×

Fishing Report

CHAUTAUQUA LAKE

Shoreline anglers are reporting erratic crappie with open-water anglers finding the best results. The open lake may be a better bet for crappie. Key on areas of green weeds or structure in 4-8 feet of water. Small jigs tipped with a small minnow, 1-inch tube (or other small plastic) and fished under a float, works well for crappie. Traditional open lake crappie spots include Ashville Bay, Burtis Bay, Cheney Point, Lakewood Bar, Rock Island, Grass Island, Bemus Bay, Whitney Bay, Dewittville Bay and the flats off Mayville. 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 the best.

LAKE ERIE

AND TRIBUTARIES

With most boat launches opened back up, Lake Erie anglers are again seeking yellow perch. This week’s rough waters kept many anglers away, and fishing was hit or miss for those who made it out. When weather permits, great perch fishing opportunities remain in 50-65 feet of water between Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point. Live emerald shiners fished just off the bottom have worked best.

All Lake Erie tributaries except Cattaraugus Creek are currently in good fishing shape with moderate to slightly low flows. Cattaraugus Creek is a little high and stained at about 770 cubic feet per second. There are still a few steelhead around the creeks, but smallmouth bass are becoming the more reliable target. Look for bass numbers to climb with rising water temperatures. Channel catfish are just starting to show in the low section of Cattaraugus Creek.

LAKE ONTARIO

AND TRIBUTARIES

On Lake Ontario, Tanner Niezgoda of Newfane reports good salmon and trout action out of Olcott in 60-130 foot of water. The fish were spread out. The kings were down anywhere from 30-50 foot below the surface. They were hitting green and yellow colored spoons, fishing out of Olcott. Josh Dunkelberger of Olcott reports that he was doing well on a mix of lake trout and salmon trolling between Wilson and Olcott with team Northern Outcasts. Dreamweaver NBK spoons on the riggers 45 down over 60 feet of water took some nice kings. So did divers set back 115 feet back on a 3.5 setting. A hot spoon on lake trout was Lucky Flounder. There has been a bit of activity off the piers when the winds cooperate in Wilson and Olcott. Pike season opens today and Wilson and Olcott harbors are good spots to try with spinnerbaits, spoons or live bait like chubs or large minnows.

Scott Feltrinelli on Ontario Fly Outfitters reports that he fished high water on the drop earlier this week on a small tributary and found a fair number of steelhead. This time of year, they are in as fast as they are out. There has been a lot of decent activity over the past weeks as temperatures are right in the “groove” for this fish to move in and out of the tributaries. Some smallmouth bass are starting to move in with larger numbers in some areas.

LOWER NIAGARA RIVER

In the lower river, action has been good for a mixed bag of fish — whatever you want to target. There are still plenty of steelhead in the river with a few lake trout swimming around. Silver bass have started to hit and smallmouth bass action is starting to increase as the river starts to warm. Shore guys like Mike Rzucidlo and Mike Ziehm of Niagara Falls continue to hit steelhead from shore casting spinners. Aaron Horvatits of Buffalo was using a chartreuse glass bead in 12-mm size to score on some feisty steelhead. It all depends on how you want to fish for them. There should be a few walleyes around for the opener, too. Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island reports good bass fishing throughout the upper river on a mix of artificial baits. Capt. Ryan Shea of Tonawanda has been using end rigs to score on some big smallmouth, but he will also catch a mixed bag of other fish using that same technique. Crankbaits were working, too.

­

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.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today