- FISH: King Salmon Action is HOT
- WHERE: Wilson Harbor, Niagara County, NY
- LURES: A-Tom-Mik Twinkie set-ups & Dreamweaver UV Frog Spin Doctor
Lake Ontario salmon action is continuing on a consistent clip to the delight of trollers at Wilson, Olcott and the Niagara Bar.
Don’t take my word for it, though, just ask Capt. Casey Prisco of Matamoras, Pennsylvania. He was fishing in the Monroe County Offshore Classic last weekend out of Rochester and ran his boat 153 miles round trip in the one-day contest, settling in to fish off Niagara County in Wilson. The fish zone was 71 to 111 feet down over 130 to 180 feet of water, using a Dreamweaver UV Frog spin doctor and an A-Tom-Mik Twinkie set-up. With the A-Tom-Mik meat set out 205 feet on a diver. Another productive rod was a 10-inch white green dot Dreamweaver spin doctor with A-Tom-Mik meat set down 91 feet. He went 21 for 22 on fish for the morning before running back – catching nearly 84 pounds for five fish.
For local captains, the new A-Tom-Mik stud fly has also been a hot ticket for kings, too. Earlier this week, we had some fishing writers from Germany show up in town for an “I Love NY” familiarization tour. They did spend a few hours in the morning, catching salmon and steelhead with Capt. Mike Johannes and On-The-Rocks charters out of Wilson before travelling to their next stop.
The day before, they fished the Lower Niagara River for smallmouth bass with Capt. Frank Campbell of Niagara Region Charters, catching roughly 25 fish on spinnerbaits. The biggest was 6 pounds.
There are quite a few fishing contests in the month of July and two are going on right now. They include the Lake Ontario Counties Summer Trout and Salmon Derby and the 27th Annual Erie Canal Fishing Derby.
If you are going fishing on Lake Ontario, if even for a day, make sure you sign up. Day passes are available. Leading fish for the $10,000 Grand Prize is Lee Beaton of Clifton Springs, NY, with a 27 pound King caught out of Wilson. Darryl Raate of Fulton is leading the steelhead division with another Wilson fish – this one weighing 13 pounds. Top brown is 16 pounds, 2 ounces and the first place lake trout is 22 pounds, 10 ounces. The derby continues through July 30. Go to www.loc.org for details.
Meanwhile on the Erie Canal, the derby kicked off on Wednesday, July 5, and will continue through July 16. There is a family pass for just $25 if you want to take advantage of a group entry fee. The leader board is wide open. Get out there and catch some fish. Find out information at www.eriecanalderby.com.
The Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association is ready to have a party – a fishing party for its members. You can join for just $10 and become part of the festivities, set for July 21-22 out of Olcott. The first event on the fishing calendar is the Curt Meddaugh Memorial Tournament on Friday, a big fish contest that is free for club members. All you have to do is register! Big fish for the day must be weighed in by 3 p.m. at the Town of Newfane Marina in Olcott. On Saturday, the LOTSA Club Tournament will be going on all day. This is a big fish contest, as well, and entry fee is $60. Weigh in at Krull Park by 3 p.m. to be included for the cash prizes. The final piece to the LOTSA fishing puzzle is the club’s 3-2-3 contest over the two days. Best 3 fish over 2 days of fishing, paying out the top 3 weights. Entry fee is $50 for this portion of the contest. The club picnic will be immediately following on Saturday and the awards will be handed out. You can find out more information and also register for these contests at www.lotsa1.org. And speaking of LOTSA, the next meeting is July 13 at Cornell Cooperative Extension Niagara in Lockport, guest speaker will be Capt. Matt Yablonsky: “Talking Small Boat King’s” at 7 p.m.
As we mentioned, bass fishing in the lower Niagara River has been decent and the moss really hasn’t been that bad. In the upper Niagara River, bass and walleye are still cooperating at the head of the river and around Strawberry Island. The best bait has been with a spinner and a worm. Remember that you can now venture into Canadian waters without calling in. Make sure you understand the live bait regulations and you are carrying a Canadian fishing license if you do cross the border.
Bill Hilts, Jr.
Outdoor Promotions Director
Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303; p: 1-877 FALLS US | 716-282-8992 x. 303, f: 716-285-0809; www.niagarafallsusa.com