Upstate and Western New York Fishing Report- March 2, 2023

Greater Niagara Region

Frank Campbell

In a difficult year when Mother Nature has been wreaking havoc on the local fisheries, especially on the Niagara River, it was going to be hit or miss for the Niagara River Anglers Association’s Roger Tobey Memorial Steelhead Contest last Saturday. Despite marginal conditions, it was a “hit” for several of the 22 anglers who fished the competition. Leading the way was Andrew Ward of Pearl River, NY with a 10.54-pound lower river steelhead, fishing with Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island. Second place fish went to Capt. Nick Calandrelli of Lewiston with an 8.4-pound lower river fish, followed by Jerry Kelley of Holley who was fishing the tributaries and caught an eight pounder in the Oak. Top brown trout went to Tim Thomas of Kenmore, a 5.3-pound lower river fish he caught while fishing with Capt. Rich Brant of Reel Action Charters.

Meanwhile, another nasty winter storm system is in the forecast for this week, arriving on Friday. Wind, snow, and rain are expected so it will probably have a negative impact on the river system. There was about 2-foot of visibility on Monday and Tuesday this week according to Mike Ziehm of Niagara Falls who fishes the gorge every chance he can get with his homemade spinners. He hit one nice steelhead on Monday with an orange and chartreuse No. 4 spinner. Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island reported that it was fishable on Monday and managed to catch some decent steelhead on minnows and egg sacs. It was still fishable on Tuesday but the weather was starting to have an impact.

Not too many people were out fishing the tributaries of late due to cold conditions, but with temperatures increasing a bit today, it should start the streams flowing again to attract some trout. Spring (on the calendar) is only 3 weeks away!

Saturday, March 4, is the 33rd annual Antique fishing tackle show at the Elks Lodge on North Canal Road in Lockport from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $5. The WNY Sport and Travel Expo is just around the corner, too, slated for March 10th through the 12th at the Hamburg FairGrounds. It will only be three days long this year so don’t delay in getting out to the Hamburg event. Go to eriepromotions.com for details on exhibitors, seminar speakers and more.

Orleans County

Orleans County Sportfishing Coordinator Ron Bierstine:

It looks like some of the weather we missed out on thru the earlier winter is coming now in the later winter. And maybe into the early spring! There was another couple inches of wet snow and something like a 0.25 inch of rain thru last night. Chance of rain showers thru the mid week on warming temps and an expected area-wide accumulating snow end of week on cooling temps. For now, flows in the Oak are moderate and slightly stained and no icing. Flows in the other area smaller tribs are low and mostly clear with some icy conditions.

With the mid week warm-up, look for flows to be on the rise and opening up some and going off color about thru the mid/end of week. We’ll have to wait and see how much flows will change but it should bring flows up high but not blown. Any future accumulating snow and melt may do that.

Real light fishing pressure today, only one car observed in the parking spots on the Oak. Thru the past weekend we heard of guys getting steelhead hookups nearer the dam including a few good fish. Now some silver browns hooked up too, as has been the case on the smaller tribs like to the east. Downstream spots on the Oak for the past weekend may have been tougher on what was dropping and clearing flows, although we did not hear from many guys. Good chances for fresh fish action ahead for this beginning part of March especially as higher and more stained flows may come and go. It may just not be the big blowout event we’re targeting, but smaller spates of water for now. Stay tuned and keep tabs on the weather and water flows and get out there when you can. Spring will offer up only so many cold water chances!

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

• 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

Save the Dates for the Orleans County Open:
June 10-11, 2023

The Orleans County Open will be held on June 10/11 this year. More info will flow in the coming weeks. We will again be running a Pro and an Am division.

Since we developed this event the trout aspect has changed. For the past few years Steelhead have been the “bonus” fish. It’s our belief that it has made anyone who participated a better Steelhead angler. We’re tossing around an idea to make Steelhead the bonus fish on Saturday and Brown Trout the bonus fish on Sunday. You can comment on their Facebook page.

Oswego County

• Anglers are starting to target early “dropbacks.”
• Despite the cold weather, the Salmon River fishing is heating up!
• Overall, fishing pressure is down.
• On the Oswego, the lower levels have made most of the river accessible again.
• 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 dropped to a normal winter flow, hovering around 350 the last week. With the water drop, fishing has really picked up. After enjoying a lot of warm weather winter has finally seem to rear its head. This has made the crowds lighten while up the fishing has heated up.

The steelhead are still holding in the slow, deep pools. But the signs of spawning fish are increasing. This will spread the fish out and also open up more productive water. So don’t be afraid to spend some time on the holding area closest to know spawning grounds.

Egg sacs remain the primary bait of choice with blue, white and pink being the most popular. Pink worms really turn on this time of year too, as they seem to pique the fish’s inquisitive side. Jigs are still producing in the low flows. Fished under a float, these baits have been producing plenty of action. Jigs in white, white-peach and pink-white are other good options.

The bead bite is starting to pick up with more single eggs around. So, try beads that imitate steelhead eggs the most productive being egg-Zacktly, glo roe, tangerine, and Muskegon madness.

Fly anglers have been finding success running stoneflies in a variety of colors, such as copper, blue and chartreuse. An egg sucking leech or woolly bugger, in black or olive, have been productive too.

Don’t be afraid to try something different. We continue to see quite a few anglers running side planers and plug combos this winter, with great success!

Oswego River

Click Here of the 10 day Forecast

Anglers have been finding active fish up the west side of the Oswego River. The flow has remained steady for a whole week. The steady flow has allowed anglers to wade most of the river and it also leads to a great flow to fish off the wall!

Overall, we recommend fishing the slow pockets with egg sacs, beads and jigs. The best options being pink, white and peach eggs sacs, beads in bright colors, or jigs with a white base and a variety of bright colors mixed in.

With the lower flows the high wall will continue to be a great place to fish. Slip floats or bottom bouncing beads or egg sacs, or jigs under a float are all techniques that will not disappoint!

When the water drops the harbor fishing might take a dip. But with only a couple weeks left in the walleye season it’s worth a shot! Bucktail jigs and swim baits on jig heads are the best presentations. White and white chartreuse and natural color baits are typically best. Along with swim baits, blade-baits take a good number of fish as well.

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.

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.