CHAUTAUQUA LAKE

Anglers continue to report good walleye fishing in both basins. Concentrate efforts in the deeper, center section of the south basin. The better walleye catches in the north basin are still coming along weed edges. Largemouth bass are holding in shallower areas along weed lines, in pockets within the weeds and around docks. Live shiners, weedless rigged power worms, wacky rigged senkos and topwater lures are good bass offerings. July tends to be the slowest period for musky fishing, and this July has been no different. Look for the musky bite to get better as the summer continues.

LAKE ERIE AND TRIBS

The recent walleye bite has been very good with anglers catching fish out of all ports. Out of Buffalo, anglers start to pick up walleye along the 50-foot contour near the international line. Further west off Sturgeon Point, 60 feet of water is a good starting point. Some walleye are also holding around Seneca Shoal in as shallow as 30 feet of water. Walleye at the east end are tight to the bottom. From Evangola to west of Cattaraugus Creek, anglers report a good bite in 65-70 feet of water. A recent walleye hot spot has been off Van Buren and extending 2 miles east and west. Gear run within 15 feet of bottom is a good bet. Anglers have been working the 65-75 foot zone off Barcelona for a while, and have seen decent-to-good catches that have included plenty of short walleye. Barcelona trollers have recently located schools of bigger walleye in 100-110 feet of water. Run worm harnesses or stickbaits 65 feet down or deeper. During periods when the bite has gone cold, trollers have enticed bites by popping lines. This is done by popping a downrigger line and letting the lure slowly flutter towards the surface (without reeling).

The overall smallmouth bass bite has been slow, however there have been some productive spots. Barcelona anglers are reportedly catching good numbers of bass in 20-30 feet of water off the red roof. Quality catches have also been reported in 25-40 feet of water at Myers Reef and Seneca Shoal. A drop-shot rig with tubes, plastics or crayfish works well when fishing deeper waters.

UPPER NIAGARA RIVER

Upper Niagara River reports have confirmed that the action continues to be good for both bass and walleye with an occasional musky showing up.

LAKE ONTARIO AND TRIBS

Ontario is one of the hottest bites going, especially in the waters off Niagara County! “Salmon fishing has been on fire at the Niagara Bar in 120 to 180 feet of water,” says Jake Joseph of Jiggin’ Jake’s Charters. “The fish zone has been 60 to 80 feet down. Dipsy divers are out 180 to 240 feet with flasher fly combos; riggers down 65 to 85 with flasher and cut bait combos. Best colors have been mostly pearls and greens. Smaller fish have been coming on spoons and some steelies have been mixed in, being taken on sliders and king lines. Wilson and Olcott are also offering up some great catches, too.

LOWER NIAGARA RIVER

Salmon fishing has been on fire at the Niagara Bar in 120 to 180 feet of water,” says Jake Joseph of Jiggin’ Jake’s Charters. “The fish zone has been 60 to 80 feet down. Dipsy divers are out 180 to 240 feet with flasher fly combos; riggers down 65 to 85 with flasher and cut bait combos. Best colors have been mostly pearls and greens. Smaller fish have been coming on spoons and some steelies have been mixed in, being taken on sliders and king lines. Wilson and Olcott are also offering up some great catches, too.