Lynne Menz, Author at Share the Outdoors

Oak Orchard River FISHING REPORT from Orleans County, NY

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Lynne Menz

This report is by Ron Bierstine from Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge on Monday, November 5, 2019:

**Big Joe from PA is especially proud of the Atlantic he caught on the Oak downstream from Waterport Dam.**

There are some showers and gloom today with temps in the 40’s °F. Clear weather in the forecast this afternoon and tomorrow and then unsettled weather or Lake Effect Snow (LES) with colder temps forecast through the end of the week and weekend. No serious accumulations are expected and any LES is so far forecast mostly south and west of the area.

All the waterways are still on a retreat from precipitation and higher flows toward the end of the week and weekend. Flows in the Oak are near slightly high and about 1 – 2 feet of visibility. There are real nice drifting conditions up and down the waterway, although the higher flows may be a little more than the average fall angler expected. Look for continued dropping flows more toward medium. Flows consist of turbine water although with heavy leaf fall occurring now, expect daily water level fluctuations with resultant overflow water. No doubt some fish have made it up that overflow channel.

Fishing pressure remains high and action is reported tougher over the past couple days. Anglers are into a few good browns though, still, the bright spot Atlantics (pictured above) and the tardy Kings remain in pretty good shape. No reason to believe that brown trout and steelhead migrations won’t proceed on the same slightly late and drawn out runs like the Kings, and I do believe that the overall numbers should be good.

The other area smaller tributaries have medium flows and stained water. Most guys are reporting good action west on Johnson Creek and more on/off action on tributaries to the east. Hopefully, with all the waterways coming back now in good fishable shape this week, some of the angling pressure can spread back out.

Notes from the OC Tourism Team:

The St. Mary’s Archer’s Club is now open to the public until Nov. 11th. Breakfast is served 6 AM to 10 AM, the cost is $7; Lunch is 11:30 AM to 2 PM, $10. Parking is $10.
The DEC is proposing Great Lakes sportfishing regulation changes. The public comment period ends on December 14, 2019. Read more at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/115977.html.
From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County, let’s make every day a great fishing day right here in Orleans County!

Sincerely,

The Team at Orleans County Tourism, 14016 Route 31 W • Albion, NY 14411; 585-589-3103 (Office)

Orleans County Fishing Reports: Lake Ontario (Pt. Breeze)/Oak Orchard River

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Lynne Menz

This week’s STREAM fishing report is by Ron Bierstine from Oak Orchard Tackle and Lodge, Albion, NY – April 9, 2019.

Ideal fishable flows in Oak Orchard River are at about medium with 2 feet or so of stained visibility. Reports of some water level fluctuations through yesterday probably as a result of a hydro plant emergency shutdown, and today looks like the good flows are restored. A bit of rain early Monday should maintain flows so look for medium flows to prevail through the week provided there is no new significant precipitation. After a couple of warm days, the forecast ahead this week looks seasonably cool so look for the good conditions to hang in without any great water temp spikes in the near future. Windy conditions are expected today.

Through the past weekend guys reported good action Saturday and a little tougher through Sunday. Steelhead are spread through the river and mostly on gravel or adjacent staging spots around gravel. Concentrations of fish at the dam will probably be less as the calendar clicks toward spring. For this mid-week period, so far there’s lite fishing pressure at best. The other area smaller tributaries have medium flows and slightly stained water color. The latest precipitation should help maintain flows there.

In all the waterways, anglers will find a mix of spawning, staged, drop back or fresh fish. So far this spring, it looks like the action will continue to be spread out much like the previous winter was with ups and downs in the action. Remember though, the water temps warm up none-the-less through April so now, while cool conditions prevail, is the time to try for steelhead. A few bass are in the mix in the lower reaches and suckers are more numerous too.

This week’s LAKE fishing report is by Capt. John Oravec – Tight Lines Charters – April 9, 2019.

