By Bill Hilts Jr.
1. Lake Ontario and tributaries
Last report we had was that the stained water was still flowing strong over Burt Dam and that steelhead were still hitting jigs tipped with wax worms and egg sacks. The warm temperatures earlier in the week brought significant flow down the creek and into the lake, attracting a few more steelhead. Ice fishing action at Wilson was still producing some panfish which included perch and bluegill, as well as the occasional trout and northern pike. Speaking of northern pike, remember that the season closes after March 15. The State of the Lake meeting is set for March 13 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the 4-H Building of Cornell Cooperative Extension, 4487 Lake Avenue, Lockport. For more information contact DEC at 851-7010.
2. Lower Niagara River
It was an up-and-down week for trout fishermen in the lower river due to a flip-flop of conditions. First things turned a little tough last weekend because the water became too clear, forcing fishermen to downsize baits, lines and hooks. After a 60-plus degree teaser day earlier in the week and significant amount of snow melt, the waters actually turned a bit more turbid than what local anglers had hoped and fishing slowed a bit more as a result. Capt. Jeff Draper of Grand Island landed half of his hits, boating four nice steelhead on pink egg sacks on Wednesday. That same day, Capt. Ernie Calandrelli braved the elements to take some steelies on silver or gold with chartreuse Kwikfish fished off three-way rigs. Another storm was being forecast going into this weekend, so we’ll have to wait and see what Mother Nature will bring us. If it’s too bad to go fishing, the next best thing will be to attend the Western New York Sport and Outdoor Show at the Erie County Fairgrounds through Sunday. Some great seminars are being advertised and displays for the whole family to enjoy.
3. Upper Niagara River
Some perch are being reported around Grand Island at some of the marinas. Smelt were also being reported at Beaver Island State Park.
4. Lake Erie and tributaries
The warm temperatures earlier in the week got many of the tributaries flowing again and waters were high and muddy. Winter hit again and has kept many of the anglers off the streams, with another storm dose welcoming the weekend. If you can find open water, you should catch fish on egg sacks or imitations, wooly buggers or other fly patterns. Trout are cooperating in Dunkirk Harbor, either off the fishing platform or the city dock on egg sacks, power baits, spoons and spinners.
5. Chautauqua Lake
Not too much changed from last week according to Craig Robbins. The northern basin of the lake is still producing perch, such as off the Boy Scout Camp at Mayville and off Long Point. Use jigs tipped with spike or mousies. There are some bass around the islands to the south, but that’s all catch and release. One good area for walleye continues to be along the cable line that runs between the bridge and the ferry. However, conditions are day to day as far as the ice fishing is concerned. Speaking of walleye, remember that the season closes after March 15.
6. Finger Lakes-Inland Waters
Honeoye Lake — Bad weather kept ice anglers off the lake on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning, but there’s still plenty of good ice available according to Dan Sharp at Honeoye Bait and Tackle. Hard water fishermen are still doing well on walleye, with tip ups the best approach to use. Large bass or pike shiners are the best baits to use. Try on the east side off Trident Marina. Crappie are hitting in the late afternoon until sunset on jigs tipped with spikes. Perch are a bit deeper and hitting minnows and grubs. If you are going to fish on the ice, stay away from any tributary that might be flowing into a body of water, said Sharp. It might look like it’s okay with very little flow, but the streams and creeks have been flowing pretty strong since the warm weather earlier in the week.
Canadice/Hemlock lakes — Smelt are hitting gold hooks tipped with mousies in both lakes. Trout fishing continues to be good in both, too. Use tip ups with bass or pike shiners. If you want to find crappies, target the late afternoon until dark in 10 to 14 feet of water. Jigs tipped with spikes or mousies are the ticket.
Oneida Lake — Best spots for walleye have been off Cleveland, North Bay, North Shore and Sylvan Beach. Use jigging spoons tipped with minnows in 20-25 feet of water. Good perch reports have been coming off Lewis Point in 8-20 feet of water.
Cayuga Lake — The brown trout is still one of the hot programs on the lake, especially off AES Cayuga, formerly Milliken Station. Trollers have been fighting the weather to take landlocked salmon and browns off Taughannock Point on stickbaits.
Bill Hilts Jr. is the outdoor sports specialist with the Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation. Contact him at bhiltsjr69@cs.com.
