Upstate and Western New York Fishing Report- January 5, 2023

Greater Niagara Region

Frank Campbell

It’s hard to believe we are into a new year already. Unfortunately for Western New York fishermen, many of the local waters are still feeling the effects of the Blizzard of 2022. Waves more than 30 feet high were reported on Lake Erie during that historic storm, creating a very turbid situation. Winds continue to be a bit of a problem, but this week there’s more than an inch of rain being added to the system in addition to any remaining snow melt.

Things were finally starting to slowly clear according to Lisa Drabczyk with Creek Road Bait and Tackle in Lewiston. As we’ve mentioned previously, the shore casters in the Niagara Gorge will be the first to find slightly clearer water in tight. The water clarity is still very limited, especially when you figure in the rain that started Tuesday. More rain is expected late Wednesday into Thursday. It’s still difficult to catch fish, but not impossible. Some steelhead are hitting on spinners and eggs or egg imitations from shore. Boaters have picked up some steelhead in Devil’s Hole and Artpark, as well as lake trout and brown trout along Fort Niagara and out on the Bar. Beads, live Emerald shiners, Kwikfish, and MagLips are catching fish, but you do have to work for them. Plan on losing some hardware when fishing from shore. Things should improve by the weekend.

The rain will help the smaller tributaries off Lake Ontario. Most have been low and clear, with little to no impact from recent snows. There should be some trout at Burt Dam and Fisherman’s Park, but pressure has been light. To the east, there have been some boats heading out into the lake when the winds cooperate. Fish the shoreline in 15 to 25 feet of water with Stinger spoons or stickbaits in bright colors like orange, chartreuse, or firetiger. Look for a distinct mud line coming out of the creeks and troll the fringe areas of the breaks. Normally it’s browns, but lake trout and steelhead have also been reported.

If you like to fish the big Southtowns Walleye Derby in early June, on Jan. 6 there will be a Derby Launch Party at the Association’s clubhouse located at 5895 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg from 6 to 10 p.m. New derby details will be revealed. For more info call Kim at 864-2938.

The new Walleye School is half-full as of this week, one of the many educational sessions that are available in the 8th Annual Greater Niagara Fishing Expo at the Niagara Falls Convention Center Feb. 16-19. The Salmon School is sold out, something that has happened every year that they have held it. Sign up today for the Walleye event at niagarafishingexpo.com.

Wayne County Fishing Update

Chris Kenyon

Streams

It’s now 2023 and we start another year of angling in Wayne County where we have “small streams and big fish.”

The warmer trend with some rain has made Maxwell Creek’s flow decent. Fish the pools on both sides of Lake Road.

Currently there is no ice build-up on the shores. January is steelhead time so use egg sacs, beads, flies, or small jigs. Keep everything bright.

Don’t forget the piers at Sodus. The trout will be in the current. Always use caution fishing the channel. Use a long-handled net and stay safe on the pier.

Lake Ontario tributary regulations:

Three fish in combination and not to include more than one Rainbow Trout (or Steelhead) and One Brown Trout.

Bays

The little ice we had on small ponds has disappeared and with warmer temps predicted… ice fishing is on hold.

There was an incident on the south end of Sodus Bay last week when an ice angler broke through the ice.

Don’t go out until you have 3 to 4 inches of solid ice. (See below)

All the bays and ponds have open water and if you launch a small boat to fish for perch make sure you use caution.

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 has open water. If you do launch a small boat beware of slippery ramps.

