WESTERN/CENTRAL NEW YORK FISHING - WEST TO EAST

2-17-12

Proposed Changes To Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations: Changes to the current freshwater fishing regulations designed to enhance fishing opportunities and protect the state's freshwater fisheries were announced by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). DEC will accept public comments on the proposals through April 2, 2012.

The proposed regulation changes are the result of careful assessment of the status of existing fish populations and the desires of anglers for enhanced fishing opportunities. Several of the changes being considered are to remove special regulations that are no longer warranted. In order to receive input early in the process, changes under consideration for this proposal were available on DEC’s website earlier this year for comment. This feedback, in addition to comments received from angling interest groups, provided essential input to the development of the regulation changes that are now being formally proposed. Below are highlights of the proposed changes affecting western and central New York.

              Draft regulation changes that pertain to walleye:

* Prohibit fishing in the following stream sections from March 16 until the first Saturday in May (opening day for walleye) to protect spawning walleye: Little Sandy Creek (Oswego County) from the intersection of the channelized area next to Koster Drive downstream of the State Route 3 bridge to the lower boundary of the public fishing rights section located upstream of the State Route 3 bridge.

* Remove special walleye regulations (18-inch minimum size and three per day) and apply the statewide regulation (15-inch minimum size and five per day) for Lime Lake (Cattaraugus County) and Bear and Findley lakes (Chautauqua County) because these populations no longer require the added protection provided by the special regulation.

* Change the walleye daily limit for Lake Erie and the Upper Niagara River to six per day to harmonize limits with bordering jurisdictions.

               Draft regulation changes that pertain to black bass:

* Eliminate the special black bass closed season for Oneida Lake and implement statewide regulations to create additional fishing opportunities and expand statewide consistency, as continuance of this special closed season is not warranted.

* Apply statewide black bass regulations for Allen Lake (Allegany County) and Cassadaga Lake (Chautauqua County) as recent surveys have shown stable bass populations in these waters.

              Draft regulations that pertain to trout and salmon:

* Change minimum length for salmonids in the Upper Niagara River to “any size” because the current 12-inch minimum length is no longer necessary and this will also eliminate the need for special tributary regulations.

* Implement a 12-inch minimum size for brown trout in Otisco Lake (Onondaga County) to increase the opportunity to return more brown trout to the creel.

* Reduce the limit of rainbow trout from five to one in the western Finger Lakes and three to one in the tributaries to provide further protection for this species. Western Finger Lakes include Seneca, Keuka, Canandaigua, Canadice, and Hemlock Lakes.

* Remove the restriction of no more than three lake trout as part of the five trout limit in the western Finger Lakes to foster harvest opportunities and reduce competition with other trout species and impacts on the forage base.

* Eliminate trout catch and release section for Ischua Creek (Cattaraugus County) in the village of Franklinville to enhance angling opportunities by allowing beginner and young anglers to use the section of stream and keep fish.

* Change the minimum size limit for rainbow trout in Skaneateles Lake (Onondaga, Cayuga and Cortland counties) and Owasco Lake (Cayuga County) from nine inches to 15 inches. This would create consistency with the other Finger Lakes as most of these lakes have environmental conditions that support excellent growth of trout and would provide angling opportunities for large fish.

* Add the tributaries of Beaverdam Brook (Oswego County) from their mouths to the upstream boundary of the Salmon River Hatchery property to the current Beaverdam Brook fishing closure (which also currently prohibits fishing within 100 yards of any DEC fish collection device). This addition of the tributaries would make oversight and enforcement of this area more effective in safeguarding fish returning to the hatchery.

              Draft regulations that pertain to pickerel, muskellunge and tiger muskellunge:

* Implement a 40-inch size limit for muskellunge and tiger muskellunge in the Chenango, Tioughnioga, Tioga and Susquehanna rivers (Chenango, Cortland, Broome and Tioga counties) and a 36-inch size limit at Otisco Lake (Onondaga County) to increase the trophy potential of these species in these waters.

              Draft regulations that pertain to ice fishing and baitfish:

* Allow ice fishing on stocked trout lakes in Allegany, Niagara, Wyoming, Chautauqua, Erie and Cattaraugus counties unless otherwise stated. These lakes are managed for put and take trout fishing and they contain warm water fish species that should be available to anglers during the winter months through the ice.

* Include Cayuta Lake (Schuyler County) as a designated water from which baitfish may be taken as the commercial harvest of alewife should have no negative effect on the alewife population or the lake’s ecology.

              Draft regulations that pertain to gear and angling methods:

* More clearly specify that attempting to take fish by snagging is prohibited.

* Permit the use of multiple hooks with multiple points on Lake Erie tributaries to provide additional angling opportunities.

* For the Salmon River (Oswego County) allow a bead chain to be attached to floating lures. The distance between a floating lure and hook point may not exceed three-and-a-half inches when a bead chain configuration is used. This was determined to be an effective angling method and was not considered an attractive snagging device.

* For the Salmon River (Oswego County) implement a “no weight” restriction (i.e., only floating line and unweighted leaders and flies allowed) from May 1 – 15 for the Lower Fly Area and from May 1 – August 31 for the Upper Fly Area to provide further protection to vulnerable fish.

              DEC is proposing additional regulation changes to remove special regulations that are no longer relevant, to provide more clarity in the current regulations and to make minor adjustments to current language. The full text of the draft regulation as well as instructions for submitting comments can be found on DEC’s website at: www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/propregulations.html.

              Comments on the proposals can be sent via e-mail to fishregs@gw.dec.state.ny.us, or mailed to Shaun Keeler, New York State DEC, Bureau of Fisheries, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4753. Hard copies of the full text can be requested from Shaun Keeler at the same addresses listed above. Final regulations, following full review of public comments, will take effect October 1, 2012.

Limited Safe Ice Reported

Recent warming temperatures and winds have degraded ice coverings,

especially near shore. Therefore, if you go out use extreme caution and be prepared for slippery conditions.

*LAKE ERIE: If weather permits try for yellow perch between Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point in 45-50 fow. Emerald shiners or small minnows fished just off bottom remain the hot bait but salted minnows and worms are also working. The bite is hot if you hit the right spot. A few steelhead are cruising the shoreline near the major tributary stream mouths. Trolling with spoons and spinners is suggested for steelhead. Casting from the Cattaraugus Creek breakwall (be careful, may be slippery) with flashy spoons is a good bet for both steelhead and lake trout.

*LAKE ERIE TRIBS: Tributary action is decent for just about every stream. Chautauqua and Canadaway Creeks have been fishing best, however anglers are also catching steelhead on Cayuga, Buffalo, Eighteenmile, Silver and Walnut Creeks. Catches have been better in the upper stretches of the streams, including some fresh fish. The steelhead, however, are spread over the entire streams. Try egg sacs, egg pattern flies, trout beads, woolly buggers, egg-sucking leeches and streamers for steelhead. Small hair jigs tipped with waxworms/spikes and fished under a float have also worked well. Keep drifted baits slow and deep as steelhead are lethargic and hugging the bottom. When fishing during low and clear water conditions, it is best to move stealthily and use small hooks, small baits, light colored streamers/buggers and light lines to fool finicky steelhead. Concentrate efforts during the warmest part of the day when chasing winter steelhead. Dunkirk Harbor can be fished throughout the winter as a warm water discharge at the power plant keeps the harbor ice-free. Anglers have been catching brown trout from the DEC fishing platform near the warm water discharge. Anglers can also fish for trout from the city pier. Live minnows, spoons, spinners and egg sacs are good baits for harbor trout. Scented artificials, like Berkley Gulp, presented on either a jig head or a hook plus split shot suspended under a bobber or float, is another presentation to try. Winter season steelhead angling on the Lake Erie tributaries can be a challenging and potentially hazardous outing, with the onset of ice and snow. Safety is of utmost importance. Some helpful items that you should consider include neoprene waders, ice cleats for boot soles, a walking stick/pole and a fishing companion whenever possible. For those new to tributary steelhead fishing, see DEC’s Steelhead Fishing in Lake Erie Tributaries page for information on steelhead fishing tackle, equipment and links to steelhead stream maps. Anglers should note that there are special Great Lakes Tributary Regulations.

*UPPER NIAGARA RIVER: Weather has slowed the angling activity. If you do get out target yellow perch, white perch, rock bass and sheepshead from shore. Live bait, especially emerald shiners, provides the best prospects. Broderick Park is one reported spot for perch. A few walleye have been hitting at the head of the river on worm harnesses. Other areas suggested are around Strawberry and Navy Islands followed by Grand and Motor Islands. Live shiners and worms work well. Try casting with spoons or drifting egg sacks for trout from Broderick Park, as well as along the Bird Island Pier and the northern tip of Squaw Island. Trout are still available at the head of the river and along the upper rapids if you want to brave the weather conditions. Egg sacks, spinners, spoons and again emerald shinners work best.

*LOWER NIAGARA RIVER: Action this week will be dependent on weather conditions. The river has been very active for steelhead, brown trout and lake trout; ditto for the Niagara Bar for lakers and browns. Boaters have seen some good steelhead action with the best bite in the Whirlpool, Devils Hole, Artpark and Stella drifts. Live minnows, egg sacs or Kwikfish lures fished off a 3-way bottom bouncing rig works well. One group reported success using Fuzz-E grub jigs to catch trout on the bar, both tipped with minnows and clean. The quarter-ounce jig in chartreuse worked best.  Anglers using shore fishing areas report decent catches of brown trout and steelhead. Fish with egg sacks, egg pattern flies, bugger patterns, spoons and spinners. Try to get your baits down near the bottom. From shore catches of yellow perch, white perch and rock bass are possible. Live bait is the way to go for the warmwater species. Walleye activity is fair at the mouth of the River. Drifting with 3-way bottom bouncing rigs combined with worm harnesses or yellow sally rigs is the way to go. Trolling with worm harnesses is a better bet out on the Bar. Exercise extreme caution when shore fishing in the lower river, as slippery rocks, strong currents and water level changes make these areas hazardous.

*LAKE ONTARIO - WEST: Lake fishing for trout rates fair, weather permitting. Trolling with J-Plugs and J-13 Rapalas may produce near dawn and dusk. Night anglers can anchor in 15-30 fow off the harbor/tributary mouths, casting glow spoons or stickbaits. Try flasher-fly combos, at first light, run 30 - 50 feet down. Fish the top 50 feet for steelhead, browns, coho, and Atlantic salmon. Use a mix of spoons, spin doctors and flies. Color and preferred lure type can change from day to day so don’t be afraid to experiment. Better lures for the browns - green patterned Northern King spoons and the Northland Fluttertail spoon in an alewife pattern. Decent yellow perch catches are available in 15 - 30 fow drifting crabs, worms and minnows.

*LAKE ONTARIO - WEST - TRIBS: Stream levels are in good shape. The steelhead and browns have been spread out over the entire sections of the streams. Egg sacks, egg imitations, trout beads and jigs fished under a float and tipped with wax worms or spikes are all good bets. The key is to drift the bait slowly and keep it at the bottom. It is also best to fish during the warmest part of the day. Fly fishing is great using black nymphs, woolie buggers again in black or egg sucking leeches in various colors. Chartreuse is also good. Best reports are coming in from fishermen working the waters of Eighteen Mile Creek below Burt Dam and the Oak Orchard River. The lower, slow moving sections of these tribs  and the Genesee River are also good options for trout and salmon. These sections are only accessible by boat. Tributaries such as Fourmile, Twelvemile & East Branch, Keg, Johnson and Sandy Creeks have lower, clearing flows. All of these streams are holding steelhead, including some fresh fish.

 Pier action continues with anglers catching brown trout and the occasional steelhead. Night time is the right time to target trout and salmon from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobbler glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. Check the regulations before going out. Anglers are catching brown trout in Olcott Harbor. Larger shiners fished under a bobber or casting smaller spoons (1/3oz.-2/5oz.) have worked well. Since some harbors remain ice-free, boats can get out on the open lake. A few boats were seen trolling in front of Olcott Harbor today, but no report on catches. Catches of warm water species around the harbor areas such as Wilson Harbor, Olcott Harbor, Golden Hill State Park, Point Breeze/Oak Orchard and the Genesee should remain good.

*CHAUTAUQUA LAKE: There were some hard water fishermen around Rock and Grass islands near Burtis Bay, reporting three to four inches of the hard stuff. Off Long Point the report is 5 to 6 inches of ice. Anglers can catch sunfish and lots of yellow perch, but mostly small, throughout the south basin. There is no safe ice to report in the North Basin.

*WESTERN TROUT STREAMS: Weather conditions have curtailed most action. The statewide trout season runs from April 1 to October 15, however many streams and lakes are open all year for trout fishing. Check the Special Regulations by County to determine if your target stream is open for trout fishing beyond October 15.

If you fish Wiscoy Creek (even once) in Allegany and Wyoming Counties and would like to keep a diary for DEC, please call Fisheries Office at (716) 372-0645 or email at fwfish9@gw.dec.state.ny.us. The program will run March 1st through October 31st. This program duplicates one run in 2009, and will be used in conjunction with a late-summer electrofishing survey to evaluate the fishery's overall quality. In 2009, over 93 anglers participated in the program.

*SILVER LAKE: The south end still has solid ice of 4-5 inches thick. A thin layer of crappy ice is on top. It’s very slick on top. Anglers have been accessing the ice from Mack's Restaurant and the Silver Lake State Park boat launch. The bluegill bite is not great but it is the best around. Anglers are catching decent numbers of bluegill in 8-10 feet of water on small jigs with waxworms. Some keeper crappie have been caught as well. Tip-ups with larger minnows are a good bet for northern pike. Anglers are not venturing too far north as there is still open water off Buffalo Point.

The webcam on the south part of the lake, www.silverlakeassociat ion.org, will give some idea of conditions.

*CONESUS LAKE: Hard Water – The ice at the north end has disappeared. Open Water - Walleye and northern pike should be hitting. Try Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds for the ‘eyes and live bait for the pike. Good numbers of perch, rock bass and sunfish are also available. Fish live bait (worms and small minnows) or small spinner baits.

*HEMLOCK LAKE: Hard Water – No ice! Open Water - No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

*CANADICE LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water – Fish from shore for browns and rainbows. A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower. One other report was about an eagle on the ice. (looking for your leftovers)

*HONEOYE LAKE: Hard Water – Some reports of 4” of ice at south end but recent weather may make it iffy. The fishing was reported great catching everything - gills, sunnies, rockbass, largemouth bass and perch all on small jigs. The last hour before dark was best.

*CANANDAIGUA LAKE: Hard Water – No ice! Open Water - Rainbows and a few browns are hitting small, silver spoons or flasher & flies fished down 45 to 60 feet over a 75 to 150 foot bottom. A few lakers are also being taken near bottom at 90 to 120 feet. Perch fishing is improving off the weedbeds in 10 to 30 fow. Try using small tube baits, grubs, or fathead minnows.

*WANETA/LAMOKA LAKES: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Pickerel and bluegill fishing remains good; action is not fast and furious, but there is enough to keep it interesting. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Some yellow perch are hitting on crayfish and minnows fished in 15 fow.

*KEUKA LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Try for lakers jigging off the points, especially off the Bluff, in 90 to 110 feet of water with Strata spoons and/or gold Kastmasters and chartreuse or white plastics. Trolling flashers and flies, spoons or stillfishing with sawbellies also works. Also try just south of the state park launch in 80-120 fow. Watch out for the launch. Some of the concrete ramps need repair.

*SENECA LAKE: Yellow perch fishing continues in 20 to 40 feet of water throughout the lake but especially off Painted Rock and off the pier at Watkins Glen. Small minnows, crayfish, night crawlers and grubs have been working. Anglers are catching northern pike on the weed flats, using either large, live shiners under bobbers or casting large crankbaits (blue and chrome-colored). One reported spot is off shore at Sampson State Park. Atlantic salmon, brown and some rainbow trout are hitting stickbaits and spoons fished at the surface down to 40 fow, over a 70 foot bottom. Good colors to try silver and black, silver and blue or silver and chartreuse. Vertical jigging for lakers in 70 to 110 fow is also producing. Start with chartreuse plastics. Some anglers claim success catching lakers and landlocked salmon in front of the canal at the southern end of the lake. Another method reported - trolling deep, about 150 feet down over a 300- to 350- foot bottom. Anglers report catching a mixed bag of Atlantic salmon and lake trout using streamer flies and small spoons.

*CAYUGA LAKE: Lake trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken around Taughannock trolling with spoons, or flashers and flies both off down riggers and Dipsey divers. Fish at 45 - 80 feet down over a 100 to 300 foot bottom. Lake trout are also hitting for those vertical jigging chartreuse plastics in 65 to 85 feet of water. A few brown trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken on spoons fished 75 to 150 feet down over 110 to 250 foot bottom. Try Countdown Rapalas and Silver Hammered Crocodiles. Good colors have been white, green, purple and blue. Some nice brown trout are also being taken by anglers vertical jigging for lake trout in 65 – 85 fow. Anglers fishing from shore near the power station in Lansing are catching rainbow trout on medium-sized shiners, along with perch, using fathead minnows.  Pickerel and perch are being taken in the north end in 10 - 15 fow on fathead and larger minnows. One of the better perch spots is around Union Springs.

*SKANEATELES LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable!. Open Water - Lake trout, rainbows and Atlantic salmon are feeding on small perch. Trolling 30 to 50 feet down with small perch colored spoons or stickbaits is producing. Lake trout are also hitting at 60 to 80 feet down over an 80 -100 foot bottom. Early in the day glow baits are working better but as the sun gets higher switching to pearl, chartreuse, or silver has been better. Trolling streamers on the surface for rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon has been slow; this is usually a good fall fishing technique though. Also, shore fishing with marshmallow and worm rigs is working well for rainbow trout. Rock bass and yellow perch fishing is picking up and they are being taken on small minnows or crayfish. The launch closed on 1/13.

*OWASCO LAKE: Hard Water – the ice between the dam and the narrows was reported at 3.5''-4.5''. But other reports say no safe ice. Be extremely careful if you do go out. Open Water -  Lake trout fishing has been slow. Try the north end of the lake, vertical jigging in 65 to 95 fow. Trolling the north end in 50 to 75 fow over 100 - 120 foot bottom with spoons may also produce lakers and an occasional nice sized brown trout. Walleye were reported at the north end but no report this week. Try for northern pike at the south end hitting spoons. Yellow perch are hitting around the lake on fathead minnows. Anglers are still catching a few rainbow and brown trout in the inlet using worms and egg sacks.

*OTISCO LAKE: Hard Water – Reports mid-week had safe ice (4 to 6 inches) at the lake’s northern end. Lots of perch were being caught. Again, be extremely careful if you do go out.. Open Water - Some walleye are being taken trolling 25 – 30 feet down over a 45 to 60 foot bottom with worm harnesses. Also try casting stickbaits off the causeway after dark. A few tiger muskie have been picked up at the lake’s south and north ends on minnows and swimbaits, stickbaits and large spinners. Also, crappies and perch are hitting small minnows along the shore.

*WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR: Hard Water – Reports of 5 inches of ice on parts of the reservoir. Watch edge ice and be careful out there. A lot of nice-sized perch, small crappies and rock bass were being caught, along with smallmouth bass, which must be released. The bite was best just before dark.  Open Water - Walleye are being taken in the spillway with fathead minnows and leeches fished under floats or on jigs and stickbaits. Best action is during the early morning or late evening hours.

*SANDY POND: Hard Water – The ice conditions over the last few days have deteriorated. any ice on Sandy Pond is very tentative and most areas are not fishable.

*ONEIDA LAKE: Hard Water – 6 - 8 inches of ice reported off Constantia and Sylvan Beach is said to be the safest ice but no depths. Conditions can get slippery so bring your creepers. Anglers are catching perch in deeper water. The walleye bite has also picked up, with many being caught on tip-ups, using jigging spoons tipped with a large buckeye minnow. If you do go out go prepared in case you join the “Polar Bear Club.

*ONONDAGA LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water -  No reports. Help!!

*LAKE ONTARIO - EAST: For brown trout and steelhead work the near shore waters, especially off Sodus and Oswego. Trolling with stickbaits (Rapala's, Thunderstiks and Smithwicks) or large spoons (Stinger spoons and NK 28s). Chartreuse colored spoons have been good for the browns. Steelhead are being caught on orange or red spoons at 25 feet. Perch are hitting in 3 to 4 feet of water, close to shore. The bass baits listed will also work for perch.

*LAKE ONTARIO – EAST - TRIBS: Maxwell Creek and the other tributaries have fair to good flows of water and good numbers of fish to provide some interesting action. Maxwell has fish mostly north of Lake Road. Anglers are catching primarily steelhead and brown trout on pink, blue and yellow egg sacs, egg imitating plastics, flies and small 1/32 oz. jigs fished under floats. This will hold for the other tribs as well, such as Bear Creek in Ontario, New York. Some anglers are trying night time fishing; targeting trout from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobblers glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Some specific spots are the piers at Sodus Bay, Webster Park and the Genesee River. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out!!

*WAYNE COUNTY BAYS: Hard Water – skim ice is common on the bays but it is not fishable! If you do decide to fish where you believe there is 4 plus inches, start with a spud and make sure you have a solid surface. On the Canal, anglers have 4 – 5 inches of ice on the widewaters. Fish the shoreline near locks for best action.

*MONROE COUNTY BAYS: Hard Water – No fishable ice on Long and Cranberry Ponds and  Irondequoit Bay. Braddock Bay has some ice around the docks, open everywhere else.

*SALMON RIVER: The River is flowing high and bringing in fresh fish. Steelhead and brown trout are concentrating in the deeper holes. Action on sunny days has been better in the early morning and late afternoon. Good baits are egg sacs (blue, chartreuse and white mesh), trout beads (10mm), streamers and egg-imitating flies and plastics. Most angling pressure is from Pineville to Altmar. A few anglers reported getting into fish in the Lower Fly Zone and below the Altmar bridge under light fishing pressure. The fish have been holding along the edges in the softer water and inside seams with small nymphs working the best.  Also a few Atlantics, smallmouth and northerns are being picked up in the deep pools of the river on flies, spinners and live bait.

*OSWEGO RIVER: The river is at a good level.  Rainbow and brown trout are in the river. The highest concentration of fish is reported from the Utica Street bridge to the dam. Hot-n-tots, fast tracks, Estaz eggs, egg sacs, skein, wooly buggers, egg pattern flies and white bucktail jigs are working well. Night fishing from the Utica Street bridge north should be good using cleos, rebel fast tracks and hot-n-tots. A few walleye are being caught on stickbaits or leeches both during the day and at night.

*OTHER WATERS: Loon Lake (Steuben County) – about 6 inches of ice but very slick. Bring creepers! Check the ice as you move. The weather has not been the best for ice. Nothing great but sunfish, crappies and pickerel are being hooked. (Old reports) Cuba Lake – 4-6 inches of ice but again very slick. Fish running small. Cayuta Lake reports 5 inches of ice with perch , bluegill and crappie biting.  

>>))))*>

ANGLERS CALENDAR:

18 – Roger Tobey Steelhead Contest sponsored by the Niagara River Anglers Association. (Starting at Sunrise) Cost is $20 per person, but you must be a member of the NRAA if you’d like to participate. In addition, an optional $5 brown trout purse is also being collected for the biggest brown trout caught for the day. While most of the fishing will undoubtedly be in the lower river, contestants will also be able to fish in Lake Ontario, as well as Lake O. tributaries. (Check the NRAA website for details)

18 - Interlaken Sportsman Club, Banquet at the Club, Tunison Road (1/2 mile south of Route 96A), Interlaken, NY. (5:00 pm) (For information call Kathy Irwin, 607-582-7411)

18-19 - Cattaraugus County Sportsman's Show , at the Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel, 777 Seneca Allegany Boulevard, Salamanca, NY (Sat. 9:00 am - 4:00 pm/Sun. 9:00 am - 3:00 pm) (For information call Jim Buck 716-569-6810 or Bruce Johnston 716-542-9929 or email: nfcshows@aol.com)

22 - The State of the Lake Ontario Meeting (Oswego County) at the Oswego County BOCES, 179 County Route 64, Mexico, NY (7:00 – 9:30 pm) The meeting is co-hosted by the Eastern Lake Ontario Salmon and Trout Association. Biologists from DEC, the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources will make presentations, including updates on trout and salmon fisheries, forage fish populations, lake trout restoration efforts, warm water fish populations, and sea lamprey control. There will also be an update on the status of Lake Ontario Sportfishing Restoration Program projects that are funded by a natural resources damage settlement. Following the presentations, the public can ask questions and interact with the presenters. Information summaries for a host of Lake Ontario fisheries assessment programs will be posted at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27068.html prior to the public meetings. Previous annual reports can also be found at this site. (For information, contact Dan Bishop in the DEC Cortland office at 607-753-3095)

24-26 – Spring Fishing Classic at Bass Pro Shops, Friday: 6pm Advanced Small and Large Mouth Bass Tactics; 7pm Local Fishing Tips & Techniques; 8pm Side Image Sonar: How to use it Effectively to Catch Fish. Saturday: 1pm Trolling- Using the Correct Gear and Setups and Reaching Desired Depths; 2pm Pre-Spawn and Post-Spawn Bass; 3pm Fish Finder Basics; 4pm Crankbait Fishing; 5pm Spinnerbait Basics. Sunday:1pm The Tackle & Tactics of Power Fishing vs. Finesse Fishing; 2pm Local Fishing Tips & Techniques; 3pm Side Image Sonar: How to Use it Effectively to Catch Fish; 4pm Fish Finder Basics. (For information contact: James King, Store Manager 315-258-2700)

24-3/11 – 2012 Spring Fishing Classic at at Bass Pro Shops, 1579 Clark Street Road, Auburn, NY. Special events: 2/24-26 – Fishing seminars by local pros and conservation groups; 3/2-4 - BASSMaster University Weekend with National Pros and seminars and 3/9-11 - Bass Pro Shops Next Generation™ Weekend. (For more information: Contact James King at (315) 258-2700 or go to www.basspro.com/classic)

25 - LOTSA Salmon School Part 2 - Advanced Class presented by Bob Cinelli and Vince Pierloni at Niagara County Cornell Cooperative Extension Center, 4487 Lake Ave. (Route 78, two miles north of Lockport), Lockport, NY (9:00 am) This presentation will feature advanced techniques, building on the foundation laid in last years School and will include a segment from Captain's Tom Burke and Andy Bliss from Cold Steel Sportfishing, detailing techniques for fishing for deep kings. (Cost: $70.00 which includes Lunch and a Goodie Bag full of vaulable tackle.) (For information and register for class go to www.lotsa.org)

26 – 2012 Lake Ontario Fishing Expo and Flea Market sponsored by the Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association at Niagara County Cornell Cooperative Extension Center, 4487 Lake Ave. (Route 78, two miles north of Lockport), Lockport, NY (8:30 am – 3:00 pm/Seminars at 10:30 AM and 1:00 PM) Charter Captains, Tackle Manufacturers, Tackle Shops etc., looking to sell both new and used tackle and equipment at show special prices, as well as just talking. A Kids Fishing Class will be conducted as part of the LOTSA Salmon Spectacular Weekend from 1:00 - 2:30 pm. (Admission is a $5.00 per adult attendee as a donation to Pen Rearing.) (For information and register for class go to www.lotsa.org)

What Are You Catching? (Click Here)

2-10-12

TIPS from the archives: This time of year on many waters, the bite slows down. Just remember, you’re dealing with a cold blooded species that has the metabolism just a bit higher than a snake and the snakes are hibernating now. What food it took to sustain a fish in the summer will sustain a fish for weeks at this time of year. Be patient as the sun gets higher the bite should improve, it usually does. Also, try circle hooks for all your tip-up and tip-down angling. The circle hooks generally end up in the corner of the fish’s mouth. Don’t set the hook, just start to retrieve the line. Also, forget the steel leaders, use 25 or 30 lb. Test Fireline. Better action from your bait and you will not get any bite offs.

