CHAUTAUQUA LAKE

The crappie bite took a dip with the past cold snap late last week, but this weekend, we should have higher temperature and increased activity. Crappie limits are being caught in the canals and Bemus Bay, Ashville Bay, Dewittville Bay, Lakewood Bar and off Mayville. Small jigs (1/32 and 1/64 ounce) with a small minnow, one-inch tube or other small plastic and fished under a float, are proven crappie catchers. A mix of yellow perch and sunfish are available around weed beds. Bullhead are biting well along shorelines during low-light periods. Worms, leeches or chicken livers fished on the bottom work well for bullhead.

LAKE ERIE AND TRIBS

Excellent conditions on most tributaries today, but Cattaraugus Creek remains a little high at 880 cubic feet per second. Overall, steelhead numbers are dropping on the streams with post-spawn fish returning to the lake. However, there are still small spurts of feisty, fresh steelhead moving in. There are also increasing numbers of suckers and smallmouth bass showing in the lower sections

Yellow perch are biting well in Buffalo Boat Harbor. Boaters and shore anglers on the breakwall are catching good-sized perch on emerald shiners. There have been no reports yet, but some crappie often show in the harbor in spring as well. Look for bullhead to move into Dunkirk Harbor soon, if not already. There have been no solid perch reports on Lake Erie yet.

UPPER NIAGARA RIVER

Yellow perch have been biting well along City of Buffalo shore sites. Anglers report catches of good-sized perch from Erie Basin Marina pier, Broderick Park, foot of Hertle Avenue and Black Rock Canal Park. The various harbors and marinas around the upper river are also worth a look for perch. Live emerald shiners are the top perch bait and have been available for dipping in many spots, with the inlet at Black Rock Canal Park being one of the more reliable spots.

LOWER NIAGARA RIVER

Trout action continues to be spotty from both boat and shore following the storms that came through last week. The big news is that the smelt have started running in the Lewiston area and dippers have been going out every night. It hasn’t been a strong run so far but they are getting some.

Shoreline casters are tossing spoons and spinners and picking up a few trout. Boaters are doing a little better because they can move around to look for active fish. But with so much bait in the river right now, it’s tough to get the trout to hit. Some boaters have opted to turn the corner at the fort and troll the shoreline for browns, Cohos, lakers and steelies.

LAKE ONTARIO AND TRIBS

Burt Dam and 18 Mile Creek is finally coming down and slowly starting to clear. Last report was that the water was at 380 cfs and some fresh steelhead have shown up ready to drop eggs. Of course, eggs or egg imitations will be the preferred bait, but you can still catch them on jigs or crawlers. Keg and Hopkins creeks should also be holding fish.

Pier action is picking up for casters in Wilson and Olcott using spoons and spinners. Browns are the primary target. Out in Lake Ontario, it’s been a mixed bag for trollers. Stickbaits or spoons in tight to shore off boards or riggers in 12 to 25 feet of water for browns, Coho salmon and the occasional Atlantic. Head out to 40 to 60 foot depths for lake trout.