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 brings us this Stream Fishing report:

Flows in the Oak are restored thru the turbine channel. As of today, flows were high consisting of something close to wide open turbine flows and a little bit of overflow water. Water color was stained with probably greater then a foot but less then 2 feet of viz. The other area smaller tribs have med or slightly high and stained flows. Johnson is probably more stained then say Sandy. So far thru today the heavier rains have been south of here and the trend looks like the Oak is on the rise while the smaller tribs are barely dropping or holding steady. Temps are cooler here then points south and more rain or showers are expected at least thru tomorrow. Any significant rainfall could raise flows up more with dirtier water color. As quickly as flows were restored in the Oak over the past weekend the fishing likewise perked up again with some steelhead hooked and a few knarly Kings clinging to a hopeful life. You could help give them their last meal! Everything is wide open to fish and its going to take a cold snap to get things iced back up again. At least flows are stronger which helps combat icing back up. No serious cold snap is seen in the near term forecast. This January timeframe is historically a bit of an in-between time frame so any action is a bonus after the fall “runs” and before later winter/early spring steelhead. So hopefully if it stays mild we’ll look for rain or if it goes cold we’ll look for snow so that good trib flows will prevail for steelhead action. Fishing pressure is real light – I saw just one car on the Oak. Could be guys were finding easier fishing flows on the smaller waterways.

Orleans County

Orleans County Sportfishing Coordinator Ron Bierstine brings us this Stream Fishing report:

Flows in the Oak are restored thru the turbine channel. As of today, flows were high consisting of something close to wide open turbine flows and a little bit of overflow water. Water color was stained with probably greater then a foot but less then 2 feet of viz. The other area smaller tribs have med or slightly high and stained flows. Johnson is probably more stained then say Sandy. So far thru today the heavier rains have been south of here and the trend looks like the Oak is on the rise while the smaller tribs are barely dropping or holding steady. Temps are cooler here then points south and more rain or showers are expected at least thru tomorrow. Any significant rainfall could raise flows up more with dirtier water color. As quickly as flows were restored in the Oak over the past weekend the fishing likewise perked up again with some steelhead hooked and a few knarly Kings clinging to a hopeful life. You could help give them their last meal! Everything is wide open to fish and its going to take a cold snap to get things iced back up again. At least flows are stronger which helps combat icing back up. No serious cold snap is seen in the near term forecast. This January timeframe is historically a bit of an in-between time frame so any action is a bonus after the fall “runs” and before later winter/early spring steelhead. So hopefully if it stays mild we’ll look for rain or if it goes cold we’ll look for snow so that good trib flows will prevail for steelhead action. Fishing pressure is real light – I saw just one car on the Oak. Could be guys were finding easier fishing flows on the smaller waterways.

Oswego County

• Happy New Year!
• Join the New York Sherpa as he fishes for steelhead for the first time.
• The flows are up on the Salmon River.
• Fishing has picked up on the Oswego River, now that the water is cleaner, but the recent rain could effect this.
• 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 recent warm weather has added rain, so we have seen the flows on the Salmon River go back up. At the time of this report, the flow is 2200 out of the powerhouse with the flow over 2900 in Pineville. We are hoping this will decrease by the weekend.

With the higher flows and cold temperatures, we recommend concentrating on the slowest water you can find. Put away your stealthy winter presentations and throw the right stuff. Chartreuse, pink, and white egg sacs. 10-12mm beads in bright colors.

Tight lines everyone!

Oswego River

Click Here of the 10 day Forecast

The Oswego was very dirty coming into the week, but it cleaned up by mid-week and the fishing picked up along with it. Hopefully the latest round of rain doesn’t dirty the river back up. Fishing is generally tougher with dirty water.

Overall, fish can be found from the damn all the way down to the harbor. For those fishing upriver, we recommend 10-12 mm beads in bright colors like chartreuse or orange. Marabou, jigs in white, chartreuse, or pink have all been catching plenty of fish as well.

In the harbor, fish are being taken on bucktail jigs and swim baits on jig heads. White, chartreuse, and natural color baits are working the best.

First Time Winter Steelhead Fishing

Join the New York Sherpa as he discovers Winter Steelhead fishing for the first time on the Salmon River in Oswego County, NY.

A huge thanks to Captain Stephen Shen of STS Guide Service, Tailwater Lodge, and Fat Nancy’s Tackle Shop for helping to make the adventure happen.

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.