Limited Safe Ice Reported

Recent warming temperatures and winds have degraded ice coverings,

especially near shore. Therefore, if you go out use extreme caution and be prepared for slippery conditions.

LAKE ERIE: If weather permits try for yellow perch between Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point in 45-50 fow. Emerald shiners or small minnows fished just off bottom remain the hot bait but salted minnows and worms are also working. A few steelhead are cruising the shoreline near the major tributary stream mouths. Trolling with spoons and spinners is suggested for steelhead. Casting from the Cattaraugus Creek breakwall (be careful, may be slippery) with flashy spoons is a good bet for both steelhead and lake trout.

LAKE ERIE TRIBS: Tributary action is decent for just about every stream. Chautauqua and Canadaway Creeks have been fishing best, however anglers are also catching steelhead on Cayuga, Buffalo, Eighteenmile, Silver and Walnut Creeks. Catches have been better in the upper stretches of the streams, including some fresh fish. The steelhead, however, are spread over the entire streams. Try egg sacs, egg pattern flies, trout beads, woolly buggers, egg-sucking leeches and streamers for steelhead. Small hair jigs tipped with waxworms/spikes and fished under a float have also worked well. Keep drifted baits slow and deep as steelhead are lethargic and hugging the bottom. When fishing during low and clear water conditions, it is best to move stealthily and use small hooks, small baits, light colored streamers/buggers and light lines to fool finicky steelhead. Concentrate efforts during the warmest part of the day when chasing winter steelhead. Dunkirk Harbor can be fished throughout the winter as a warm water discharge at the power plant keeps the harbor ice-free. Anglers have been catching brown trout from the DEC fishing platform near the warm water discharge. Anglers can also fish for trout from the city pier. Live minnows, spoons, spinners and egg sacs are good baits for harbor trout. Scented artificials, like Berkley Gulp, presented on either a jig head or a hook plus split shot suspended under a bobber or float, is another presentation to try. Winter season steelhead angling on the Lake Erie tributaries can be a challenging and potentially hazardous outing, with the onset of ice and snow. Safety is of utmost importance. Some helpful items that you should consider include neoprene waders, ice cleats for boot soles, a walking stick/pole and a fishing companion whenever possible. For those new to tributary steelhead fishing, see DEC’s Steelhead Fishing in Lake Erie Tributaries page for information on steelhead fishing tackle, equipment and links to steelhead stream maps. Anglers should note that there are special Great Lakes Tributary Regulations.

UPPER NIAGARA RIVER: Weather has slowed the angling activity. If you do get out target yellow perch, white perch, rock bass and sheepshead from shore. Live bait, especially emerald shiners, provides the best prospects. Broderick Park is one reported spot for perch. A few walleye have been hitting at the head of the river on worm harnesses. Other areas suggested are around Strawberry and Navy Islands followed by Grand and Motor Islands. Live shiners and worms work well. Try casting with spoons or drifting egg sacks for trout from Broderick Park, as well as along the Bird Island Pier and the northern tip of Squaw Island. Trout are still available at the head of the river and along the upper rapids if you want to brave the weather conditions. Egg sacks, spinners, spoons and again emerald shinners work best.

LOWER NIAGARA RIVER: Action this week will be dependent on weather conditions. The river has been very active for steelhead, brown trout and lake trout; ditto for the Niagara Bar for lakers and browns. Boaters have seen some good steelhead action with the best bite in the Whirlpool, Devils Hole, Artpark and Stella drifts. Live minnows, egg sacs or Kwikfish lures fished off a 3-way bottom bouncing rig works well. One group reported success using Fuzz-E grub jigs to catch trout on the bar, both tipped with minnows and clean. The quarter-ounce jig in chartreuse worked best.  Anglers using shore fishing areas report decent catches of brown trout and steelhead. Fish with egg sacks, egg pattern flies, bugger patterns, spoons and spinners. Try to get your baits down near the bottom. From shore catches of yellow perch, white perch and rock bass are possible. Live bait is the way to go for the warmwater species. Walleye activity is fair at the mouth of the River. Drifting with 3-way bottom bouncing rigs combined with worm harnesses or yellow sally rigs is the way to go. Trolling with worm harnesses is a better bet out on the Bar. Exercise extreme caution when shore fishing in the lower river, as slippery rocks, strong currents and water level changes make these areas hazardous.

LAKE ONTARIO - WEST: Lake fishing for trout rates fair, weather permitting. Trolling with J-Plugs and J-13 Rapalas may produce near dawn and dusk. Night anglers can anchor in 15-30 fow off the harbor/tributary mouths, casting glow spoons or stickbaits. Try flasher-fly combos, at first light, run 30 - 50 feet down. Fish the top 50 feet for steelhead, browns, coho, and Atlantic salmon. Use a mix of spoons, spin doctors and flies. Color and preferred lure type can change from day to day so don’t be afraid to experiment. Better lures for the browns - green patterned Northern King spoons and the Northland Fluttertail spoon in an alewife pattern. Decent yellow perch catches are available in 15 - 30 fow drifting crabs, worms and minnows.

LAKE ONTARIO - WEST - TRIBS: Stream levels are in good shape. The steelhead and browns have been spread out over the entire sections of the streams. Egg sacks, egg imitations, trout beads and jigs fished under a float and tipped with wax worms or spikes are all good bets. The key is to drift the bait slowly and keep it at the bottom. It is also best to fish during the warmest part of the day. Fly fishing is great using black nymphs, woolie buggers again in black or egg sucking leeches in various colors. Chartreuse is also good. Best reports are coming in from fishermen working the waters of Eighteen Mile Creek below Burt Dam and the Oak Orchard River. The lower, slow moving sections of these tribs  and the Genesee River are also good options for trout and salmon. These sections are only accessible by boat. Tributaries such as Fourmile, Twelvemile & East Branch, Keg, Johnson and Sandy Creeks have lower, clearing flows. All of these streams are holding steelhead, including some fresh fish.

 Pier action continues with anglers catching brown trout and the occasional steelhead. Night time is the right time to target trout and salmon from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobbler glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. Check the regulations before going out. Catches of warm water species around the harbor areas such as Wilson Harbor, Olcott Harbor, Golden Hill State Park, Point Breeze/Oak Orchard and the Genesee should remain good. Also, on the Oak reports are nice perch, northern pike, some walleye, along with some catfish are being caught. Live bait (minnows, golden shiners, crayfish, leeches and worms) is the way to go. The two bridges area has been reported hot for perch and rock bass.

CHAUTAUQUA LAKE: There were some hard water fishermen around Rock and Grass islands near Burtis Bay, reporting three to four inches of the hard stuff. Anglers can catch sunfish and yellow perch throughout the south basin. There is no safe ice to report in the North Basin.

WESTERN TROUT STREAMS: Weather conditions have curtailed most action. The statewide trout season runs from April 1 to October 15, however many streams and lakes are open all year for trout fishing. Check the Special Regulations by County to determine if your target stream is open for trout fishing beyond October 15.

If you fish Wiscoy Creek (even once) in Allegany and Wyoming Countiesand would like to keep a diary for DEC, please call Fisheries Office at (716) 372-0645 or email at fwfish9@gw.dec.state.ny.us. The program will run March 1st through October 31st. This program duplicates one run in 2009, and will be used in conjunction with a late-summer electrofishing survey to evaluate the fishery's overall quality. In 2009, over 93 anglers participated in the program.

SILVER LAKE: The south end again has solid ice of 4-5 inches thick. A thin layer of crappy ice is on top. Most all the old holes are froze over and it’s very slick on top. Anglers have been accessing the ice from Mack's Restaurant and the Silver Lake State Park boat launch. The bluegill bite is not great but it is  the best around. Anglers are catching decent numbers of bluegill in 8-10 feet of water on small jigs with waxworms. Some keeper crappie have been caught as well. Tip-ups with larger minnows are a good bet for northern pike. Anglers are not venturing too far north as there is still open water off Buffalo Point.

The webcam on the south part of the lake, www.silverlakeassociat ion.org, will give some idea of conditions.

CONESUS LAKE: Hard Water – The ice at the north end has disappeared. Open Water - Walleye and northern pike should be hitting. Try Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds for the ‘eyes and live bait for the pike. Good numbers of perch, rock bass and sunfish are also available. Fish live bait (worms and small minnows) or small spinner baits.

HEMLOCK LAKE: Hard Water – No ice! Open Water - No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

CANADICE LAKE: Hard Water – No ice! Open Water - No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

HONEOYE LAKE: Hard Water – skim ice but, nothing safe. No reports if anything is biting.

CANANDAIGUA LAKE: Hard Water – No ice! Open Water - Rainbows and a few browns are hitting small, silver spoons or flasher & flies fished down 45 to 60 feet over a 75 to 150 foot bottom. A few lakers are also being taken near bottom at 90 to 120 feet. Perch fishing is improving off the weedbeds in 10 to 30 fow. Try using small tube baits, grubs, or fathead minnows. The NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the north end of Canandaigua Lake closed on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs. It is scheduled to re-open 1/1/12.

WANETA/LAMOKA LAKES: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Pickerel and bluegill fishing remains good; action is not fast and furious, but there is enough to keep it interesting. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Some yellow perch are hitting on crayfish and minnows fished in 15 fow.

KEUKA LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Try for lakers jigging off the points, especially off the Bluff, in 90 to 110 feet of water with Strata spoons and/or gold Kastmasters and chartreuse or white plastics. Trolling flashers and flies, spoons or stillfishing with sawbellies also works. Also try just south of the state park launch in 80-120 fow. Watch out for the launch. Some of the concrete ramps need repair.

SENECA LAKE: Yellow perch fishing continues in 20 to 40 feet of water throughout the lake but especially off Painted Rock and off the pier at Watkins Glen. Small minnows, crayfish, night crawlers and grubs have been working. Anglers are catching northern pike on the weed flats, using either large, live shiners under bobbers or casting large crankbaits (blue and chrome-colored). One reported spot is off shore at Sampson State Park. Atlantic salmon, brown and some rainbow trout are hitting stickbaits and spoons fished at the surface down to 40 fow, over a 70 foot bottom. Good colors to try silver and black, silver and blue or silver and chartreuse. Vertical jigging for lakers in 70 to 110 fow is also producing. Start with chartreuse plastics. Some anglers claim success catching lakers and landlocked salmon in front of the canal at the southern end of the lake. Another method reported - trolling deep, about 150 feet down over a 300- to 350- foot bottom. Anglers report catching a mixed bag of Atlantic salmon and lake trout using streamer flies and small spoons.

CAYUGA LAKE: Lake trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken around Taughannock trolling with spoons, or flashers and flies both off down riggers and Dipsey divers. Fish at 45 - 80 feet down over a 100 to 300 foot bottom. Lake trout are also hitting for those vertical jigging chartreuse plastics in 65 to 85 feet of water. A few brown trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken on spoons fished 75 to 150 feet down over 110 to 250 foot bottom. Try Countdown Rapalas and Silver Hammered Crocodiles. Good colors have been white, green, purple and blue. Some nice brown trout are also being taken by anglers vertical jigging for lake trout in 65 – 85 fow. Anglers fishing from shore near the power station in Lansing are catching rainbow trout on medium-sized shiners, along with perch, using fathead minnows.  Pickerel and perch are being taken in the north end in 10 - 15 fow on fathead and larger minnows. One of the better perch spots is around Union Springs.

SKANEATELES LAKE: Hard Water – no ice. Open Water - Lake trout, rainbows and Atlantic salmon are feeding on small perch. Trolling 30 to 50 feet down with small perch colored spoons or stickbaits is producing. Lake trout are also hitting at 60 to 80 feet down over a 80 -100 foot bottom. Early in the day glow baits are working better but as the sun gets higher switching to pearl, chartreuse, or silver has been better. Trolling streamers on the surface for rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon has been slow; this is usually a good fall fishing technique though. Also, shore fishing with marshmallow and worm rigs is working well for rainbow trout. Rock bass and yellow perch fishing is picking up and they are being taken on small minnows or crayfish. The launch closed on 1/13.

OWASCO LAKE: Hard Water – the shore ice is still iffy but the ice  between the dam and the narrows was 3.5''-4.5''. There are some preasure cracks with white ice walking out to black ice and the surface is very slippery. Open Water -  Lake trout fishing has been slow. Try the north end of the lake, vertical jigging in 65 to 95 fow. Trolling the north end in 50 to 75 fow over 100 - 120 foot bottom with spoons may also produce lakers and an occasional nice sized brown trout. Walleye were reported at the north end but no report this week. Try for northern pike at the south end hitting spoons. Yellow perch are hitting around the lake on fathead minnows. Anglers are still catching a few rainbow and brown trout in the inlet using worms and egg sacks.

OTISCO LAKE: Hard Water – No safe ice reported. Open Water - Some walleye are being taken trolling 25 – 30 feet down over a 45 to 60 foot bottom with worm harnesses. Also try casting stickbaits off the causeway after dark. A few tiger muskie have been picked up at the lake’s south and north ends on minnows and swimbaits, stickbaits and large spinners. Also, crappies and perch are hitting small minnows along the shore.

EASTERN TROUT STREAMS: No recent reports.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR: Hard Water – Reports of 5 inches of ice on parts of the reservoir. Watch edge ice and be careful out there. A lot of nice-sized perch, small crappies and rock bass were being caught, along with smallmouth bass, which must be released. Open Water -  Walleye are being taken in the spillway with fathead minnows and leeches fished under floats or on jigs and stickbaits. Best action is during the early morning or late evening hours.

SANDY POND: Hard Water – The ice conditions over the last few days have deteriorated. Many areas have about 4 inches of ice with about 6 inches on the main body of the north pond but thickness varies greatly. The surface is clear of snow and slippery so use caution. As always, check current ice conditions before venturing out.

ONEIDA LAKE: Hard Water – There were reports of 2 to 5" of ice on Big Bay. Some anglers are getting walleye and perch off the north shore.  If you do go out go prepared in case you join the “Polar Bear Club. No reports on the fishing activity.

ONONDAGA LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water -  No reports. Help!!

LAKE ONTARIO - EAST: For brown trout and steelhead work the near shore waters, especially off Sodus and Oswego. Trolling with stickbaits (Rapala's, Thunderstiks and Smithwicks) or large spoons (Stinger spoons and NK 28s). Chartreuse colored spoons have been good for the browns. Steelhead are being caught on orange or red spoons at 25 feet. Perch are hitting in 3 to 4 feet of water, close to shore. The bass baits listed will also work for perch.

LAKE ONTARIO – EAST - TRIBS: Maxwell Creek and the other tributaries have fair to good flows of water and good numbers of fish to provide some interesting action. Maxwell has fish mostly north of Lake Road. Anglers are catching primarily steelhead and brown trout on pink, blue and yellow egg sacs, egg imitating plastics, flies and small 1/32 oz. jigs fished under floats. This will hold for the other tribs as well, such as Bear Creek in Ontario, New York. Some anglers are trying night time fishing; targeting trout from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobblers glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Some specific spots are the piers at Sodus Bay, Webster Park and the Genesee River. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out!!

WAYNE COUNTY BAYS: Hard Water – skim ice is common on the bays but it is not fishable! If you do decide to fish where you believe there is 4 plus inches, start with a spud and make sure you have a solid surface. On the Canal, anglers have 4 – 5 inches of ice on the widewaters. Fish the shoreline near locks for best action.

MONROE COUNTY BAYS: Hard Water – No fishable ice on Long and Cranberry Ponds and  Irondequoit Bay. Braddock Bay has some ice around the docks, open everywhere else.

SALMON RIVER: The River is flowing high and bringing in fresh fish. Steelhead and brown trout are concentrating in the deeper holes.. Action on sunny days has been better in the early morning and late afternoon. Good baits are egg sacs (blue, chartreuse and white mesh), trout beads (10mm), streamers and egg-imitating flies and plastics. Most angling pressure is from Pineville to Altmar. A few anglers reported getting into fish in the Lower Fly Zone and below the Altmar bridge under light fishing pressure.  The fish have been holding along the edges in the softer water and inside seams with small nymphs working the best.  Also a few Atlantics, smallmouth and northerns are being picked up in the deep pools of the river on flies, spinners and live bait.

OSWEGO RIVER: The river level is high; making many areas along the river unfishable.  Rainbow and brown trout are in the river. The highest concentration of fish is reported from the Utica Street bridge to the dam. Hot-n-tots, fast tracks, Estaz eggs, egg sacs, skein, wooly buggers, egg pattern flies and white bucktail jigs are working well. Night fishing from the Utica Street bridge north should be good using cleos, rebel fast tracks and hot-n-tots. A few walleye are being caught on stickbaits or leeches both during the day and at night.

OTHER WATERS: Cayuta Lake reports 5 inches of ice with perch , bluegill and crappie biting. Loon Lake (Steuben County) – 4 – 5 inches of ice but very slick. Bring creepers! Nothing great but sunfish, crappies and pickerel are being hooked. Cuba Lake – 4-6 inches of ice but again very slick. Fish running small.

>>))))*>

ANGLERS CALENDAR:

10-19 - Bass Pro Shops FREE Boat Show at Bass Pro Shops, 1579 Clark Street Road, Auburn, NY. Free boating and fishing seminars available both weekends. Topics include “Do-It-Yourself Service” Saturdays at 1pm, “Local Fishing Tips” Saturdays at 2pm and “Using the Latest Electronics” Saturdays at 3pm. Sundays at 1pm learn about “Towing Your Boat”, “Organizing your Boat to Fish” at 2pm and get “Local Fishing Tips” at 3pm. (For information contact: James King, Store Manager 315-258-2700)

11/12 - Winter Carnival & Ice Fishing Tournament headquartered at the Sandy Pond Steakhouse, 45 Wig Wam Drive, Pulaski, NY.  Derby: Sandy Pond during daylight hours. ($10 entry fee for tournament, $5 for 12 and under) Carnival schedule: Saturday - Ice Fishing Tournament: Weigh in 1-4pm; Dog Sled Rides: 10am – 3pm ($5 a ride);Family Ice Skating on the Pond: all day (free event, bring your own skates);Chillin’ Chili Cook Off: 11am (free event);Polar Bear Plunge: Register from 9am – 12:30pm, plunge begins at 1pm; Free Perch Fry: 3pm – 5pm; Live Entertainment; Snowmobile Lighted Night Parade: Line-up begins at 5pm, parade begins at 5:30pm; Raffles & Prizes. Sunday - Ice Fishing Tournament: Weigh in 1-3pm; Dog Sled Rides: 11am – 2pm ($5 a ride); Family Ice Skating on the Pond: all day (free event, bring your own skates); Cross-Country Ski Tour: Register from 9-10:30am, begins at 11am (free event, bring your own skis), Snowshoe Beach Walk: Sunday at 1pm (free event, bring your own snowshoes); Free Perch Fry: 3pm – 5pm; Raffles and Prizes (For information and register contact 315-298-9990)

18 – Roger Tobey Steelhead Contest sponsored by the Niagara River Anglers Association. Check the NRAA website for details.

18-19 - Cattaraugus County Sportsman's Show , at the Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel, 777 Seneca Allegany Boulevard, Salamanca, NY (Sat. 9:00 am - 4:00 pm/Sun. 9:00 am - 3:00 pm) (For information call Jim Buck 716-569-6810 or Bruce Johnston 716-542-9929 or email: nfcshows@aol.com)

What Are You Catching? (Click Here)

2-3-12 

No Fishing Report this week. I'm off to Kentucky but there will be a report next week.                

Recent rain, wind and warming temperatures have degraded ice coverings. No safe ice!!!

1-27-12

TIPS from the archives: This time of year on many waters, the bite slows down. Just remember, you’re dealing with a cold blooded species that has the metabolism just a bit higher than a snake and the snakes are hibernating now. What food it took to sustain a fish in the summer will sustain a fish for weeks at this time of year. Be patient as the sun gets higher the bite should improve, it usually does. Also, try circle hooks for all your tip-up and tip-down angling. The circle hooks generally end up in the corner of the fish’s mouth. Don’t set the hook, just start to retrieve the line. Also, forget the steel leaders, use 25 or 30 lb. Test Fireline. Better action from your bait and you will not get any bite offs.

Limited Safe Ice Reported

Recent warming temperatures and rainstorms have degraded ice coverings,

especially near shore. Therefore, if you go out use extreme caution and be prepared for slippery conditions.

*LAKE ERIE: If weather permits try for yellow perch between Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point in 50-70 fow. Emerald shiners or small minnows fished just off bottom remain the hot bait but salted minnows and worms are also working. A few steelhead are cruising the shoreline near the major tributary stream mouths. Trolling with spoons and spinners is suggested for steelhead. Casting from the Cattaraugus Creek breakwall (be careful, may be slippery) with flashy spoons is a good bet for both steelhead and lake trout.

*LAKE ERIE TRIBS: Rain and snow have stream levels running high. Best bets are Chautauqua and Canadaway Creeks. The steelhead have been spread out over the entire sections of the streams. Once levels return to normal try egg sacs, egg pattern flies, trout beads, woolly buggers, egg-sucking leeches and streamers for steelhead. Small hair jigs tipped with waxworms/spikes and fished under a float have also worked well. Keep drifted baits slow and deep as steelhead are lethargic and hugging the bottom. When fishing during low and clear water conditions, it is best to move stealthily and use small hooks, small baits, light colored streamers/buggers and light lines to fool finicky steelhead. Concentrate efforts during the warmest part of the day when chasing winter steelhead. Dunkirk Harbor can be fished throughout the winter as a warm water discharge at the power plant keeps the harbor ice-free. Anglers have been catching brown trout from the DEC fishing platform near the warm water discharge. Anglers can also fish for trout from the city pier. Live minnows, spoons, spinners and egg sacs are good baits for harbor trout. Scented artificials, like Berkley Gulp, presented on either a jig head or a hook plus split shot suspended under a bobber or float, is another presentation to try. Winter season steelhead angling on the Lake Erie tributaries can be a challenging and potentially hazardous outing, with the onset of ice and snow. Safety is of utmost importance. Some helpful items that you should consider include neoprene waders, ice cleats for boot soles, a walking stick/pole and a fishing companion whenever possible. For those new to tributary steelhead fishing, see DEC’s Steelhead Fishing in Lake Erie Tributaries page for information on steelhead fishing tackle, equipment and links to steelhead stream maps. Anglers should note that there are special Great Lakes Tributary Regulations.

*UPPER NIAGARA RIVER: Weather has slowed the angling activity. If you do get out target yellow perch, white perch, rock bass and sheepshead from shore. Live bait provides the best prospects. Broderick Park is one reported spot for perch. A few walleye have been hitting at the head of the river on worm harnesses. Other areas suggested are around Strawberry and Navy Islands followed by Grand and Motor Islands. Live shiners and worms work well. Try casting with spoons or drifting egg sacks for trout from Broderick Park, as well as along the Bird Island Pier and the northern tip of Squaw Island. Trout are still available at the head of the river and along the upper rapids if you want to brave the weather conditions. Egg sacks and spoons work best.

*LOWER NIAGARA RIVER: Action this week will again be dependent on weather conditions. The river has been very active for steelhead, brown trout and lake trout; ditto for the Niagara Bar for lakers and browns. Boaters have seen some good steelhead action this week, when they could get out, with the best bite in the Whirlpool, Devils Hole, Artpark and Stella drifts. Live minnows, egg sacs or Kwikfish lures fished off a 3-way bottom bouncing rig works well. One group reported success using Fuzz-E grub jigs to catch trout on the bar, both tipped with minnows and clean. The quarter-ounce jig in chartreuse worked best.  Anglers using shore fishing areas report decent catches of brown trout and steelhead. Fish with egg sacks, egg pattern flies, bugger patterns, spoons and spinners. Try to get your baits down near the bottom. From shore catches of yellow perch, white perch and rock bass are increasing. Live bait is the way to go for the warmwater species. Walleye activity is fair at the mouth of the River. Drifting with 3-way bottom bouncing rigs combined with worm harnesses or yellow sally rigs is the way to go. Trolling with worm harnesses is a better bet out on the Bar. Exercise extreme caution when shore fishing in the lower river, as slippery rocks, strong currents and water level changes make these areas hazardous. The NYPA fishing platform has been closed for the winter.

Exercise extreme caution when shore fishing in the lower river, as slippery rocks, strong currents and water level changes make these areas hazardous. For fishing access maps and lower river fishing information see the Fishing the Lower Niagara River page. The NYPA fishing platform has been closed for the winter.

*LAKE ONTARIO - WEST: Lake fishing for trout rates fair, weather permitting. Trolling with J-Plugs and J-13 Rapalas may produce near dawn and dusk. Night anglers can anchor in 15-30 fow off the harbor/tributary mouths, casting glow spoons or stickbaits. Try flasher-fly combos, at first light, run 30 - 50 feet down. Fish the top 50 feet for steelhead, browns, coho, and Atlantic salmon. Use a mix of spoons, spin doctors and flies. Color and preferred lure type can change from day to day so don’t be afraid to experiment. Better lures for the browns - green patterned Northern King spoons and the Northland Fluttertail spoon in an alewife pattern. Decent yellow perch catches are available in 15 - 30 fow drifting crabs, worms and minnows.

*LAKE ONTARIO - WEST - TRIBS: Rain and snow have stream levels running high. The steelhead and browns have been spread out over the entire sections of the streams. Once levels return to normal try egg sacs, salmon skein, rubber eggs, marshmellows and yarn eggs, little cleos in greens, oranges and glows and egg pattern flies and bugger patterns are good baits to try. Fly fishing is great using black nymphs, woolie buggers again in black or egg sucking leeches in various colors. Chartreuse is also good. As water temperatures drop, the jigs and waxies are doing better. The key is to drift the bait slowly and keep it at the bottom. It is also best to fish during the warmest part of the day. Best reports are coming in from fishermen working the waters of Eighteen Mile Creek below Burt Dam and the Oak Orchard River. Keg or Four Mile are good ones to take a look at if the bigger tribs appear high and muddy. The lower, slow moving sections of these tribs  and the Genesee River are also good options for trout and salmon. These sections are only accessible by boat. Pier action continues with anglers catching brown trout and the occasional steelhead. Night time is the right time to target trout and salmon from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobbler glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. Check the regulations before going out. Catches of warm water species around the harbor areas such as Wilson Harbor, Olcott Harbor, Golden Hill State Park, Point Breeze/Oak Orchard and the Genesee should remain good. Also, on the Oak reports are nice perch, northern pike, some walleye, along with some catfish are being caught. Live bait (minnows, golden shiners, crayfish, leeches and worms) is the way to go. The two bridges area has been reported hot for perch and rock bass.

*CHAUTAUQUA LAKE: Reports are no safe ice and no open water fishing

*WESTERN TROUT STREAMS: Weather conditions have curtailed most action. The statewide trout season runs from April 1 to October 15, however many streams and lakes are open all year for trout fishing. Check the Special Regulations by County to determine if your target stream is open for trout fishing beyond October 15.

*SILVER LAKE: Hard Water – The southern part of the lake is reporting 3 ½ - 4 ½ inches of ice but it is softening. The problem is the shore ice; it’s disappearing. Make sure you have a way back. The main action is bluegills, crappie and perch hitting small jigs tipped with wax worms or spikes in 6 to 8 feet of water. Remember it is new ice so be very careful. The webcam on the south part of the lake, www.silverlakeassociat ion.org, will give some idea of conditions.

