Fall is in the air. Oct. 1 is the opening of a long list of different hunting seasons, including the Southern Zone opening of the early archery season for deer and bear.
With so many things going on, it’s the perfect time to go fishing! The rains that fell Tuesday night into Wednesday morning were a welcome sight. Early season salmon action in the lower Niagara River finally turned on the past week. Devil’s Hole is the place to be, fishing from a boat. Drift treated egg skein from a three-way rig.
Shore anglers are picking up a few fish by casting spoons and spinners or drifting egg skein under floats. That action has already improved since the rains. Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls was three for five on salmon last night with salmon egg skein. Bass and walleye are still available downriver toward Stella Niagara and the Fort.
In the upper Niagara River, some bomber bass have been caught the past week on live bait and tubes.
Over in Wilson and Olcott, good salmon and trout action is still being reported out in deep water, 300 to 400 foot depths. Pierhead trolling is still working for king salmon from boat. Spoons, J-plugs and meat are all working according to Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctor’s in Olcott.
Pier action had been a little sporadic, but things have turned on for salmon and the occasional trout off the piers casting spoons or spinners. Yesterday there were reports of large numbers of salmon hanging off the ends of the piers in Olcott. Cast orange or firetiger color Cleos or Gems.
A few salmon and trout are being reported at Burt Dam and 18 Mile Creek, but the big run hasn’t really started there. We’ll see what happens as a result of the rain. It could be happening right now.
A few notes, like lake trout season closes on Sep. 30 in Lake Ontario.
There are a few youth hunts coming up like the Youth Deer Hunt Oct. 6-8, the youth waterfowl hunt Oct. 13-14 and the youth pheasant hunt Oct. 13-14. Oct. 1 is the deadline for applying for Deer Management Permits.
Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director