Niagara Fishing Forecast
Lake Ontario and tributaries – The warm snap we had earlier in the week helped the local fishing off Lake Ontario at bit. The piers were ice-free at Wilson and Olcott and casting spoons or spinners was producing some trout when the wind wasn’t too bad. Other fishing action for trout has been good in 18 Mile Creek toward Burt Dam with a few salmon still hanging around. The water is still low and clear but flow has increased slightly and is seeing a little bit of stain as snow melt and rain, along with canal run-off, was contributing to the creek’s water supply. We should have a nice weekend for fishing there. Combined with the fact that big game season is still going on, fishing pressure should be down. Egg sacs, egg imitations like beads, egg sucking leech or woolly bugger pattersn or just a small jig, tipped with a wax worm and fished under a float will all catch fish. Take advantage of it while you can.
Lower Niagara River- The Niagara River has not seen any fishing action in a week from boats with some limited opportunities from shore. The shore guys will actually see fishing first as the waters slowly clear up from the shoreline out, but the lower river waters continue to be pretty darn muddy thanks to winds and excessive run-off from above. Beads are the way to go when that water does start to change from shore – maybe this weekend. When boat fishing returns, look for those fish to be hungry. If we have some southerly winds, use wobbling baits like Kwikfish or MagLips. Flatfish will also work for you. If the winds are out of the north, look for egg sacs or egg imitations to be the preference. Musky season continues through Dec. 15 in the Lower Niagara and the Niagara Musky Assn. will be holding its John Henning Memorial Tournament on Dec. 7 this year.
Upper Niagara River – If you are a musky fisherman, remember that the statewide season for most waters ends on November 30 with a few exceptions. The deadline for the Lower Niagara River, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River is Dec. 15th giving you an extra couple of weeks to chase these elusive fish. Fall is usually the best time for a trophy fish, but you have to brave to serious elements if you want to be successful. To find out more about musky fishing, check out the next Niagara Musky Assn. meeting on Tuesday night (Dec. 2) at the Eldridge Club, located on 17 Broad Street in Tonawanda starting at 7 pm. They are one diehard group of anglers! Their next fishing event will be the John Henning Memorial Tournament set for Dec. 7 on the lower river. The likelihood of fishing taking place before Nov. 30? Roll the dice. Water has been like chocolate milk since the big storm in Buffalo. You might be able to get out in the upper river by Sunday, the final day. If you do, try using large tubes or large body baits. Those fish should be hungry! Keep your fingers crossed!
Oswego County
Oswego River/Lake Ontario – The water level has been up and down some the last few days. After running at about 4,000cfs yesterday it jumped overnight to 7,720cfs. Steelhead are the most active with a few brown trout in the mix. Smack beads, egg sacs, skein and flies are suggested baits.
According to Capt. Kevin Davis of Catch the Drift, you never know what you will get with Catch the Drift. One outing this week produced a nice limit of walleyes in between the steelhead and brown trout.
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 under fishing and hunting. The Oswego Fire Department offers a Loaner for Life program, offering loaner life jackets at no cost at the east side fire station, 35 E. Cayuga St., Oswego. For more information call 315-343-2161.
Salmon River – According to Garrett Brancy of the Douglaston Salmon Run, high water kept most fishermen off the run yesterday as the Pineville gage read 1,210cfs at 12:40 p.m. There were a few brave souls but despite their best efforts came up empty handed. The water is still off colored but the leaves are starting to clear. The positive side is that the higher water may bring some fresh chrome into the system. The water level is running at 750cfs this morning and as it stabilizes the fishing should pick up again.
According to Whitaker’s Sport Shop & Motel, although we are still getting some runoff, the water level has dropped and overall the leaves and clarity have improved in the lower end of the river. Some of the smaller local tributaries are still high but the Salmon River is now at a very fishable level. Suggested baits are egg patterns, nymphs, trout beads and egg sacs.
Oneida Lake – The shore night bite for walleye remains good. Casting stickbaits and crankbaits is the suggested application. We have been in an up and down weather pattern with cold and snow and then temperatures near 70 degrees. The wind has continued to be a player on many days. Temperatures again on the weekend will reach near 50 degrees so it will be a while before any ice forms.
Sandy Pond – According to Dave Wood of Woody’s Tackle, the activity on the pond is quiet this time of year as we await the ice fishing action on the pond.
Wayne County
Streams – A few anglers were fishing Maxwell this weekend and a nice steelhead came from the south side of Lake Road. The water level still remains low, however there is still enough to hold fish.
Wayne County didn’t receive any of the lake affect that pounded Buffalo. Of course that snow came from Lake Erie.
Using real egg sacs still works the best for trout. You can catch them on artificial lures, but the real stuff works best.
Another option for stream anglers is Hughes’ Marina on Lake Road just east of Pultneyville. There is a $5 permit fee and you can fish the small lagoons which connect to the lake.
The ponds at Hughes’ are ice free so far. Of course that can change later this week when colder temperatures come into town.
Bays – Perch fishing is picking-up in all the bays. On Sodus the fish are in deeper water off of the islands and points. Use jigs tipped with spikes.
Remember the New York State law that requires you to wear your PFD (Life jacket) starting November 1st and ending in the spring.
Check out the rest of the Wayne County Tourism web page for the locations and hours of local bait and tackle shops. www.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 – A few boats launched at Widewaters last Sunday. You can still catch panfish and some big bass. Bass season closes this Sunday, November 30th.