*CONESUS LAKE: Hard Water – Minimal ice at the north end, out about 100 yards but it is questionable. Open Water - Walleye and northern pike should be hitting. Try Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds for the ‘eyes and live bait for the pike. Good numbers of perch, rock bass and sunfish are also available. Fish live bait (worms and small minnows) or small spinner baits.

*HEMLOCK LAKE: Hard Water – No ice! Open Water - No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

*CANADICE LAKE: Hard Water – No ice! Open Water - No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

*HONEOYE LAKE: Hard Water – Rain has deteriorated ice, nothing safe. No reports if anything is biting.

*CANANDAIGUA LAKE: Hard Water – No ice! Open Water - Rainbows and a few browns are hitting small, silver spoons or flasher & flies fished down 45 to 60 feet over a 75 to 150 foot bottom. A few lakers are also being taken near bottom at 90 to 120 feet. Perch fishing is improving off the weedbeds in 10 to 30 fow. Try using small tube baits, grubs, or fathead minnows. The NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the north end of Canandaigua Lake closed on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs. It is scheduled to re-open 1/1/12.

*WANETA/LAMOKA LAKES: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Pickerel and bluegill fishing remains good; action is not fast and furious, but there is enough to keep it interesting. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Some yellow perch are hitting on crayfish and minnows fished in 15 fow.

*KEUKA LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Try for lakers jigging off the points, especially off the Bluff, in 90 to 110 feet of water with Strata spoons and/or gold Kastmasters and chartreuse or white plastics. Trolling flashers and flies, spoons or stillfishing with sawbellies also works. Also try just south of the state park launch in 80-120 fow. Watch out for the launch. Some of the concrete ramps need repair.

*SENECA LAKE: Yellow perch fishing continues to be good in 20 to 40 feet of water throughout the lake but especially off Painted Rock and off the pier at Watkins Glen. Small minnows, crayfish, night crawlers and grubs have been working. Anglers are catching northern pike on the weed flats, using either large, live shiners under bobbers or casting large crankbaits (blue and chrome-colored).  Atlantic salmon, brown and some rainbow trout are hitting stickbaits and spoons fished at the surface down to 40, over a 70 foot bottom. Good colors to try silver and black, silver and blue or silver and chartreuse. Vertical jigging for lakers in 70 to 110 fow is also producing. Start with chartreuse plastics. Some anglers claim success catching lakers and landlocked salmon in front of the canal at the southern end of the lake.

*CAYUGA LAKE: Lake trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken around Taughannock trolling with spoons, or flashers and flies both off down riggers and Dipsey divers. Fish at 45 - 80 feet down over a 100 to 300 foot bottom. Lake trout are also hitting for those vertical jigging chartreuse plastics in 65 to 85 feet of water. A few brown trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken on spoons fished 75 to 150 feet down over 110 to 250 foot bottom. Try Countdown Rapalas and Silver Hammered Crocodiles. Good colors have been white, green, purple and blue. Some nice brown trout are also being taken by anglers vertical jigging for lake trout in 65 – 85 fow. Anglers fishing from shore near the power station in Lansing are catching rainbow trout on medium-sized shiners, along with perch, using fathead minnows.  Pickerel and perch are being taken in the north end in 10 - 15 fow on fathead and larger minnows. One of the better perch spots is around Union Springs.

*SKANEATELES LAKE: Lake trout, rainbows and Atlantic salmon are feeding on small perch. Trolling 30 to 50 feet down with small perch colored spoons or stickbaits is producing. Lake trout are also hitting at 60 to 80 feet down over a 80 -100 foot bottom. Early in the day glow baits are working better but as the sun gets higher switching to pearl, chartreuse, or silver has been better. Trolling streamers on the surface for rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon has been slow; this is usually a good fall fishing technique though. Also, shore fishing with marshmallow and worm rigs is working well for rainbow trout. Rock bass and yellow perch fishing is picking up and they are being taken on small minnows or crayfish. The launch closed on 1/13.

*OWASCO LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water -  Lake trout fishing has been slow. Try the north end of the lake, vertical jigging in 65 to 95 fow. Trolling the north end in 50 to 75 fow over 100 - 120 foot bottom with spoons may also produce lakers and an occasional nice sized brown trout. Walleye were reported at the north end but no report this week. Try for northern pike at the south end hitting spoons. Yellow perch are hitting around the lake on fathead minnows. Anglers are still catching a few rainbow and brown trout in the inlet using worms and egg sacks.

*OTISCO LAKE: Hard Water – The north end has about 3.5 – 4 inches of white ice but as you get out further it changes to 3 – 4 inches of black ice. Be extremely careful and watch the shore ice. Open Water - Some walleye are being taken trolling 25 – 30 feet down over a 45 to 60 foot bottom with worm harnesses. Also try casting stickbaits off the causeway after dark. A few tiger muskie have been picked up at the lake’s south and north ends on minnows and swimbaits, stickbaits and large spinners. Also, crappies and perch are hitting small minnows along the shore.

*EASTERN TROUT STREAMS: No recent reports.

*WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR: Hard Water – Reports of 5 – 7 inches of ice on parts of the reservoir but water on top. Watch edge ice and be careful out there. A lot of nice-sized perch, small crappies and rock bass were being caught, along with smallmouth bass, which must be released. Open Water -  Anglers are catching some perch using fathead minnows and jigs. Try for walleye trolling in 10 -15 fow or drifting with worm harnesses and leeches. Fish slow and work deeper water. Walleye are also being taken in the spillway with fathead minnows and leeches fished under floats or on jigs and stickbaits. Best action is during the early morning or late evening hours. Fishing slowly with dark colored bucktail jigs or worm harnesses along drop-offs has been producing mixed bags of perch and walleye.

*SANDY POND: Hard Water – The ice conditions over the last few days have deteriorated. Many areas have about 4 inches of ice with about 6 inches on the main body of the north pond. The surface is clear of snow and slippery so use caution. As always, check current ice conditions before venturing out.

*ONEIDA LAKE: Hard Water – There were reports of 2 to 5" of ice on Big Bay. With the rain and warm weather predicted in the forecast that might change very quickly however. Some anglers are getting walleye and perch off the north shore.  If you do go out go prepared in case you join the “Polar Bear Club. Open Water - Perch fishing is reported fair. Fish off the weedbeds in 10 – 20 fow using small crayfish, a little piece of worm on a hook or tipping a small spinner with a piece of a worm. Fish in the shallows, in the weeds, around the weeds and in deep water; it all seems to be working. Anglers are also catching perch from shore using minnows and bobbers. Walleye fishing has slowed, from dusk to dawn, casting from shore. Use a very slow retrieve and a stealthy approach. Stickbaits in black & silver and blue & silver work well for this fall walleye bite. One specific lure mentioned was the silver Challenger minnow. As usual pickerel are also biting on the bass lures. Bluegills and pumpkinseed sunfish are being taken on small tube jigs or tiny crayfish. You can also try drifting chartreuse/green Dixie spinners at 15 feet around the weedbeds.

*ONONDAGA LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water -  No reports. Help!!

*LAKE ONTARIO - EAST: For brown trout and steelhead work the near shore waters, trolling with stickbaits (Rapala's, Thunderstiks and Smithwicks) or large spoons (Stinger spoons and NK 28s). Chartreuse colored spoons have been good for the browns. Steelhead are being caught on orange or red spoons at 25 feet. Perch are hitting in 3 to 4 feet of water, close to shore. The bass baits listed will also work for perch. For all species fishing early or late in the day has been the most productive.

*LAKE ONTARIO - EAST TRIBS: Maxwell Creek and the other tributaries have fair to good flows of water and good numbers of fish to provide some interesting action. Maxwell has fish mostly north of Lake Road. Anglers are catching primarily steelhead and brown trout on pink, blue and yellow egg sacs, egg imitating plastics, flies and small 1/32 oz. jigs fished under floats. This will hold for the other tribs as well, such as Bear Creek in Ontario, New York. Some anglers are trying night time fishing; targeting trout from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobblers glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Some specific spots are the piers at Sodus Bay, Webster Park and the Genesee River. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out!!

*WAYNE COUNTY BAYS: Hard Water – skim ice is common on the bays but it is not fishable! If you do decide to fish where you believe there is 4 plus inches, start with a spud and make sure you have a solid surface. On the Canal, anglers have 4 – 5 inches of ice on the widewaters. Fish the shoreline near locks for best action. Perch are also active over on

*MONROE COUNTY BAYS: Hard Water – Long and Cranberry Ponds - skim ice but nothing fishable! Braddock Bay – wind action has caused most ice to disappear. On Irondequoit Bay it’s back to open water.

*SALMON RIVER: The River is flowing high. Steelhead and brown trout are starting to concentrate in the deeper holes.. Action on sunny days has been better in the early morning and late afternoon. Good baits are egg sacs (blue, chartreuse and white mesh), trout beads (10mm), streamers and egg-imitating flies and plastics. Most angling pressure is from Pineville to Altmar. A few anglers reported getting into fish in the Lower Fly Zone and below the Altmar bridge under light fishing pressure.  The fish have been holding along the edges in the softer water and inside seams with small nymphs working the best.  Also a few Atlantics, smallmouth and northerns are being picked up in the deep pools of the river on flies, spinners and live bait.

*OSWEGO RIVER: Rainbow and brown trout are in the river. The highest concentration of fish is reported from the Utica Street bridge to the dam. Hot-n-tots, fast tracks, Estaz eggs, egg sacs, skein, wooly buggers, egg pattern flies and bucktail jigs are working well. Night fishing from the Utica Street bridge north should be good using cleos, rebel fast tracks and hot-n-tots. A few walleye are being caught on stickbaits or leeches both during the day and at night.

OTHER WATERS: Cayuta Lake – Ice is not fishable. Loon Lake (Steuben County) – A few fishing but no reports on ice or fish. Cuba Lake – Again fishermen but no report on ice or fish.

Case and Harwoods Lakes – Both are reporting ice and producing panfish for hard water anglers. In Case Lake, you have a good chance at catching a brown or brook trout thanks to surplus brood stock that were planted in the lake last fall. A total of 550 trout up to19 inches long were stocked from the Randolph Hatchery.

>>))))*>

ANGLERS CALENDAR:

27-29 - New York Sportsman’s Expo in the Horticulture Building at the New York State Fairgrounds, Syracuse, NY (27th - Noon to 9:00 pm/28th – 9:00 am to 7:00 pm/29th – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm) The Expo is back with new promoters. (Admission: $9 ages 13 and up, $4 for children 6 - 12 and under 6 no charge. Seniors are $7 and Military/Fire and Police are $6 with ID) (For more information contact: Patti Cartwright, 585-469-3881

pcartwright@coralproductions.com)

28/29 - Third Annual Greater Olean Area Outdoor and Recreation Sports Show at the Daniel Carter Events Center, 2383 West Five Mile Road, Allegany, NY. (Sat. 10:00 am – 5:00 pm/Sun. 10:00 am – 4:00 pm) Among the exhibitors will be hunting outfitters and guides, including Roger Raglin, a well-known host on nearly 70 full-length hunting videos and DVDs. (Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for students and seniors, free for youngsters12 and under) (For more information contact 716-372-4433, email events@oleanny.com)

FEBRUARY 2012

4-12 - The Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show - 57th Edition at the State Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg, PA. This year’s show will feature the latest and greatest in hunting and fishing equipment and techniques presented by more than 1,200 exhibitors including: more gun manufacturers than ever, a fully loaded fishing and boat hall, two full archery halls, and hundreds of guides and outfitters from across the USA and around the world. A wide range of celebrity guests and seminar speakers will meet fans and provide expert advice and instruction throughout the show including: Ralph & Vicki Cianciarulo, Lee & Tiffany Lakosky, Hank Parker, Fred Eichler, Jimmy Houston and many more. Family entertainment will include Raptors Up Close, Chris Bracket Archery Trick Shooting, Kids Trout Pond, and a NEW Kids Day on Saturday, February 11, featuring an entire day of fun activities for kids. (For more information and ticket prices go to EasternSportShow.com/tix)

What Are You Catching? (Click Here)

1-20-12

TIP: Fish Movement - In small shallow lakes fish typically move shallower as the season progresses. This is due to limited oxygen supplies in deeper water.

In large deep lakes fish typically go where there's food and cover because there's generally no oxygen problem. Temperature also affects fish so they may remain deeper where the water is slightly warmer.

Most species of fish become less active during the winter, especially mid winter. First ice and last ice they're more active and are far easier to catch.

Limited Safe Ice Reported

Some reports of safe ice have been received but most are of skim ice

that comes and goes but is not fishable.

The next few days will be cold enough but will the wind and snow cooperate.

LAKE ERIE: If weather permits try for yellow perch between Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point in 50-70 fow. Emerald shiners or small minnows fished just off bottom remain the hot bait but salted minnows and worms are also working. Catches of walleyes have been scarce. Try shallower locations where the walleye should be feeding. Worm harnesses, in blue or silver, both trolled and bottom bounced with a three-way rig are suggested. A few steelhead are cruising the shoreline near the major tributary stream mouths. Trolling with spoons and spinners is suggested for steelhead. Casting from the Cattaraugus Creek breakwall (be careful, may be slippery) with flashy spoons is a good bet for both steelhead and lake trout.

LAKE ERIE TRIBS: Rain and snow have stream levels running high. The steelhead have been spread out over the entire sections of the streams. Once levels return to normal try egg sacs, egg pattern flies, trout beads, woolly buggers, egg-sucking leeches and streamers for steelhead. Small hair jigs tipped with waxworms/spikes and fished under a float have also worked well. Keep drifted baits slow and deep as steelhead are lethargic and hugging the bottom. When fishing during low and clear water conditions, it is best to move stealthily and use small hooks, small baits, light colored streamers/buggers and light lines to fool finicky steelhead. Concentrate efforts during the warmest part of the day when chasing winter steelhead. Dunkirk Harbor can be fished throughout the winter as a warm water discharge at the power plant keeps the harbor ice-free. Anglers have been catching brown trout from the DEC fishing platform near the warm water discharge. Anglers can also fish for trout from the city pier. Live minnows, spoons, spinners and egg sacs are good baits for harbor trout. Scented artificials, like Berkley Gulp, presented on either a jig head or a hook plus split shot suspended under a bobber or float, is another presentation to try. Winter season steelhead angling on the Lake Erie tributaries can be a challenging and potentially hazardous outing, with the onset of ice and snow. Safety is of utmost importance. Some helpful items that you should consider include neoprene waders, ice cleats for boot soles, a walking stick/pole and a fishing companion whenever possible.

UPPER NIAGARA RIVER: Weather has slowed the angling activity. If you do get out target yellow perch, white perch, rock bass and sheepshead from shore. Live bait provides the best prospects. Broderick Park is one reported spot for perch. A few walleye have been hitting at the head of the river on worm harnesses. Other areas suggested are around Strawberry and Navy Islands followed by Grand and Motor Islands. Live shiners and worms work well. Try casting with spoons or drifting egg sacks for trout from Broderick Park, as well as along the Bird Island Pier and the northern tip of Squaw Island. Trout are still available at the head of the river and along the upper rapids if you want to brave the weather conditions. Egg sacks and spoons work best.

LOWER NIAGARA RIVER: Action this week will again be dependent on weather conditions. The river has been very active for steelhead, brown trout and lake trout; ditto for the Niagara Bar for lakers and browns. Boaters have seen some good steelhead action this week, with the best bite in the Whirlpool, Devils Hole, Artpark and Stella drifts. Live minnows, egg sacs or Kwikfish lures fished off a 3-way bottom bouncing rig works well. One group reported success using Fuzz-E grub jigs to catch trout on the bar, both tipped with minnows and clean. The quarter-ounce jig in chartreuse worked best.  Anglers using shore fishing areas report decent catches of brown trout and steelhead. Fish with egg sacks, egg pattern flies, bugger patterns, spoons and spinners. Try to get your baits down near the bottom. From shore catches of yellow perch, white perch and rock bass are increasing. Live bait is the way to go for the warmwater species. Walleye activity is fair at the mouth of the River. Drifting with 3-way bottom bouncing rigs combined with worm harnesses or yellow sally rigs is the way to go. Trolling with worm harnesses is a better bet out on the Bar. Exercise extreme caution when shore fishing in the lower river, as slippery rocks, strong currents and water level changes make these areas hazardous. The NYPA fishing platform has been closed for the winter.

Exercise extreme caution when shore fishing in the lower river, as slippery rocks, strong currents and water level changes make these areas hazardous. For fishing access maps and lower river fishing information see the Fishing the Lower Niagara River page. The NYPA fishing platform has been closed for the winter.

LAKE ONTARIO - WEST: Lake fishing for trout rates fair, weather permitting. Trolling with J-Plugs and J-13 Rapalas may produce near dawn and dusk. Night anglers can anchor in 15-30 fow off the harbor/tributary mouths, casting glow spoons or stickbaits. Try flasher-fly combos, at first light, run 30 - 50 feet down. Fish the top 50 feet for steelhead, browns, coho, and Atlantic salmon. Use a mix of spoons, spin doctors and flies. Color and preferred lure type can change from day to day so don’t be afraid to experiment. Better lures for the browns - green patterned Northern King spoons and the Northland Fluttertail spoon in an alewife pattern. Decent yellow perch catches are available in 15 - 30 fow drifting crabs, worms and minnows.

LAKE ONTARIO - WEST - TRIBS: Rain and snow have stream levels running high. The steelhead and browns have been spread out over the entire sections of the streams. Once levels return to normal try egg sacs, salmon skein, rubber eggs, marshmellows and yarn eggs, little cleos in greens, oranges and glows and egg pattern flies and bugger patterns are good baits to try. Fly fishing is great using black nymphs, woolie buggers again in black or egg sucking leeches in various colors. Chartruese is also good. As water temperatures drop, the jigs and waxies are doing better. The key is to drift the bait slowly and keep it at the bottom. It is also best to fish during the warmest part of the day. Best reports are coming in from fishermen working the waters of Eighteen Mile Creek below Burt Dam and the Oak Orchard River. The lower, slow moving sections of these tribs  and the Genesee River are also good options for trout and salmon. These sections are only accessible by boat. Pier action continues with anglers catching brown trout and the occasional steelhead. Night time is the right time to target trout and salmon from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobbler glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. Check the regulations before going out. Catches of warm water species around the harbor areas such as Wilson Harbor, Olcott Harbor, Golden Hill State Park, Point Breeze/Oak Orchard and the Genesee should remain good. Also, on the Oak reports are nice perch, northern pike, some walleye, along with some catfish are being caught. Live bait (minnows, golden shiners, crayfish, leeches and worms) is the way to go. The two bridges area has been reported hot for perch and rock bass.

CHAUTAUQUA LAKE: Hard Water - Ice has been forming on the lake, however the wind and rain keeps it from being uniform. The lower temps for the next few days may be enough to improve conditions. A couple of reports from the southern basin around Burtis and Lakewood, mentioned 4 – 5 inches of ice and big walleye. If you go out be extremely careful.

WESTERN TROUT STREAMS: Weather conditions have curtailed most action. The statewide trout season runs from April 1 to October 15, however many streams and lakes are open all year for trout fishing. Check the Special Regulations by County to determine if your target stream is open for trout fishing beyond October 15.

SILVER LAKE: Hard Water – The southern 2/3s of the lake is reported frozen. 3 ½ - 4 ½ inches is the reported thickness. The main action is bluegills, crappie and perch. Remember it is new ice so be very careful. The webcam on the south part of the lake, www.silverlakeassociat ion.org, will give some idea of conditions.

CONESUS LAKE: Hard Water – Reports indicate 2 ½ - 3 inches of ice at the north end, out about 100 yards but the shore ice (10 yards) is questionable. Open Water - Walleye and northern pike should be hitting. Try Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds for the ‘eyes and live bait for the pike. Good numbers of perch, rock bass and sunfish are also available. Fish live bait (worms and small minnows) or small spinner baits.

HEMLOCK LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

CANADICE LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

HONEOYE LAKE: Hard Water – Anglers are fishing but be careful where you go. Check the ice frequently. Reports say 4 – 4 ½ inches. No reports if anything is biting.

CANANDAIGUA LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Rainbows and a few browns are hitting small, silver spoons or flasher & flies fished down 45 to 60 feet over a 75 to 150 foot bottom. A few lakers are also being taken near bottom at 90 to 120 feet. Perch fishing is improving off the weedbeds in 10 to 30 fow. Try using small tube baits, grubs, or fathead minnows. The NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the north end of Canandaigua Lake closed on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs. It is scheduled to re-open 1/1/12.

WANETA/LAMOKA LAKES: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Pickerel and bluegill fishing remains good; action is not fast and furious, but there is enough to keep it interesting. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Some yellow perch are hitting on crayfish and minnows fished in 15 fow.

KEUKA LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Try for lakers jigging off the points, especially off the Bluff, in 90 to 110 feet of water with Strata spoons and/or gold Kastmasters and chartreuse or white plastics. Trolling flashers and flies, spoons or stillfishing with sawbellies also works. Also try just south of the state park launch in 80-120 fow. Watch out for the launch. Some of the concrete ramps need repair.

SENECA LAKE: Yellow perch fishing continues to be good in 20 to 40 feet of water throughout the lake but especially off Painted Rock and off the pier at Watkins Glen. Small minnows, crayfish, night crawlers and grubs have been working. Anglers are catching northern pike on the weed flats, using either large, live shiners under bobbers or casting large crankbaits (blue and chrome-colored).  Atlantic salmon, brown and some rainbow trout are hitting stickbaits and spoons fished at the surface down to 40, over a 70 foot bottom. Good colors to try silver and black, silver and blue or silver and chartreuse. Vertical jigging for lakers in 70 to 110 fow is also producing. Start with chartreuse plastics. Some anglers claim success catching lakers and landlocked salmon in front of the canal at the southern end of the lake.

CAYUGA LAKE: Lake trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken around Taughannock trolling with spoons, or flashers and flies both off down riggers and Dipsey divers. Fish at 45 - 80 feet down over a 100 to 300 foot bottom. Lake trout are also hitting for those vertical jigging chartreuse plastics in 65 to 85 feet of water. A few brown trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken on spoons fished 75 to 150 feet down over 110 to 250 foot bottom. Try Countdown Rapalas and Silver Hammered Crocodiles. Good colors have been white, green, purple and blue. Some nice brown trout are also being taken by anglers vertical jigging for lake trout in 65 – 85 fow. Reports continue of Atlantic salmon in some of the tributaries and anglers were getting them on egg imitating flies and streamers.  Pickerel and perch are being taken in the north end in 10 - 15 fow on fathead and larger minnows. One of the better perch spots is around Union Springs.

SKANEATELES LAKE: Lake trout, rainbows and Atlantic salmon are feeding on small perch. Trolling 30 to 50 feet down with small perch colored spoons or stickbaits is producing. Lake trout are also hitting at 60 to 80 feet down over a 80 -100 foot bottom. Early in the day glow baits are working better but as the sun gets higher switching to pearl, chartreuse, or silver has been better. Trolling streamers on the surface for rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon has been slow; this is usually a good fall fishing technique though. Also, shore fishing with marshmallow and worm rigs is working well for rainbow trout. Rock bass and yellow perch fishing is picking up and they are being taken on small minnows or crayfish. The launch closed on 1/13.

OWASCO LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water -  Lake trout fishing has been slow. Try the north end of the lake, vertical jigging in 65 to 95 fow. Trolling the north end in 50 to 75 fow over 100 - 120 foot bottom with spoons may also produce lakers and an occasional nice sized brown trout. Walleye were reported at the north end but no report this week. Try for northern pike at the south end hitting spoons. Yellow perch are hitting around the lake on fathead minnows. Anglers are still catching a few rainbow and brown trout in the inlet using worms and egg sacks.

OTISCO LAKE: Hard Water – The north end has about 3.5 – 4 inches of white ice but as you get out further it changes to 3 – 4 inches of black ice. Be very careful. Open Water - Some walleye are being taken trolling 25 – 30 feet down over a 45 to 60 foot bottom with worm harnesses. Also try casting stickbaits off the causeway after dark. A few tiger muskie have been picked up at the lake’s south and north ends on minnows and swimbaits, stickbaits and large spinners. Also, crappies and perch are hitting small minnows along the shore.

EASTERN TROUT STREAMS: No recent reports.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water -  Anglers are catching some perch using fathead minnows and jigs. Try for walleye trolling in 10 -15 fow or drifting with worm harnesses and leeches. Fish slow and work deeper water. Walleye are also being taken in the spillway with fathead minnows and leeches fished under floats or on jigs and stickbaits. Best action is during the early morning or late evening hours. Fishing slowly with dark colored bucktail jigs or worm harnesses along drop-offs has been producing mixed bags of perch and walleye.

SANDY POND: Hard Water – The ice conditions over the last three days have improved dramatically. Many areas have about 4 inches of ice with about 6 inches on the main body of the pond. The surface is clear of snow and slippery so use caution. As always, check current ice conditions before venturing out.

ONEIDA LAKE: Hard Water – Most of the bays are covered with 2 – 3 inches of ice but fishing is not recommended. If you do go out go prepared in case you join the “Polar Bear Club. Open Water - Perch fishing is reported fair this week. Fish off the weedbeds in 10 – 20 fow using small crayfish, a little piece of worm on a hook or tipping a small spinner with a piece of a worm. Fish in the shallows, in the weeds, around the weeds and in deep water; it all seems to be working. Anglers are also catching perch from shore using minnows and bobbers. Walleye fishing has slowed, from dusk to dawn, casting from shore. Use a very slow retrieve and a stealthy approach. Stickbaits in black & silver and blue & silver work well for this fall walleye bite. One specific lure mentioned was the silver Challenger minnow. As usual pickerel are also biting on the bass lures. Bluegills and pumpkinseed sunfish are being taken on small tube jigs or tiny crayfish. You can also try drifting chartreuse/green Dixie spinners at 15 feet around the weedbeds. Make note that the docks have been removed from the South Shore launch, if that’s the area you use.

ONONDAGA LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water -  No reports. Help!!

LAKE ONTARIO - EAST: For brown trout and steelhead work the near shore waters, trolling with stickbaits (Rapala's, Thunderstiks and Smithwicks) or large spoons (Stinger spoons and NK 28s). Chartreuse colored spoons have been good for the browns. Steelhead are being caught on orange or red spoons at 25 feet. Perch are hitting in 3 to 4 feet of water, close to shore. The bass baits listed will also work for perch. For all species fishing early or late in the day has been the most productive.

LAKE ONTARIO - EAST TRIBS: Maxwell Creek and the other tributaries have fair to good flows of water and good numbers of fish to provide some interesting action. Maxwell has fish mostly north of Lake Road. Anglers are catching primarily steelhead and brown trout on pink, blue and yellow egg sacs, egg imitating plastics, flies and small 1/32 oz. jigs fished under floats. This will hold for the other tribs as well, such as Bear Creek in Ontario, New York. Some anglers are trying night time fishing; targeting trout from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobblers glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Some specific spots are the piers at Sodus Bay, Webster Park and the Genesee River. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out!!

WAYNE COUNTY BAYS: Hard Water – skim ice is common on the bays but only a small portion is fishable! The exception is the south end of Port Bay with 4 inches of ice. If you do decide to fish where you believe there is 4 plus inches, start with a spud and make sure you have a solid surface. And beware of places that have slight currents, like around the islands in Sodus Bay. On the Canal, anglers have 4 – 5 inches of ice on the widewaters. The rest of the waterway has been drained. Fish the shoreline near locks for best action.

