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Fishing Report

CHAUTAUQUA LAKE

Fall fishing on Chautauqua Lake has never been better. Not withstanding some that say the lake is a mess, fishing has never been better for anglers. If one is looking for the King of Chautauqua Lake, muskie, the elusive walleye, or the line-tightening smallmouth bass, fall fishing has never been better.

Muskie casters are finding the bite good, throwing oversized buck tails on weed edges and shallow sides on rocky points. Smallies are also being caught in the same rocky points, fishing crayfish-style baits and buzzing spinnerbaits from the shallows out to deeper water. Walleye are still being caught trolling edges in Burtis and Warners bays, with No. 13 jointed stickbaits and worm harnesses.

LAKE ERIE AND TRIBUTARIES

Tributary fishing has yet to kick in with lake temperatures still in the high 50s. It should be a week or so until salmon start their run. Perch are being picked up in front of Sunset Bay in 60-75 feet of water.

LOWER NIAGARA RIVER

The lower Niagara River salmon action is starting to wind down a little bit but they are catching some silver fish that are fresh in the system. Casting glow in the dark spinners and Little Gem spoons under low light conditions work best. Rat-L-Traps can also produce salmon. Rich Pisa of Kenmore caught six kings from shore on Monday and four on Tuesday, so they are still getting them just fine. Even his father Richard picked up a few nice kings, fishing the Whirlpool area with treated egg skein. Boaters are still catching kings and cohos as well, with an occasional trout. It won’t be long before lake trout start showing up to spawn. Remember that the season is closed now until the end of the year.

LAKE ONTARIO

Anglers heading up Fisherman’s Park at Burt Dam/18 Mile Creek, report that some dandy brown trout are starting to show up in the creek a bit more readily. It’s a nice complement to the salmon and steelhead that are already on the scene. Fresh fish can be found in all of the deeper holes further down towards the harbor and fish are still being caught off the piers and in the lake. When there’s a northeast wind, you can’t fish the piers at all because of the waves. However, when those winds subside, get out there and start casting spoons, spinners, rattlebaits, stickbaits or whatever. The fishing usually turns on. Another popular method is to use treated egg skein under a float. You can anchor or drift from a boat, too. Over in Wilson, they are still picking up some perch off the piers, as well as some nice trout. Use spinners and spoons for trout, minnows for the perch. Don’t rule out lake fishing either. If the weather cooperates — and it is this weekend — don’t be afraid to try trolling for salmon and trout off the creek mouths or even out deep. There are plenty of fish to be caught.

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