Lake Ontario and Trib’s
There is some fishing going on in area tributaries with water flow. Greg Schloerb of Amherst shared some information he garnered first hand from Burt Dam and 18 Mile Creek in the Town of Newfane. Water was low and clear, making fishing difficult, but he did manage to catch some nice browns, steelhead and a small Coho salmon fishing the creek the day before and the day after Christmas. Rain and snow melt didn’t help much in the water clarity department and flow was down. The hot bait for Schloerb was a hand-tied white jig tipped with a wax worm and fished under a float using his center pin outfit.
The highlight Monday morning was a -header fishing with his buddy, Saith J. Shine, of Niagara Falls. Greg topped the duo with a 10.7 pound brown. Cold temperatures are supposed to be blowing back into Western New York quite literally and we’ll see what the lake effect storm brings us on the weekend.
Ice action at Wilson is marginal. Some safe ice still exists. Scott Brauer of Gasport recently tried it and he had five inches of ice, but he was next to some open water. Be careful out there!
Remember the start of the NYS Winter Classic Tournament (www.nyswinterclassic.com) and the Captain Bob’s Contest is Jan. 1 and 2 respectively.
Niagara River
Fishing is on hold right now. Water is stained. Near perfect conditions in the Lower Niagara River earlier in the week will undoubtedly be affected by the high winds and cold front that moved through the region on Monday and Tuesday. In fact, Capt. Frank Campbell of Niagara Region Charters was battling the winds on Tuesday morning and it was a tough drift from a boat. He could also watch the water slowly change color and make it more difficult for the fish to see the bait. With the wind, Kwikfish and MagLips seemed to work best.
Young 8 year-old Paul Orsi of Youngstown had the hot hand earlier this week, catching both walleye and lake trout. As of Jan. 1, the walleye limit drops from three to one in the lower river. Also remember, lake trout season opens up on Jan. 1 in the lower river; it’s open all year on the upper river and Lake Erie.
Once things settle back down – maybe by the weekend – we should see egg patterns showing back up as another option. Shore fishing continues to be a mix of spoons, spinners, eggs and egg imitations. Look for slightly clearer water and brightly colored lures or baits to tip the fishing in your favor.
Glenn Strzelczyk of the Town of Niagara reports that upper river action was good for lake trout recently, especially at the foot of Ferry Street and along Broderick Park. Spoons and spinners work there, too.
Have a happy and safe New Year in 2017!!
Bill Hilts, Jr., Director, Outdoor Promotions
Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY USA 14303
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