Bays
So far, it’s safe ice everywhere. Sodus and Port Bay are eight to ten inches. Just be cautious. Someone broke through the ice on Sodus Center Pond. They were too close to the bridge that separates the pond from Maxwell Creek. That’s where the current is flowing.
Any where the creeks enter the bays will not have uniform ice. And bubblers at the docks are not a safe place to drill holes. Be safe.
The Sodus Bay action is everywhere: Third Creek, LeRoy Island, the Trestle, and over by the Sodus Point loop.
Third Creek had most of the weekend shanties. The perch were scattered in 25 to 30 fow. There was plenty of the small variety, however the 11- and 12-inch perch were hitting.
Sometimes you need to use smaller jigs. It takes longer for them to hit bottom, but they work. Try everything you have and tip them with spikes or perch eyes.
Port Bay has seen action off Graves and Thompson Points. The perch are in 20 fow. Or try the east side of the bay where there is a rocky bottom.
Harsh weather is coming so let’s hope the snow blows off the bays.
The limit on perch is 50 fish with no minimum length.
All persons on board a recreational vessel less than 21 feet in length (including canoes, kayaks, and rowboats) must wear a USCG–approved PFD from November 1 to May 1.
Erie Canal
There was some anglers fishing Widewaters yesterday (Monday) however not sure what they were catching. It’s a nice place to catch winter bluegills and crappies.
All persons on board a recreational vessel less than 21 feet in length (including canoes, kayaks, and rowboats) must wear a USCG–approved PFD from November 1 to May 1.
The 2021 New York State fishing guide can be found at https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7917.html for downloading and printing at home. Production of hard copies is finished and have been delivered to License Issuing Agents. Hard copies can be requested by emailing FWFish@dec.ny.gov.
Keep informed from the NYS Canal web for changes and restrictions with canal waters. Keep informed about 2021 canal hours. (There will be no fees for the 2021 canal boating season.) May 21st is the scheduling for the canal opening. Hours are 7 am till 5pm. Stay informed with the below web page.
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.
Orleans County
This week’s report is from Ron Bierstine from Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge:
I’m just returning from the Fly Fishing Show in Edison, NJ so will need to come back up to speed on fishing info as some angler reports come in. Fishing pressure, no doubt, is light though.
The northeast coastal weather put a damper on show attendance and the vendors participating were down some thanks to Covid worry but the anglers who did visit the show had good interest in all of the Lake Ontario trout and salmon fishing opportunities. At least it’s good to see organizers and attendees’ efforts at getting back to a normal pre-Covid scene.
Here on the Oak look for low and clear flows with bank ice and the downstream slow water areas frozen. Most hook up chances will come from long and light float presentations at the dam. Other area smaller waterways will be snowed and frozen in. Agreeable temps are expected today (Tuesday) and tomorrow (Wednesday) with a forecasted snow storm expected Thursday. There’s a chance for more significant accumulations which could bring area totals to 2 – 3 ft of snow. We are surely going to have water for high and off color flows when the weather breaks toward spring. We’ll just have to wait and see if it’ll be a hard and fast melt or something a little more moderate and gradual.