CHAUTAUQUA LAKE

Walleye are still available in the north basin along weedlines, although action is now also good at depths of 20-30 feet of water near the bottom. Around the rims of the deeper holes is also worth a try, as some walleye move into the holes in the fall. Vertical jigging works well. Trolling along the deeper middle section is a good bet for walleye in the south basin. Muskellunge fishing has been a bit slow lately. Look for that bite to pick up with falling water temperatures.

LAKE ERIE AND TRIBS

With a current flow rate of about 140 cubic feet per second, Cattaraugus Creek is the best steelhead option for the weekend. Limited numbers of steelhead are available between Gowanda and the mouth. Other creeks are low and clear with just a few fish in the lowest sections near creek mouths. Rain is needed to trigger any significant influx of fish. Shore anglers can target staging steelhead from the Cattaraugus Creek breakwall or by wading off creek mouths and casting spoons and spinners.

LAKE ONTARIO AND TRIBS

In Lake Ontario, fishing for salmon and trout picked up off the piers at Olcott on Monday morning, followed by more good fishing on Tuesday morning. When fishing the piers at night, use blues and glows for spoon colors. They are still fish jumping in the lake, too. The piers at Wilson have been producing some brown trout, northern pike and the occasional salmon. Getting them to bite has not been easy. In 18 Mile Creek, there appears to be fishable numbers of salmon. At Burt Dam, they’ve been picking up a few kings, browns and steelhead, but the main run has not started yet, according to Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctors in Olcott. This week’s weather could be the ticket to trigger more fish movement. Heavy rain is in the forecast.

LOWER NIAGARA RIVER

Water temperature is still a bit warm, but trout and salmon numbers are building in the lower river. The bite had generally been tough for drifters working the Devils Hole drift. However, action was decent at mid-week with a few boats averaging about two king salmon per angler with a few trout mixed in. The NYPA fishing platform has been the best shore spot for king salmon. Action was pretty good on Wednesday with most pier anglers catching at least one king salmon, brown trout or steelhead. Shore anglers at Devils Hole and Whirlpool State Parks are catching some trout and the occasional king salmon. Smallmouth bass and walleye are still available in the mid to lower drifts.