County Information
Greater Niagara Fishing & Outdoor Report
 |
Bill Hilts Jr. is a past president of the New York State Outdoor Writers Association. In addition to the above, Hilts is an avid outdoorsman, an outdoor writer who has contributed articles to numerous national and local magazines, newspapers, and other publications. Hilts is also responsible for Niagara County Tourism Sportfishing Programs. He freelances from his home in Sanborn N.Y. You may contact Bill at email address Bill Hilts Jr. |
For a complete report, call the Hotline at 877-FALLS-US
Niagara Fishing Forecast for Friday, April 18, 2008
Niagara Fishing Forecast for Friday, April 18, 2008
1. Lake Ontario and tributaries - Even though the ice boom is bring ice down
through the Niagara River corridor, fishing seems to be busting out all over
with some pretty decent weather conditions this week. Terry Swann at Wilson
reports some great bullhead action in the west branch of 12 Mile Creek and
perch, as well as crappie, are being caught in the harbor. Local anglers Jud Myers
and Jiggs Pierce nearly filled a five-gallon bucket with bullhead between 11
a.m. and 2:30 p.m. earlier in the week. Brown trout fishing has been good for
casters off the piers there, using spoons and spinners. That's being replicated
over in Olcott according to Wes Walker at The Slipper Sinker. Browns,
steelhead, along with some warm water species like bass and pike, are being reported
off the Olcott piers this past week. In the harbor, as waters clear and levels
come down, perch and crappie action is starting to pick up. Steelhead fishing
at Burt Dam and 18 Mile Creek has also been improving, as conditions get
better. Keg Creek to the east has been producing some nice trout catches, but you
have to wade through the suckers that are now in pretty heavy. Speaking of
Olcott Harbor, the Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association will be working on
their pen project on Saturday starting at 8 a.m. Don't forget the LOC Derby is
set for May 2-11 and the timing should be just about perfect for another
successful event off the shores of Niagara. There have been a few reports of kings
to the west off Port Dalhousie, but nothing too big based on the results of
the St. Catharines Game and Fish Derby. Shoreline trollers from Fourmile to
Olcott have been picking up a mix of browns, coho salmon and steelhead by working
stickbaits in the shallows along the shoreline. It's been hit or miss based on
where you are and what the winds are doing. Try off the mouths of creeks that
are bringing warmer water into the system.
2. Lower Niagara River - With the initiation of the ice boom removal on
Tuesday, the river is filled with ice. Not too much that you can't fish, but just
enough to create a nuisance if you're in a boat. There really isn't too much
ice in the eastern end of Lake Erie so the ice should be gone in less than a
week - especially with no ice bridge to contend with below Niagara Falls.
Steelhead are available in the river, but fishing has turned a bit tough - because
of the ice and because of the influx of smelt into the system. Yes, they just
started picking up some smelt this week and so much natural bait swimming
around will affect how receptive these fish are to angling pressure. There's a ton
of birds working that water, too. Capt. Bruce Blakelock of Lewiston was using
pink egg sacks and minnows to treat Buffalo Sabres Alumni leaders Rob Ray of
East Amherst and Larry Playfair of Grand Island on Tuesday. If you want to hear
about how the fishing trip went, tune in on Tuesday for the Niagara Outdoors
column. Also this past week, Cystic Fibrosis announced their steelhead
challenge out of Lewiston, a sister tournament to the Basseye in Buffalo. This
special fund-raiser will take place with a reception at Barton Hill Inn and Spa on
April 30, followed by a fishing competition on May 1. For more info contact CF
at 686-9400.
3. Upper Niagara River - Lots of ice was packed in at mid-week, affecting
fishing action along the shoreline. You can still try to cast for trout along
the Army Corps wall at Squaw Island with spoons or spinners.
4. Lake Erie and tributaries - Action in the tributaries has been good. Most
steelhead/rainbow trout are actively spawning right now so catch and release
is recommended. Eighteen Mile Creek is been one of the better tribs the past
week, but Canadaway, Chautauqua and Silver have been producing fish. Dunkirk
Harbor has been producing some trout off the pier and fishing platform. A jig
fished under a float has been the best technique, but spoons, spinners and
stickbaits will catch you fish, too. Bullhead have also been hitting in the harbor
east of the Clarion. Barcelona Harbor trout fishing has been good, too, with
mostly steelhead being caught off the pier. There isn't much ice left in the
lake, which will start getting the water warmer much quicker.
