Orleans County – Share the Outdoors

King Salmon in Orleans County

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Capt. John Oravec

**Another happy angler caught this 26#, 38″ King with Tri-State Charters/Free Spirit Sportfishing. Nice job!**

By Capt. John Oravec

They’re back! The Orleans County waters of Lake Ontario once again are teaming with big hungry king salmon. The first key area you want to hit are the 85 to 125 feet of water between the “Pump House” – a long troll – to the Little House”. Every time the wind turns to the west, schools of matures show up. The fishing depths to rig your lure may range from 40 to 80 feet down. Myself, I am staying with an “O” Frawg spoon program. Yesterday, Ohio anglers hit them – slob to 26 # including 3 double headers! Many good boats (“rec” and charter) are having terrific action in this area. It is hot!

The Oak’s offshore waters 26.5 to 29.5 lines – that’s 280 to 500 ft of water are even hotter lately. The charters Pisces, Irish Thunder, and Reel Excitement were heard talking about crazy good action on the multi-year class king and whopper steelhead whenever safe, calm conditions allow venturing to the shipping lanes. Always keep with the fleet especially when out deep, ok!

So there you have it! It’s a terrific August set up at the “Oak”! All ramps are open, marinas, restaurants, lodging and tackle shops are here to help visiting anglers get in on the best fishing in a decade! The Rotary Derby, as well as the LOC Derby, are underway AND FREE FISHING, courtesy of New York State, goes on through Labor Day, thanks to Governor Cuomo.

Capt John “Troutman” Oravec whoa gotta go! We got another big one on!

Notes from Orleans County Tourism:

We’re happy to report that Capt. John “Troutman” Oravec has returned from his sabbatical and he will resume providing weekly fishing reports.
This Saturday, August 17th is the first annual Keith Poland Memorial Derby – part of the King of the Oak series. Register in person at Ernst’s Lake Breeze Marina.
The LOC Fall Derby began this past week and runs until Labor Day, Sept. 2nd. For more info, visit loc.org.
The Albion Rotary Fishing Derby (formerly Orleans County Derby) ends this Sunday, August 18th. For more info, visit rotaryfishingderby.com. Click to view the leaderboard.
Governor Cuomo is giving New York residents and visitors an opportunity to cast a line this summer in some of the best fishing spots in the state – Lake Ontario (including the Lower Niagara River) and the St. Lawrence River – even if they don’t have a fishing license. Through September 2, 2019, all anglers are able to fish the New York waters of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River without needing to purchase a state fishing license. Read more at the DEC website: https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/117603.html.

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, 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

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

Orleans County, NY – King Salmon Lake and Trib Fishing Report for Sep. 25, 2018

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Capt. John Oravec

This week’s FINAL LAKE fishing report is from Capt. John Oravec of Tightline’s Charters, September 25, 2018.

Get Ready! The coming weeks are an exciting time for big fish, kings and browns and are now available to the small boat angler fishing in close, out to 20 ft. of water, as well as the shoreline/pier and creek boat anglers.

I finished my tremendous 1000+ fish season with a brace of 22 pound kings for a local couple who recently walked on Troutman 2 for a late day troll. Be sure to come rigged with J-Plugs, jointed Rapala’s and assorted, diving, rattle style crankbaits in bright glo and florescent colors.

Make sure hooks are in top condition, extra sharp too, as river run salmonids grow teeth and their jaws get leather tough! There has been a lot of rough stormy weather limiting boats, so the catch report right now is light. But this same weather sets up favorable conditions for anglers who frequently fish the estuary piers and river mouth flats with stained river outflow plumes that hold river bound monsters!

I want to thank all Great Lakes Anglers who have come to Orleans County this open water season on Lake Ontario. Everyone who did, shared exciting fishing action that was consistently terrific from May to mid-September. Wow, 2018! Yeah Baby!

“Troutman,” Captain John Oravec, Email: captjohnoravec.com

Tight Lines Charters
1857 Countyline Rd * Lyndonville, NY 14098
boat/mobile 585-590-2045

Capt. Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan the “Troutman 2”. Capt Johnny has been helping Great Lakes anglers learn and develop fishing techniques by writing for the In Fisherman Magazine TV and Radio.

Myself, I must move onto the St. Lawrence/1000 Islands and the Niagara River so this fisherman is deferring the fresh Orleans County Fishing Report to Orleans County expert Ron “the Licorice Man” Bierstine of Oak Orchard Tackle and Lodge for the Fall action from the Oak’s mouth upstream as well as other area streams.

I am available at captjohno@netzero.net and 585-590-2045 (boat/mobile) for questions or info. Thanks and Fish On! Troutman -Out!

THANK YOU, Troutman, for your weekly reports!

Orleans County Stream Fishing Report for Sep. 24, 2018, is from Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

So far, kind of a mixed bag of salmon catching opportunities. We have now finally 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 river mouth to the lower river to the last of the slow water to the fast water gravel and to 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 those 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 – Fishing Report from Capt. John Oravec of Tight Lines Charters, Sep. 4, 2018.

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Capt. John Oravec

Orleans County King Salmon in Lake Ontario are on the BIG BITE!

From a tired Captain, the day after Labor Day…

Fish on and Happy Labor Day from everyone at Orleans County Tourism, the Fishing Fleet and the supporting area merchants that make coming to the “Oak” the top Great Lakes Fishing Package again this year!