**First king of the season! Courtesy Intimidator Sportfishing**

The April Spring setup of the shallow waters along the Orleans County coastline is underway! Already, charter and recreational anglers are hitting typical brown trout with bonus Lakers and a rogue king salmon. The outflow of the Oak Orchard River along with other trib’s, create warm fish-holding pockets right against the shoreline so spread your lines out with long line/planer board tactics in 5′ to 15′ depths and watch your rods. It’s prime time for shallow running stickbaits like Challenger’s, Rapala’s and Bay Rat’s in vivid colors. You will be hearing a lot more from Capt. Johnny Oravec!

For now, go get ’em! Fish On!

Pen Rearing Update

NY DEC delivered 90,590 Chinook salmon and 10,000 steelhead to pens at Ernst’s Lake Breeze Marina Monday, 4/8/19. They will be penned for approximately 3 weeks where they will double in size before they are released into the lake.

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

Fishing Report for Orleans County, NY – April 1, 2019

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Lynne Menz

By Ron Bierstine from Oak Orchard Tackle and Lodge,

**Try the Oak Orchard River public fishing access for winter/spring steelhead fishing. Angling pressure is typically less in spring than the popular fall months.**

Try the Oak Orchard River public fishing access for winter/spring steelhead fishing. Angling pressure is typically less than the popular fall months.

Trout season is open today so time to fish for some steelhead. No wait. Oh yeah, there is no closed season!

Thanks to rain through the weekend all the tributary flows are high and dirty. Flows in the Oak are high consisting of lots of turbine water and some overflow water. Water color is one foot or less of visibility. There are some anglers on the water today with unknown success. The other area small tributaries are high and dirty. Through Sunday night there was 2 – 4 inches of wet snow, and 6 inches along the lakeshore. That is melting now and will add to the most recent runoff. Forecast is for warmer temps thru the rest of the week but no unseasonable warm up so no major water temp spikes expected for now.

Lake Ontario Fishing Updates: Charter Boats are being prepped and docked at the marinas! Unfortunately, Mother Nature played a trick on us April Fool’s Day dumping 6″ of snow along the lakeshore. Temps are on the rise this week and I expect some anglers will soon be chasing Brown Trout on the open waters of Lake Ontario. Hope to have Lake fishing reports next week!

Steelhead Pen Rearing at the Oak

Pens were assembled this past weekend and ready for the fish deliveries. We will post specifics on our Facebook page when we expect their delivery.

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.

Check our website: http://orleanscountytourism.com/fishing-report/.

If you are a charter captain or guide fishing in Orleans County and would like to provide us with a fishing report, please contact lynne@orleanscountytourism.com.

Orleans County/Lake Ontario/Oak Orchard Fishing Report for March 26, 2019

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Lynne Menz

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.

We support all pen rearing efforts and any efforts for the betterment of the tributary and open lake fishery.

Orleans County/Lake Ontario Fishing Report

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Lynne Menz

This week’s fishing report is from Ron Bierstine from Oak Orchard Tackle and Lodge, March 19, 2019.

Temperatures are improving for this mid-week period with highs forecast in the 30’s or 40°F. There is a chance of rain showers going to snow showers toward the end of the week. Overall it looks like a break towards more spring-like conditions. Flows are all pretty typical of springtime, higher and stained. Just what steelhead like for fresh migrations and staging to spawn. Even a tiny water temp warm-up is likely to bring some steelhead to gravel. There is still ice cover on Lake Alice and when that goes away look for warming temperatures in the Oak. Flows for now are high with about 1 – 2 ft of visibility. Flows look wide open in the turbine channel with diminished overflow water. Look for continued high-ish flows in the Oak, maybe falling back to toward just slightly high.

Reports are of some hookups at the dam. Some guys are still plying the downstream frog water that is pretty big and froggy thanks to rising big Lake O levels. All that heavy fast water in between will take careful big and deep and slow drifts or swings for hook up chances.

The other area smaller tributaries are medium to slightly high and stained with about 1 foot of visibility. For now before any new significant precipitation occurs, those flows are dropping and clearing. Look for warming water temperatures at the Oak with the window of steelhead spawning sooner then later. There’s always the chance for some drop back browns or some fresh silver browns. Any kind of high water fish could be well upstream in the system.