MONROE COUNTY BAYS: Hard Water – Long and Cranberry Ponds - skim ice but nothing fishable! Braddock Bay has 3+ inches but not all consistent. The few anglers that went out reported catching bluegills, perch and pike. On Irondequoit Bay a few were out on the northeast cove but no report on ice or fish. Not recommended till more ice.

SALMON RIVER: Steelhead and brown trout are starting to concentrate in the deeper holes.. Action on sunny days has been better in the early morning and late afternoon. Good baits are egg sacs (blue, chartreuse and white mesh), trout beads (10mm), streamers and egg-imitating flies and plastics. Most angling pressure is from Pineville to Altmar. A few anglers reported getting into fish in the Lower Fly Zone and below the Altmar bridge under light fishing pressure.  The fish have been holding along the edges in the softer water and inside seams with small nymphs working the best.  Also a few Atlantics, smallmouth and northerns are being picked up in the deep pools of the river on flies, spinners and live bait.

OSWEGO RIVER: Rainbow and brown trout are in the river. The highest concentration of fish is reported from the Utica Street bridge to the dam. Hot-n-tots, fast tracks, Estaz eggs, egg sacs, skein, wooly buggers, egg pattern flies and bucktail jigs are working well. Night fishing from the Utica Street bridge north should be good using cleos, rebel fast tracks and hot-n-tots. A few walleye are being caught on stickbaits or leeches both during the day and at night.

OTHER WATERS: Cayuta Lake – 3 – 5 inches of ice unless winds take it away. Loon Lake (Steuben County) – A few fishing but no reports on ice or fish. Cuba Lake – Again fishermen but no report on ice or fish.

>>))))*>

ANGLERS CALENDAR:

21/22 - Chautauqua County Sportsmans' Gun Show at the Westfield VFD Exempts Building, 75 Bourne Street, Westfield, NY. (For information call 716-569-6810.

25 – Start of "Fly Tying 101," a complete fly fishing course at the J.T. Waugh School, Angola, NY. (8 Wednesday evenings – 6:30-9:00 pm) Ray Marks, an accredited fly fishing/fly tying instructor will be presenting. All equipment is provided for casting and fly-tying instruction. (Cost: $60.00 tuition, plus a $10 lab fee payable at the first class.) (For information contact Marks at 716-549-1977)

27-29 - New York Sportsman’s Expo in the Horticulture Building at the New York State Fairgrounds, Syracuse, NY (27th - Noon to 9:00 pm/28th – 9:00 am to 7:00 pm/29th – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm) The Expo is back with new promoters. (Admission: $9 ages 13 and up, $4 for children 6 - 12 and under 6 no charge. Seniors are $7 and Military/Fire and Police are $6 with ID) (For more information contact: Patti Cartwright, 585-469-3881

pcartwright@coralproductions.com)

28/29 - Third Annual Greater Olean Area Outdoor and Recreation Sports Show at the Daniel Carter Events Center, 2383 West Five Mile Road, Allegany, NY. (Sat. 10:00 am – 5:00 pm/Sun. 10:00 am – 4:00 pm) Among the exhibitors will be hunting outfitters and guides, including Roger Raglin, a well-known host on nearly 70 full-length hunting videos and DVDs. (Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for students and seniors, free for youngsters12 and under) (For more information contact 716-372-4433, email events@oleanny.com)

What Are You Catching? (Click Here)

1-13-12

TIP: Ice Fishing: Remember that a minimum of 3 to 4 inches of solid ice is the general rule for safety. Drilling holes or tapping with a spud bar to check ice thickness is recommended on your way out. Safety ice pics, boot cleats, rope and a floatation devise are also recommended items. Use good judgement and fish with a friend when possible. Anglers should also be particularly wary of areas of moving water and around boat docks/houses where “bubblers” may be installed to reduce ice buildup. In waters where ice fishing is permitted, anglers will be allowed to use up to three hand lines and five tip-ups except as noted in special regulations for specific waters. Previously, ice anglers could only use two hand lines with five tip-ups. Those new to ice fishing can check the DEC Ice Fishing Basics page for more information.

No Safe Ice Reported.

Some reports of skim ice that comes and goes but nothing fishable.

The next few day will be cold enough but will the wind and snow cooperate.

*LAKE ERIE: If weather permits try for yellow perch between Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point in 50-70 fow. Emerald shiners or small minnows fished just off bottom remain the hot bait but salted minnows and worms are also working. Catches of walleyes have been scarce. Try shallower locations where the walleye should be feeding. Worm harnesses, in blue or silver, both trolled and bottom bounced with a three-way rig are suggested. A few steelhead are cruising the shoreline near the major tributary stream mouths. Trolling with spoons and spinners is suggested for steelhead. Casting from the Cattaraugus Creek breakwall with flashy spoons is a good bet for both steelhead and lake trout.

*LAKE ERIE TRIBS: Rain and snow have stream levels running high. The steelhead have been spread out over the entire sections of the streams. Once levels return to normal try egg sacs, egg pattern flies, trout beads, woolly buggers, egg-sucking leeches and streamers for steelhead. Small hair jigs tipped with waxworms/spikes and fished under a float have also worked well. Keep drifted baits slow and deep as steelhead are lethargic and hugging the bottom. When fishing during low and clear water conditions, it is best to move stealthily and use small hooks, small baits, light colored streamers/buggers and light lines to fool finicky steelhead. Concentrate efforts during the warmest part of the day when chasing winter steelhead. Dunkirk Harbor can be fished throughout the winter as a warm water discharge at the power plant keeps the harbor ice-free. Anglers have been catching brown trout from the DEC fishing platform near the warm water discharge. Anglers can also fish for trout from the city pier. Live minnows, spoons, spinners and egg sacs are good baits for harbor trout.

Winter season steelhead angling on the Lake Erie tributaries can be a challenging and potentially hazardous outing, with the onset of ice and snow. Safety is of utmost importance. Some helpful items that you should consider include neoprene waders, ice cleats for boot soles, a walking stick/pole and a fishing companion whenever possible.

*UPPER NIAGARA RIVER: Weather has slowed the angling activity. If you do get out target yellow perch, white perch, rock bass and sheepshead from shore. Live bait provides the best prospects. Broderick Park is one reported spot for perch. A few walleye have been hitting at the head of the river on worm harnesses. Other areas suggested are around Strawberry and Navy Islands followed by Grand and Motor Islands. Live shiners and worms work well. Try casting with spoons or drifting egg sacks for trout from Broderick Park, as well as along the Bird Island Pier and the northern tip of Squaw Island.

Trout are still available at the head of the river and along the upper rapids if you want to brave the weather conditions. Egg sacks and spoons work best.

*LOWER NIAGARA RIVER: Action this week will be dependent on weather conditions. The river has been very active for steelhead, brown trout and lake trout; ditto for the Niagara Bar for lakers and browns. Boaters have seen some good steelhead action this week, with the best bite in the Whirlpool, Devils Hole, Artpark and Stella drifts. Live minnows, egg sacs or Kwikfish lures fished off a 3-way bottom bouncing rig works well. One group reported success using Fuzz-E grub jigs to catch trout on the bar, both tipped with minnows and clean. The quarter-ounce jig in chartreuse worked best.  Anglers using shore fishing areas report decent catches of brown trout and steelhead. Fish with egg sacks, egg pattern flies, bugger patterns, spoons and spinners. Try to get your baits down near the bottom. From shore catches of yellow perch, white perch and rock bass are increasing. Live bait is the way to go for the warmwater species. Walleye activity is fair at the mouth of the River. Drifting with 3-way bottom bouncing rigs combined with worm harnesses or yellow sally rigs is the way to go. Trolling with worm harnesses is a better bet out on the Bar. Exercise extreme caution when shore fishing in the lower river, as slippery rocks, strong currents and water level changes make these areas hazardous. The NYPA fishing platform has been closed for the winter.

Exercise extreme caution when shore fishing in the lower river, as slippery rocks, strong currents and water level changes make these areas hazardous. For fishing access maps and lower river fishing information see the Fishing the Lower Niagara River page. The NYPA fishing platform has been closed for the winter.

*LAKE ONTARIO - WEST: Lake fishing for trout rates fair, weather permitting. Trolling with J-Plugs and J-13 Rapalas may produce near dawn and dusk. Night anglers can anchor in 15-30 fow off the harbor/tributary mouths, casting glow spoons or stickbaits. Try flasher-fly combos, at first light, run 30 - 50 feet down. Fish the top 50 feet for steelhead, browns, coho, and Atlantic salmon. Use a mix of spoons, spin doctors and flies. Color and preferred lure type can change from day to day so don’t be afraid to experiment. Better lures for the browns - green patterned Northern King spoons and the Northland Fluttertail spoon in an alewife pattern. Decent yellow perch catches are available in 15 - 30 fow drifting crabs, worms and minnows.

*LAKE ONTARIO - WEST - TRIBS: Rain and snow have stream levels running high. The steelhead and browns have been spread out over the entire sections of the streams. Once levels return to normal try egg sacs, salmon skein, rubber eggs, marshmellows and yarn eggs, little cleos in greens, oranges and glows and egg pattern flies and bugger patterns are good baits to try. Fly fishing is great using black nymphs, woolie buggers again in black or egg sucking leeches in various colors. Chartruese is also good. As water temperatures drop, the jigs and waxies are doing better. The key is to drift the bait slowly and keep it at the bottom. It is also best to fish during the warmest part of the day. Best reports are coming in from fishermen working the waters of Eighteen Mile Creek below Burt Dam and the Oak Orchard River. The lower, slow moving sections of these tribs  and the Genesee River are also good options for trout and salmon. These sections are only accessible by boat. Pier action continues with anglers catching brown trout and the occasional steelhead. Night time is the right time to target trout and salmon from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobbler glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. Check the regulations before going out. Catches of warm water species around the harbor areas such as Wilson Harbor, Olcott Harbor, Golden Hill State Park, Point Breeze/Oak Orchard and the Genesee should remain good. Also, on the Oak reports are nice perch, northern pike, some walleye, along with some catfish are being caught. Live bait (minnows, golden shiners, crayfish, leeches and worms) is the way to go. The two bridges area has been reported hot for perch and rock bass.

*CHAUTAUQUA LAKE: Ice has been forming on the lake, however the wind and rain kept from getting thick enough to walk on. The ice around the launches has been enough to mak launching a boat difficult. The lower temps for the next few days may be enough for the hard water action to start.

*WESTERN TROUT STREAMS: Weather conditions have curtailed most action. The statewide trout season runs from April 1 to October 15, however many streams and lakes are open all year for trout fishing. Check the Special Regulations by County to determine if your target stream is open for trout fishing beyond October 15.

*SILVER LAKE: Hard Water – The lake was reported frozen this past week, 1 – 2 inches of ice but nothing fishable! Most of that went during the week and is now starting to rebuild. Open Water - For walleye try worm harnesses, Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds. Pike add to the excitement. Live bait appears most productive for them. Try for panfish with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow. For yellow perch work worms or small minnows outside the weedline around the lake. The webcam on the south part of the lake, www.silverlakeassociat ion.org, will give some idea of conditions.

*CONESUS LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Walleye and northern pike should be hitting. Try Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds for the ‘eyes and live bait for the pike. Good numbers of perch, rock bass and sunfish are also available. Fish live bait (worms and small minnows) or small spinner baits.

*HEMLOCK LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

*CANADICE LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

*HONEOYE LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - The lake offers some big bluegills in 15 - 30 fow. Try for walleyes in the center of the lake during the day and move into the shallows, 8 - 14 feet, around dusk. Try jigs and leeches for them.

Just a reminder, the NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the south end of Honeoye Lake will close for the remainder of the boating season on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs and a new larger parking lot installation. The parking lot is expected to open in November for the upcoming ice fishing season. Trident Marine on the NE side of the lake will be open, however they charge $10. to launch and have limited parking.

*CANANDAIGUA LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Rainbows and a few browns are hitting small, silver spoons or flasher & flies fished down 45 to 60 feet over a 75 to 150 foot bottom. A few lakers are also being taken near bottom at 90 to 120 feet. Perch fishing is improving off the weedbeds in 10 to 30 fow. Try using small tube baits, grubs, or fathead minnows. The NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the north end of Canandaigua Lake closed on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs. It is scheduled to re-open 1/1/12.

*WANETA/LAMOKA LAKES: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Pickerel and bluegill fishing remains good; action is not fast and furious, but there is enough to keep it interesting. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Some yellow perch are hitting on crayfish and minnows fished in 15 fow.

*KEUKA LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Try for lakers jigging off the points, especially off the Bluff, in 90 to 110 feet of water with Strata spoons and/or gold Kastmasters and chartreuse or white plastics. Trolling flashers and flies, spoons or stillfishing with sawbellies also works. Also try just south of the state park launch in 80-120 fow. Watch out for the launch. Some of the concrete ramps need repair.

*SENECA LAKE: Yellow perch fishing continues to be good in 20 to 40 feet of water throughout the lake but especially off Painted Rock and off the pier at Watkins Glen. Small minnows, crayfish, night crawlers and grubs have been working. Anglers are catching northern pike on the weed flats, using either large, live shiners under bobbers or casting large crankbaits (blue and chrome-colored).  Atlantic salmon, brown and some rainbow trout are hitting stickbaits and spoons fished at the surface or at the 40 - 70 foot level. Good colors to try silver and black, silver and blue or silver and chartreuse. Lake trout are being taken on spoons, and flashers & flies fished off Dipsey divers (200 to 230 feet back) and off down riggers down 50 to 100 feet over 150 - 200 fow. Vertical jigging for lakers in 70 to 110 fow is also producing. Start with chartreuse plastics. Some anglers claim success catching lakers and landlocked salmon in front of the canal at the southern end of the lake. Lots of bullheads are being caught on leeches and nightcrawlers at the old canal on the east shore.

*CAYUGA LAKE: Lake trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken around Taughannock trolling with spoons, or flashers and flies both off down riggers and Dipsey divers. Fish at 45 - 80 feet down over a 100 to 300 foot bottom. Lake trout are also hitting for those vertical jigging chartreuse plastics in 65 to 85 feet of water. A few brown trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken on spoons fished 75 to 150 feet down over 110 to 250 foot bottom. Try Countdown Rapalas and Silver Hammered Crocodiles. Good colors have been white, green, purple and blue. Some nice brown trout are also being taken by anglers vertical jigging for lake trout in 65 – 85 fow. Reports continue of Atlantic salmon in some of the tributaries and anglers were getting them on egg imitating flies and streamers.  Pickerel and perch are being taken in the north end in 10 - 15 fow on fathead and larger minnows. One of the better perch spots is around Union Springs.

*SKANEATELES LAKE: Lake trout, rainbows and Atlantic salmon are feeding on small perch. Trolling 30 to 50 feet down with small perch colored spoons or stickbaits is producing. Lake trout are also hitting at 60 to 80 feet down over a 80 -100 foot bottom. Early in the day glow baits are working better but as the sun gets higher switching to pearl, chartreuse, or silver has been better. Trolling streamers on the surface for rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon has been slow; this is usually a good fall fishing technique though. Also, shore fishing with marshmallow and worm rigs is working well for rainbow trout. Rock bass and yellow perch fishing is picking up and they are being taken on small minnows or crayfish. The launch was closed on 1/13.

*OWASCO LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water -  Lake trout fishing has been slow. Try the north end of the lake, vertical jigging in 65 to 95 fow. Trolling the north end in 50 to 75 fow over 100 - 120 foot bottom with spoons may also produce lakers and an occasional nice sized brown trout. Walleye were reported at the north end but no report this week. Try for northern pike at the south end hitting spoons. Yellow perch are hitting around the lake on fathead minnows. Anglers are still catching a few rainbow and brown trout in the inlet using worms and egg sacks.

*OTISCO LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Some walleye are being taken trolling 25 – 30 feet down over a 45 to 60 foot bottom with worm harnesses. Also try casting stickbaits off the causeway after dark. A few tiger muskie have been picked up at the lake’s south and north ends on minnows and swimbaits, stickbaits and large spinners. Also, crappies and perch are hitting small minnows along the shore.

*EASTERN TROUT STREAMS: No recent reports.

*WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water -  Anglers are catching some perch using fathead minnows and jigs. Try for walleye trolling in 10 -15 fow or drifting with worm harnesses and leeches. Fish slow and work deeper water. Walleye are also being taken in the spillway with fathead minnows and leeches fished under floats or on jigs and stickbaits. Best action is during the early morning or late evening hours. Fishing slowly with dark colored bucktail jigs or worm harnesses along drop-offs has been producing mixed bags of perch and walleye.

*SANDY POND: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! A few were fishing in front of the Wigwam. Cold baths anyone? Open Water - A few pike are providing some action but you have to work for them. Walleye fishing has been fair using crankbaits, worm harnesses and jigs. Panfish are still providing action around the shoreline and some yellow perch are being taken on small minnows.

*ONEIDA LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice from Big Bay to Oneida Shores but nothing fishable! Open Water - Perch fishing is reported fair to good this week. Fish off the weedbeds in 10 – 20 fow using small crayfish, a little piece of worm on a hook or tipping a small spinner with a piece of a worm. Fish in the shallows, in the weeds, around the weeds and in deep water; it all seems to be working. Anglers are also catching perch from shore using minnows and bobbers. Walleye fishing has slowed, from dusk to dawn, casting from shore. Use a very slow retrieve and a stealthy approach. Stickbaits in black & silver and blue & silver work well for this fall walleye bite. One specific lure mentioned was the silver Challenger minnow. As usual pickerel are also biting on the bass lures. Bluegills and pumpkinseed sunfish are being taken on small tube jigs or tiny crayfish. You can also try drifting chartreuse/green Dixie spinners at 15 feet around the weedbeds. Make note that the docks have been removed from the South Shore launch, if that’s the area you use.

*ONONDAGA LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water -  No reports. Help!!

*LAKE ONTARIO - EAST: For brown trout and steelhead work the near shore waters, trolling with stickbaits (Rapala's, Thunderstiks and Smithwicks) or large spoons (Stinger spoons and NK 28s). Chartreuse colored spoons have been good for the browns. Steelhead are being caught on orange or red spoons at 25 feet. Perch are hitting in 3 to 4 feet of water, close to shore. The bass baits listed will also work for perch. For all species fishing early or late in the day has been the most productive.

*LAKE ONTARIO - EAST TRIBS: Maxwell Creek and the other tributaries have fair to good flows of water and good numbers of fish to provide some interesting action. Maxwell has fish mostly north of Lake Road. Anglers are catching primarily steelhead and brown trout on pink, blue and yellow egg sacs, egg imitating plastics, flies and small 1/32 oz. jigs fished under floats. This will hold for the other tribs as well, such as Bear Creek in Ontario, New York. Some anglers are trying night time fishing; targeting trout from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobblers glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Some specific spots are the piers at Sodus Bay, Webster Park and the Genesee River. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out!!

*WAYNE COUNTY BAYS: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Again, this week the word still remains perch. They are the targeted species in all of the bays. In Port Bay success is being found in 21 to 26 feet of water. Fish off the points. Use live minnows or Berkley Power Bait minnows…2 inches. Tip them with three spikes and cast out, looking for the schools. Sinker is on bottom with bait up 12- 14 inches on a #4 hook.  In Sodus anglers have been fishing the creek mouths and the island points. Try 20 to 26 feet of water. Perch have been extra large…in the pound plus class. Also don’t forget the Sodus Bay channel for browns and steelhead.  On Blind Sodus work the north end. They have been hitting fatheads, but you can catch perch with small jigs and spikes. Swedish Pimples and any teardrop jigs work well.  Try for pike, along the weedlines.  Panfish are being caught on small jigs or worms. Fishing early or late in the day has proved most productive. On the Canal, anglers are still fishing the widewaters. The rest of the waterway has been drained. Fish the shoreline near locks for best action. Perch are also active over on Fairhaven Bay. Work the north end in 25 – 35 fow.

*MONROE COUNTY BAYS: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - On Irondequoit Bay, look for perch around the outlet and out in the bay at 20 – 30 feet; pike in the coves and walleye along the drop-offs in deeper water. Live bait should prove best. Some trout are also showing up in Irondequoit. In Greece, fish Braddock Bay and ponds for crappie and perch. Jigs or minnows are recommended. Use small jigs for panfish. In the lower Genesee, action is supplied by catfish around the Turning Basin and sheepshead at the piers. You can also go after the trout when the water clears.

*SALMON RIVER: Steelhead and brown trout are starting to concentrate in the deeper holes.. Action on sunny days has been better in the early morning and late afternoon. Good baits are egg sacs (blue, chartreuse and white mesh), trout beads (10mm), streamers and egg-imitating flies and plastics. Most angling pressure is from Pineville to Altmar. Also a few Atlantics, smallmouth and northerns are being picked up in the deep pools of the river on flies, spinners and live bait. The Upper Fly Fishing area closed on November 30th and will reopen on April 1st.

*OSWEGO RIVER: Rainbow and brown trout are in the river. The highest concentration of fish is reported from the Utica Street bridge to the dam. Hot-n-tots, fast tracks, Estaz eggs, egg sacs, skein, wooly buggers, egg pattern flies and bucktail jigs are working well. Night fishing from the Utica Street bridge north should be good using cleos, rebel fast tracks and hot-n-tots. A few walleye are being caught on stickbaits or leeches both during the day and at night.

*OTHER WATERS: Case, Harwood and Cuba Lakes were reported iced over but it was not safe ice. Several people found out the hard way.

>>))))*>

ANGLERS CALENDAR:

No Events

What Are You Catching? (Click Here)

1-6-12

TIP: Ice Fishing: Remember that a minimum of 3 to 4 inches of solid ice is the general rule for safety. Drilling holes or tapping with a spud bar to check ice thickness is recommended on your way out. Safety ice pics, boot cleats, rope and a floatation devise are also recommended items. Use good judgement and fish with a friend when possible. Anglers should also be particularly wary of areas of moving water and around boat docks/houses where “bubblers” may be installed to reduce ice buildup. In waters where ice fishing is permitted, anglers will be allowed to use up to three hand lines and five tip-ups except as noted in special regulations for specific waters. Previously, ice anglers could only use two hand lines with five tip-ups. Those new to ice fishing can check the DEC Ice Fishing Basics page for more information.

No Safe Ice Reported.

Some reports of skim ice that comes and goes but nothing fishable.

LAKE ERIE: Try for yellow perch between Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point in 50-70 fow. Emerald shiners or small minnows fished just off bottom remain the hot bait but salted minnows and worms are also working. Catches of walleyes have been scarce. Try shallower locations where the walleye should be feeding. Worm harnesses, in blue or silver, both trolled and bottom bounced with a three-way rig are suggested. A few steelhead are cruising the shoreline near the major tributary stream mouths. Trolling with spoons and spinners is suggested for steelhead. Casting from the Cattaraugus Creek breakwall with flashy spoons is a good bet for both steelhead and lake trout.

LAKE ERIE TRIBS: Stream levels are good. The steelhead have been spread out over the entire sections of the streams. Good baits and flies for steelhead include egg sacs, egg pattern flies, trout beads, woolly buggers, egg-sucking leeches and streamers. Small hair jigs tipped with waxworms/spikes and fished under a float have also worked well. Keep drifted baits slow and deep as steelhead are lethargic and hugging the bottom. When fishing during low and clear water conditions, it is best to move stealthily and use small hooks, small baits, light colored streamers/buggers and light lines to fool finicky steelhead. Concentrate efforts during the warmest part of the day when chasing winter steelhead. Dunkirk Harbor can be fished throughout the winter as a warm water discharge at the power plant keeps the harbor ice-free. Anglers have been catching brown trout from the DEC fishing platform near the warm water discharge. Anglers can also fish for trout from the city pier. Live minnows, spoons, spinners and egg sacs are good baits for harbor trout.

UPPER NIAGARA RIVER: Target yellow perch, white perch, rock bass and sheepshead from shore. Live bait provides the best prospects. Broderick Park is one reported spot for perch. A few walleye have been hitting at the head of the river on worm harnesses. Other areas suggested are around Strawberry and Navy Islands followed by Grand and Motor Islands. Live shiners and worms work well. Try casting with spoons or drifting egg sacks for trout from Broderick Park, as well as along the Bird Island Pier and the northern tip of Squaw Island.

Trout are still available at the head of the river and along the upper rapids if you want to brave the weather conditions. Egg sacks and spoons work best.

LOWER NIAGARA RIVER: Trout are spread throughout the system. Lake trout fishing should be good in the river and off the mouth on the Niagara Bar. Boaters have seen some good steelhead action this week, with the best bite in the Devils Hole, Artpark and Stella drifts. Live minnows, egg sacs or Kwikfish lures fished off a 3-way bottom bouncing rig works well. One group reported success using Fuzz-E grub jigs to catch trout on the bar, both tipped with minnows and clean. The quarter-ounce jig in chartreuse worked best.  Anglers using shore fishing areas report decent catches of brown trout and steelhead. Fish with egg sacks, egg pattern flies, bugger patterns, spoons and spinners. Try to get your baits down near the bottom. Trout are also being caught downriver towards Fort Niagara and on the Niagara Bar, when the winds cooperate. From shore catches of yellow perch, white perch and rock bass are increasing. Live bait is the way to go for the warmwater species. Walleye activity is fair at the mouth of the River. Drifting with 3-way bottom bouncing rigs combined with worm harnesses or yellow sally rigs is the way to go. Trolling with worm harnesses is a better bet out on the Bar. Exercise extreme caution when shore fishing in the lower river, as slippery rocks, strong currents and water level changes make these areas hazardous. The NYPA fishing platform has been closed for the winter.

LAKE ONTARIO - WEST: Lake fishing for trout rates fair. Trolling with J-Plugs and J-13 Rapalas may produce near dawn and dusk. Night anglers can anchor in 15-30 fow off the harbor/tributary mouths, casting glow spoons or stickbaits. Try flasher-fly combos, at first light, run 30 - 50 feet down. Fish the top 50 feet for steelhead, browns, coho, and Atlantic salmon. Use a mix of spoons, spin doctors and flies. Color and preferred lure type can change from day to day so don’t be afraid to experiment. Better lures for the browns - green patterned Northern King spoons and the Northland Fluttertail spoon in an alewife pattern. Decent yellow perch catches are available in 15 - 30 fow drifting crabs, worms and minnows.

LAKE ONTARIO - WEST - TRIBS: The tributaries are in great shape. Look for browns and steelhead in all tributaries. Egg sacs, salmon skein, rubber eggs, marshmellows and yarn eggs, little cleos in greens, oranges and glows and egg pattern flies and bugger patterns are good baits to try. Fly fishing is great using black nymphs, woolie buggers again in black or egg sucking leeches in various colors. Chartruese is also good. As water temperatures drop, the jigs and waxies are doing better. The key is to drift the bait slowly and keep it at the bottom. It is also best to fish during the warmest part of the day. Best reports are coming in from fishermen working the waters of Eighteen Mile Creek below Burt Dam and the Oak Orchard River. To the west, places like 12 Mile Creek and Four Mile Creek will be holding fish and they should be fishable. The lower, slow moving sections of Eighteen Mile Creek, Oak Orchard Creek and the Genesee River are also good options for trout and salmon. These sections are only accessible by boat. Pier action continues with anglers catching brown trout and the occasional steelhead. Night time is the right time to target trout and salmon from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobbler glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. Check the regulations before going out. Catches of warm water species around the harbor areas such as Wilson Harbor, Olcott Harbor, Golden Hill State Park, Point Breeze/Oak Orchard and the Genesee should remain good. Also, on the Oak reports are nice perch, northern pike, some walleye, along with some catfish are being caught. Live bait (minnows, golden shiners, crayfish, leeches and worms) is the way to go. The two bridges area has been reported hot for perch and rock bass.