Whether you are a local fisher-person going out for a couple of hours of great fishing with our famous sunsets or one of the out-of-state rigs I see every day slipping out the harbor at sunrise – go get ’em!

Weather systems typical for Labor Day week have repositioned the thermocline from 25 to 40 down early in the week to 70 feet down over the weekend.

More boats had good luck in the mid-water (150-250 feet). Another hotspot developed in 50 to 70 FOW west from Johnson’s Creek to Chrome Dome. Remember, mature river-bound kings, browns and coho sniff out duckweed lines and Johnson Creek can be a strong drawing force.

A NOTE ABOUT THE CURRENT NOW: THE RIP IS PUSHING FROM NORTHEAST TO SOUTHWEST SO WATCH YOUR GROUND SPEED ON ANY KIND OF WEST TROLL. IF FISH AREN’T LOOKING AT AND HITTING YOUR SPREAD, THROW OUT THE BAG! THEN, WHEN ON THE EAST TROLL, THROTTLE UP and WATCH YOUR GPS SPEED…AND MAKE THE RODS POP! THIS CAPT HASN’T CHANGED LURE COLORS IN A MONTH (300 fish later). I focus on speed, vary lead lengths, use flouro-carbon line and stealth spreads. It matters!

While some may think that with derbies now over, that’s it! Don’t believe it! With the high percent of mature fish in the daily catch, plus good soaking rains pushing rich water out of the tributaries, ledge-staging big mature Kings will become the target in the coming weeks. Then followed by pierhead, shallow water J-plug trolling and pier casting. River runs can start early in a year like this.
There is plenty of big fish action ahead.

There is less overall boat traffic, good availability with area charters and lodging operators and plenty of fish. Fish on! Oil the reels, get fresh, strong line, tie new knots.

Shark wars are coming!

See you on the Orleans County Ledges no deeper that 120 ft.

“Troutman” – Captain John Oravec; Tight Lines Charters
1857 Countyline Rd * Lyndonville, NY 14098
Boat/Mobile: 585-590-2045; Email: captjohnoravec.com

Capt Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan the “Troutman 2”. Capt Johnny has been helping Great Lakes anglers learn and develop fishing techniques by writing for the In Fisherman Magazine TV and Radio.
Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

Orleans County, NY – Fishing Report from Capt. John Oravec of Tight Lines Charters, August 14, 2018.

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Capt. John Oravec

Lake Ontario King Salmon are on the bite near Orleans County, Lake Ontario, NY.

It is the “high season” off the Oak for Lake Ontario salmonid sportfishing and the fleet is crushing quality silver fish in many areas!

Fishermen, Fisherwomen and especially Fisherkids are seeing ACTION from 200-550 ft of water, running spoon programs 45 to 75 ft down.

The big northeast winds early Thursday rolled cold water onto the ledges raising the thermocline to 30 ft inside of the 100 ft hump. Capt. Mike Grager and son Jason made a great read, hitting a 14#+ football brown which is leading the Albion Rotary Derby in the Brown Trout division!

A couple tips from CJO: upcoming #1 strategy this week is to try and fan out setting up off Johnson Creek or Shadigee westbound or the “Little Flats” to Bald Eagle Harbor to the east. There is a river of good fishing water flowing past Orleans County. The fleet is here because yes, fish concentrations are wonderful, but also, Orleans County merchants offer services like lodging, tackle, dining, marina support and boat ramps for the complete fishing trip package, not to mention a savvy fleet of charter boats.

See you out there!

Captain John Oravec
www.captjohnoravec.com

Tight Lines Charters
1857 Countyline Rd * Lyndonville, NY 14098
boat/mobile 585-590-2045

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

Orleans County, NY – Fishing Report from Capt. John Oravec of Tight Lines Charters, August 21, 2018.

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Capt. John Oravec

Capt. Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan the "Troutman 2".

**Giant Brown Trout caught off the 50′ Ledge by Cleveland Angler “Big Pat”**

Long days + heavy catches + loads of high quality silver fish = the “High Season” for anglers that are visiting and fishing the Trout and Salmon Grounds of Orleans County! Longtime known as “Home of the King”, the ongoing migration offers all year classes of Chinook plus a “mambo” brown trout ledge fishery.

Right now, mature Kings…15 to 22 pound average (yes, the Sharks!), are staging along 20 miles off the Orleans County coast. Search the 45 to 100 foot drop offs. Take advantage of boat launch access at Bald Eagle, Golden Hill and of course the “Oak”, public as well at the East Lake Breeze ramp.

Tactically, try mixing a flasher, fly rig or flasher – cut bait set up on wire Dipsies, keeping spoons on the riggers for big Browns. Try bright glow, chartreuse, frog patterns that local merchants like Narby’s carry along with the fresh herring, aka “meat”.

The offshore at 250 -500 feet is again a consistent band for medium Kings, coho and steelhead. Please try to release steelhead for breeding. Everything is hitting 40 to 70 down. A Long Island boat, Total Chaos, reported big coho over 600 ft.

The LOC Derby is underway so make sure to support and enter. Follow minimum weigh-in sizes, release a few and have fun.

Now go get ’em!

