Greater Niagara Region
Frank Campbell
Wind is still creating some issues in and on the Niagara River this week to the dismay of shore and boat fishermen. And just when the waters look like they are starting to clear a bit from the muddy soup, an arctic blast hits the region with below zero temperatures just before the weekend – some of the coldest of the winter so far. It can only help the ice fishermen, but it will hinder soft water anglers.
A few trout were being caught according to Lisa Drabczyk with Creek Road Bait and Tackle in Lewiston, giving shore fishermen an outside option to make some casts with spinners, spoons, jigs and egg sacs or egg imitations like beads. It will be cold and most, if not all, fishermen will be staying warm this weekend.
One bright spot that Drabczyk pointed out was that tributary fishing off Lake Ontario were picking up. Matt Vogt of Newfane confirmed that. He took a walk down a couple tributaries and if the stream had water, it had fish. It appears there was another push of steelhead. Smaller tributaries were littered with fish. Some locals around are still getting trout at Burt Dam, too. A lot of different presentations seem to work. It all depends on the day and conditions. Egg sacs, imitations and jigs under a float were all taking fish.
The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation, in conjunction with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, has announced that the agencies have agreed to a 10 percent salmon stocking increase for Lake Ontario in 2023. The 10 percent increase will translate into just under 1 million king salmon from the Salmon River Fish Hatchery for New York waters. Lake managers agreed to the increase after the Age-2 and older alewife biomass increased in 2022 and it was predicted that it would remain at similar levels in 2023 and 2024. In addition, the average size of an Age-3 salmon (measured in the lake during August) was 20.7 pounds. The minimum target size for a salmon being assessed at that time is 18.4 pounds. All salmon being stocked will be held in pens except for the Salmon River. This may be an excellent talking point to discuss with lake managers and fisheries biologists at the DEC Open House scheduled for Feb. 18 at the Niagara Falls Convention Center, being held in conjunction with the Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo. Speaking of the Expo, things are set for Feb. 16 to 19. A new Walleye Fishing School still has seats available. Check out niagarafishingexpo.com for details.
The annual Birds on the Niagara Festival is set for Feb. 17 to the 20th with lots of in-person birding tours and recommendations on how and where to bird if you want to do things on your own. There is a new website at birdniagara.org. There is also free parking and admission to the Cave of the Winds all weekend through Monday.
Wayne County Fishing Update
Chris Kenyon
Streams
Some browns are being caught at Salmon Creek in Pultneyville. Use fresh egg sacs under bobbers.
Maxwell still has a great flow; however fishing has been slow. Try the northwest side of the creek next to the lean-to cabins.
Lake Ontario tributary regulations:
Three fish in combination and not to include more than one rainbow trout (or steelhead) and one brown trout.
Bays
Cold temperatures are predicted this weekend, however we are now experiencing lake effect snow. Snow on top of a thin layer of ice insulates and reduces the chances of safe ice.
All the bays are currently not safe for fishing. We need a cold February to make ice.
Because of the lack of safe ice, the Sodus Point Bass Club has postponed their winter derby until Sunday February 19th.
The smaller ponds in Wayne County…like Sodus Center…have ice, but the ones that feed the creeks also have a steady flow of water underneath the ice. Use caution and make sure you take your spud to test thickness.
From November 1st until May 1st New York’s law requires you to wear your PFD. That means it cannot be laying around your boat. It must be worn.
When we get solid ice, bait is available on the south end of Sodus at Davenports and Bay Bridge Sport Shop.
On Port Bay Jarvis Bait shop is open on Brown Road. The signs are on East Port Bay Road at the junction of Brown Road. In Ontario, Grantley’s Bait at 1864 Route 104 Ontario, NY.
Erie Canal
Widewaters west of Newark has ice, however it is not uniform in thickness. Wait until it’s 4 inches thick.
Put Safety First When on the Ice
A Minimum of Four Inches of Clear Ice is Safe for Anglers on Foot. The NYS DEC is reminding ice anglers to use caution and common sense as ice fishing gets into high gear across much of New Yor State.
Four inches or more of solid ice is safe for anglers accessing ice on foot. Ice anglers should note that ice thickness can vary on everybody of water and even on the same body of water.
Anglers should be particularly wary of areas of moving water and around boat docks and houses where bubblers may be installed to reduce ice buildup.
The presence of snowmobile tracks or footprints on the ice should not be considered as evidence of safe ice conditions. Individuals are strongly encouraged to check ice conditions and avoid situations that appear to present even a remote risk. Testing the thickness of ice can be done easily with an auger or ice spud at various spots.
“Ice fishing is a popular sport in New York and interest in it increases every year,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Safety is the first thing to consider when taking part in the sport, and we remind people to use good judgement when venturing onto the ice. Ice fishing is great for families looking to try something new, and parents can mix in skating, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, or other activities during ice fishing trips to keep everyone interested and happy.”
Feb. 19 and 120 have been designated as a free fishing weekend. The requirement for a fishing license is waived during this period. The free fishing weekend is a great opportunity to try ice fishing for the first time and for experienced anglers to introduce their friends to the sport.
Notable Freshwater Fishing Regulation Changes
The following list offers a summary of the most notable fishing regulation changes resulting from the adopted rulemakings described above.
- New statewide regulation for rainbow trout, brown trout, and splake in lakes and ponds. The season will now be open year-round, with a five-fish daily limit, any size, with a “no more than two longer than 12 inches” harvest rule.
- Statewide Atlantic salmon regulations will now allow for a year-round open season.
- Ice fishing is permitted on all waters in New York unless specifically prohibited with the exception of Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Warren, and Washington counties where previous rules remain.