Provided by Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

2019 Lake Ontario Fisheries Symposium

March 23, 2019 10 AM – 4 PM

Finger Lakes Mall, 1579 Clark Street Rd., Auburn, NY

Free registration required.

Symposium Goals:

1. Raising awareness about Lake Ontario fisheries and fishing opportunities;

2. Providing new and useful information to a broad range of anglers from the established to the aspiring;

3. Appeal to aspiring anglers to support angler recruitment and retention in sustainable fisheries.

Click here to view the complete schedule.

Click here to register by March 22.

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

Orleans County, NY – STREAM fishing report – November 27, 2018

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Lynne Menz

**Griffin Howey’s Brown Trout caught from Oak Orchard Creek.**

Thanks to rain yesterday/last night AND a return to above-freezing temps, AND a little bit of snow melt, AND no more thirsty vegetation, AND groundwater now reasonably recharged after the droughty summer/early fall – all the tributary flows are on the rise and off color.
Flows in the Oak are slightly high consisting of turbine water with about 2 plus feet of visibility.

Water color may get dirtier over the next day or two, but should stay short of getting muddy. Flows are pretty similar to the earlier fall flows we had during Erie Canal supplemental water feed. The other area smaller tributaries have slightly high and dirty flows with one foot or less of visibility. Any earlier icing conditions should be clear now with a forecast through at least this week and weekend showing no real good prospect of those icy conditions returning in the short term.

**Griffin Howey’s with a nice November steelhead from Oak Orchard Creek.**

Smaller tributaries should be cresting about today and then slowly clearing and on the retreat. Flows in the Oak are likely to stay up as they are now through the week, give or take, depending upon hydropower operations at Waterport Dam or any more precipitation.
It’s a real nice, later fall-style fishery, good flow window to redistribute browns and draw in late fish, and/or some more steelhead. Some of the zombie salmon should be flushed out too.

No major lake effect snow (LES) forecast here, some wet snow with little to no accumulation is expected today, changing over to better chance at a few inches of accumulations Tuesday and Wednesday. Heavier accumulations are expected south of here.
Fishing pressure has measurably decreased for the beginning part of this week thanks to the calendar and likely PA and OH big game season openers.

Anglers should look for a mix of spawning and post spawn browns and some steelhead.

Provided by Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge.

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

Orleans County, NY – STREAM fishing report – November 13, 2018

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Lynne Menz

By Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle and Lodge

Some cool, fall weather is hanging in with slightly colder temps forecast through the mid-week and a chance for snow or rain showers. No significant lake effect snow is expected here on the immediate WNY big Lake Ontario Plain. The greatest impact is forecast for south of the area. Flows in the Oak are still real good by typical fall standards – slightly high and slightly stained. These higher than average fall flows are no doubt, in large part, responsible for drawing in the good mixed bag action that has been going on in the Oak. Kings are fading some now with the occasional greener fish, but it’s mostly older and zombie fish. Browns are spread out and well upstream with what’s been plenty of quality fish hooked up. Good to see plenty of those fish released. It’s been mostly males, but just lately some more females. There should be plenty of good action ahead if there are reasonable flows and weather.

Steelhead are a little less common now then earlier. It could be less over all fish numbers (a good case for an earlier season catch and release) or they could be in tight at the dam. Monday’s reports were generally good for most guys having good or better action on the Oak and other area smaller tributaries.

Smaller tributaries are now back on the drop and clearing to about moderate flows and mostly clear water color. Although fishing pressure is still up there, it is lessening and more manageable now with the chance to fish some different spots through the day as guys move out or around. All that water can, for the most part, handle the fishing pressure on the Oak. Look for continued lowering flows in the smaller waterways and the chance for sluggish fish with any more drop in water temps that could occur with some cold nights. The consistent Oak action should continue as long as there are no major or prolonged change in water flows.

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

Oak Orchard River – Lake Ontario, FISHING REPORT (Orleans County, NY)

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Lynne Menz

Rochester Amerk Nathan Paetsch and his Brown caught at the Oak (Courtesy M. Walsh)

This week’s STREAM fishing report is from Ron Bierstine from Oak Orchard Tackle and Lodge, November 6, 2018.