Captain John Oravec
captjohnoravec.com

Tight Lines Charters
1857 Countyline Rd * Lyndonville, NY 14098
boat/mobile 585-590-2045

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

Orleans County, NY – HOME OF THE KING!!! – Lake Ontario Fishing Report, July 30, 2018 –

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Capt. John Oravec

Ready at the Ready! King Salmon are everywhere when you fish Lake Ontario in the right place off Orleans County, NY!

This week’s fishing report is from Capt. John Oravec of Tightlines Charters.

**Ready at the Ready! King Salmon are everywhere when you fish Lake Ontario in the right place…Orleans County, NY.**

As Sonny and Cher once sang: “And the Beat Goes On!” There is a steady traffic of fishing boats. I counted over 50 on the weekend rigged for Salmon action and getting it! Boats from Vermont, Ohio, New Jersey, Michigan, Indiana, Connecticut, Maine and Pennsylvania.

The stable wind pattern has created a broad pattern of fishing depths which will let you catch fish anywhere from 160 to 350 feet of water – AKA the mid “28 line”. The salmon and now “bonus steelhead” are lying 60 to 80 feet down. Remember that when to trolling in deep water currents, wily trollers add extra cable footage to consistently reach feeding fish. Please remember to release the steelhead and smaller salmon! Those immature fish are the future fish population!

Watch the changing weather systems mid-week and bring rain gear to be sure. Also, be ready, pull your lines and boogie to home port at any sign of thunderstorm activity. Be safe.

I saw many charters heading in early Sunday, limited out, their boats full of happy “salmon whooped” anglers. My boys from Columbus are already set on coming back in 2019.

If you are still considering a fishing visit this year, go to www.OrleansCountyTourism.com for all your trip planning info. See you on the water in Orleans County – Home of the King!!!

Capt. John Oravec, www.captjohnoravec.com, Tight Lines Charters, 1857 Countyline Rd. Lyndonville, NY, 14098; Phone (boat/mobile): 585-590-2045.

Capt. Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan, the “Troutman 2.” Capt. Johnny has been helping Great Lakes anglers learn and develop fishing techniques by writing for the In-Fisherman Magazine TV and Radio.

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; www.OrleansCountyTourism.com, 14016 Route 31 West, Albion, NY 14411; 1-800-724-0314

King Salmon Move Near Shore RIGHT NOW! Lake Ontario, Orleans County, NY – July 24, 2018

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Capt. John Oravec

It's Spoon Time!

Lake Ontario Fishing News from Tightline’s Charters – July 24, 2018.

By Capt. John Oravec

**It’s Spoon Time! See more photos – http://captjohnoravec.com/photos.htm**

The Lake Ontario waters off Point Breeze – simply put – are teaming with big king salmon after a big nor’easter storm caused the inside water to roll over. A classic upwelling, the salmon are feeding closer to the shoreline and near the surface!

I heard from a duo hailing from New Jersey and West Virginia that they had super action in close, plus one of the biggest salmon yet for 2018 – a 40″ 27 plus pounder!

Another group of trollers plowed thru fog only to find lots of schoolie kings and scrappy steelhead 30 to 40 feet down over 400 feet depths. Hot lure wise the consensus is spoons! Spoons! Spoons! Try to simplify a lure spread with a couple downriggers and a trailing 10 color leadcore or 250 ft. copper Flatline. The water is very clear, less can catch more.

Your local tackle shops have the prime baits and accessories to repair all the breakage during salmon wars like this! Be careful when running offshore. Have plenty of fuel, safety gear and stay in sight of the boat fleet.

Go get ’em!

Capt. John Oravec, www.captjohnoravec.com, Tight Lines Charters, 1857 Countyline Rd., Lyndonville, NY, 14098; Phone: boat/mobile 585-590-2045

Capt. Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan the “Troutman 2.” Captain Johnny has been helping Great Lakes anglers learn and develop fishing techniques by writing for the In-Fisherman Magazine TV and Radio.

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/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!

Orleans County/Lake Ontario Fishing Report – Nov. 7, 2017

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Dave Barus

Fresh Trout/Salmon are in Trib’s
Upper Oak is HOT with BROWN TROUT
Lake Alice Crappie Bite Starting

Today is Tuesday November 7, 2017

More seasonal weather has finally arrived along with an abundance of rain. Here in Western New York we are well on the way to setting new records for the amount or precipitation in 2017.

Let’s start the fish report with the lower stretches of the “Oak”: Perch fishing is good to very good, bass are active and northern pike are being caught occasionally.

On the upper stretches of the “Oak” it’s brown trout time. Brown trout in the upper teens are being caught and numbers are very good.

Fresh salmon are still entering the system along with the very start of the steelhead/rainbow trout run.

Water levels on all of the tributaries within Orleans County are slightly high to high and, with all of the rain we have experienced over the past few days, should go higher. Water color will go from stained to muddy for a day or two.

On Lake Alice, some crappie are starting to show up and bass fishing remains as good as ever.

Please remember that this coming weekend will be the last weekend for the Archers Club to be serving meals. Speaking of the Archers Club here are the winners of their Catch and Release Derby: In the Adult Division, Mia Stone had a 26.555 pound salmon, Nat Smith had a 11.115 Pound brown trout and Paul Davidson had a 6.12 pound steelhead. In the Youth Division, Ben Smith had a 16.630 Pound salmon.