- New specific dates replaced floating dates for statewide season openers to include:
- May 1 – Walleye, Northern Pike, Pickerel, and Tiger Muskellunge.
- June 1 – Muskellunge. (Note that in 2022, DEC will allow for the fishing of muskellunge beginning the last Saturday in May to accommodate previously planned fishing trips);and
- June 15 – Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass.
- A five-fish daily walleye limit in Oneida Lake.
- A new regulation to limit the growth of the walleye population in Skaneateles Lake. No daily possession limit; 12-inch minimum size limit, open year-round.
- The statewide sunfish daily harvest limit has been reduced from 50 to 25 fish: and
- The statewide minimum size limit for crappie has been increased from nine inches to ten inches.
Orleans County
Orleans County Sportfishing Coordinator Ron Bierstine:
Over the past weekend with warm temps there was some melt off. The area smaller trib flows bumped up slightly while flows in the Oak have kept humming along at about slightly high and slightly stained. Anglers out over the past weekend reported a few hook ups on some steelhead by working different spots in the river. Action has been a little more measured then say 2 – 3 weeks ago when it seemed we got a small “run” of fresh steelhead. The forecast ahead thru about the weekend is for colder weather that will drop and clear flows. Look for flows in the Oak to go from the slightly high flows we have now to med and 2 – 3 ft of visibility. For now all the waterway is open but some of the downstream frog water could ice up. The other area smaller tribs have good looking med and slightly stained flows for now and likewise should be dropping back toward mod or lower and clearer. Good chance for some icing conditions coming on there. We’ll see how long any cold weather may last (there’s been no prolonged cold spell yet) and whether this is the stretch of weather we might have typically seen in January. Plenty of calendar time left ahead thru February and March for late winter/spring action. Warming temps and the next spate of water could bring on some big fresh steelhead!
Here’s some more good news on chinook stocking numbers. NYSDEC and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry have agreed to a 10% increase in chinook salmon stocking in Lake Ontario for 2023. Alewife biomass and average weight of age 3 chinooks both show encouraging increases, so as a result NYSDEC will stock a total of 985,180 salmon. The 90,000 increase will be spread evenly over the major stocking sites, while the Salmon River stocking numbers will remain the same. Here, in the Oak Orchard that will mean 126,330 fish! The NYSDEC says “adaptively managing the number of salmon and trout stocked in Lake Ontario ensures we maintain a predator prey balance and continue to provide world-class fishing opportunities for years to come.”
Upcoming Sport Shows
Orleans County will be attending the following sport shows. Stop by and pick up our brochures, meet our reps and get excited about the trib fishing and upcoming open Lake fishing.
LOSPC Shows
- Feb. 16 – 19 , 2023 – Greater Niagara Fishing & Outdoor Expo, Niagara Falls, NY
- March 4 – 5, 2023 – West Virginia Fishing, Hunting & Outdoor Sports Show – Morgantown, WV (NEW for 2023)
- March 10 – 12, 2023 – WNY Sport Show – Hamburg, NY
Niagara Falls USA & Orleans County Shows:
- Feb. 3 – 5, 2023 – Canfield Sportsman’s Show – Canfield, OH (NEW for 2023)
Oswego County
- Consistent water levels on the Salmon River have led to some great fishing.
- We recommend concentrating on the deepest, and slowest, holes and runs.
- On the Oswego, anglers have mainly been finding active fish up the west side of the river.
- Consider booking a guide. Click Here for our full list..
- Order a free fishing guide
Salmon River
Click Here of the 10 day Forecast
The water on the Salmon River has been consistent for the last week, which has resulted in some great fishing.
The steelhead have been holding in the slower, deep pools. With the river temps hovering right at freezing, the steelhead have seen a decrease in activity. So we recommend concentrating on the deepest, and slowest, holes and runs. Take your time to generate bites.
Egg sacs have been the primary bait of choice with blue, peach, and purple being the most consistent colors. Don’t be afraid to tie a pink and white this time of year, for a nice change up. But make sure you have blue.
Other good baits are pink worms, jigs and the occasional bead. Fished under a float these baits have been producing plenty of action. “Glo Roe” has been taking shots lately along with natural looking jigs.
Fly anglers have been finding success running stoneflies in a variety of colors, copper, blue and chartreuse. An egg sucking leech or woolly bugger in black, or olive have also been productive.
Oswego River
Click Here of the 10 day Forecast
The fishing on the Oswego remains challenging with dirty and high-water conditions. But anglers have been finding active fish up the west side of the river.
Fish the slow edges along the shore with egg sacs and jigs, and take your time. Also know that with the stained water you may have to hit the fish on the nose before it sees your bait.
As the water rises the harbor fishing really takes off. Bucktail jigs and swim baits on jig heads are the best presentations. White and white chartreuse and natural color baits are typically your best option, along with swim baits and blade baits. As the water “colors up” don’t be afraid to throw some brighter baits.
Steelhead Fishing on the Legendary Salmon River
Let this be your year to experience the legendary waters of the Salmon River, long regarded as one of North America’s premier steelhead destinations!
It only takes one light tackle hook-up for you to understand why they are called Steelhead. Anglers from around the world will tell you that these underwater lightning bolts do more than steal your bait. By the time they have had their way with you, they’ll have stolen your heart and soul. Whether heading upstream for a fall feeding frenzy or dropping back to Lake Ontario in the spring, these 5-10 lb. “chromers” will give you the freshwater fight that brings you back for more.
Free Oswego Fishing Guide
Click Here to Order a Free Guide
The 68-page guide includes a detailed overview of fishing opportunities on eastern Lake Ontario, Oneida Lake, the Oswego and Salmon rivers and a variety of other tributaries, as well as the more than 40,000 acres of public lands available for hunting.