- This week’s Orleans County Fishing Report is from Ron Bierstine from Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge – March 26, 2019.
Nice flows in the Oak are still somewhere near slightly high or just less. Good upstream supplies have been keeping these “high turbine flows” going. Chance of flows are coming down some toward, say, medium, through this week with no significant precipitation in the near forecast. Forecast is a chance of precipitation toward the weekend and slowly warming temps through this week. Any precipitation for maintenance of flows and some stain to the water would help preserve the nice tributary conditions. Water color on a slow clear in the Oak with still some cold nights. Water color is going on 3 ft of visibility.
Fishing pressure seems light through this mid-week period, some guys are still at the dam and some anglers are able to move around – fishing other downstream fast water spots. Action has been good for deep and slow drifters covering the fast water spots on mostly fresh steelhead that are giving themselves a good account in hard battles. That seems like an encouraging sign for steelhead conditions. There is some evidence of spawning from the earlier higher water but right now most fish seem tight and fresh. Water temperatures are nearing 40° F and with warmer days and especially not cold nights ahead look, for the water temperatures to continue to warm.
Other area smaller tributaries have medium flows and just slightly stained water color. Guys are spread out on all the waterways with reports of browns and some steelhead on those smaller tributaries. There are good opportunities now and ahead while cool conditions may hang on for spring steelhead action and some browns spread over all the different waterways.
Provided by Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge.
Visit our Fishing Report on Orleans County Tourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.
Steelhead Pen Rearing at the Oak
Volunteers are needed for 3 -4 weeks during April for feeding, cleaning and supporting steelhead pen rearing. Steelhead along with salmon have been pen reared at the Oak since the inception of pen rearing efforts. Last year steelhead were not reared at the Oak, as they were direct stocked. Pen reared fish always have greater survivability over direct stocked fish and hopefully better imprinting.
NYSDEC oversees pen rearing efforts and a large part of the financial burden for supplies which contributes greatly to Orleans County being a World Class fishing destination. This year, 2 new pens have been assembled by Spencerport BOCES students. Many thanks to past volunteers, NYSDEC and students for their support. This year, many Rochester Seth Green chapter TU volunteers have stepped up and we are looking for additional help. Please indicate your willingness to help in the workload in any capacity by contacting Ron Bierstine at 585-682-4546. If you’d like to help out for salmon pen rearing efforts Ron can direct you for that too.
We support all pen rearing efforts and any efforts for the betterment of the tributary and open lake fishery.
From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County, let’s make everyday a great fishing day right here in Orleans County!
Sincerely,
The Team at Orleans County Tourism