Next year’s Archers Club Catch and Release Fly Fishing Derby will be held on October 17 – 19, 2018.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County. We try to make everyday a great fishing day in Orleans County.

Email: sportfishing@orleansny.com

Orleans County/Lake Ontario Fishing Report – Oct. 24, 2017

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Dave Barus

Runs of Trout/Salmon ON_AGAIN, OFF-AGAIN
Lake Alice Bass Action Good on Upper Stretch
St. Mary’s Archers Club Derby was SUCCESSFUL

Today is Tuesday October 24, 2017.
The temperature yo-yo continues with the temperatures looking more like late September than late October.
Runs of all of the cold-water species are on again and off again on all of the tributaries within Orleans County.
That’s not to say that there is any shortage of any of the cold-water species in our tributaries, they are not the bigger runs that one would normally see this time of year.
Temperatures will be above average into late next week and beyond.
What this means to me and others is that the tributary season will be extended this year and that is great news.
Another positive part of this whole weather thing is that people with boats still in the water have been having great success in the near-shore waters of Lake Ontario off Orleans County.
All of the inland stream and lakes have been fairly quiet right now, but bass fishing is still doing well, especially on the upper reaches of Lake Alice. Please don’t forget that bass season closes on November 30th this year, so bass catch and release starts on December 1st.
Yellow perch are being caught on the lower Stretches of the “Oak”.
The Catch and Release Fly Fishing Derby at the St. Mary’s Archers Club was, once again, a great success with some fantastic fish being weighed in. There was great food being served, great prizes being awarded and great new friends made.
From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County. We try to make everyday a great fishing day in Orleans County.
Email: sportfishing@orleansny.com

Orleans County Fishing Report – Sep. 19, 2017

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Forrest Fisher

Weather Warm-Up will Cool-Down Lake Ontario Fish Movement in Trib’s
Archer’s Club Tourney Coming Up on the “Oak,” see Details
Smallmouth Fishing Good on Lake Alice

Today is Tuesday September 19, 2017.

Well it looks like we are in for another long stretch of pleasant summerlike weather conditions. This should slow down the migration of trout and salmon towards their spawning grounds just a bit.

Early morning and late evening fishing from the pier heads have been fairly productive, as has been trolling the “wall” at those times.

There are still a good number of fish and bait in the 70 to 200 feet of water range for those who still have boats in the water.

This past weekend I was at a function at the Archers Club and conditions never looked better. There is a good water flow throughout the entire area which should make for some fantastic fishing this fall. They also have made some great improvements to the facilities in the enlarged kitchen area.

Mark on your calendar October 18th, 19th and 20th for the St. Mary’s Archers Club Catch and Release Fly Fishing Derby. This great event features 3 days of great fishing, fantastic food and some wonderful prizes, truly an event not to be missed.

With the warm up, fishing in the lower stretches of the “Oak”, Lake Alice and the Erie Canal has slowed a bit except for the smallmouth bass fishing. That will all change once some cooler temperatures return to our area.

Initial reports from the DEC creel census folks look like this has been one of the highest catch rate years for trout and salmon they have ever seen. This proves, once again, that Lake Ontario and its tributaries are alive and very healthy, even with the little extra water Mother Nature has given us.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County. We try to make everyday a great fishing day in Orleans County.

Email: sportfishing@orleansny.com

Orleans County Fishing Report – Aug. 15, 2017

Posted on January 23, 2024 by stoadmin

Rotary Derby Awards this Sunday
Mid-Level Fishing producing King Salmon
Border Water Fishing producing Steelies & Salmon

Today is Tuesday August 15, 2017.

By request, the Orleans County Hotline Report will now be updated every Tuesday instead of Wednesday.

First, the location of the Rotary Derby Awards Ceremony this Sunday has been changed from the Carlton Rec Hall to the Black North. Hope to see all of you there for a great time and I know that great food and drink will be available. After a slow start to the derby this year, the leader board is filling up with some fantastic catches in all of the categories, and there’s still time to enter and be one of those on the leader board at the awards ceremony.

Hit and miss showers are in the weather forecast over the next week, so let’s hope for more miss and less hit.

The mid-water fishing, around the 200 feet of water mark, has started to come on with mostly salmon in the catches. The off-shore fishing has moved out to almost the border and is producing a good mixed bag of both salmon and steelhead. The baits being used are all over the place so the best advice I can give is to use what you have the greatest confidence in and then change as needed.

Please remember that we now have two great ports to fish out of and two great charter fleets for you to book trip with, Point Breeze and Bald Eagle Creek Marina. The marinas at Point Breeze have been working all season long to provide the very best of service while fighting the high-water conditions as has the great crew at Bald Eagle Creek Marina.

On Lake Alice, around the Waterport Bridge, catches of Bluegill are good but a lot of smaller fish in the mix. Please remember that those smaller fish are the future catches so put them back to grow into next year’s catch. Bass fishing on Lake Alice remains good to very good in the upper reaches.

On the lower stretches of the “Oak” a good mixed bag of the warm water species is being taken. One gentleman I know of says that Gar pike fishing in this area are just about the best anywhere.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County. We try to make everyday a great fishing day in Orleans County.