CHAUTAUQUA LAKE: Ice had been forming on the lake, however it is too thin to walk on. Warmer daytime temperatures will further deteriorate the ice. On the open water, if you want some big black crappie, head to the white wall in the Southern Basin of the lake, also try the waters at the mouth of Goose Creek. Target eight foot of water with a bobber and a minnow rig. Some are using small tubes tipped with a minnow, also under a float. Some walleye action has been reported in the north basin. Anchor or drift outside the weeds using a 3 ounce black hair jig tipped with a crawler or cast stickbaits toward shore. Jigging with leeches is another option. Recommended depths are in 12-18 fow. Good action on larger bluegill is found fishing with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow. Yellow perch and white perch are being taken with worms, small minnows and small ice fishing jigs tipped with waxworms fished near bottom in 10 – 15 fow, outside the weedline. Best reports are coming from the Stow side of the narrows near the bridge.

WESTERN TROUT STREAMS: The area streams are in good shape. Drifting nymphs or casting small streamer patterns through the head and tail out of pools can be effective. Olive wooly buggers with a little bit of flash are a good bet for this tactic. Terrestrials are also on the trout menu. When fishing streams surrounded by moderate to heavy vegetation, terrestrial imitations can be very effective. Ant dry flies and foam beetles are favorites among fly anglers who fish terrestrials often. Considering that terrestrial insects are poor swimmers, these patterns should be fished on a dead drift, with slight twitches every now and again to imitate a struggling insect. Grasshopper, cricket, and spider patterns can also take fish. Spinning anglers do well with worms, salted minnows and small inline spinners. Oatka Creek, east of Scottsville, try for some nice browns on small crankbaits. This is a much overlooked spot that never fails to produce nice fish throughout the winter. Parking is just south of the village at the park near the water treatment plant. :The statewide trout season runs from April 1 to October 15, however many streams and lakes are open all year for trout fishing. Check the Special Regulations by County to determine if your target stream is open for trout fishing beyond October 15.

SILVER LAKE: Hard Water – The lake was reported frozen this past week, 1 – 2 inches of ice but nothing fishable! Most of that will be gone with the current warm daytime temperatures. Open Water - For walleye try worm harnesses, Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds. Pike add to the excitement. Live bait appears most productive for them. Try for panfish with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow. For yellow perch work worms or small minnows outside the weedline around the lake.

CONESUS LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Walleye and northern pike should be hitting. Try Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds for the ‘eyes and live bait for the pike. Good numbers of perch, rock bass and sunfish are also available. Fish live bait (worms and small minnows) or small spinner baits.

HEMLOCK LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

CANADICE LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

HONEOYE LAKE: The lake offers some big bluegills in 15 - 30 fow. Try for walleyes in the center of the lake during the day and move into the shallows, 8 - 14 feet, around dusk. Try jigs and leeches for them.

Just a reminder, the NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the south end of Honeoye Lake will close for the remainder of the boating season on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs and a new larger parking lot installation. The parking lot is expected to open in November for the upcoming ice fishing season. Trident Marine on the NE side of the lake will be open, however they charge $10. to launch and have limited parking.

CANANDAIGUA LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Rainbows and a few browns are hitting small, silver spoons or flasher & flies fished down 45 to 60 feet over a 75 to 150 foot bottom. A few lakers are also being taken near bottom at 90 to 120 feet. Perch fishing is improving off the weedbeds in 10 to 30 fow. Try using small tube baits, grubs, or fathead minnows. The NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the north end of Canandaigua Lake closed on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs. It is scheduled to re-open 1/1/12.

WANETA/LAMOKA LAKES: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Pickerel and bluegill fishing remains good; action is not fast and furious, but there is enough to keep it interesting. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Some yellow perch are hitting on crayfish and minnows fished in 15 fow.

KEUKA LAKE: Try for lakers jigging off the points, especially off the Bluff, in 90 to 110 feet of water with Strata spoons and/or gold Kastmasters and chartreuse or white plastics. Trolling flashers and flies, spoons or stillfishing with sawbellies also works. Also try just south of the state park launch in 80-120 fow. Watch out for the launch. Some of the concrete ramps need repair.

SENECA LAKE: Yellow perch fishing continues to be good in 20 to 40 feet of water throughout the lake but especially off Painted Rock and off the pier at Watkins Glen. Small minnows, crayfish, night crawlers and grubs have been working. Anglers are catching northern pike on the weed flats, using either large, live shiners under bobbers or casting large crankbaits (blue and chrome-colored).  Atlantic salmon, brown and some rainbow trout are hitting stickbaits and spoons fished at the surface or at the 40 - 70 foot level. Good colors to try silver and black, silver and blue or silver and chartreuse. Lake trout are being taken on spoons, and flashers & flies fished off Dipsey divers (200 to 230 feet back) and off down riggers down 50 to 100 feet over 150 - 200 fow. Vertical jigging for lakers in 70 to 110 fow is also producing. Start with chartreuse plastics. Some anglers claim success catching lakers and landlocked salmon in front of the canal at the southern end of the lake. Lots of bullheads are being caught on leeches and nightcrawlers at the old canal on the east shore.

CAYUGA LAKE: Lake trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken around Taughannock trolling with spoons, or flashers and flies both off down riggers and Dipsey divers. Fish at 45 - 80 feet down over a 100 to 300 foot bottom. Lake trout are also hitting for those vertical jigging chartreuse plastics in 65 to 85 feet of water. A few brown trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken on spoons fished 75 to 150 feet down over 110 to 250 foot bottom. Try Countdown Rapalas and Silver Hammered Crocodiles. Good colors have been white, green, purple and blue. Some nice brown trout are also being taken by anglers vertical jigging for lake trout in 65 – 85 fow. Reports continue of Atlantic salmon in some of the tributaries and anglers were getting them on egg imitating flies and streamers.  Pickerel and perch are being taken in the north end in 10 - 15 fow on fathead and larger minnows. One of the better perch spots is around Union Springs.

SKANEATELES LAKE: Lake trout, rainbows and Atlantic salmon are feeding on small perch. Trolling 30 to 50 feet down with small perch colored spoons or stickbaits is producing. Lake trout are also hitting at 60 to 80 feet down over a 80 -100 foot bottom. Early in the day glow baits are working better but as the sun gets higher switching to pearl, chartreuse, or silver has been better. Trolling streamers on the surface for rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon has been slow; this is usually a good fall fishing technique though. Also, shore fishing with marshmallow and worm rigs is working well for rainbow trout. Rock bass and yellow perch fishing is picking up and they are being taken on small minnows or crayfish. One dock has been removed; the launch will remain open as weather permits.

OWASCO LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water -  Lake trout fishing has been slow. Try the north end of the lake, vertical jigging in 65 to 95 fow. Trolling the north end in 50 to 75 fow over 100 - 120 foot bottom with spoons may also produce lakers and an occasional nice sized brown trout. Walleye were reported at the north end but no report this week. Try for northern pike at the south end hitting spoons. Yellow perch are hitting around the lake on fathead minnows. Anglers are still catching a few rainbow and brown trout in the inlet using worms and egg sacks.

OTISCO LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Some walleye are being taken trolling 25 – 30 feet down over a 45 to 60 foot bottom with worm harnesses. Also try casting stickbaits off the causeway after dark. A few tiger muskie have been picked up at the lake’s south and north ends on minnows and swimbaits, stickbaits and large spinners. Also, crappies and perch are hitting small minnows along the shore.

EASTERN TROUT STREAMS: No recent reports.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water -  Anglers are catching some perch using fathead minnows and jigs. Try for walleye trolling in 10 -15 fow or drifting with worm harnesses and leeches. Fish slow and work deeper water. Walleye are also being taken in the spillway with fathead minnows and leeches fisher under floats or on jigs and stickbaits. Best action is during the early morning or late evening hours. Fishing slowly with dark colored bucktail jigs or worm harnesses along drop-offs has been producing mixed bags of perch and walleye.

SANDY POND: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! A few were fishing in front of the Wigwam. Cold baths anyone? Open Water - A few pike are providing some action but you have to work for them. Walleye fishing has been fair using crankbaits, worm harnesses and jigs. Panfish are still providing action around the shoreline and some yellow perch are being taken on small minnows.

ONEIDA LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Perch fishing is reported fair to good this week. Fish off the weedbeds in 10 – 20 fow using small crayfish, a little piece of worm on a hook or tipping a small spinner with a piece of a worm. Fish in the shallows, in the weeds, around the weeds and in deep water; it all seems to be working. Anglers are also catching perch from shore using minnows and bobbers. Walleye fishing has slowed, from dusk to dawn, casting from shore. Use a very slow retrieve and a stealthy approach. Stickbaits in black & silver and blue & silver work well for this fall walleye bite. One specific lure mentioned was the silver Challenger minnow. As usual pickerel are also biting on the bass lures. Bluegills and pumpkinseed sunfish are being taken on small tube jigs or tiny crayfish. You can also try drifting chartreuse/green Dixie spinners at 15 feet around the weedbeds. Make note that the docks have been removed from the South Shore launch, if that’s the area you use.

ONONDAGA LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water -  No reports. Help!!

LAKE ONTARIO - EAST: For brown trout and steelhead work the near shore waters, trolling with stickbaits (Rapala's, Thunderstiks and Smithwicks) or large spoons (Stinger spoons and NK 28s). Chartreuse colored spoons have been good for the browns. Steelhead are being caught on orange or red spoons at 25 feet. Perch are hitting in 3 to 4 feet of water, close to shore. The bass baits listed will also work for perch. For all species fishing early or late in the day has been the most productive.

LAKE ONTARIO - EAST TRIBS: Maxwell Creek and the other tributaries have fair to good flows of water and good numbers of fish to provide some interesting action. Maxwell has fish mostly north of Lake Road. Anglers are catching primarily steelhead and brown trout on pink, blue and yellow egg sacs, egg imitating plastics, flies and small 1/32 oz. jigs fished under floats. This will hold for the other tribs as well, such as Bear Creek in Ontario, New York. Some anglers are trying night time fishing; targeting trout from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobblers glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Some specific spots are the piers at Sodus Bay, Webster Park and the Genesee River. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out!!

WAYNE COUNTY BAYS: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Again, this week the word still remains perch. They are the targeted species in all of the bays. In Port Bay success is being found in 21 to 26 feet of water. Fish off the points. Use live minnows or Berkley Power Bait minnows…2 inches. Tip them with three spikes and cast out, looking for the schools. Sinker is on bottom with bait up 12- 14 inches on a #4 hook.  In Sodus anglers have been fishing the creek mouths and the island points. Try 20 to 26 feet of water. Perch have been extra large…in the pound plus class. On Blind Sodus work the north end. They have been hitting fatheads, but you can catch perch with small jigs and spikes. Swedish Pimples and any teardrop jigs work well.  Try for pike, along the weedlines.  Panfish are being caught on small jigs or worms. Fishing early or late in the day has proved most productive. On the Canal, anglers are still fishing the widewaters. The rest of the waterway has been drained. Fish the shoreline near locks for best action. Perch are also active over on Fairhaven Bay. Work the north end in 25 – 35 fow.

MONROE COUNTY BAYS: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - On Irondequoit Bay, look for perch around the outlet and out in the bay at 20 – 30 feet; pike in the coves and walleye along the drop-offs in deeper water. Live bait should prove best. Some trout are also showing up in Irondequoit. In Greece, fish Braddock Bay and ponds for crappie and perch. Jigs or minnows are recommended. Use small jigs for panfish. In the lower Genesee, action is supplied by catfish around the Turning Basin and sheepshead at the piers. You can also go after the trout when the water clears.

SALMON RIVER: Steelhead and brown trout are starting to concentrate in the deeper holes.. Action on sunny days has been better in the early morning and late afternoon. Good baits are egg sacs (blue, chartreuse and white mesh), trout beads (10mm), streamers and egg-imitating flies and plastics. Most angling pressure is from Pineville to Altmar. Also a few Atlantics, smallmouth and northerns are being picked up in the deep pools of the river on flies, spinners and live bait. The Upper Fly Fishing area closed on November 30th and will reopen on April 1st.

OSWEGO RIVER: Rainbow and brown trout are in the river. The highest concentration of fish is reported from the Utica Street bridge to the dam. Hot-n-tots, fast tracks, Estaz eggs, egg sacs, skein, wooly buggers, egg pattern flies and bucktail jigs are working well. Night fishing from the Utica Street bridge north should be good using cleos, rebel fast tracks and hot-n-tots. A few walleye are being caught on stickbaits or leeches both during the day and at night.

OTHER WATERS: Case, Harwood and Cuba Lakes were reported over but it was not safe ice. Several people found out the hard way.

>>))))*>

ANGLERS CALENDAR:

8 - The Western New York Environmental Federation Meeting at Hoak's Restrauant, S4100 Lakeshore Road, Hamburg, New York (1:00 pm) Public welcome. Meeting will include: NYSDEC Reports; Conservation Fund Report; Fish & Wildlife Management Report; Deer Search Report; NYSCC Report; and County Reports. No matter who you are if you have a concern with hunting, fishing, trapping or a conservation issue we would like to hear from you. (Contact: Dan Tone, President at 716-655-0975)

What Are You Catching? (Click Here)

12-30-11

TIP: Ice Fishing: There is no safe ice to report in western New York. It will be at least another week before the smaller waters have safe ice. Before you head out onto the ice this winter, remember that a minimum of 3 to 4 inches of solid ice is the general rule for safety. Drilling holes or tapping with a spud bar to check ice thickness is recommended on your way out. Safety ice pics, boot cleats, rope and a floatation devise are also recommended items. Use good judgement and fish with a friend when possible. Those new to ice fishing can check the DEC Ice Fishing Basics page for more information.

No Safe Ice Reported.

Some reports of skim ice that comes and goes but nothing fishable.

*LAKE ERIE: Yellow perch catches should remain good – weather permitting. The most productive area is between Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point in 50-70 fow. Emerald shiners or small minnows fished just off bottom remain the hot bait but salted minnows and worms are also working. Catches of walleyes have been scarce. Try shallower locations where the walleye should be feeding. Worm harnesses, in blue or silver, both trolled and bottom bounced with a three-way rig are suggested. A few steelhead are cruising the shoreline near the major tributary stream mouths. Trolling with spoons and spinners is suggested for steelhead. Casting from the Cattaraugus Creek breakwall with flashy spoons is a good bet for both steelhead and lake trout. If you’re looking for bass, remember it’s now catch and release/artificals lures only!! If you target the bass fish in 20-40 fow. Bass stick tight to structure, so key on areas like drop-offs, reefs and rock piles. A drop-shot rig combined with tube jigs or other plastic creature baits (especially a round goby imitation or a Poor Boys Erie Darter) work well.

*LAKE ERIE TRIBS: Stream levels are good except Cattaraugus Creek which is still running high. The smaller tribs will be more fishable with the larger tribs becoming so in a few days. Cooler water temperatures will change the fish habits; look for mid-day action to increase The brown trout bite has cooled a bit in Dunkirk Harbor. Focus near the warm water discharge area with live minnows, egg sacks, spoons or spinners. The steelhead have been spread out over the entire sections of the streams and new fish are being reported. Good baits and flies for steelhead include egg sacs, egg pattern flies, trout beads, woolly buggers, egg-sucking leeches and streamers. Small hair jigs tipped with waxworms/spikes and fished under a float have also worked well. When fishing during low and clear water conditions, it is best to move stealthily and use small hooks, small baits, light colored streamers/buggers and light lines to fool finicky steelhead. Concentrate efforts during the warmest part of the day when chasing winter steelhead.

*UPPER NIAGARA RIVER: Target yellow perch, white perch, rock bass and sheepshead from shore. Live bait provides the best prospects. Broderick Park is one reported spot for perch. A few walleye have been hitting at the head of the river on worm harnesses. Other areas suggested are around Strawberry and Navy Islands followed by Grand and Motor Islands. Live shiners and worms work well. Try  casting with spoons or drifting egg sacks for trout from Broderick Park, as well as along the Bird Island Pier and the northern tip of Squaw Island.

Trout are still available at the head of the river and along the upper rapids if you want to brave the weather conditions. Egg sacks and spoons work best.

*LOWER NIAGARA RIVER: Trout are spread throughout the system and come January 1st lake trout are legal again. Lake trout fishing should be good in the river and off the mouth on the Niagara Bar. Boaters have seen some good steelhead action this week, with the best bite in the Devils Hole, Artpark and Stella drifts. Live minnows, egg sacs or Kwikfish lures fished off a 3-way bottom bouncing rig works well. One group reported success using Fuzz-E grub jigs to catch trout on the bar, both tipped with minnows and clean. The quarter-ounce jig in chartreuse worked best.  Anglers using shore fishing areas report decent catches of brown trout and steelhead. Fish with egg sacks, egg pattern flies, bugger patterns, spoons and spinners. Try to get your baits down near the bottom. Trout are also being caught downriver towards Fort Niagara and on the Niagara Bar, when the winds cooperate. From shore catches of yellow perch, white perch and rock bass are increasing. Live bait is the way to go for the warmwater species. Walleye activity is fair at the mouth of the River. Drifting with 3-way bottom bouncing rigs combined with worm harnesses or yellow sally rigs is the way to go. Trolling with worm harnesses is a better bet out on the Bar. Exercise extreme caution when shore fishing in the lower river, as slippery rocks, strong currents and water level changes make these areas hazardous. The NYPA fishing platform has been closed for the winter.

*LAKE ONTARIO - WEST: Lake fishing for trout rates fair. Trolling with J-Plugs and J-13 Rapalas may produce near dawn and dusk. Night anglers can anchor in 15-30 fow off the harbor/tributary mouths, casting glow spoons or stickbaits. Try flasher-fly combos, at first light, run 30 - 50 feet down. Fish the top 50 feet for steelhead, browns, coho, and Atlantic salmon. Use a mix of spoons, spin doctors and flies. Color and preferred lure type can change from day to day so don’t be afraid to experiment. Better lures for the browns - green patterned Northern King spoons and the Northland Fluttertail spoon in an alewife pattern. Decent yellow perch catches are available in 15 - 30 fow drifting crabs, worms and minnows.

*LAKE ONTARIO - WEST - TRIBS: Look for browns, steelhead and the occasional Atlantic salmon and coho salmon in all tributaries. Egg sacs, salmon skein, rubber eggs, marshmellows and yarn eggs, little cleos in greens, oranges and glows and egg pattern flies and bugger patterns are good baits to try. Fly fishing is great using black nymphs, woolie buggers again in black or egg sucking leeches in various colors. Chartruese is also good. As water temperatures drop, the jigs and waxies are doing better. Good reports are coming in from fishermen working the waters of Eighteen Mile Creek below Burt Dam and the Oak Orchard River. To the west, places like 12 Mile Creek and Four Mile Creek will be holding fish and they should be fishable. The lower, slow moving sections of Eighteen Mile Creek, Oak Orchard Creek and the Genesee River are also good options for trout and salmon but water levels may be high. These sections are only accessible by boat. Pier action continues with anglers catching brown trout and the occasional steelhead. Night time is the right time to target trout and salmon from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobbler glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. Check the regulations before going out. Catches of warm water species around the harbor areas such as Wilson Harbor, Olcott Harbor, Golden Hill State Park, Point Breeze/Oak Orchard and the Genesee should remain good. Also, on the Oak reports are nice perch, northern pike, some walleye, along with some catfish are being caught. Live bait (minnows, golden shiners, crayfish, leeches and worms) is the way to go. The two bridges area has been reported hot for perch and rock bass.

*CHAUTAUQUA LAKE: The open-lake fishing season is winding down and most anglers have pulled their boats for the winter. If you want some big black crappie, head to the white wall in the Southern Basin of the lake, also try the waters at the mouth of Goose Creek. Target eight foot of water with a bobber and a minnow rig. Some are using small tubes tipped with a minnow, also under a float. Some walleye action has been reported in the north basin. Anchor or drift outside the weeds using a 3 ounce black hair jig tipped with a crawler or cast stickbaits toward shore. Jigging with leeches is another option. Recommended depths are in 12-18 fow. Good action on larger bluegill has kept the panfish anglers happy. Fishing with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow is a good bet. Yellow perch and white perch are being taken with worms, small minnows and small ice fishing jigs tipped with waxworms fished near bottom in 10 – 15 fow, outside the weedline. Best reports are coming from the Stow side of the narrows near the bridge.

*WESTERN TROUT STREAMS: The area streams are in good shape or maybe a little high. Drifting nymphs or casting small streamer patterns through the head and tail out of pools can be effective. Olive wooly buggers with a little bit of flash are a good bet for this tactic. Terrestrials are also on the trout menu. When fishing streams surrounded by moderate to heavy vegetation, terrestrial imitations can be very effective. Ant dry flies and foam beetles are favorites among fly anglers who fish terrestrials often. Considering that terrestrial insects are poor swimmers, these patterns should be fished on a dead drift, with slight twitches every now and again to imitate a struggling insect. Grasshopper, cricket, and spider patterns can also take fish. Spinning anglers do well with worms, salted minnows and small inline spinners. The statewide trout season runs from April 1 to October 15, however many streams and lakes are open all year for trout fishing. Check the Special Regulations by County to determine if your target stream is open for trout fishing beyond October 15. Just in: Oatka Creek, east of Scottsville, nice browns on small crankbait. This is a much overlooked spot that never fails to produce nice fish throughout the winter. Parking is just south of the village at the park near the water treatment plant. :

*SILVER LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - For walleye try worm harnesses, Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds. Pike add to the excitement. Live bait appears most productive for them. Try for panfish with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow. For yellow perch work worms or small minnows outside the weedline around the lake.

*CONESUS LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Walleye and northern pike should be hitting. Try Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds for the ‘eyes and live bait for the pike. Good numbers of perch, rock bass and sunfish are also available. Fish live bait (worms and small minnows) or small spinner baits.

*HEMLOCK LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

*CANADICE LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

*HONEOYE LAKE: The lake offers some big bluegills in 15 - 30 fow. Try for walleyes in the center of the lake during the day and move into the shallows, 8 - 14 feet, around dusk. Try jigs and leeches for them.

Just a reminder, the NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the south end of Honeoye Lake will close for the remainder of the boating season on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs and a new larger parking lot installation. The parking lot is expected to open in November for the upcoming ice fishing season. Trident Marine on the NE side of the lake will be open, however they charge $10. to launch and have limited parking.

*CANANDAIGUA LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Rainbows and a few browns are hitting small, silver spoons or flasher & flies fished down 45 to 60 feet over a 75 to 150 foot bottom. A few lakers are also being taken near bottom at 90 to 120 feet. Perch fishing is improving off the weedbeds in 10 to 30 fow. Try using small tube baits, grubs, or fathead minnows. The NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the north end of Canandaigua Lake closed on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs. It is scheduled to re-open 1/1/12.

*WANETA/LAMOKA LAKES: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Pickerel and bluegill fishing remains good; action is not fast and furious, but there is enough to keep it interesting. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Some yellow perch are hitting on crayfish and minnows fished in 15 fow.

*KEUKA LAKE: Try for lakers jigging off the points, especially off the Bluff, in 90 to 110 feet of water with Strata spoons and/or gold Kastmasters and chartreuse or white plastics. Trolling flashers and flies, spoons or stillfishing with sawbellies also works. Also try just south of the state park launch in 80-120 fow. Watch out for the launch. Some of the concrete ramps need repair.

*SENECA LAKE: Yellow perch fishing continues to be good in 20 to 40 feet of water throughout the lake but especially off Painted Rock and off the pier. Small minnows, crayfish, night crawlers and grubs have been working. Anglers are catching northern pike on the weed flats, using either large, live shiners under bobbers or casting large crankbaits (blue and chrome-colored).  Atlantic salmon, brown and some rainbow trout are hitting stickbaits and spoons fished at the surface or at the 40 - 70 foot level. Good colors to try silver and black, silver and blue or silver and chartreuse. Lake trout are being taken on spoons, and flashers & flies fished off Dipsey divers (200 to 230 feet back) and off down riggers down 50 to 100 feet over 150 - 200 fow. Vertical jigging for lakers in 70 to 110 fow is also producing. Start with chartreuse plastics. Some anglers claim success catching lakers and landlocked salmon in front of the canal at the southern end of the lake. Lots of bullheads are being caught on leeches and nightcrawlers at the old canal on the east shore.

*CAYUGA LAKE: Lake trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken around Taughannock trolling with spoons, or flashers and flies both off down riggers and Dipsey divers. Fish at 45 - 80 feet down over a 100 to 300 foot bottom. Lake trout are also hitting for those vertical jigging chartreuse plastics in 65 to 85 feet of water. A few brown trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken on spoons fished 75 to 150 feet down over 110 to 250 foot bottom. Try Countdown Rapalas and Silver Hammered Crocodiles. Good colors have been white, green, purple and blue. Some nice brown trout are also being taken by anglers vertical jigging for lake trout in 65 – 85 fow. Reports continue of Atlantic salmon in some of the tributaries and anglers were getting them on egg imitating flies and streamers.  Pickerel and perch are being taken in the north end in 10 - 15 fow on fathead and larger minnows. One of the better perch spots is around Union Springs.

The boat launch at Allen Treman State Park has been closed for the season in an effort to help prevent the spread of Hydrilla (an invasive aquatic plant).

*SKANEATELES LAKE: Lake trout, rainbows and Atlantic salmon are feeding on small perch. Trolling 30 to 50 feet down with small perch colored spoons or stickbaits is producing. Lake trout are also hitting at 60 to 80 feet down over a 80 -100 foot bottom. Early in the day glow baits are working better but as the sun gets higher switching to pearl, chartreuse, or silver has been better. Trolling streamers on the surface for rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon has been slow; this is usually a good fall fishing technique though. Also, shore fishing with marshmallow and worm rigs is working well for rainbow trout. Rock bass and yellow perch fishing is picking up and they are being taken on small minnows or crayfish. One dock has been removed; the launch will remain open as weather permits.

One dock has been removed but the launch will remain open as weather permits.

*OWASCO LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water -  Lake trout fishing has been slow. Try the north end of the lake, vertical jigging in 65 to 95 fow. Trolling the north end in 50 to 75 fow over 100 - 120 foot bottom with spoons may also produce lakers and an occasional nice sized brown trout. Walleye were reported at the north end but no report this week. Try for northern pike at the south end hitting spoons. Yellow perch are hitting around the lake on fathead minnows. Anglers are still catching a few rainbow and brown trout in the inlet using worms and egg sacks.

*OTISCO LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Some walleye are being taken trolling 25 – 30 feet down over a 45 to 60 foot bottom with worm harnesses. Also try casting stickbaits off the causeway after dark. A few tiger muskie have been picked up at the lake’s south and north ends on minnows and swimbaits, stickbaits and large spinners. Also, crappies and perch are hitting small minnows along the shore.

*EASTERN TROUT STREAMS: No recent reports.

*WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water -  Anglers are catching some perch using fathead minnows and jigs. Try for walleye trolling in 10 -15 fow or drifting with worm harnesses and leeches. Fish slow and work deeper water. Walleye are also being taken in the spillway with fathead minnows and leeches fisher under floats or on jigs and stickbaits. Best action is during the early morning or late evening hours. Fishing slowly with dark colored bucktail jigs or worm harnesses along drop-offs has been producing mixed bags of perch and walleye.