**Rochester Amerk’s hockey player, Nathan Paetsch, with a nice Brown he caught on Oak Orchard River (Courtesy M. Walsh).**

We had a bit more rain last night and this morning that should maintain flows. Forecast is for any serious precipitation to have moved out of the area this morning and then followed by a wind advisory through tomorrow. Next chance at precipitation and colder temps is this weekend. Flows in the Oak are slightly high with slightly stained water color of about 2 ft of visibility. Flows consist of turbine water and fluctuating overflow levels thanks to hydro-power operations. During this leaf fall period, and especially with wind and rain, look for at least daily water level fluctuations.

Some anglers remark that when flows temporarily go down, the numbers of fish revealed in the Oak is a little humbling! There are a lot of browns and some steelhead, and of course still Kings. Plenty of greener Kings are still around, look for still some non-zombie Kings through November.

Smaller tributaries, especially, will have Kings later in the fall since that salmon run really didn’t crank up for upstream gravel action until just last week. Fishing pressure is definitely intense at times, seems less now through this mid-week period. Most all anglers report good action for mixed bag chances on browns and steelhead and Atlantics and Kings and Coho’s.

**Rochester Amerk’s Adam Wilcox & Nathan Paetsch at the Oak (Courtesy M. Walsh)**

The Oak’s higher stained flows can at least help tolerate a bit more fishing pressure. Other area smaller tributaries perhaps stalled some now from dropping back down (thanks to that precipitation last night and today) for this mid-week period. Look for medium, slightly-high and stained flows in the tributaries to the west and quicker retreating medium flows in the tributaries to the east. Green Kings, browns and steelhead are now spreading out upstream in those smaller waterways.

Provided by Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

Stay Connected

Oak Orchard River Fishing Report – Orleans County, New York

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Lynne Menz

Photo courtesy of Ron Bierstine

Depending upon your perspective, the area escaped the most recent heavier precipitation. Most of the past weekend’s significant rain hit south of here and so the Oak flows should be maintained at what’s been a real nice medium flow or barely greater and mostly clear.

The other area smaller tributaries with local, smaller watershed might have come up from real low to just low for now.

With greenery slowly capturing less water and the ground now a bit wetter, the next significant precipitation could show some runoff for higher flows in the smaller tributaries. Showers are in the forecast Wednesday and there is the chance for a soaking rain Thursday and Friday. Any rise in flows in the smaller tributaries will likely move a bunch of staged up salmon and trout upstream for good action. Forecast temperatures thru this week look pretty agreeable with highs around 50 F.

Fishing pressure was high last weekend and now seems down and more agreeable so far thru this week. Water temps are dropping back into the high 40’s now with colder nights. Kings are definitely still present and still strong at or nearer the dam. Some are showing signs of zombie wear while green stragglers are still moving upstream.

Downstream frog water or lower river or river mouth action for Kings is probably more hit or miss now.

Upstream fast water and dam action on the Oak is real good for mixed bag chances at browns, steelhead, Atlantics, Coho’s and Kings. Some guys remark that the Kings are real active biters.

As we’re moving into November, look for more guys concentrating on trout chances and less on Kings. We’re in a bit of a transition between camps right now so I think that’s why the fishing pressure has eased some. Should be lots of good action still ahead.

Provided by Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

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

Lake Ontario – Orleans County STREAM FISHING REPORT from Ron Bierstine from Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge – October 23, 2018

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Lynne Menz

By most all accounts, there is good action on the Oak. Brown trout numbers are definitely picking up and fish reportedly are on the move. Some steelhead have been reported every day too. The end of this past weekend and beginning of this week have been good for hookups around the Archers Club and it sounds like plenty of fish are in the downstream frog water too. Legit light line deep drifts have been the ticket there.