Email: sportfishing@orleansny.com

Orleans County Fishing Report – Aug. 23, 2017

Posted on January 23, 2024 by stoadmin

King of the Oak Tournament News
King Salmon and Coho’s have New Location
Lake Alice Bass Fishing

Today is Tuesday August 22, 2017.

There were a lot of derbies and tournaments going on this weekend with some fantastic catches brought to the scales.

The “King-of-the Oak” Tournament was postponed on Saturday due to a small craft advisory on Lake Ontario and was held instead on Sunday. For this second leg of the tournament, Captain Tom Boddy and crew of Screamin’ Reels Charters amassed a fantastic catch with three salmon weighing in at 73.13 Pounds. Right behind Tom, was Capt. Rick Hajecki of Yankee Troller and in 3rd place was Capt. Bob Songin of Reel Excitement Charters. The third and final leg of the tournament will be held on September 3rd and will determine who gets the coveted title of “King of the Oak” for next year.

Sunday was also the end of the Orleans County Rotary Derby and this year it was a nail biter right to the end. With a very short time left, John Vanhoff of North Tonawanda landed a 30-pound 12-ounce salmon to knock Keith Sheffield’s 30-pound 9-ounce salmon out of the grand prize winner’s spot by just 3 ounces. That put Keith in the first-place spot for the salmon division. In the steelhead/rainbow trout division, Robert Griffith of Copley, Ohio, brought in a 15-pound 14-ounce beauty to take first place. The first place brown trout was taken by Bill Cole of Albion with a 14-pound 3-ounce beauty and the big lake trout was caught by Dan DeGeorge of Rochester, with a monster 17-pound 10-ounce fish.

It’s interesting to note that two of the participants that made it to the leader board are young gentlemen, Jason Grager in 2nd place with a 12-pound 12-ounce brown trout, and in 3rd place in the lake trout division was Braydon Gambell with a 14-pound 9-ounce beauty. Just goes to show that the youth of today are into the great outdoors and especially fishing.

This report is getting too long, so I’ll cover the Greater Niagara Fish Odyssey and the Fall LOC Derby in my next report.

On Lake Ontario, after a rocky start this year, fishing has settled in to an area around the 25.5 to the 27 lines with some great catches of both Chinook and Coho salmon along with very large steelhead thrown into the mix.

On Lake Alice, around the Waterport Bridge, catches of Bluegill are good but a lot of smaller fish in the mix. Please remember that those smaller fish are the future catches so put them back to grow into next year’s catch. Bass fishing on Lake Alice remains good to very good in the upper reaches.

On the lower stretches of the “Oak” a good mixed bag of the warm water species is being taken. One gentleman I know of says that Gar pike fishing in this area is just about the best anywhere. It won’t be long before the perch fishing starts up again on the lower stretches of the “Oak” and that will be followed by some of the best tributary fishing to be found anywhere.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County. We try to make everyday a great fishing day in Orleans County.

Email: sportfishing@orleansny.com

Orleans County Fishing Report – Aug. 2, 2017

Posted on January 23, 2024 by stoadmin

LOC Summer Derby Results are in
31 pound, 10 ounce Orleans County Salmon is WINNER
Summer Fish are on the Big Bite

Today is Wednesday Aug. 2, 2017.

First, I’d like to congratulate the winners of the Summer LOC Derby, especially those that were caught out of Orleans County. Out of Orleans County, we had First Place in the salmon division with a 31.1-pound salmon caught by Kristin Wilson. Victor Rowcliffe had the 4th place salmon weighing 29.05 pounds

In the Lake Trout Division, the 4th place fish weighed 21.1 pounds and was caught by James Irene and the 7th place fish was 20.04 pounds caught by Michael Wichtowski.

In the Rainbow/Steelhead Division, Darwin Snow caught the 6th place fish which weighed 12.15 pounds, 10th place was Tiffany Keicher’s 11.15-pound fish, 13th place went to Laura Brown with a 11.11-pound fish and the 17th place fish weighed 11.08 pounds and was caught by Patrick Pullinzi.

All in all, not a bad showing for the great fishing waters we enjoy in Lake Ontario off Orleans County.

Fishing on Lake Ontario seems to have moved off shore and for right and now seems to be taking place around the 30 line and beyond.

Good catches of both salmon and steelhead are being reported using a mixture of both spoons and flasher/fly combinations in a multitude of color patterns.

On the Erie Canal, around the wide water area, some great catfish catches are being taken along with many other species.

Lake Alice still has some great bass fishing in the upper stretches where the boat traffic is much lighter. The lower stretches of the “Oak” are still producing northern pike and bass.

The weather for the rest of this week and into next week contains the possibility of some pop-up showers and thunderstorms so keep a lookout for them.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County. We try to make everyday a great fishing day in Orleans County.

Email: sportfishing@orleansny.com

Orleans County Fishing Report – July 12, 2017

Posted on January 23, 2024 by stoadmin

LOC Derby Fishing Helps Find Fish
Fish for a Cure starts This Week
Erie Canal Tourney is ON!

Today is Wednesday July 12, 2017.

It seems like this appears in my report a lot, but rain is in the forecast for most of the rest of this week, except for Saturday and into the first part of next week.

Even with that, the Army Corps of Engineers predicts that the level of Lake Ontario will drop approximately 7″ by the end of July. Maybe businesses and land owners along the shoreline will finally get a break.

