Lake Ontario, Niagara River
Warm Weather Causing Changes!
Lake Ontario and tributaries
Action in the lake has been good for a mix of salmon and steelhead out of both Wilson and Olcott. Writer Paul Liikala of Ohio was out fishing with Capt. Bob Cinelli out of Olcott earlier this week and they limited out on kings and steelies, with two salmon in the 20 pound class.
Reports coming in show fish in the 250 to 350 foot range in the top 100 feet of water. Some salmon are down 80 to 100 according to Wes Walker at The Slippery Sinker; steelies in the top 30 feet – but that was before the east blow on Wednesday. Don’t know what that will do to the lake. There were some cold water upwellings and some trollers found 39 degree water just 40 feet down in some spots.
Smallmouth bass have been hitting in the creeks and harbors. Remember you must use artificials. Anything goes for pike, though, and Wilson has been a good spot.
A few perch and panfish in both Wilson and Olcott. More perch are being reported off Golden Hill State Park.
A few browns have been caught off the piers on spoons.
National Fishing and Boating Week kicks off on June 4 and continues through June 12 as the country celebrates these popular outdoor pastimes. Helping to initiate local angling activities is the 25th Annual Kids Fishing Derby at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge east of Lockport. Registration begins at 7:30 am. The actual contest is from 8 am to 11 am. There will be three different age categories. The event will be held at Ringneck Overlook on Oak Orchard Road. Call 585-948-5445 for more info.
The Town of Newfane Marina will host a kids contest on June 25, too. For the adults, the Oak Orchard Open fishing contest will be held Out of Point Breeze in Orleans County June 10-12. To find out more information call 585-589-3103.
If you would like to learn more about fishing for king salmon in the summer, Capt. Roger Young with Papa Smurf Charters out of Wilson will be the featured speaker at the next Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Assn. meeting June 9 at Cornell Cooperative Extension Niagara starting at 7 pm.
Lower Niagara River
Fishing changed considerable over the weekend with the unseasonably hot weather. Water temperatures shot from the 50’s into the upper 60’s and trout were tough to come by, getting chased out into the lake. Bass have started to turn on even more with artificial baits like tubes and swim baits good options for smallmouth. Silver bass are still around, too.
The dreaded moss is starting to show up on the scene a bit more, creating problems for both drifters and casters.
Some good news on the stocking front the past week as plants of 33,000 bonus Coho salmon and 8,000-plus brown trout were put into the river.
On the boating ends of things, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will be hosting a Vessel Exam at the Lewiston Launch Ramp from 10 am to 2 pm on June 4. Call John Roach at 751-2057 for more info.
Upper Niagara River
Upper river action for bass and panfish is available from the head of the river to Niagara Falls. Remember bass must be artificial baits only, catch and release until June 18.
Other youth contests coming up include the kid’s derby at Niawanda Park in Tonawanda on June 18 and a kid’s event at Widewaters Marina in Lockport on June 19. It will be held from 7:30 am (registration) until noon. Fishing will be from 8-1 am. Call Phyllis at 417-4198 for more info.
Bill Hilts, Jr., Director, Outdoor Promotions
Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY USA 14303
p: 716.282.8992 x.303| 1.877 FALLS US, f:716.285.0809
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