Oak Orchard stream-run King Salmon. Patrick Carl photo

Salmon numbers are still strongest at or nearer the dam. Kings in smaller numbers are still migrating from downstream and that will probably be the MO from here out with fish trickling in over a prolonged period. There are not a lot of dying or zombie fish yet so that tells me there are still plenty on the “run” ahead. Look for Kings well into November which really hasn’t been a new scenario these past few years.

Fishing pressure was high over the weekend but thus far seems more manageable this week. Flows are real nice at medium-ish on the Oak compared to lower and clearer flows in the other area smaller tributaries. Scattered numbers of fish are in those smaller upstream watercourses. There was some precipitation last night and a decent downpour today so the flows in the smaller waterways may bump up slightly while flows in the Oak should be pretty well maintained.

**Big Joe on the Oak. Patrick Carl photo**

Leaf fall is becoming more prevalent so look for the chance for water level fluctuations on the Oak thanks to hydro-power operations. Seasonably cool weather, if not cold, in the forecast through the week should put more Kings on gravel and keep encouraging what has already been pretty good numbers of steelhead and brown trout migrations.

Provided by Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

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

Lake Ontario – Orleans County, Stream Fishing Report for Oct. 16, 2018…from Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Lynne Menz

Most guys are targeting salmon, although more trout anglers are in the mix now too.
There’s likely to be plenty of Kings around for a while yet. Guys are reporting good numbers of fish massed in the last of the slow water areas and there are likely salmon still passing through the lower river. Don’t look for many fish to linger downstream and it looks like most of the angling pressure there is easing up.

The nice cool weather continues after some strong winds yesterday and forecast again later today. I don’t doubt these westerly strong winds are pushing salmon and browns from the Lake and into the Oak.

There was a little bit of rain yesterday and there are more showers in the forecast tomorrow. Any chance at snow should be southwest or southeast of the area.
Fishing pressure has been pretty spotty on the Oak with the most consistent water flow at medium or just greater and clear. For this mid-week period, so far, it may ease up some.

In the Oak, the Kings are spreading out now on different days. Most of the salmon are still in real good shape. No real zombie presence yet. Steelhead numbers are good to excellent, a real nice fall bonus so far. Browns are showing up more and more and most of the browns hooked up so far are bigger males. Some have been in the teens. A few Coho’s and Atlantics are in the mix too.

The other area smaller tributaries have those low to moderate flows, but determined salmon are still making their way upstream for scattered numbers of fish. In the Oak, expect daily water level fluctuations especially on windy days thanks to hydro-power operations. The Archer’s Club catch and release fly fishing contest is scheduled for the latter part of this week. Details as follows…

Lake Ontario – Orleans County, Stream Fishing Report for Oct. 2, 2018…from Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Lynne Menz

Salmon are Staging
Look for Big Runs to Begin in Oak Orchard River soon

So far, it is kind of a mixed bag for salmon-catching opportunities. We have now have strung together a few nights of cool weather helping to lower water temps some. Still no big precipitation events – next chance of rain thru tonight and tomorrow.

Lakeshore winds remain mostly non-prevailing between East or South. It would be interesting to see what a few days of westerly winds would do for on shore movements of fish. Anglers are catching some salmon from the Oak Orchard river mouth to the lower river to the last of the slow water to the fast water gravel at the dam.

No big slug of fish reported in any one particular spot. Fishing pressure remains moderate and spread out thru all those spots. There are now reports of a few fish in fast water areas downstream of the dam and in the typical staging spots in the last of the slow water areas. Those fish are likely moving to spots, stealthily, some at least, because there is not a lot of Lower Oak boiling around staging. So in other words, fish for now don’t seem to be hanging around the lower river area much in traditional spots like say at the Bridges.

Flows in the Oak (supplemented with Erie Canal feed 24/7) remain good if not up some and certainly higher and more productive then the natural runoff so far low flows of the other area smaller tributaries.

Provided by Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

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

Orleans County, NY / Lake Ontario – Fish Report for April 24, 2018

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Lynne Menz

Water Clarity Slowly Clearing in Trib’s
Fishing Pressure is Light, GET OUT HERE!
Look for Steelies, Browns and Rainbows as Waters Shift to Warmer

By Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

Nice spring weather is hanging in with warmer temps through the beginning part of this week. Flows in the Oak are hanging in at high with lots of upstream supply. Look for flows to stay up or possibly go higher with overflow water with any significant precipitation. Water color is slowly clearing with about 1 foot + of visibility.