As far as fishing goes along the Orleans County portion of Lake Ontario, things have been pretty consistent in a very good way for a change.

Most trollers are working the area from 140 to 240 feet of water with very good success. Spoons are still taking a back seat to some type of spinner/fly combinations and sometimes cut bait has been the ticket.

With the Summer LOC Derby in full swing, some great catches are showing upon the leader board including a good number caught right here in Orleans County. The derby runs through the end of this month so why not enter and get your share of some of those great cash prizes.

Don’t forget that this Saturday is the Drew’s Crew Fishing for a cure for Juvenile Diabetes Derby. This is a chance to help out for a very worthwhile cause while enjoying some of the great fishing on Lake Ontario. Enter by 7 AM this Saturday and be at the weigh-in at Ernst’s Lake Breeze Marina by 3 PM with your best 3 fish.

On the “Oak,” it’s been a mixed bag of fish from the mouth all the way to the dam consisting of perch, bass, northern pike and even some walleye thrown into the mix.

Other tributaries within Orleans County are experiencing the same success including the Erie Canal.

Speaking of the Erie Canal, the annual Erie Canal Fishing Derby wraps up on July 16th this year, so there’s still plenty of time to enter.

Word has it that some great entries have been made from the Medina and Albion area.

On Lake Alice fishing has slowed somewhat for bass and panfish but I know of one lad that is doing very well on carp off his grandfather’s dock.

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.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County. We try to make everyday a great fishing day in Orleans County.

Email: sportfishing@orleansny.com

Orleans County Fishing Report – June 21, 2017

Posted on January 23, 2024 by stoadmin

Orleans County King Salmon ARE BACK!
Lake Alice good with Smallmouth and Largemouth
Fishing-For-A-Cure Tourney Coming Up, July 15

Today is Wednesday June 21, 2017.

Occasional rain and thunderstorms are in the forecast into next week, along with more seasonal temperatures.

On Lake Ontario, the king of the lake – Chinook salmon, have made their presence known in a big way. Fishing in the 100 feet of water range has been very productive all along the shoreline of Orleans County. Most fish are being taken in the lower portions of the water column, from 60 feet down and with a mixture of lure combinations but cut bait seems to be the most productive. Some lake trout and steelhead are also being caught, but not in the numbers of the kings.

Near the mouth of Oak Orchard Creek (the “Oak”), perch and bass fishing is good to very good.

Lake Alice is producing some decent numbers of both Largemouth and Smallmouth bass along with a combination of panfish.

I haven’t had a good report from the Erie Canal fishermen as of yet.

Returning again this year is the Drew’s Crew – “Fishing for a Cure” for Juvenile Diabetes. The derby will take place on July 15th this year and will follow the best 3-fish format that is so popular. The entry fee is $50.00 cash with half going to the prize structure and half to Juvenile Diabetes research. This year you will be able to fish out of either Point Breeze or Bald Eagle Marina, but the weigh-in will take place at Ernst’s Lake Breeze Marina. You must be entered by 7AM on the 15th and the weigh-In closes at 3PM so please don’t be late. Please join us for a fun day of fishing while supporting this great cause.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County. We try to make everyday a great fishing day in Orleans County.

Email: sportfishing@orleansny.com

Fishing Report: Orleans County, New York Lake Ontario, Lake Alice, Erie Canal for October 13, 2016

Posted on January 23, 2024 by stoadmin

The cold temperatures and frost of Monday night and Tuesday morning should go a long way in convincing salmon that it’s spawning time. Even though daytime temperatures will be back up in the 70’s this week, tributary temperatures are definitely heading in the right direction.

Some solid reports have Brown trout and even some Atlantic salmon entering the mix. The best action is still occurring around the mouths of the tributaries and from small boats working the shoreline.

There are fish all the way up to the dam on Oak Orchard, but not as heavy as you would expect at this time of year.

Basically it seems that everything is about two weeks behind where you would expect it to be. A good rain would go a long way towards bringing things back to something close to being normal.

On Lake Alice the cooler temperatures have moved many of the species back to the weed beds around the lake. Bluegill and Crappie are still being taken from the Waterport Bridge but not in the numbers they were a week ago.

Don’t lose out on some great fishing, food, friends and prizes at the St. Mary’s Archer’s Club Catch and Release Derby which will be held on October 19th to the 21st this year. It is truly one of the great events of the fall fishing season.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County. We try to make everyday a great fishing day in Orleans County.

Email: sportfishing@orleansny.com

Fishing Report: Orleans County, New York Lake Ontario, Lake Alice, Erie Canal for September 29, 2016

Posted on January 23, 2024 by stoadmin

Hats off to Joe Yeager with this monster King Salmon recently caught in western Lake Ontario.

The cool down continues for the rest of this week and well into next week.

Rain is in the forecast throughout the end of the week and into Monday of next week, which should spur movement of salmon towards their spawning locations. Fishermen are reporting more hookups around the tributary mouths of Johnson and Sandy Creeks, as well as at the mouth of Oak Orchard Creek.

Right now the flows on the tributaries within Orleans County are at moderate levels to slightly below moderate levels, but the rain over the next few days should improve those conditions.

Right now fishing pressure is light but with conditions improving that should be on the increase.

