CHAUTAUQUA LAKE

Shoreline fishing has slowed down to a crawl as of late. Look for crappie action to pick up with some warmer days on the way. The canals and near the mouths of inlets remain the best shoreline fishing sites for crappie. Crappie are a possible shoreline catch in the open lake as well, typically after dark. Small jigs tipped with a small minnow, 1-inch tube or other small plastic and fished under a float, work well for crappie. Bullhead fishing is picking up steam. Look for bullhead in the canals, lower sections of tributaries and along the open-lake shoreline after dark. Raw shrimp, nightcrawlers and prepared baits fished on the bottom work well. Keep a 1/32 — when the bite is close toss 1/64. Jig head, dual colored tube jigs tipped off with minnows is working best. For smallies, they are still, for the most part, in the shallows and rocky points. Darker colored 3-inch tubes or small plastic worms work best (remember, this is the special season). That means its artificial baits and catch and release only.

LAKE ERIE & TRIBUTARIES

The Lake Erie tributaries are currently in good fishing shape, with the exception of Cattaraugus Creek which remains a bit high. The cooler weather is extending steelhead fishing opportunities. Smallmouth bass numbers are on the rise and providing some excitement in the lower creek sections. Channel catfish are just starting to show in the low section of Cattaraugus Creek.

LAKE ONTARIO & TRIBUTARIES

In Lake Ontario, the fishing is good when you can get out there. Charter captains are still not considered essential for running clients, but they can go fishing themselves to see how the fishing is progressing. Capt. Vince Pierleoni of Newfane was out with his wife Stephanie on a recreational trip last weekend. Salmon and lake trout are strung along the entire south shore of the lake right now in 20-90 feet of water. Brown trout and some Coho are in 5-20 feet of water. Surface temperatures are now 43-46 degrees depending on depth and location. In shallow water, body baits like live targets, Bay Rats, and Rapalas in bright fluorescent or shiny metallic colors are best. In the deeper water, DW spoons and Spin Doctor/A-Tom-Mik fly combos in bright colors are working as the water is stained. The salmon can be from 20 feet down to the bottom in the deeper water, and the lake trout prefer middle levels to the bottom. Capt. Joe Oakes of Wilson managed to get out over the weekend out of Olcott and he started off fishing for browns in 10 to 15 feet of water, running a mix of stickbaits and spoons. He had a good bite west of Olcott. Then he decided to try for some lake trout, but instead found mostly king salmon between 50 to 80 feet of water running a mix of spoons, flasher-flies and stickbaits. He ran the baits anywhere from 15 to 50 feet down. The key was to find the warmer water and the pockets of cleaner water next to the dirty water coming from the river. There is still some pier action and a few straggler drop-back steelhead are in the creeks. Bullhead are still around, too.

LOWER NIAGARA RIVER

The Niagara River water was still stained due to excessive winds on and off the past week and every time it was starting to clear, another round of wind would show up and muddy things back up again. Some decent steelhead were being reported by shore fishermen in the gorge, but you needed something with scent, bright colors, or vibration. Spinners and chartreuse Mister Twisters were both working separately. Since the water has been a bit muddy, there have not been any recent smelt reports.

UPPER NIAGARA RIVER

Upper Niagara River anglers are catching yellow perch in marina and harbor areas. Perch are also showing at shore sites along the City of Buffalo and the Tonawandas. Emerald shiners are available for dipping in some harbor and inlet sites and work great for perch.