For the last of the consistent steelhead action, the conditions are what they are in the Oak. If by the time flows will be significantly lower and clearer, look for warmer temps and post spawn or drop backs moving downstream and not so many fresh fish moving upstream. Water temps with the near forecast will be moving through the 50’s°F. For now, fishing pressure remains real light with just a handful of guys on the waterway and not a lot of reports back so far this week.

Through this past weekend, guys who got a drift or swing down and slow had some hook ups. Even a couple of hook-ups of hard fighting fish in warmer water temps is worth the effort. The other smaller tributaries have medium flows and just slightly stained water color. Look for scattered steelhead and drop backs and the chance for some lake run browns or rainbows. Any future significant precipitation could raise flows up in those smaller waterways too.

Click here to follow Ron’s report that he updates several times per week. Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and current view of Lake Ontario from the Oak Orchard Lighthouse.

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

Orleans County/Lake Ontario Fishing Report – Mar. 21, 2018

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Lynne Menz

Happy 1^st Day of Spring!
Fish Numbers are Good, Fishing Pressure is Light
Oak Orchard Creek, Johnson Creek, other tribs – All have Fish

By Ron Bierstine – Oak Orchard Tackle and Lodge

Happy First Day of Spring!

Clear but cold-ish weather is forecast thru the week with highs in the 30’s. No impact is expected here from the latest Nor’easter. In fact, with no real snow melt going on lately, it’s getting kind of dry. There is a chance for a warm up toward this weekend and although, right here on the Lake Plains – there isn’t much snow, there is some more to the south. Hopefully that will get flows in the Oak back up some when it begins to melt.

Flows in the Oak are moderate and pretty clear, not far off from typical fall time conditions. There were a few more anglers out this past weekend, but overall, the fishing pressure is relatively light. Fish numbers are still pretty good. They are not fresh and dumb anymore so presentations have to be good with generally lighter leads and tippets. A fair amount of fish are still tucked up at the dam with scattered fish spreading downstream.

Way downstream, frog water small craft anglers are into a few steelhead and mainly browns. The next warm -up with any kind of rise in flows should re-energize the fish and action and encourage some fresh fish migrations.

Flows in the smaller area tributaries are hanging in at moderate, with still a little color to the west and clearer to the east. We’re still hearing of hook-ups at Johnson Creek while the reports from other waterways are a little quiet with not a lot of guys out there.

Small boat trollers able to find decent weather and wave windows are into good numbers of fish in the typical in-shore waters.

Click here to follow Ron’s report that he updates several times per week.

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and current view of Lake Ontario from the Oak Orchard Lighthouse.

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! Contact us for more info: Orleans County Tourism, Orleans County Tourism, 14016 Route 31 West, Albion, NY 14411. For more info, click the image below or email: lynne@orleanscountytourism.com.

Orleans County/Lake Ontario Fishing Report – Feb. 21, 2018

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Lynne Menz

Winter is Waning, Rising Water on All Flows
Look for Steelies in the Smaller Flows
See Fishing Report Updates: http://fishoakorchard.com/steam-conditions/

This week’s fishing report is from Ron Bierstine at Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge.

A nice steelhead after changeable winter weather and a rise in Oak Orchard flows mid – late February. Stained water color means prime chances for good fly drifts and willing biters! *Photo Courtesy of Oak Orchard Tackle and Lodge*

Thanks to last week ending with a couple days of cold temps, flows had actually retreated quicker than anticipated and offered a decent fishable window thru the past weekend on falling and clearing flows. There were some on and off steelhead action and anglers had hook-ups on the smaller tributaries too.

Flows go up, flows go down, flows go back up. Thanks to rain yesterday, with unseasonable warm temps, all the tributary flows are high and dirty, headed shortly, probably, to be blown and dirty.