The weather conditions are moving these fish up to at least the mid-pools and some all the way up to the Waterport dam on the Oak. Please remember that if you are utilizing fishing opportunities on Brookfield Power property to take the time to familiarize their guidelines concerning safety procedures.

On Lake Alice, the Bluegill fishing is starting to drop off slightly, but the bass fishing is on the rise.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County. We try to make everyday a great fishing day in Orleans County.

Email: sportfishing@orleansny.com

Fishing Report: Orleans County, New York Lake Ontario, Lake Alice, Erie Canal for October 6, 2016

Posted on January 23, 2024 by stoadmin

The cooler temperatures of the past few days have the salmon population slowly moving towards their spawning grounds. The biggest concentration of salmon on the “Oak” seems to be by the deep hole at the bridges area.

Later this week we will be experiencing even more cool down which should speed up the pre-spawn movement.

Water levels on all of the tributaries within Orleans County are at slightly below levels to low levels for this time of year. With no great amount of precipitation in the near future these levels should remain.

On Lake Alice, Bluegills are still being taken by the Waterport Bridge and now some Crappie are starting to show up. Bass are becoming more active and should increase in activity as temperatures cool down.

Don’t miss out on some great fishing, food, friends and prizes at the St. Mary’s Archer’s Club Catch and Release Derby which will be held on October 19th to the 21st this year. It is truly one of the great events of the fall fishing season. Visit the weigh station, Narby’s Superette – to sign up, see Sharon Narburgh, 1292 Oak Orchard Rd. (RTE 98), Kent, NY 14477, or call 585-682-4624.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County. We try to make everyday a great fishing day in Orleans County.

Email: sportfishing@orleansny.com

Fishing Report: Orleans County, New York Lake Ontario, Lake Alice for September 15, 2016

Posted on January 23, 2024 by stoadmin

The weather for the next week or so seems to have higher than normal daytime temperatures and cooler than normal night time temperatures, or at least that is what the weathermen say.

There doesn’t seem to be much action on our portion of Lake Ontario, but the pier fishermen are starting to get some hook-ups. With the shorter days and longer nights water temperatures should start dropping towards that magic number to signal the start of the spawning migration for trout and salmon. With September also half gone, tributary fishermen are preparing for what should be a great tributary season.

This is also the time of year when many fishermen’s minds and hearts start turning towards hunting season.

On Lake Alice there has been an upswing in the Bluegill catch rate and also the sizes of the catch especially around the Waterport Bridge area. Also the bass fishing productivity has increased due to some cooler water temperatures.

Please remember that the St. Mary’s Archers Club Catch and Release Tournament will be held from October 19th to the 21st this year. It’s a great time for some great competition, fantastic food and some of the finest tributary fishing to be found anywhere.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County. We try to make everyday a great fishing day in Orleans County.

Email: sportfishing@orleansny.com

Fishing Report: Orleans County, New York Lake Ontario, Lake Alice, Erie Canal

Posted on January 23, 2024 by stoadmin

Wednesday June 29, 2016

Let’s start out with fishing derby news.

This Friday, July 1st, starts the LOC Summer Derby which runs through July 31st. There is $29,000 in cash up for grabs with a $10,000 grand prize for the biggest salmon. More information can be found at www.loc.org or by calling 888-733-5246. Register at any of these Orleans County locations or on-line: Captain’s Cove Resort, 14339 Rt. 18, Waterport, NY, 14571, 585-682-3316, http://fishcaptainscove.com; Narby’s Superette and Tackle, 1292 Oak Orchard Rd, Kent, NY, 14477, 585-682-4624, http://www.narbys.com/; Orleans Outdoors, 1764 Oak Orchard Rd., Albion, NY, 14411, 585-682-4546, http://www.orleansoutdoor.com/.

Then there is the 26th Annual Erie Canal Derby which runs from July 6th to the 17th this year. In this event a boat, motor and trailer is the grand prize and in the youth division, a canal trail bike is available. Great fishing abounds on the Erie Canal. Eligible waters are the Erie Canal from the Niagara River to the Route 98 Bridge, located in the heart of Albion. More than $8,000 in prizes is available. For more information check out their website at www.eriecanalderby.com.

Fishing on Lake Ontario has been good to exceptional over the past week. Winds have been fairly kind to us and that has kept the fishing in closer to shore, mainly the 90 to 150 feet of water range. Most anglers are reporting a good mix of fish, mainly Chinook salmon, Lake trout and Steelhead trout with some reporting some exceptional size fish in each category. With the great weather predicted through the weekend and well into next week, fishing should continue to improve.

On Lake Alice, the Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass and Carp seem to be providing most of the action. Reports have the bass mostly at legal size with few undersize fish being seen.

The Erie Canal from Middleport to Brockport is in the process of being de-watered for some emergency repairs in two locations, but the portion from Middleport to Albion should be reopened by the end of next week.

The 4th of July is when we celebrate the birth of our great nation and a great way to celebrate is to take a kid fishing, hiking or any other activity that helps our youth to enjoy all that the great outdoors has to offer.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County. We try to make everyday a great fishing day in Orleans County.

