1. Lake Ontario and tributaries

Action in the tributaries is where its at as fishing will undoubtedly be exploding in the next week depending on what’s happening with the weather. Local guide Dan Evans of Newfane reports that trout can be found in all the tributaries off the lake right now but conditions vary from stream to stream. You need to adapt your presentation to the conditions that you will be encountering. After a week of mild weather and rain in the forecast going into the weekend, the added flow will probably eliminate all ice concerns and create enough flow to bring in fresh fish. This coming week is when you will want to be out in the streams! Evans encountered high, turbid conditions at 12-Mile Creek so he used brightly colored egg sacks from a nickel to a quarter in size. For 4-Mile Creek, it was smaller, more neutral colored sacks. Burt Dam and 18-Mile Creek drew a bit of a crowd earlier this week and some nice fish were caught, but most of them were drop back trout. The extra flow of water from the rain will bring in fresh fish for the fight. Olcott Harbor ice is nearly gone and some success was being reported with anglers drifting minnows under floats for brown trout and Northern pike off the docks. By the way, Northern pike season closes on March 15. No report on the Wilson ice, but we noticed that no one was out there on last inspection. Remember that the State of Lake Ontario meeting will take place in Lockport on March 16 starting at 6:30 p.m. The public session is free and interested anglers are encouraged to attend. Location is the 4-H Building of Cornell Cooperative Extension Niagara, Route 78.

2. Lower Niagara River

Water conditions have been clear but anglers report good success on trout by drifting egg sacks, minnows and Kwikfish lures. Not every day has been a consistent bite, however. The Bar area produced some excellent brown trout last weekend on minnows and egg sacks, but that action shut down the next day. Lake trout were cooperating nicely until two or three days of north winds chased the fish away. When things stabilize again, look for that action to improve. Wednesday fishing was good according to Capt. Frank Campbell of Niagara Falls. He reported up to 15 trout for a half day of action, with egg sacks working best on this particular day in a variety of drifts. Bait success varies from day to day. Remember that walleye season closes on March 15.

3. Upper Niagara River

Trout are starting to cooperate for casters using egg sacks, salted minnows and red worms according to Big Catch in Buffalo. Best areas have been at the foot of Ferry Street, near the lighthouse at Ontario Street and around the locks. A few ice fishermen were still working Buffalo Harbor but that will probably change with the rains coming in. Some boats were already drifting the river, but not reports on success at this time.

4. Lake Erie and tributaries

Look for tributary action to take off with the combination of warm weather and rain. The added flow will attract more fish into the streams … and more fishermen. Egg sacks, egg imitations, small jigs tipped with wax worms or grubs and fished under a float will be the best approach. The past week, Cattaraugus Creek was your best bet but more and more streams were opening up. Down in Dunkirk at the fish platform, look for activity to increase with DEC’s recent announcement that the platform is fixed and open to the public once again. Try casting spoons, spinners, egg sacks or minnows.

5. Chautauqua Lake

A few anglers were venturing out on the ice before the rain hit, but with more warm weather in the forecast, staying off is advised. The shoreline was already starting to open up. If things open up enough in the canals, it might not be too early to have a go at some crappie and other panfish, though.

6. Finger Lakes-Inland Waters

In inland trout stream opener is just around the corner, set for April 1. We’ll have some stocking numbers for you next week.

n Honeoye Lake: Dan Sharp at Honeoye Bait and Tackle reports good ice still on the lake but you may have to reevaluate after this weekend. Fish 20 foot depths for perch near the bottom. In the afternoon, the crappie bite picks in those same waters, but for suspended fish six to eight feet above the bottom. Some bluegills, too.

n Canandaigua Lake: Some good action is taking place off the shore near the boat launch in the Woodville area for pickerel, but the season closes on March 15. Use shiners under a bobber.

n Conesus Lake: Some panfishing through the ice in the north end for bluegills and sunfish, but reevaluate ice conditions after the rain this weekend. It may not be safe.