The forecast is for warm temps thru the mid-week and another chance for precipitation today. After this week, all the tributary shore ice should be moved out and possibly the ice cover on Lake Alice (aka Waterport Pond) too. Look for rising tributary water temperatures now, at least in the short term, if any seasonal cool weather doesn’t return. So dirty and high water color is likely to hang in for a bit on the Oak with no great cool down in sight and lots of upstream supply.

Flows in the Oak are high and stained with about a foot or so of visibility. There are lots of turbine and overflow water at the dam, and overflow levels may increase, so water color may get dirtier.

There are still anglers on the waterway today with unknown success. The other area smaller tributaries are blown and dirty, but look for those smaller waterways to be on the mend toward some state of reasonable fishing by the end of the week.

Steelhead should be well distributed on the backside of some of the highest flows we’ve had in a while.

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!

The Orleans County Tourism Team, Email: lynne@orleanscountytourism.com

Orleans County, NY – FISHING REPORT for March 6, 2018

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Lynne Menz

By Ron Bierstine at Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

Through the weekend and right now, flows in the Oak are medium or maybe just slightly more than medium. There were reports that flows retreated yesterday and that may have just been a temporary thing. Water color is clearing with 2 ft or more of visibility. By steelhead standards, the conditions are real nice for productive drifts and swings up and down the river.

Weather has cooled and there is no great warm up in the immediate future. Highs forecast in the 30’s°F or near 40°F with chance of rain or snow showers through this week. No significant accumulations are expected.

Fishing pressure is light so far through this week. From earlier warmer weather and higher flows, there was some spawning activity. That may be stalled some now but fish may still be in fast water areas with greater concentrations of fish more upstream then down. Still plenty of fish at the dam that haven’t dropped back looking to stage or spawn yet. Most anglers getting good drifts or swings are into a few or more hook ups in an outing.

Hospitable Lake Ontario conditions (warm water temps) may cause some fish to linger before making a later-in-the-season-run. More fresh fish should be trickling in, especially with the next warm up and/or rise in flows.

Reports are light from the other area smaller tributaries that are dropping down to moderate and clearing flows. To the west there should be scattered steelhead for drifters and to the east there should be a brown trout/steelhead mix for swingers. Niagara and Bar action is reported good for mixed bag species and small boat trollers or casters are into multiple hook ups when wind and waves and water color cooperate for near shore action.

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! Contact us for more info: Orleans County Tourism, Orleans County Tourism, 14016 Route 31 West, Albion, NY 14411. For more info, click the image below or email: lynne@orleanscountytourism.com.

Orleans County, NY – Fishing Report for March 1, 2018

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Lynne Menz

By Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

High and stained flows gives up some fresh Oak Orchard chrome for the Licorice Man. Fresh steelhead chances for late winter, early spring usually means high and stained and cold water challenging drifts.

Weather forecast has been changeable so far this week. The forecasted storm for tonight and tomorrow is expected to bring more snow then rain. The beginning of the storm is expected for rain south of here and then the overspread on the WNY big Lake Ontario Plain could start as rain or a mix and then go quickly to snow with the chance of a foot or so of wet accumulations thru Friday morning. Temps are forecast highs near 40°F today and then 30ish°F for the weekend and dropping back down below freezing at night.

For now, water levels in the Oak are still on a slow retreat thanks mostly to diminishing overflow levels. Turbine flows are still humping along for something like slightly high to high flows and visibility of 1-2 feet. By springtime standards, that’s pretty good for steelhead chances.

The other area smaller tributaries for now have medium flows and just slightly stained flows going toward clear. If most of the precipitation is realized as snow, then flows in all the tributaries should be more or less maintained with a slower to recharge scenario from future snow melt instead of a quick and dirty runoff scenario from rain. Any significant rain immediately south of the area could still impact flows in the Oak.

For now, pressure on the Oak is pretty light. There’s been good action at the dam and anglers covering some different water in the downstream fast water stretches have been into more steelhead as the drifting has improved on the retreating and clearing flows.

Click here to follow Ron’s report that he updates several times per week.

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!