Email: sportfishing@orleansny.com

Fishing Report: Orleans County, New York Lake Ontario, Lake Alice, Erie Canal

Posted on January 23, 2024 by stoadmin

First a big thank you to the Erie Canal crews who got the emergency repairs done quickly and the canal back open in time for the start of the Erie Canal Fishing Derby which starts today and runs through July 17th this year.

Fishing on Lake Ontario has gone past good to GREAT for all of the cold water species.

Fishing in the 100 feet of water range is producing very well, but some are finding great success farther out on the lake.

With the warmer surface temperatures in the lake, fish are being taken somewhat deeper than in the previous several years.

Orleans County has fish entered in each category of the LOC Summer Derby with the exception of Lake Trout.

Speaking of the LOC Summer Derby which runs through the end of July, big fish abound with leaders in each category as follows: Salmon over 29 pounds, Brown trout over 17 pounds, Lake trout over 23 pounds and Steelhead over 16 pounds and this is just the first part of July.

Lake Alice is still producing a good mixed bag of fish, but with the warmer weather all species are moving to deeper water.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County. We try to make everyday a great fishing day in Orleans County.

Email: sportfishing@orleansny.com

Fishing Report: Orleans County, New York – June 22, 2016

Posted on January 23, 2024 by stoadmin

Erie Canal Rebuild in Progress, Bass Bite is On at Lake Alice

Lake Alice (Waterport Reservoir) offers plenty of rod-buster largemouth bass like this fooled on a Senko Worm fished along weedbeds adjacent to a deep drop-off. Forrest Fisher Photo

To start off, the Erie Canal from Middleport to Brockport will be shut down starting June 27th to drain that portion of the canal.

There are two major repairs that need to be made; one at the culvert overpass at Culvert Road and the other is a culvert wall at Hulberton. The repair at Culvert Road will be a temporary fix and the permanent fix will be done after the close of the canal season. When the temporary fix is completed the section of canal between Middleport and Albion will be reopened and the section between Albion and Brockport will remain closed until the permanent repair is completed at Hulberton.

On Lake Alice, anglers are doing well on some nice Largemouth bass casting spinners along the weed beds. Perch, Bluegills and Rock bass are being taken in 15 to 20 feet of water.

On Lake Ontario, the Spiney Water Fleas are just starting to show up, but not in any great numbers as of yet. Anglers report show that fishing seems to be good between the 25 and 26 lines, with very good catches of both Steelhead and Salmon.

The Summer LOC Derby starts on July 1st and runs through the end of the month.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County. We try to make everyday a great fishing day in Orleans County.

Email: sportfishing@orleansny.com

Fishing Report: Orleans County, New York Lake Ontario, Lake Alice, Erie Canal

Posted on January 23, 2024 by stoadmin

This Dreamweaver Lure color was the Hot Lure when fished with a white fly way back in 2014 and many anglers have enjoyed good success with this color this year too.

June 8, 2016.

A series of cold fronts moving through our area coupled with strong northwest winds have put a damper on Lake Ontario fishing for today.

The forecast for later this week looks much more favorable which is great, because this weekend starts with the Condor Derby on Friday followed by the 4th Annual Oak Orchard Open Tournament on Saturday and Sunday. Normally a Northwest wind helps set up our portion of the lake for some great fishing, but I guess we will just have to wait and see what the fishing gods bring us.

Before the nasty northwest winds picked up fishing was good with a mixed bag of species in each catch. It seemed like the 95 to 150 feet of water range was holding a good number of fish but some fishermen were doing well as far out as 200 feet of water.

Most fish were being taken in the top 80 feet of water but as always some were deeper.

On Lake Alice, the reservoir on the Oak Orchard Creek near Waterport, New York, fishing has slowed slightly, but catches of Bluegill, Crappie and Bass are still being taken. Just a reminder that Bass season opens the 3rd Saturday of this month so for now it’s still catch and release.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County. We try to make everyday a great fishing day in Orleans County.

Email: sportfishing@orleansny.com

Fishing Report: Orleans County, New York Lake Ontario, Lake Alice, Erie Canal

Posted on January 23, 2024 by stoadmin

Wednesday June 15, 2016

The New York State black bass season opens on Saturday, June 18, 2016, and spinner baits like this Lucky Strike lure from Bass Pro Shops will be among the most popular of artificial lure baits that anglers use to fool ‘ol mossback.

First congratulations to all of the winners in the 4th Annual Oak Orchard Open Tournament.

Although the weather shortened the fishing day, some great catches were brought to the weigh-in that showed the great abilities of all the entries.

It looks like after the storm tomorrow, summer will finally be upon us.

Temperatures will be in the 80’s by the end of the week with an almost perfect Sunday for Father’s Day.

After the storms and winds of the past weekend, Lake Ontario is still trying to settle out to what are more normal conditions. Right now the picture is scattered, but the best area seems to be the 300 to 400 foot range, with fish coming deeper in the water column.

On Lake Alice fishing has slowed a bit with Bluegill still fairly active.

Of course this Saturday, June 18, 2016, is the opening day of Bass season, so there should be plenty of action along all our shorelines and even on the Erie Canal. As one person put it, there should be foam on the water from all of the spinner baits being pulled through the waters this Saturday.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County. We try to make everyday a great fishing day in Orleans County.

Email: sportfishing@orleansny.com

Notes from Orleans County Tourism:

By Capt. John Oravec, Tight Lines Charters

A couple updates: