CHAUTAUQUA LAKE

Walleye anglers are still finding fish along weedlines in the southern basin. Vertical jigging around the rims of deeper holes is another good bet for walleye. Weedlines are also a spot to target late-season muskellunge, by casting large stickbaits or musky spinners. Anglers can search for fall congregations of crappie in the same spots as they are found in the spring, such as in canals, off canal mouths and around shallow structure. Small minnows or tube jigs work well for crappie.

UPPER NIAGARA RIVER

On the upper Niagara River, the muskellunge fishing action the past week improved for Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island as he saw fish up to 51 inches come to his boat the last several days. The big one was caught by Ray Dietz of Youngstown. He also caught a 48-inch fish the same day. In the Tim Wittek Memorial Catch and Release Musky Tournament run by the Niagara Musky Association last Sunday, first place when to Anthony Scime of Tonawanda with a 46-inch fish that was caught on a Red October Baits tube.

Second place went to John Miller of Lackawanna with a 42-inch fish, also caught on a Red October Baits tube. Third place went to Hans Mann of Alden with a 35.5-inch musky and caught on a Red October Baits tube for a sweep of the winners. A total of 19 anglers competed in the “iron man” contest.

LOWER NIAGARA RIVER

Winds are continuing on the local front, which created a mess of the water conditions in the lower Niagara River. If the shore casters can locate a little clean water along the shoreline, you might have a chance at catching a trout. For sure the land-bound fishermen will be fishing before the boaters in the lower Niagara River.

Just prior to the winds, action in the lower river was good for trout. Steelhead were hitting MagLips and beads for boaters and shoreline anglers were tossing spoons, spinners, jigs, eggs or egg imitations to take fish.

Along Artpark, steelhead are available, but the lake trout have been very aggressive. Remember that lake trout season is closed and fish should be released quickly and unharmed. Downriver, bass are still hitting swimbaits on a consistent basis.

LAKE ONTARIO

AND TRIBS

On Lake Ontario, water was high and stained in many of the streams, but that didn’t stop people from trying to catch both salmon and trout according to Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctors in Olcott.

There were plenty of fish around. A fresh batch of silver kings came into Olcott and headed up to the dam and many of the smaller streams to the east and to the west are also holding fish because of the recent rains. We heard 12 Mile Creek had some fresh salmon in it.

Egg sacs, beads, jigs tipped with wax worms or spikes were all catching salmon and trout. Bait or lure colors keep changing from day to day because of the unpredictable water conditions. Green and orange egg pattern flies have been taking some fish, too. Pier action has been spotty at best.