*SANDY POND: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - A few pike are providing some action but you have to work for them. Walleye fishing has been fair using crankbaits, worm harnesses and jigs. Panfish are still providing action around the shoreline and some yellow perch are being taken on small minnows.

*ONEIDA LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Perch fishing is reported fair to good this week. Fish off the weedbeds in 10 – 20 fow using small crayfish, a little piece of worm on a hook or tipping a small spinner with a piece of a worm. Fish in the shallows, in the weeds, around the weeds and in deep water; it all seems to be working. Anglers are also catching perch from shore using minnows and bobbers. Walleye fishing has slowed, from dusk to dawn, casting from shore. Use a very slow retrieve and a stealthy approach. Stickbaits in black & silver and blue & silver work well for this fall walleye bite. One specific lure mentioned was the silver Challenger minnow. As usual pickerel are also biting on the bass lures. Bluegills and pumpkinseed sunfish are being taken on small tube jigs or tiny crayfish. You can also try drifting chartreuse/green Dixie spinners at 15 feet around the weedbeds. Make note that the docks have been removed from the South Shore launch, if that’s the area you use.

*ONONDAGA LAKE: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water -  No reports. Help!!

*LAKE ONTARIO - EAST: For brown trout and steelhead work the near shore waters, trolling with stickbaits (Rapala's, Thunderstiks and Smithwicks) or large spoons (Stinger spoons and NK 28s). Chartreuse colored spoons have been good for the browns. Steelhead are being caught on orange or red spoons at 25 feet. Perch are hitting in 3 to 4 feet of water, close to shore. The bass baits listed will also work for perch. For all species fishing early or late in the day has been the most productive.

*LAKE ONTARIO - EAST TRIBS: Maxwell Creek and the other tributaries have fair to good flows of water and good numbers of fish to provide some interesting action. Maxwell has fish mostly north of Lake Road. Anglers are catching primarily steelhead and brown trout on pink, blue and yellow egg sacs, egg imitating plastics, flies and small 1/32 oz. jigs fished under floats. This will hold for the other tribs as well, such as Bear Creek in Ontario, New York. Some anglers are trying night time fishing; targeting trout from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobblers glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Some specific spots are the piers at Sodus Bay, Webster Park and the Genesee River. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out!!

*WAYNE COUNTY BAYS: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - Again, this week the word still remains perch. They are the targeted species in all of the bays. In Port Bay success is being found in 21 to 26 feet of water. Fish off the points. Use live minnows or Berkley Power Bait minnows…2 inches. Tip them with three spikes and cast out, looking for the schools. Sinker is on bottom with bait up 12- 14 inches on a #4 hook.  In Sodus anglers have been fishing the creek mouths and the island points. Try 20 to 26 feet of water. Perch have been extra large…in the pound plus class. On Blind Sodus work the north end. They have been hitting fatheads, but you can catch perch with small jigs and spikes. Swedish Pimples and any teardrop jigs work well.  Try for pike, along the weedlines.  Panfish are being caught on small jigs or worms. Fishing early or late in the day has proved most productive. On the Canal, anglers are still fishing the widewaters. The rest of the waterway has been drained. Fish the shoreline near locks for best action. Perch are also active over on Fairhaven Bay. Work the north end in 25 – 35 fow.

*MONROE COUNTY BAYS: Hard Water – some skim ice but nothing fishable! Open Water - On Irondequoit Bay, look for perch around the outlet and out in the bay at 20 – 30 feet; pike in the coves and walleye along the drop-offs in deeper water. Live bait should prove best. Some trout are also showing up in Irondequoit. In Greece, fish Braddock Bay and ponds for crappie and perch. Jigs or minnows are recommended. Use small jigs for panfish. In the lower Genesee, action is supplied by catfish around the Turning Basin and sheepshead at the piers. You can also go after the trout when the water clears.

*SALMON RIVER: Steelhead and brown trout are starting to concentrate in the deeper holes.. Action on sunny days has been better in the early morning and late afternoon. Good baits are egg sacs (blue, chartreuse and white mesh), trout beads (10mm), streamers and egg-imitating flies and plastics.  Also a few Atlantics, smallmouth and northerns are being picked up in the deep pools of the river on flies, spinners and live bait. The Upper Fly Fishing area closed on November 30th and will reopen on April 1st.

*OSWEGO RIVER: The flow is running high – be careful. Rainbow and brown trout are in the river. The highest concentration of fish is reported from the Utica Street bridge to the dam. Hot-n-tots, fast tracks, Estaz eggs, egg sacs, skein, wooly buggers, egg pattern flies and bucktail jigs are working well. Night fishing from the Utica Street bridge north should be good using cleos, rebel fast tracks and hot-n-tots. A few walleye are being caught on stickbaits or leeches both during the day and at night. Freshwater drum (sheephead) are hitting on night crawlers as are carp and channel cats.

*OTHER WATERS: No Reports.

>>))))*>

*ANGLERS CALENDAR:

31 - Close of Fishing Season for Trout in the Finger Lakes Tributaries

JANUARY 2012

1 - Happy New Year!!!!

1 - Start of fishing season for Lake Trout in the lower Niagara River, Lake Ontario and their tributaries (> 9/30/12)

8 - The Western New York Environmental Federation Meeting at Hoak's Restrauant, S4100 Lakeshore Road, Hamburg, New York (1:00 pm) Public welcome. Meeting will include: NYSDEC Reports; Conservation Fund Report; Fish & Wildlife Management Report; Deer Search Report; NYSCC Report; and County Reports. No matter who you are if you have a concern with hunting, fishing, trapping or a conservation issue we would like to hear from you. (Contact: Dan Tone, President at 716-655-0975)

What Are You Catching? (Click Here)

12-23-11

TIP: Walleye - When in doubt about what bait to use, it is never a bad idea to imitate their main prey. In the fall, that's minnows. And one of the best minnow imitators around is the crankbait, which is shaped like a minnow and can be painted to look like a minnow. You can cast and retrieve a crankbait, or troll it behind the boat. Whatever you do, don't move it too fast. Walleyes are feeding in the fall, but they're a little sluggish as the water cools down. Tie on a crankbait with a slow and wide wobble, which will appear to a walleye as an easy meal. If walleyes are suspended, cast or troll your crankbaits so they run at the same depth--or just above the depth--the walleyes are holding. If they are in shallow water, use a crankbait that dives a little deeper than the depth of water in which you are fishing. This will cause the crankbait to root around the bottom and act in an erratic fashion as you retrieve it. (Fall Walleye Fishing Tips | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5379777_fall-walleye-fishing-tips.html#ixzz1ep7gUVps)

No Safe Ice Reported.

Some reports of skim ice that comes and goes but nothing fishable.

LAKE ERIE: Yellow perch catches should remain good – weather permitting. The most productive area is between Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point in 50-70 fow. Emerald shiners or small minnows fished just off bottom remain the hot bait but salted minnows and worms are also working. Catches of walleyes have been scarce. Try shallower locations where the walleye should be feeding. Worm harnesses, in blue or silver, both trolled and bottom bounced with a three-way rig are suggested. A few steelhead are cruising the shoreline near the major tributary stream mouths. Trolling with spoons and spinners is suggested for steelhead. Casting from the Cattaraugus Creek breakwall with flashy spoons is a good bet for both steelhead and lake trout. If you’re looking for bass, remember it’s now catch and release/artificals lures only!! If you target the bass fish in 20-40 fow. Bass stick tight to structure, so key on areas like drop-offs, reefs and rock piles. A drop-shot rig combined with tube jigs or other plastic creature baits (especially a round goby imitation or a Poor Boys Erie Darter) work well.

LAKE ERIE TRIBS: Stream levels have risen with recent rains. The smaller tribs will be more fishable with the larger tribs becoming so in a few days. Cooler water temperatures will change the fish habits; look for mid-day action to increase The brown trout bite has cooled a bit in Dunkirk Harbor. Focus near the warm water discharge area with live minnows, egg sacks, spoons or spinners. The steelhead have been spread out over the entire sections of the streams and new fish are being reported. Good baits and flies for steelhead include egg sacs, egg pattern flies, trout beads, woolly buggers, egg-sucking leeches and streamers. Small hair jigs tipped with waxworms/spikes and fished under a float have also worked well. When fishing during low and clear water conditions, it is best to move stealthily and use small hooks, small baits, light colored streamers/buggers and light lines to fool finicky steelhead.

UPPER NIAGARA RIVER: The upper river is currently too muddy to fish but when it clears: Target yellow perch, white perch, rock bass and sheepshead from shore. Live bait provides the best prospects. Broderick Park is one reported spot for perch. A few walleye have been hitting at the head of the river on worm harnesses. Other areas suggested are around Strawberry and Navy Islands followed by Grand and Motor Islands. Live shiners and worms work well. Try  casting with spoons or drifting egg sacks for trout from Broderick Park, as well as along the Bird Island Pier and the northern tip of Squaw Island.

LOWER NIAGARA RIVER: Action may be hampered by muddy water with the recent rains and high winds. Trout are spread throughout the system. (A lake trout may show up too but remember their season is closed.) Boaters have seen some good steelhead action this week, with the best bite in the Devils Hole, Artpark and Stella drifts. Live minnows, egg sacs or Kwikfish lures fished off a 3-way bottom bouncing rig works well. One group reported success using Fuzz-E grub jigs to catch trout on the bar, both tipped with minnows and clean. The quarter-ounce jig in chartreuse worked best.  Anglers using shore fishing areas report decent catches of brown trout and steelhead. Fish with egg sacks, egg pattern flies, bugger patterns, spoons and spinners. Try to get your baits down near the bottom. Trout are also being caught downriver towards Fort Niagara and on the Niagara Bar, when the winds cooperate. From shore catches of yellow perch, white perch and rock bass are increasing. Live bait is the way to go for the warmwater species. Walleye activity is fair at the mouth of the River. Drifting with 3-way bottom bouncing rigs combined with worm harnesses or yellow sally rigs is the way to go. Trolling with worm harnesses is a better bet out on the Bar. Exercise extreme caution when shore fishing in the lower river, as slippery rocks, strong currents and water level changes make these areas hazardous. The NYPA fishing platform has been closed for the winter.

LAKE ONTARIO - WEST: Lake fishing for trout rates fair. Trolling with J-Plugs and J-13 Rapalas may produce near dawn and dusk. Night anglers can anchor in 15-30 fow off the harbor/tributary mouths, casting glow spoons or stickbaits. Try flasher-fly combos, at first light, run 30 - 50 feet down. Fish the top 50 feet for steelhead, browns, coho, and Atlantic salmon. Use a mix of spoons, spin doctors and flies. Color and preferred lure type can change from day to day so don’t be afraid to experiment. Better lures for the browns - green patterned Northern King spoons and the Northland Fluttertail spoon in an alewife pattern. Decent yellow perch catches are available in 15 - 30 fow drifting crabs, worms and minnows.

LAKE ONTARIO - WEST - TRIBS: Look for browns, steelhead and the occasional Atlantic salmon and coho salmon in all tributaries. Egg sacs, salmon skein, rubber eggs, marshmellows and yarn eggs, little cleos in greens, oranges and glows and egg pattern flies and bugger patterns are good baits to try. Fly fishing is great using black nymphs, woolie buggers again in black or egg sucking leeches in various colors. Chartruese is also good. Good reports are coming in from fishermen working the waters of Eighteen Mile Creek below Burt Dam and the Oak Orchard River. To the west, places like 12 Mile Creek and Four Mile Creek will be holding fish and they should be fishable by the weekend as waters begin to recede. The lower, slow moving sections of Eighteen Mile Creek, Oak Orchard Creek and the Genesee River are also good options for trout and salmon but water levels may be high. These sections are only accessible by boat. Pier action continues with anglers catching brown trout and the occasional steelhead. Night time is the right time to target trout and salmon from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobbler glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Catches are best from piers at the mouths of the major tributaries, however, trout are available from any pier that extends into Lake Ontario. Productive baits inland have been egg sacs, beads and egg pattern flies, however, streamer patterns, bugger patterns and grub-tipped marabou jigs also draw strikes. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. Check the regulations before going out. Catches of warm water species around the harbor areas such as Wilson Harbor, Olcott Harbor, Golden Hill State Park, Point Breeze/Oak Orchard and the Genesee should remain good. Also, on the Oak reports are nice perch, northern pike, some walleye, along with some catfish are being caught. Live bait (minnows, golden shiners, crayfish, leeches and worms) is the way to go. For some novelty try lower Oak Orchard for gar pike. The two bridges area has been reported hot for perch.

CHAUTAUQUA LAKE: The open-lake fishing season is winding down and most anglers have pulled their boats for the winter. If you want some big black crappie, head to the white wall in the Southern Basin of the lake, also try the waters at the mouth of Goose Creek. Target eight foot of water with a bobber and a minnow rig. Some are using small tubes tipped with a minnow, also under a float. Some walleye action has been reported in the north basin. Anchor or drift outside the weeds using a 3 ounce black hair jig tipped with a crawler or cast stickbaits toward shore. Jigging with leeches is another option. Recommended depths are in 12-18 fow. Good action on larger bluegill has kept the panfish anglers happy. Fishing with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow is a good bet. Yellow perch and white perch are being taken with worms, small minnows and small ice fishing jigs tipped with waxworms fished near bottom in 10 – 15 fow, outside the weedline. Best reports are coming from the Stow side of the narrows near the bridge.

WESTERN TROUT STREAMS: The area streams are in good shape or maybe a little high. Drifting nymphs or casting small streamer patterns through the head and tail out of pools can be effective. Olive wooly buggers with a little bit of flash are a good bet for this tactic. Terrestrials are also on the trout menu. When fishing streams surrounded by moderate to heavy vegetation, terrestrial imitations can be very effective. Ant dry flies and foam beetles are favorites among fly anglers who fish terrestrials often. Considering that terrestrial insects are poor swimmers, these patterns should be fished on a dead drift, with slight twitches every now and again to imitate a struggling insect. Grasshopper, cricket, and spider patterns can also take fish. Spinning anglers do well with worms, salted minnows and small inline spinners. The statewide trout season runs from April 1 to October 15, however many streams and lakes are open all year for trout fishing. Check the Special Regulations by County to determine if your target stream is open for trout fishing beyond October 15.

SILVER LAKE: For walleye try worm harnesses, Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds. Pike add to the excitement. Live bait appears most productive for them. Try for panfish with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow. For yellow perch work worms or small minnows outside the weedline around the lake.

CONESUS LAKE: Walleye and northern pike should be hitting. Try Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds for the ‘eyes and live bait for the pike. Good numbers of perch, rock bass and sunfish are also available. Fish live bait (worms and small minnows) or small spinner baits.

HEMLOCK LAKE: No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

CANADICE LAKE: No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

HONEOYE LAKE: The lake offers some big bluegills in 15 - 30 fow. Try for walleyes in the center of the lake during the day and move into the shallows, 8 - 14 feet, around dusk. Try jigs and leeches for them.

Just a reminder, the NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the south end of Honeoye Lake will close for the remainder of the boating season on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs and a new larger parking lot installation. The parking lot is expected to open in November for the upcoming ice fishing season. Trident Marine on the NE side of the lake will be open, however they charge $10. to launch and have limited parking.

CANANDAIGUA LAKE: Rainbows and a few browns are hitting small, silver spoons or flasher & flies fished down 45 to 60 feet over a 75 to 150 foot bottom. A few lakers are also being taken near bottom at 90 to 120 feet. Perch fishing is improving off the weedbeds in 10 to 30 fow. Try using small tube baits, grubs, or fathead minnows. The NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the north end of Canandaigua Lake closed on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs. It is scheduled to re-open 1/1/12.

WANETA/LAMOKA LAKES: Pickerel and bluegill fishing remains good; action is not fast and furious, but there is enough to keep it interesting. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Some yellow perch are hitting on crayfish and minnows fished in 15 fow.

KEUKA LAKE: Try for lakers jigging off the points, especially off the Bluff, in 90 to 110 feet of water with gold Kastmasters and chartreuse or white plastics. Trolling flashers and flies, spoons or stillfishing with sawbellies also works. Also try just south of the state park launch in 80-120 fow. Watch out for the launch. Some of the concrete ramps need repair.

SENECA LAKE: Yellow perch fishing continues to be good in 20 to 40 feet of water throughout the lake but especially off Painted Rock and off the pier. Small minnows, crayfish, night crawlers and grubs have been working. Anglers are catching northern pike on the weed flats, using either large, live shiners under bobbers or casting large crankbaits (blue and chrome-colored).  Atlantic salmon, brown and some rainbow trout are hitting stickbaits and spoons fished at the surface or at the 40 - 70 foot level. Good colors to try silver and black, silver and blue or silver and chartreuse. Lake trout are being taken on spoons, and flashers & flies fished off Dipsey divers (200 to 230 feet back) and off down riggers down 50 to 100 feet over 150 - 200 fow. Vertical jigging for lakers in 70 to 110 fow is also producing. Start with chartreuse plastics. Some anglers claim success catching lakers and landlocked salmon in front of the canal at the southern end of the lake. Lots of bullheads are being caught on leeches and nightcrawlers at the old canal on the east shore.

CAYUGA LAKE: Lake trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken around Taughannock trolling with spoons, or flashers and flies both off down riggers and Dipsey divers. Fish at 45 - 80 feet down over a 100 to 300 foot bottom. Lake trout are also hitting for those vertical jigging chartreuse plastics in 65 to 85 feet of water. A few brown trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken on spoons fished 75 to 150 feet down over 110 to 250 foot bottom. Try Countdown Rapalas and Silver Hammered Crocodiles. Good colors have been white, green, purple and blue. Some nice brown trout are also being taken by anglers vertical jigging for lake trout in 65 – 85 fow. There were reports of Atlantic salmon in some of the tributaries and anglers were getting them on egg imitating flies and streamers.  Pickerel and perch are being taken in the north end in 10 - 15 fow on fathead and larger minnows. One of the better perch spots is around Union Springs.

The boat launch at Allen Treman State Park has been closed for the season in an effort to help prevent the spread of Hydrilla (an invasive aquatic plant).

SKANEATELES LAKE: Lake trout, rainbows and Atlantic salmon are feeding on small perch. Trolling 30 to 50 feet down with small perch colored spoons or stickbaits is producing. Lake trout are also hitting at 60 to 80 feet down over a 80 -100 foot bottom. Early in the day glow baits are working better but as the sun gets higher switching to pearl, chartreuse, or silver has been better. Trolling streamers on the surface for rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon has been slow; this is usually a good fall fishing technique though. Also, shore fishing with marshmallow and worm rigs usually works well this time of year for rainbow trout. Rock bass and yellow perch fishing is picking up and they are being taken on small minnows or crayfish. One dock has been removed; the launch will remain open as weather permits.

OWASCO LAKE: Lake trout fishing has been slow. Try the north end of the lake, vertical jigging in 65 to 95 fow. Trolling the north end in 50 to 75 fow over 100 - 120 foot bottom with spoons may also produce lakers and an occasional nice sized brown trout. Walleye were reported at the north end but no report this week. Try for northern pike at the south end hitting spoons. Yellow perch are hitting around the lake on fathead minnows. Anglers are still catching a few rainbow and brown trout in the inlet using worms and egg sacks.

OTISCO LAKE: Some walleye are being taken trolling 25 – 30 feet down over a 45 to 60 foot bottom with worm harnesses. Also try casting stickbaits off the causeway after dark. A few tiger muskie have been picked up at the lake’s south and north ends on minnows and swimbaits, stickbaits and large spinners. Also, crappies and perch are hitting small minnows along the shore.

EASTERN TROUT STREAMS: No recent reports.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR: Skim was present earlier in the week but nothing fishable. Anglers are catching some perch using fathead minnows and jigs. Try for walleye trolling in 10 -15 fow or drifting with worm harnesses and leeches. Fish slow and work deeper water. Walleye are also being taken in the spillway with fathead minnows and leeches fisher under floats or on jigs and stickbaits. Best action is during the early morning or late evening hours. Fishing slowly with dark colored bucktail jigs or worm harnesses along drop-offs has been producing mixed bags of perch and walleye.

SANDY POND: A few pike are providing some action but you have to work for them. Walleye fishing has been fair using crankbaits, worm harnesses and jigs. Panfish are still providing action around the shoreline and some yellow perch are being taken on small minnows.

ONEIDA LAKE: Perch fishing is reported fair to good this week. Fish off the weedbeds in 10 – 20 fow using small crayfish, a little piece of worm on a hook or tipping a small spinner with a piece of a worm. Fish in the shallows, in the weeds, around the weeds and in deep water; it all seems to be working. Anglers are also catching perch from shore using minnows and bobbers. Walleye fishing has slowed, from dusk to dawn, casting from shore. Use a very slow retrieve and a stealthy approach. Stickbaits in black & silver and blue & silver work well for this fall walleye bite. One specific lure mentioned was the silver Challenger minnow. As usual pickerel are also biting on the bass lures. Bluegills and pumpkinseed sunfish are being taken on small tube jigs or tiny crayfish. You can also try drifting chartreuse/green Dixie spinners at 15 feet around the weedbeds. Make note that the docks have been removed from the South Shore launch, if that’s the area you use.

ONONDAGA LAKE: No reports. Help!!

LAKE ONTARIO - EAST: For brown trout and steelhead work the near shore waters, trolling with stickbaits (Rapala's, Thunderstiks and Smithwicks) or large spoons (Stinger spoons and NK 28s). Chartreuse colored spoons have been good for the browns. Steelhead are being caught on orange or red spoons at 25 feet. Perch are hitting in 3 to 4 feet of water, close to shore. The bass baits listed will also work for perch. For all species fishing early or late in the day has been the most productive.

LAKE ONTARIO - EAST TRIBS: Maxwell Creek and the other tributaries have fair to good flows of water and good numbers of fish to provide some interesting action. Maxwell has fish mostly north of Lake Road. Anglers are catching primarily steelhead and brown trout on pink, blue and yellow egg sacs, egg imitating plastics, flies and small 1/32 oz. jigs fished under floats. This will hold for the other tribs as well, such as Bear Creek in Ontario, New York. Some anglers are trying night time fishing; targeting trout from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobblers glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Some specific spots are the piers at Sodus Bay, Webster Park and the Genesee River. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out!!

WAYNE COUNTY BAYS: Again, this week the word still remains perch. They are the targeted species in all of the bays. In Port Bay success is being found in 21 to 26 feet of water. Fish off the points. Use live minnows or Berkley Power Bait minnows…2 inches. Tip them with three spikes and cast out, looking for the schools. Sinker is on bottom with bait up 12- 14 inches on a #4 hook.  In Sodus anglers have been fishing the creek mouths and the island points. Try 20 to 26 feet of water. Perch have been extra large…in the pound plus class. On Blind Sodus work the north end. They have been hitting fatheads, but you can catch perch with small jigs and spikes. Swedish Pimples and any teardrop jigs work well.  Try for pike, along the weedlines.  Panfish are being caught on small jigs or worms. Fishing early or late in the day has proved most productive. On the Canal, anglers are still fishing the widewaters. The rest of the waterway has been drained. Fish the shoreline near locks for best action. Perch are also active over on Fairhaven Bay. Work the north end in 25 – 35 fow.

MONROE COUNTY BAYS: On Irondequoit Bay, look for perch around the outlet and out in the bay at 20 – 30 feet; pike in the coves and walleye along the drop-offs in deeper water. Live bait should prove best. Some trout are also showing up in Irondequoit. In Greece, fish Braddock Bay and ponds for crappie and perch. Jigs or minnows are recommended. Use small jigs for panfish. In the lower Genesee, action is supplied by catfish around the Turning Basin and sheepshead at the piers. You can also go after the trout when the water clears.

SALMON RIVER: Steelhead and brown trout are starting to concentrate in the deeper holes.. Action on sunny days has been better in the early morning and late afternoon. Good baits are egg sacs (blue, chartreuse and white mesh), trout beads (10mm), streamers and egg-imitating flies and plastics.  Also a few Atlantics, smallmouth and northerns are being picked up in the deep pools of the river on flies, spinners and live bait. The Upper Fly Fishing area closed on November 30th and will reopen on April 1st.

OSWEGO RIVER: The flow is running high – be careful. Rainbow and brown trout are in the river. The highest concentration of fish is reported from the Utica Street bridge to the dam. Hot-n-tots, fast tracks, Estaz eggs, egg sacs, skein, wooly buggers and egg pattern flies, are working well. Night fishing from the Utica Street bridge north should be good using cleos, rebel fast tracks and hot-n-tots. A few walleye are being caught on stickbaits or leeches both during the day and at night. Freshwater drum (sheephead) are hitting on night crawlers as are carp and channel cats.

OTHER WATERS: On the Susquehanna, Chenango, Tioughnioga and Unadilla Rivers limited fishing!! Only one fishing report received. The Susquehanna is high and muddy but producing some nice walleyes.

>>))))*>

ANGLERS CALENDAR:

31 - Close of Fishing Season for Trout in the Finger Lakes Tributaries

What Are You Catching? (Click Here)

12-16-11

TIP: General Ice Thickness Guidelines

For New, Clear Ice Only

• 2" or less - STAY OFF
• 4" - Ice fishing or other activities on foot
• 5" - Snowmobile or ATV
• 8" - 12" - Car or small pickup
• 12" - 15" - Medium truck

Remember that these thicknesses are merely guidelines for new, clear, solid ice. Many factors other than thickness can cause ice to be unsafe.

No matter what you are going to do once you get on the ice - like fishing, snowmobiling, skating or even ice boating, it’s a good idea to contact a local bait shop or resort on the lake about ice conditions. It’s also important to do some checking yourself once you get there. Several factors affect the relative safety of ice, such as temperature, snow cover and currents. But a very important factor is the actual ice thickness. (http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice/thickness.html)

*LAKE ERIE: Yellow perch catches should remain good – weather permitting. The most productive area is between Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point in 50-70 fow. Emerald shiners or small minnows fished just off bottom remain the hot bait but salted minnows and worms are also working. Catches of walleyes have been scarce. Try shallower locations where the walleye should be feeding. Worm harnesses, in blue or silver, both trolled and bottom bounced with a three-way rig are suggested. A few steelhead are cruising the shoreline near the major tributary stream mouths. Trolling with spoons and spinners is suggested for steelhead. Casting from the Cattaraugus Creek breakwall with flashy spoons is a good bet for both steelhead and lake trout. If you’re looking for bass, remember it’s now catch and release/artificals lures only!! If you target the bass fish in 20-40 fow. Bass stick tight to structure, so key on areas like drop-offs, reefs and rock piles. A drop-shot rig combined with tube jigs or other plastic creature baits (especially a round goby imitation or a Poor Boys Erie Darter) work well.

*LAKE ERIE TRIBS: The brown trout bite has cooled a bit in Dunkirk Harbor. Focus near the warm water discharge area with live minnows, egg sacks, spoons or spinners. Anglers can also target trout from the pier at Barcelona Harbor. The Lake Erie tributaries are running high and muddy. They should be in good shape by the end of the weekend. The steelhead have been spread out over the entire sections of the streams and new fish are being reported. Good baits and flies for steelhead include egg sacs, egg pattern flies, trout beads, woolly buggers, egg-sucking leeches and streamers. Small hair jigs tipped with waxworms/spikes and fished under a float have also worked well. When fishing during low and clear water conditions, it is best to move stealthily and use small hooks, small baits, light colored streamers/buggers and light lines to fool finicky steelhead. Fishing early or late in the day is also a good bet. Once water temperatures dip below 40 degrees, look for the better bite around mid-day.

*UPPER NIAGARA RIVER: The upper river is currently too muddy to fish but when it clears: Target yellow perch, white perch, rock bass and sheepshead from shore. Live bait provides the best prospects. Broderick Park is one reported spot for perch. A few walleye have been hitting at the head of the river on worm harnesses. Other areas suggested are around Strawberry and Navy Islands followed by Grand and Motor Islands. Live shiners and worms work well. Try  casting with spoons or drifting egg sacks for trout from Broderick Park, as well as along the Bird Island Pier and the northern tip of Squaw Island.

*LOWER NIAGARA RIVER: Action may be hampered by muddy water with the recent rains and high winds. Trout are spread throughout the system. Kwikfish, egg skein or egg sacs can be productive. A lake trout may show up too but remember their season is closed. Boaters have seen some good steelhead action this week, with the best bite in the Devils Hole, Artpark and Stella drifts. Live minnows, egg sacs or Kwikfish lures fished off a 3-way bottom bouncing rig works well. One group reported success using Fuzz-E grub jigs to catch trout on the bar, both tipped with minnows and clean. The quarter-ounce jig in chartreuse worked best.  Anglers using shore fishing areas report decent catches of brown trout and steelhead. Fish with egg sacks, egg pattern flies, bugger patterns, spoons and spinners. Try to get your baits down near the bottom. Trout are also being caught downriver towards Fort Niagara and on the Niagara Bar, when the winds cooperate. From shore catches of yellow perch, white perch and rock bass are increasing. Live bait is the way to go for the warmwater species. Walleye activity is fair at the mouth of the River. Drifting with 3-way bottom bouncing rigs combined with worm harnesses or yellow sally rigs is the way to go. Trolling with worm harnesses is a better bet out on the Bar. Exercise extreme caution when shore fishing in the lower river, as slippery rocks, strong currents and water level changes make these areas hazardous. The NYPA fishing platform has been closed for the winter.

*LAKE ONTARIO - WEST: Lake fishing trout rates fair. Trolling with J-Plugs and J-13 Rapalas may produce near dawn and dusk. Night anglers can anchor in 15-30 fow off the harbor/tributary mouths, casting glow spoons or stickbaits. Try flasher-fly combos, at first light, run 30 - 50 feet down. Fish the top 50 feet for steelhead, browns, coho, and Atlantic salmon. Use a mix of spoons, spin doctors and flies. Color and preferred lure type can change from day to day so don’t be afraid to experiment. Better lures for the browns - green patterned Northern King spoons and the Northland Fluttertail spoon in an alewife pattern. Decent yellow perch catches are available in 15 - 30 fow drifting crabs, worms and minnows.

*LAKE ONTARIO - WEST - TRIBS: Look for browns, steelhead, coho salmon and the occasional Atlantic salmon. Egg sacs, salmon skein, rubber eggs, marshmellows and yarn eggs, little cleos in greens, oranges and glows and egg pattern flies and bugger patterns are good baits to try. Fly fishing is great using black nymphs, woolie buggers again in black or egg sucking leeches in various colors. Chartruese is also good. A list of streams inclues Oak Orchard Creek, Eighteenmile Creek, the Genesee River, Four Mile and Twelve Mile Creeks, Johnson, Marsh and Sandy Creeks. The lower, slow moving sections of Eighteenmile Creek, Oak Orchard Creek and the Genesee River are also good options for trout and salmon. These sections are only accessible by boat. Pier action continues with anglers catching brown trout and the occasional steelhead. Night time is the right time to target trout and salmon from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobbler glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Catches are best from piers at the mouths of the major tributaries, however, trout are available from any pier that extends into Lake Ontario. Anglers have been catching brown trout and steelhead on spoons, spinners and live minnows fished from the piers when weather permits. Good locations to try include the piers at Wilson Harbor, Olcott Harbor, Oak Orchard Creek and the Genesee River.  Productive baits inland have been egg sacs, beads and egg pattern flies, however, streamer patterns, bugger patterns and grub-tipped marabou jigs also draw strikes. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. Check the regulations before going out. Catches of warm water species around the harbor areas such as Wilson Harbor, Olcott Harbor, Golden Hill State Park, Point Breeze/Oak Orchard and the Genesee should remain good. Also, on the Oak reports are nice perch, northern pike, some walleye, along with some catfish are being caught. Live bait (minnows, golden shiners, crayfish, leeches and worms) is the way to go. For some novelty try lower Oak Orchard for gar pike. The two bridges area has been reported hot for perch.

*CHAUTAUQUA LAKE: The open-lake fishing season is winding down and most anglers have pulled their boats for the winter. Some walleye action has been reported in the north basin. Anchor or drift outside the weeds using a 3 ounce black hair jig tipped with a crawler or cast stickbaits toward shore. Jigging with leeches is another option. Recommended depths are in 12-18 fow. Good action on larger bluegill has kept the panfish anglers happy. Fishing with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow is a good bet. Good numbers of sizeable bluegill, pumpkinseed and crappie have been found in 11 feet of water near Shermans Bay. One of the better spots for crappie is at the mouth of Goose Creek near Ashville Bay Marina at the buoy marker. Work the 8-10 foot level with small tube jigs or a split shot rig tipped with a minnow. Yellow perch and white perch are being taken with worms, small minnows and small ice fishing jigs tipped with waxworms fished near bottom in 10 – 15 fow, outside the weedline. Best reports are coming from around Long Point and Bemus Bay.

*WESTERN TROUT STREAMS: The area streams are in good shape or maybe a little high. Drifting nymphs or casting small streamer patterns through the head and tail out of pools can be effective. Olive wooly buggers with a little bit of flash are a good bet for this tactic. Terrestrials are also on the trout menu. When fishing streams surrounded by moderate to heavy vegetation, terrestrial imitations can be very effective. Ant dry flies and foam beetles are favorites among fly anglers who fish terrestrials often. Considering that terrestrial insects are poor swimmers, these patterns should be fished on a dead drift, with slight twitches every now and again to imitate a struggling insect. Grasshopper, cricket, and spider patterns can also take fish. Spinning anglers do well with worms, salted minnows and small inline spinners. The statewide trout season runs from April 1 to October 15, however many streams and lakes are open all year for trout fishing. Check the Special Regulations by County to determine if your target stream is open for trout fishing beyond October 15.

*SILVER LAKE: For walleye try worm harnesses, Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds. Pike add to the excitement. Live bait appears most productive for them. Try for panfish with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow. For yellow perch work worms or small minnows outside the weedline around the lake.

*CONESUS LAKE: Walleye and northern pike should be hitting. Try Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds for the ‘eyes and live bait for the pike. Good numbers of perch, rock bass and sunfish are also available. Fish live bait (worms and small minnows) or small spinner baits.

*HEMLOCK LAKE: No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

*CANADICE LAKE: No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

*HONEOYE LAKE: The lake offers some big bluegills in 15 - 30 fow. Try for walleyes in the center of the lake during the day and move into the shallows, 8 - 14 feet, around dusk. Try jigs and leeches for them.

Just a reminder, the NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the south end of Honeoye Lake will close for the remainder of the boating season on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs and a new larger parking lot installation. The parking lot is expected to open in November for the upcoming ice fishing season. Trident Marine on the NE side of the lake will be open, however they charge $10. to launch and have limited parking.

*CANANDAIGUA LAKE: Rainbows and a few browns are hitting small, silver spoons or flasher & flies fished down 45 to 60 feet over a 75 to 150 foot bottom. A few lakers are also being taken near bottom at 90 to 120 feet. Perch fishing is improving off the weedbeds in 10 to 30 fow. Try using small tube baits, grubs, or fathead minnows. The NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the north end of Canandaigua Lake closed on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs. It is scheduled to re-open 1/1/12.

*WANETA/LAMOKA LAKES: Pickerel and bluegill fishing remains good; action is not fast and furious, but there is enough to keep it interesting. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Some yellow perch are hitting on crayfish and minnows fished in 15 fow.

*KEUKA LAKE: Try for lakers jigging off the points, especially off the Bluff, in 90 to 110 feet of water with gold Kastmasters and chartreuse or white plastics. Trolling flashers and flies, spoons or stillfishing with sawbellies also works. Also try just south of the state park launch in 80-120 fow. Watch out for the launch. Some of the concrete ramps need repair.

*SENECA LAKE: Yellow perch fishing continues to be good in 20 to 40 feet of water throughout the lake but especially off Painted Rock and off the pier. Small minnows, crayfish, night crawlers and grubs have been working. Anglers are catching northern pike on the weed flats, using either large, live shiners under bobbers or casting large crankbaits (blue and chrome-colored).  Atlantic salmon, brown and some rainbow trout are hitting stickbaits and spoons fished at the surface or at the 40 - 70 foot level. Good colors to try silver and black, silver and blue or silver and chartreuse. Lake trout are being taken on spoons, and flashers & flies fished off Dipsey divers (200 to 230 feet back) and off down riggers down 50 to 100 feet over 150 - 200 fow. Vertical jigging for lakers in 70 to 110 fow is also producing. Start with chartreuse plastics. Some anglers claim success catching lakers and landlocked salmon in front of the canal at the southern end of the lake. Lots of bullheads are being caught on leeches and nightcrawlers at the old canal on the east shore.

*CAYUGA LAKE: Lake trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken around Taughannock trolling with spoons, or flashers and flies both off down riggers and Dipsey divers. Fish at 45 - 80 feet down over a 100 to 300 foot bottom. Lake trout are also hitting for those vertical jigging chartreuse plastics in 65 to 85 feet of water. A few brown trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken on spoons fished 75 to 150 feet down over 110 to 250 foot bottom. Try Countdown Rapalas and Silver Hammered Crocodiles. Good colors have been white, green, purple and blue. Some nice brown trout are also being taken by anglers vertical jigging for lake trout in 65 – 85 fow. There were reports of Atlantic salmon in some of the tributaries and anglers were getting them on egg imitating flies and streamers.  Pickerel and perch are being taken in the north end in 10 - 15 fow on fathead and larger minnows. One of the better perch spots is around Union Springs.

The boat launch at Allen Treman State Park has been closed for the season in an effort to help prevent the spread of Hydrilla (an invasive aquatic plant).

*SKANEATELES LAKE: Lake trout, rainbows and Atlantic salmon are feeding on small perch. Trolling 30 to 50 feet down with small perch colored spoons or stickbaits is producing. Lake trout are also hitting at 60 to 80 feet down over a 80 -100 foot bottom. Early in the day glow baits are working better but as the sun gets higher switching to pearl, chartreuse, or silver has been better. Trolling on the surface for rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon has been slow; this is usually a good fall fishing technique though. Also, shore fishing with marshmallow and worm rigs usually works well this time of year for rainbow trout. Rock bass and yellow perch fishing is picking up and they are being taken on small minnows or crayfish. One dock has been removed; the launch will remain open as weather permits.

*OWASCO LAKE: Lake trout fishing has been slow. Try the north end of the lake, vertical jigging in 65 to 95 fow. Trolling the north end in 50 to 75 fow over 100 - 120 foot bottom with spoons may also produce lakers and an occasional nice sized brown trout. Walleye were reported at the north end but no report this week. Try for northern pike at the south end hitting spoons. Yellow perch are hitting around the lake on fathead minnows. Anglers are still catching a few rainbow and brown trout in the inlet using worms and egg sacks.

*OTISCO LAKE: Some walleye are being taken trolling 25 – 30 feet down over a 45 to 60 foot bottom with worm harnesses. Also try casting stickbaits off the causeway after dark. A few tiger muskie have been picked up at the lake’s south and north ends on minnows and swimbaits, stickbaits and large spinners. Also, crappies and perch are hitting small minnows along the shore.

*EASTERN TROUT STREAMS: Trout and salmon should be showing up at any time in the Finger Lakes tribs. Keep checking and let us know when they’re in. Anglers are getting some brown trout in the Owasco Inlet.

*WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR: Anglers are catching perch using fathead minnows and jigs. Try for walleye trolling in 10 -15 fow or drifting with worm harnesses and leeches. Fish slow and work deeper water. Walleye are also being taken in the spillway with fathead minnows and leeches fisher under floats or on jigs and stickbaits. Best action is during the early morning or late evening hours. Fishing slowly with dark colored bucktail jigs or worm harnesses along drop-offs has been producing mixed bags of perch and walleye.

*SANDY POND: A few pike are providing some action but you have to work for them. Walleye fishing has been fair using crankbaits, worm harnesses and jigs. Panfish are still providing action around the shoreline and some yellow perch are being taken on small minnows.

*ONEIDA LAKE: Perch fishing is reported good this week. Fish off the weedbeds in 10 – 20 fow using small crayfish, a little piece of worm on a hook or tipping a small spinner with a piece of a worm. Fish in the shallows, in the weeds, around the weeds and in deep water; it all seems to be working. Walleye fishing has been reported good from dusk to dawn casting from shore. Use a very slow retrieve and a stealthy approach. Stickbaits in black & silver and blue & silver work well for this fall walleye bite. One specific lure mentioned was the silver Challenger minnow. As usual pickerel are also biting on the bass lures. Bluegills and pumpkinseed sunfish are being taken on small tube jigs or tiny crayfish. You can also try drifting chartreuse/green Dixie spinners at 15 feet around the weedbeds. Make note that the docks have been removed from the South Shore launch, if that’s the area you use.

*ONONDAGA LAKE: No reports. Help!!

*LAKE ONTARIO - EAST: For brown trout and steelhead work the near shore waters, trolling with stickbaits (Rapala's, Thunderstiks and Smithwicks) or large spoons (Stinger spoons and NK 28s). Chartreuse colored spoons have been good for the browns. Steelhead are being caught on orange or red spoons at 25 feet. Perch are hitting in 3 to 4 feet of water, close to shore. The bass baits listed will also work for perch. For all species fishing early or late in the day has been the most productive.

*LAKE ONTARIO - EAST TRIBS: Maxwell Creek and the other tributaries have fair to good flows of water and good numbers of fish to provide some interesting action. Maxwell has fish mostly north of Lake Road. Anglers are catching primarily steelhead and brown trout on pink, blue and yellow egg sacs, egg imitating plastics, flies and small 1/32 oz. jigs fished under floats. This will hold for the other tribs as well, such as Bear Creek in Ontario, New York. Some anglers are trying night time fishing; targeting trout from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobblers glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Some specific spots are the piers at Sodus Bay, Webster Park and the Genesee River. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out!!

*WAYNE COUNTY BAYS: Again, this week the word remains perch. They are the targeted species in all of the bays. In Port Bay, the channel has been the scene of action along with drop-offs near the points especially Graves Point. Use flathead minnows or small jigs tipped with spikes. In Sodus anglers have been fishing the creek mouths and the island points. Try 20 to 26 feet of water. Perch have been extra large…in the pound plus class. On Blind Sodus work the north end. They have been hitting fatheads, but you can catch perch with small jigs and spikes. Swedish Pimples and any teardrop jigs work well.  Try for pike, along the weedlines.  Panfish are being caught on small jigs or worms. Fishing early or late in the day has proved most productive. On the Canal, anglers are still fishing the widewaters. The rest of the waterway has been drained. Fish the shoreline near locks for best action. Perch are also active over on Fairhaven Bay. Work the north end in 25 – 35 fow.

*MONROE COUNTY BAYS: On Irondequoit Bay, look for perch around the outlet and out in the bay at 20 – 30 feet; pike in the coves and walleye along the drop-offs in deeper water. Live bait should prove best. Some trout are also showing up in Irondequoit. In Greece, fish Braddock Bay and ponds for crappie and perch. Jigs or minnows are recommended. Use small jigs for panfish. In the lower Genesee, action is supplied by catfish around the Turning Basin and sheepshead at the piers. You can also go after the trout when the water clears.

*SALMON RIVER: Steelhead and brown trout are being caught throughout the river with most of the angler pressure between Route 2a and the Lower Fly zone. Action on sunny days has been better in the early morning and late afternoon. Good baits are egg sacs (blue, chartreuse and white mesh), trout beads (10mm), streamers and egg-imitating flies and plastics.  Also a few Atlantics, smallmouth and northerns are being picked up in the deep pools of the river on flies, spinners and live bait. The Upper Fly Fishing area closed on November 30th and will reopen on April 1st.

*OSWEGO RIVER: Rainbow and brown trout are in the river. The highest concentration of fish is reported from the Utica Street bridge to the dam. Hot-n-tots, fast tracks, Estaz eggs, egg sacs, skein, wooly buggers and egg pattern flies, are working well. Night fishing from the Utica Street bridge north should be good using cleos, rebel fast tracks and hot-n-tots. A few walleye are being caught on stickbaits or leeches both during the day and at night. Freshwater drum (sheephead) are hitting on night crawlers as are carp and channel cats.

*OTHER WATERS: On the Susquehanna, Chenango, Tioughnioga and Unadilla Rivers limited fishing!! Only one fishing report received. The Susquehanna is high and muddy but producing some nice walleyes.

>>))))*>

ANGLERS CALENDAR:

No entries.

What Are You Catching? (Click Here)

12-9-11 

TIP: General Ice Thickness Guidelines

For New, Clear Ice Only

• 2" or less - STAY OFF
• 4" - Ice fishing or other activities on foot
• 5" - Snowmobile or ATV
• 8" - 12" - Car or small pickup
• 12" - 15" - Medium truck

Remember that these thicknesses are merely guidelines for new, clear, solid ice. Many factors other than thickness can cause ice to be unsafe.

No matter what you are going to do once you get on the ice - like fishing, snowmobiling, skating or even ice boating, it’s a good idea to contact a local bait shop or resort on the lake about ice conditions. It’s also important to do some checking yourself once you get there. Several factors affect the relative safety of ice, such as temperature, snow cover and currents. But a very important factor is the actual ice thickness. (http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice/thickness.html)

LAKE ERIE: Yellow perch catches should remain good – weather permitting. The most productive area is between Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point in 50-70 fow, but the 60-70 foot range is the most productive. Emerald shiners or small minnows fished just off bottom remain the hot bait but salted minnows and worms are also working. Catches of walleyes have been scarce. Try shallower locations where the walleye should be feeding. Worm harnesses, in blue or silver, both trolled and bottom bounced with a three-way rig are suggested. A few steelhead are cruising the shoreline near the major tributary stream mouths. Trolling with spoons and spinners is suggested for steelhead. Casting from the Cattaraugus Creek breakwall with flashy spoons is a good bet for both steelhead and lake trout. If you’re looking for bass, remember it’s now catch and release/artificals lures only!! If you target the bass fish in 20-40 fow. Bass stick tight to structure, so key on areas like drop-offs, reefs and rock piles. A drop-shot rig combined with tube jigs or other plastic creature baits (especially a round goby imitation or a Poor Boys Erie Darter) work well.

LAKE ERIE TRIBS: The first consistent reports of trout in Dunkirk Harbor have showed up. Focus near the warm water discharge area with egg sacks, spoons or spinners. The smaller tributaries and Cattaraugus Creek feeder streams are in good shape today. Medium sized streams such as Chautauqua, Canadaway, Eighteenmile and Buffalo Creeks are flowing a little on the high side and may still be a bit murky, but fishable. The fish are spread out over the entire sections of the streams. Lake Erie steelhead commonly hit natural baits like egg sacs or worms and flies such as egg patterns, streamers and bugger patterns. When fishing during low and clear water conditions, it is best to move stealthily and use small hooks, small baits, light colored streamers/buggers and light lines to fool finicky steelhead. Fishing early or late in the day is also a good bet.

UPPER NIAGARA RIVER: Muskellunge season is closed and so is the season for tiger musky and in addition, bass season switches over to a catch-and-release only season with anglers only allowed to fish for bass with artificial lures. Target yellow perch, white perch, rock bass and sheepshead from shore. Live bait provides the best prospects. A few walleye have been hitting at the head of the river on worm harnesses. Other areas suggested are around Strawberry and Navy Islands followed by Grand and Motor Islands. Live shiners and worms work well. Try  casting with spoons or egg sacks for trout at the head of the river from Squaw Island or the Bird island Pier.

LOWER NIAGARA RIVER: Action may be hampered by muddy water with the recent rains and high winds. Trout are spread throughout the system. Kwikfish, egg skein or egg sacs can be productive. A lake trout may show up too but remember their season is closed. Boaters have seen some good steelhead action this week, with the best bite in the Devils Hole, Artpark and Stella drifts. Live minnows, egg sacs or Kwikfish lures fished off a 3-way bottom bouncing rig works well.  Anglers fishing shore fishing areas report decent catches of brown trout and steelhead. Fish with egg sacks, egg pattern flies, bugger patterns, spoons and spinners. Try to get your baits down near the bottom. Trout are also being caught downriver towards Fort Niagara and on the Niagara Bar, when the winds cooperate. From shore catches of yellow perch, white perch and rock bass are increasing. Live bait is the way to go for the warmwater species. Walleye activity is fair at the mouth of the River. Drifting with 3-way bottom bouncing rigs combined with worm harnesses or yellow sally rigs is the way to go. Trolling with worm harnesses is a better bet out on the Bar. Although closed in most other areas, muskellunge and tiger muskellunge season remains open on the lower river until December 15th.

The NYPA fishing platform has been closed for the winter.

LAKE ONTARIO - WEST: Lake fishing trout rates only fair. Trolling with J-Plugs and J-13 Rapalas may produce near dawn and dusk. Night anglers can anchor in 15-30 fow off the harbor/tributary mouths, casting glow spoons or stickbaits. Try flasher-fly combos, at first light, run 30 - 50 feet down. Fish the top 50 feet for steelhead, browns, coho, and Atlantic salmon. Use a mix of spoons, spin doctors and flies. Color and preferred lure type can change from day to day so don’t be afraid to experiment. Better lures for the browns - green patterned Northern King spoons and the Northland Fluttertail spoon in an alewife pattern. Decent yellow perch catches are available in 15 - 30 fow drifting crabs, worms and minnows.

LAKE ONTARIO - WEST - TRIBS: Look for browns, steelhead and the occasional coho salmon and Atlantic salmon. Egg sacs, salmon skein, rubber eggs, marshmellows and yarn eggs, little cleos in greens, oranges and glows and egg pattern flies and bugger patterns are good baits to try. Fly fishing is great using black nymphs, woolie buggers again in black or egg sucking leeches in various colors. Chartruese is also good. A list of streams – Oak Orchard Creek, Eighteenmile Creek, the Genesee River, Four Mile and Twelve Mile Creeks, Johnson, Marsh and Sandy Creeks. The lower, slow moving sections of Eighteenmile Creek, Oak Orchard Creek and the Genesee River are also good options for trout and salmon. These sections are only accessible by boat. Pier action continues with anglers catching brown trout and the occasional steelhead. Night time is the right time to target trout and salmon from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobbler glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Catches are best from piers at the mouths of the major tributaries, however, trout are available from any pier that extends into Lake Ontario. Anglers have been catching brown trout and steelhead on spoons and spinners from the piers when weather permits. Good locations to try include the piers at Wilson Harbor, Olcott Harbor, Oak Orchard Creek and the Genesee River.  Productive baits inland have been egg sacs, beads and egg pattern flies, however, streamer patterns, bugger patterns and grub-tipped marabou jigs also draw strikes. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. Check the regulations before going out. Catches of warm water species around the harbor areas such as Wilson Harbor, Olcott Harbor, Golden Hill State Park, Point Breeze/Oak Orchard and the Genesee should remain good. Also, on the Oak reports are nice perch, northern pike, some walleye, along with some catfish are being caught. Live bait (minnows, golden shiners, crayfish, leeches and worms) is the way to go. For some novelty try lower Oak Orchard for gar pike.

CHAUTAUQUA LAKE: The open-lake fishing season is winding down and most anglers have pulled their boats for the winter. Muskellunge fishing is over for the season. The walleye bite is reported better in the north basin. Anchor or drift outside the weeds using a 3 ounce black hair jig tipped with a crawler or cast stickbaits toward shore. Jigging with leeches is another option. Recommended depths are in 12-18 fow. Good action on larger bluegill has kept the panfish anglers happy. Fishing with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow is a good bet. Good numbers of sizeable bluegill, pumpkinseed and crappie have been found in 11 feet of water near Shermans Bay. Yellow perch and white perch are being taken with worms, small minnows and small ice fishing jigs tipped with waxworms fished near bottom in 10 – 15 fow, outside the weedline. Best reports are coming from around Long Point and Bemus Bay.

WESTERN TROUT STREAMS: The area streams are in good shape. They’re not crowded as many sportsmen enter their hunting mode. Drifting nymphs or casting small streamer patterns through the head and tail out of pools can be effective. Olive wooly buggers with a little bit of flash are a good bet for this tactic. Terrestrials are also on the trout menu. When fishing streams surrounded by moderate to heavy vegetation, terrestrial imitations can be very effective. Ant dry flies and foam beetles are favorites among fly anglers who fish terrestrials often. Considering that terrestrial insects are poor swimmers, these patterns should be fished on a dead drift, with slight twitches every now and again to imitate a struggling insect. Grasshopper, cricket, and spider patterns can also take fish. Spinning anglers do well with worms, salted minnows and small inline spinners. The statewide trout season runs from April 1 to October 15, however many streams and lakes are open all year for trout fishing. Check the Special Regulations by County to determine if your target stream is open for trout fishing beyond October 15.

SILVER LAKE: For walleye try worm harnesses, Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds. Pike add to the excitement. Live bait appears most productive for them. Try for panfish with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow. For yellow perch work worms or small minnows outside the weedline around the lake.

CONESUS LAKE: Walleye and northern pike should be hitting. Try Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds for the ‘eyes and live bait for the pike. Good numbers of perch, rock bass and sunfish are also available. Fish live bait (worms and small minnows) or small spinner baits.

HEMLOCK LAKE: No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

CANADICE LAKE: No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

HONEOYE LAKE: The lake offers some big bluegills in 15 - 30 fow. Try for walleyes in the center of the lake during the day and move into the shallows, 8 - 14 feet, around dusk. Try jigs and leeches for them.

Just a reminder, the NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the south end of Honeoye Lake will close for the remainder of the boating season on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs and a new larger parking lot installation. The parking lot is expected to open in November for the upcoming ice fishing season. Trident Marine on the NE side of the lake will be open, however they charge $10. to launch and have limited parking.

CANANDAIGUA LAKE: Rainbows and a few browns are hitting small, silver spoons or flasher & flies fished down 45 to 60 feet over a 75 to 150 foot bottom. A few lakers are also being taken near bottom at 90 to 120 feet. Perch fishing is improving off the weedbeds in 10 to 30 fow. Try using small tube baits, grubs, or fathead minnows. The NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the north end of Canandaigua Lake closed on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs. It is scheduled to re-open 1/1/12.

WANETA/LAMOKA LAKES: Muskellunge fishing is over for the season. Pickerel and bluegill fishing remains good; action is not fast and furious, but there is enough to keep it interesting. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Some yellow perch are hitting on crayfish and minnows fished in 15 fow.

KEUKA LAKE: Try for lakers jigging off the points, especially off the Bluff, in 90 to 110 feet of water with gold Kastmasters and chartreuse or white plastics. Trolling flashers and flies, spoons or stillfishing with sawbellies also works. Also try just south of the state park launch in 80-120 fow. Watch out for the launch. Some of the concrete ramps need repair.

SENECA LAKE: Yellow perch fishing continues to be good in 20 to 40 feet of water throughout the lake but especially off Painted Rock and off the pier. Small minnows, crayfish, night crawlers and grubs have been working. Anglers are catching northern pike on the weed flats, using either large, live shiners under bobbers or casting large crankbaits (blue and chrome-colored).  Atlantic salmon, brown and some rainbow trout are hitting stickbaits and spoons fished at the surface or at the 40 - 70 foot level. Good colors to try silver and black, silver and blue or silver and chartreuse. Lake trout are being taken on spoons, and flashers & flies fished off Dipsey divers (200 to 230 feet back) and off down riggers down 50 to 100 feet over 150 - 200 fow. Vertical jigging for lakers in 70 to 110 fow is also producing. Start with chartreuse plastics. Some anglers claim success catching lakers and landlocked salmon in front of the canal at the southern end of the lake. Lots of bullheads are being caught on leeches and nightcrawlers at the old canal on the east shore.

CAYUGA LAKE: Lake trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken around Taughannock trolling with spoons, or flashers and flies both off down riggers and Dipsey divers. Fish at 45 - 80 feet down over a 100 to 300 foot bottom. Lake trout are also hitting for those vertical jigging chartreuse plastics in 65 to 85 feet of water. A few brown trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken on spoons fished 75 to 150 feet down over 110 to 250 foot bottom. Try Countdown Rapalas and Silver Hammered Crocodiles. Good colors have been white, green, purple and blue. Some nice brown trout are also being taken by anglers vertical jigging for lake trout in 65 – 85 fow. There were reports of Atlantic salmon in some of the tributaries and anglers were getting them on egg imitating flies and streamers.  Pickerel and perch are being taken in the north end in 10 - 15 fow on fathead and larger minnows. One of the better perch spots is around Union Springs.

The boat launch at Allen Treman State Park has been closed for the season in an effort to help prevent the spread of Hydrilla (an invasive aquatic plant).

SKANEATELES LAKE: Lake trout, rainbows and Atlantic salmon are feeding on small perch. Trolling 30 to 50 feet down with small perch colored spoons or stickbaits is producing. Lake trout are also hitting at 60 to 80 feet down over a 80 -100 foot bottom. Early in the day glow baits are working better but as the sun gets higher switching to pearl, chartreuse, or silver has been better. Trolling on the surface for rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon has been slow; this is usually a good fall fishing technique though. Also, shore fishing with marshmallow and worm rigs usually works well this time of year for rainbow trout. Rock bass and yellow perch fishing is picking up and they are being taken on small minnows or crayfish.

OWASCO LAKE: Lake trout fishing has been slow. Try the north end of the lake, vertical jigging in 65 to 95 fow. Trolling the north end in 50 to 75 fow over 100 - 120 foot bottom with spoons may also produce lakers and an occasional nice sized brown trout. Walleye were reported at the north end but no report this week. Try for northern pike at the south end hitting spoons. Yellow perch are hitting around the lake on fathead minnows. Anglers are still catching a few rainbow and brown trout in the inlet using worms and egg sacks.

OTISCO LAKE: Some walleye are being taken trolling 25 – 30 feet down over a 45 to 60 foot bottom with worm harnesses. Also try casting stickbaits off the causeway after dark. A few tiger muskie have been picked up at the lake’s south and north ends on minnows and swimbaits, stickbaits and large spinners. Also, crappies and perch are hitting small minnows along the shore.

EASTERN TROUT STREAMS: Trout and salmon should be showing up at any time in the Finger Lakes tribs. Keep checking and let us know when they’re in. Anglers are getting some brown trout in the Owasco Inlet.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR: Anglers are catching perch using fathead minnows and jigs. Try for walleye trolling in 10 -15 fow or drifting with worm harnesses and leeches. Fish slow and work deeper water. Walleye are also being taken in the spillway with fathead minnows and leeches fisher under floats or on jigs and stickbaits. Best action is during the early morning or late evening hours. Fishing slowly with dark colored bucktail jigs or worm harnesses along drop-offs has been producing mixed bags of perch and walleye.

SANDY POND: A few pike are providing some action but you have to work for them. Walleye fishing has been fair using crankbaits, worm harnesses and jigs. Panfish are still providing action around the shoreline and some yellow perch are being taken on small minnows.

ONEIDA LAKE: Perch fishing is reported good this week. Fish off the weedbeds in 10 – 20 fow using small crayfish, a little piece of worm on a hook or tipping a small spinner with a piece of a worm. Fish in the shallows, in the weeds, around the weeds and in deep water; it all seems to be working. Walleye fishing is inconsistent with best action found from dusk to dawn casting from shore. Stickbaits in black & silver and blue & silver work well for this fall walleye bite. The ‘eyes were hitting white bellied stickbaits. As usual pickerel are also biting on the bass lures. Bluegills and pumpkinseed sunfish are being taken on small tube jigs or tiny crayfish. You can also try drifting chartreuse/green Dixie spinners at 15 feet around the weedbeds. Make note that the docks have been removed from the South Shore launch, if that’s the area you use.

ONONDAGA LAKE: No reports. Help!!

LAKE ONTARIO - EAST: For brown trout and steelhead work the near shore waters, trolling with stickbaits (Rapala's, Thunderstiks and Smithwicks) or large spoons (Stinger spoons and NK 28s). Chartreuse colored spoons have been good for the browns. Steelhead are being caught on orange or red spoons at 25 feet. Perch are hitting in 3 to 4 feet of water, close to shore. The bass baits listed will also work for perch. For all species fishing early or late in the day has been the most productive.

LAKE ONTARIO - EAST TRIBS: Maxwell Creek and the other tributaries have fair to good flows of water and good numbers of fish to provide some interesting action. Maxwell has fish mostly north of Lake Road. Anglers are catching primarily steelhead and brown trout on pink, blue and yellow egg sacs, egg imitating plastics, flies and small 1/32 oz. jigs fished under floats. This will hold for the other tribs as well, such as Bear Creek in Ontario, New York. Some anglers are trying night time fishing; targeting trout from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobblers glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Some specific spots are the piers at Sodus Bay, Webster Park and the Genesee River. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out!!

WAYNE COUNTY BAYS: Again, this week the word remains perch. They are the targeted species in all of the bays. In Port Bay, the channel has been the scene of action along with drop-offs near the points especially Graves Point. Use flathead minnows or small jigs tipped with spikes. In Sodus anglers have been fishing the creek mouths and the island points. Try 20 to 26 feet of water. Perch have been extra large…in the pound plus class. On Blind Sodus work the north end. They have been hitting fatheads, but you can catch perch with small jigs and spikes. Swedish Pimples and any teardrop jigs work well.  Try for pike, along the weedlines.  Panfish are being caught on small jigs or worms. Fishing early or late in the day has proved most productive. On the Canal, anglers are still fishing the widewaters. The rest of the waterway has been drained. Fish the shoreline near locks for best action. Perch are also active over on Fairhaven Bay. Work the north end in 25 – 35 fow.

MONROE COUNTY BAYS: On Irondequoit Bay, look for perch around the outlet and out in the bay at 20 – 30 feet; pike in the coves and walleye along the drop-offs in deeper water. Live bait should prove best. In Greece, fish the bay and ponds for crappie and perch. Jigs or minnows are recommended. Use small jigs for panfish. In the lower Genesee, action is supplied by catfish around the Turning Basin and sheepshead at the piers.

SALMON RIVER: The river is high. Steelhead and brown trout are being caught throughout the river with most of the angler pressure between Route 2a and the Lower Fly zone. Action on sunny days has been better in the early morning and late afternoon. Good baits are egg sacs (blue, chartreuse and white mesh), streamers and egg-imitating flies and plastics.  Also a few Atlantics, smallmouth and northerns are being picked up in the deep pools of the river on flies, spinners and live bait.

OSWEGO RIVER: The river flow is up making some areas of the river unfishable. Rainbow and brown trout are in the river. The highest concentration of fish is reported from the Utica Street bridge to the dam. Hot-n-tots, fast tracks, Estaz eggs, egg sacs, skein, wooly buggers and egg pattern flies, are working well. Night fishing from the Utica Street bridge north should be good using cleos, rebel fast tracks and hot-n-tots. A few walleye are being caught on stickbaits or leeches both during the day and at night. Freshwater drum (sheephead) are hitting on night crawlers as are carp and channel cats.

OTHER WATERS: On the Susquehanna, Chenango, Tioughnioga and Unadilla Rivers limited fishing!! Only one fishing report received. The Susquehanna is high and muddy but producing some nice walleyes.

>>))))*>

ANGLERS CALENDAR:

10 – First Ice Expo at Gander Mountain, 5864 Carmenica Drive, Cicero, NY (9:00 am – 4:00 pm) Free Seminars with ice fishing’s top pros. 21 product exhibitors on site. Prizes awarded hourly! (For more info call 315-698-1100)

10 - Rod & Gun Auction at Hessney Auction Center, 2741 route 14N, Geneva, NY (9:15 am) Shotguns, rifles, handguns, military, decoys, knives, mounts, fishing, ammo and swords. (For more information call 315-789-9349 or 585-734-6082 or go to www.hessney.com )

What Are You Catching? (Click Here)

12-2-11

TIP:Stay light - Given that anglers stand a good chance of catching a large walleye in the fall, and that they are using larger lures than they were using just a few weeks ago, it can be tempting for anglers to tie on heavier fishing line. But doing so is a mistake. Lures perform best on lighter line and in most instances, anglers should use 8-pound test fishing line during the fall. If they are trolling particularly large crankbaits or fishing around snags, anglers can go to 10- or 12-pound line, but the general rule is to use as light of line as you can get away with.
Fall Walleye Fishing Tips | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5379777_fall-walleye-fishing-tips.html#ixzz1ep88Qrmj

Black Bass season ended November 30th. Now it’s catch and release.

*LAKE ERIE: Yellow perch catches should be good – weather permitting. The most productive area is between Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point in 50-70 fow, but the 60-70 foot range is the most productive. Emerald shiners or small minnows fished just off bottom remain the hot bait but salted minnows and worms are also working. Catches of walleyes have been scarce. Try shallower locations where the walleye should be feeding. Worm harnesses, in blue or silver, both trolled and bottom bounced with a three-way rig are suggested. One of the better spots is just north of Sturgeon Point in 15 – 20 fow. A few steelhead are cruising the shoreline near the major tributary stream mouths. Trolling with spoons and spinners is suggested for steelhead. Casting from the Cattaraugus Creek breakwall with flashy spoons is a good bet for both steelhead and lake trout. If you’re looking for bass, remember it’s now catch and release/artificals lures only!! If you target the bass fish in 20-40 fow. Bass stick tight to structure, so key on areas like drop-offs, reefs and rock piles. A drop-shot rig combined with tube jigs or other plastic creature baits (especially a round goby imitation or a Poor Boys Erie Darter) work well.

*LAKE ERIE TRIBS: Cattaraugus Creek is running high and in parts unfishable. The medium sized streams like Chautauqua, Canadaway, Eighteenmile and Buffalo Creeks are currently in good shape with moderate flows and good color. On the Catt. fish are scattered from the mouth to the Springville Dam, however the lower section, from the breakwall at the mouth up through the reservation is the better stretch. Lake Erie steelhead commonly hit natural baits like egg sacs or worms and flies such as egg patterns, streamers and bugger patterns. When fishing during low and clear water conditions, it is best to move stealthily and use small hooks, small baits, light colored streamers/buggers and light lines to fool finicky steelhead. Fishing early or late in the day is also a good bet.

*UPPER NIAGARA RIVER: Muskellunge season is closed and so is the season for tiger musky and in addition, bass season switches over to a catch-and-release only season with anglers only allowed to fish for bass with artificial lures. Target yellow perch, white perch, rock bass and sheepshead from shore. Live bait provides the best prospects. A few walleye have been hitting at the head of the river on worm harnesses. Other areas suggested are around Strawberry and Navy Islands followed by Grand and Motor Islands. Live shiners and worms work well. Casting for trout at the head of the river might be one of your best options at this point, from Squaw Island or the Bird island Pier.

*LOWER NIAGARA RIVER: Action may be hampered by muddy water with the recent rains and high winds. Trout are spread throughout the system. Kwikfish, egg skein or egg sacs can be productive. Casting ¾ ounce green Cleos, according to one report, is productive too. A lake trout may show up too but remember their season is closed. Anglers fishing at the NYPA fishing platform and other shore fishing areas report decent catches of brown trout and steelhead. Fish with egg sacks, egg pattern flies, bugger patterns, spoons and spinners. Try to get your baits down near the bottom. From shore catches of yellow perch, white perch and rock bass are increasing. Live bait is the way to go for the warmwater species. Walleye activity is fair at the mouth of the River. Drifting with 3-way bottom bouncing rigs combined with worm harnesses or yellow sally rigs is the way to go. Trolling with worm harnesses is a better bet out on the Bar. Although closed in most other areas, muskellunge and tiger muskellunge season remains open on the lower river until December 15th. Remember that a study involving lake sturgeon is ongoing through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and if you catch a sturgeon (or even see one) you are asked to call with all the details. contact Dimitri Gorsky at 716-691-5456 Ext. 162. Also, A word of caution for anglers drifting Devil’s Hole or Artpark. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has some trap nets set out (marked by buoys) in the high hole at Devil’s Hole and along the Artpark drift– making for some difficult drifting options.

*LAKE ONTARIO - WEST: Hunting seasons and the lure of tributary fishing has taken the pressure off the lake. Lake fishing trout rates only fair. Trolling with J-Plugs and J-13 Rapalas may produce near dawn and dusk. Night anglers can anchor in 15-30 fow off the harbor/tributary mouths, casting glow spoons or stickbaits. Try flasher-fly combos, at first light, run 30 - 50 feet down. Fish the top 50 feet for steelhead, browns, coho, and Atlantic salmon. Use a mix of spoons, spin doctors and flies. Color and preferred lure type can change from day to day so don’t be afraid to experiment. Better lures for the browns - green patterned Northern King spoons and the Northland Fluttertail spoon in an alewife pattern. Decent yellow perch catches are available in 15 - 30 fow drifting crabs, worms and minnows.

*LAKE ONTARIO - WEST - TRIBS: Look for browns, steelhead and the occasional coho salmon and Atlantic salmon. Egg sacs, salmon skein, rubber eggs, marshmellows and yarn eggs, little cleos in greens, oranges and glows and egg pattern flies and bugger patterns are good baits to try. Fly fishing is great using black nymphs, woolie buggers again in black or egg sucking leeches in various colors. Chartruese is also good. A list of streams – Oak Orchard Creek, Eighteenmile Creek, the Genesee River, Four Mile and Twelve Mile Creeks, Johnson, Marsh and Sandy Creeks. The lower, slow moving sections of Eighteenmile Creek, Oak Orchard Creek and the Genesee River are also good options for trout and salmon. These sections are only accessible by boat. Pier action continues with anglers catching brown trout and the occasional steelhead. Night time is the right time to target trout and salmon from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobbler glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Catches are best from piers at the mouths of the major tributaries, however, trout are available from any pier that extends into Lake Ontario. Anglers have been catching brown trout and steelhead on spoons and spinners from the piers when weather permits. Good locations to try include the piers at Wilson Harbor, Olcott Harbor, Oak Orchard Creek and the Genesee River.  Productive baits inland have been egg sacs, beads and egg pattern flies, however, streamer patterns, bugger patterns and grub-tipped marabou jigs also draw strikes. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. Check the regulations before going out. Catches of warm water species around the harbor areas such as Wilson Harbor, Olcott Harbor, Golden Hill State Park, Point Breeze/Oak Orchard and the Genesee should remain good. Also, on the Oak reports are nice perch, northern pike, some walleye, along with some catfish are being caught. Live bait (minnows, golden shiners, crayfish, leeches and worms) is the way to go. For some novelty try lower Oak Orchard for gar pike. On Lake Alice, bluegill are being taken in good numbers around the Waterport Bridge.

* CHAUTAUQUA LAKE: The open-lake fishing season is winding down and most anglers have pulled their boats for the winter. Muskellunge fishing is over for the season. The walleye bite is reported better in the north basin. Anchor or drift outside the weeds using a 3 ounce black hair jig tipped with a crawler or cast stickbaits toward shore. Jigging with leeches is another option. Recommended depths are in 12-18 fow. Good action on larger bluegill has kept the panfish anglers happy. Fishing with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow is a good bet. Good numbers of sizeable bluegill, pumpkinseed and crappie have been found in 11 feet of water near Shermans Bay. Yellow perch and white perch are being taken with worms, small minnows and small ice fishing jigs tipped with waxworms fished near bottom in 10 – 20 fow, outside the weedline. Best reports are coming from around Long Point and Bemus Bay.

*WESTERN TROUT STREAMS: The area streams are in good shape. They’re not crowded as many sportsmen enter their hunting mode. Drifting nymphs or casting small streamer patterns through the head and tail out of pools can be effective. Olive wooly buggers with a little bit of flash are a good bet for this tactic. Terrestrials are also on the trout menu. When fishing streams surrounded by moderate to heavy vegetation, terrestrial imitations can be very effective. Ant dry flies and foam beetles are favorites among fly anglers who fish terrestrials often. Considering that terrestrial insects are poor swimmers, these patterns should be fished on a dead drift, with slight twitches every now and again to imitate a struggling insect. Grasshopper, cricket, and spider patterns can also take fish. Spinning anglers do well with worms, salted minnows and small inline spinners. The statewide trout season runs from April 1 to October 15, however many streams and lakes are open all year for trout fishing. Check the Special Regulations by County to determine if your target stream is open for trout fishing beyond October 15.

*SILVER LAKE: For walleye try worm harnesses, Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds. Pike add to the excitement. Live bait appears most productive for them. Try for panfish with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow. For yellow perch work worms or small minnows outside the weedline around the lake.

*CONESUS LAKE: Walleye and northern pike should be hitting. Try Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds for the ‘eyes and live bait for the pike. Good numbers of perch, rock bass and sunfish are also available. Fish live bait (worms and small minnows) or small spinner baits.

*HEMLOCK LAKE: No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

*CANADICE LAKE: No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

*HONEOYE LAKE: The lake offers some big bluegills in 15 - 30 fow. Try for walleyes in the center of the lake during the day and move into the shallows, 8 - 14 feet, around dusk. Try jigs and leeches for them.

Just a reminder, the NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the south end of Honeoye Lake will close for the remainder of the boating season on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs and a new larger parking lot installation. The parking lot is expected to open in November for the upcoming ice fishing season. Trident Marine on the NE side of the lake will be open, however they charge $10. to launch and have limited parking.

*CANANDAIGUA LAKE: Rainbows and a few browns are hitting small, silver spoons or flasher & flies fished down 45 to 60 feet over a 75 to 150 foot bottom. A few lakers are also being taken near bottom at 90 to 120 feet. Perch fishing is improving off the weedbeds in 10 to 30 fow. Try using small tube baits, grubs, or fathead minnows. The NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the north end of Canandaigua Lake closed on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs. It is scheduled to re-open 1/1/12.

*WANETA/LAMOKA LAKES: Muskellunge fishing is over for the season. Pickerel and bluegill fishing remains good, action is not fast and furious, but there is enough to keep it interesting. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Some yellow perch are hitting on crayfish and minnows fished in 15 fow.

*KEUKA LAKE: Try for lakers jigging off the points, especially off the Bluff, in 90 to 110 feet of water with gold Kastmasters and chartreuse or white plastics. Trolling flashers and flies, spoons or stillfishing with sawbellies also works. Also try just south of the state park launch in 80-120 fow. Watch out for the launch. Some of the concrete ramps need repair.

*SENECA LAKE: Yellow perch fishing continues to be good in 20 to 40 feet of water throughout the lake but especially off Painted Rock and off the pier. Small minnows, crayfish, night crawlers and grubs have been working. Anglers are catching northern pike on the weed flats, using either large, live shiners under bobbers or casting large crankbaits (blue and chrome-colored).  Atlantic salmon, brown and some rainbow trout are hitting stickbaits and spoons fished at the surface or at the 40 - 70 foot level. Good colors to try silver and black, silver and blue or silver and chartreuse. Lake trout are being taken on spoons, and flashers & flies fished off Dipsey divers (200 to 230 feet back) and off down riggers down 50 to 100 feet over 150 - 200 fow. Vertical jigging for lakers in 70 to 110 fow is also producing. Start with chartreuse plastics. Some anglers claim success catching lakers and landlocked salmon in front of the canal at the southern end of the lake. Lots of bullheads are being caught on leeches and nightcrawlers at the old canal on the east shore.

*CAYUGA LAKE: Lake trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken around Taughannock trolling with spoons, or flashers and flies both off down riggers and Dipsey divers. Fish at 45 - 80 feet down over a 100 to 300 foot bottom. Lake trout are also hitting for those vertical jigging chartreuse plastics in 65 to 85 feet of water. A few brown trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken on spoons fished 75 to 150 feet down over 110 to 250 foot bottom. Try Countdown Rapalas and Silver Hammered Crocodiles. Good colors have been white, green, purple and blue. Some nice brown trout are also being taken by anglers vertical jigging for lake trout in 65 – 85 fow. There were reports of Atlantic salmon in some of the tributaries and anglers were getting them on egg imitating flies and streamers.  Pickerel and perch are being taken in the north end in 10 - 15 fow on fathead and larger minnows. One of the better perch spots is around Union Springs.

The boat launch at Allen Treman State Park has been closed for the season in an effort to help prevent the spread of Hydrilla (an invasive aquatic plant).

*SKANEATELES LAKE: Lake trout, rainbows and Atlantic salmon are feeding on small perch. Trolling 30 to 50 feet down with small perch colored spoons or stickbaits is producing. Lake trout are also hitting at 60 to 80 feet down over a 80 -100 foot bottom. Early in the day glow baits are working better but as the sun gets higher switching to pearl, chartreuse, or silver has been better. Trolling on the surface for rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon has been slow; this is usually a good fall fishing technique though. Also, shore fishing with marshmallow and worm rigs usually works well this time of year for rainbow trout. Rock bass and yellow perch fishing is picking up and they are being taken on small minnows or crayfish.

*OWASCO LAKE: Lake trout fishing has been slow. Try the north end of the lake, vertical jigging in 65 to 95 fow. Trolling the north end in 50 to 75 fow over 100 - 120 foot bottom with spoons may also produce lakers and an occasional nice sized brown trout. Walleye were reported at the north end but no report this week. Try for northern pike at the south end hitting spoons. Yellow perch are hitting around the lake on fathead minnows. Anglers are still catching spawning brown trout in the inlet using worms and egg sacks.

*OTISCO LAKE: Some walleye are being taken trolling 25 – 30 feet down over a 45 to 60 foot bottom with worm harnesses. Also try casting stickbaits off the causeway after dark. A few tiger muskie have been picked up at the lake’s south and north ends on minnows and swimbaits, stickbaits and large spinners. Also, crappies and perch are hitting small minnows along the shore.

*EASTERN TROUT STREAMS: Trout and salmon should be showing up at any time in the Finger Lakes tribs. Keep checking and let us know when they’re in. Anglers are getting some brown trout in the Owasco Inlet.

*WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR: Perch bite has picked up this week. Anglers are catching them averaging 11 to 13 inches using fathead minnows and jigs. Try for walleye trolling in 10 -15 fow or drifting with worm harnesses and leeches. Fish slow and work deeper water. Walleye are also being taken in the spillway on leeches fished under bobbers. Best action is during the early morning or late evening hours. Fishing slowly with dark colored bucktail jigs or worm harnesses along drop-offs has been producing mixed bags of perch and walleye.

*SANDY POND: A few pike are providing some action but you have to work for them. Walleye fishing has been fair using crankbaits, worm harnesses and jigs. Panfish are still providing action around the shoreline and some yellow perch are being taken on small minnows.

*ONEIDA LAKE: Perch fishing is reported good this week. Fish off the weedbeds in 10 – 20 fow using small crayfish, a little piece of worm on a hook or tipping a small spinner with a piece of a worm. Fish in the shallows, in the weeds, around the weeds and in deep water; it all seems to be working. One hotspot is in front of Oneida Shores Park. Walleye fishing is inconsistent with best action found from dusk to dawn casting from shore. Stickbaits in black & silver and blue & silver work well for this fall walleye bite. The ‘eyes were hitting white bellied stickbaits. As usual pickerel are also biting on the bass lures. Bluegills and pumpkinseed sunfish are being taken on small tube jigs or tiny crayfish. You can also try drifting chartreuse/green Dixie spinners at 15 feet around the weedbeds. Make note that the docks have been removed from the South Shore launch, if that’s the area you use.

*ONONDAGA LAKE: No reports. Help!!

*LAKE ONTARIO - EAST: For brown trout and steelhead work the near shore waters, trolling with stickbaits (Rapala's, Thunderstiks and Smithwicks) or large spoons (Stinger spoons and NK 28s). Chartreuse colored spoons have been good for the browns. Steelhead are being caught on orange or red spoons at 25 feet. Perch are hitting in 3 to 4 feet of water, close to shore. The bass baits listed will also work for perch. For all species fishing early or late in the day has been the most productive.

*LAKE ONTARIO - EAST TRIBS: Maxwell Creek and the other tributaries have fair to good flows of water good numbers of fish to provide some interesting action. Maxwell has fish mostly north of Lake Road. Anglers are catching primarily steelhead and brown trout on pink, blue and yellow egg sacs, egg imitating plastics, flies and small 1/32 oz. jigs fished under floats. This will hold for the other tribs as well, such as Bear Creek in Ontario, New York. Some anglers are trying night time fishing; targeting trout from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobblers glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Some specific spots are the piers at Sodus Bay, Webster Park and the Genesee River. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out!!

*WAYNE COUNTY BAYS: This week the word remains perch. They are the targeted species in all of the bays. In Port Bay, the channel has been the scene of action along with drop-offs near the points especially Graves Point. Use flathead minnows or small jigs tipped with spikes. In Sodus anglers have been fishing the creek mouths and the island points. Try 20 to 26 feet of water. Perch have been extra large…in the pound plus class. Try for pike, along the weedlines.  Panfish are being caught on small jigs or worms. Fishing early or late in the day has proved most productive. On the Canal, anglers are still fishing the widewaters. The rest of the waterway has been drained. Fish the shoreline near locks for best action. Perch are also active over on Fairhaven Bay. Work the north end in 25 – 35 fow.

*MONROE COUNTY BAYS: On Irondequoit Bay, look for perch around the outlet and out in the bay at 20 – 30 feet; pike in the coves and walleye along the drop-offs in deeper water. Live bait should prove best. In Greece, fish the bay and ponds for crappie and perch. Jigs or minnows are recommended. Use small jigs for panfish. In the lower Genesee, action is supplied by catfish around the Turning Basin and sheepshead at the piers.

*SALMON RIVER: The river is high. Steelhead and brown trout are being caught throughout the river. Action on sunny days has been better in the early morning and late afternoon. Good baits are egg sacs (blue and white mesh), streamers and egg-imitating flies and plastics.  Also a few Atlantics, smallmouth and northerns are being picked up in the deep pools of the river on flies, spinners and live bait.

*OSWEGO RIVER: The river flow is up making some areas of the river unfishable. Rainbow and brown trout are in the river. The highest concentration of fish is reported from the Utica Street bridge to the dam. Hot-n-tots, fast tracks, Estaz eggs, egg sacs, skein, wooly buggers and egg pattern flies, are working well. Night fishing from the Utica Street bridge north should be good using cleos, rebel fast tracks and hot-n-tots. A few walleye are being caught on stickbaits or leeches both during the day and at night. Freshwater drum (sheephead) are hitting on night crawlers as are carp and channel cats. The bridge over Oswego Canal Lock 7 at Leto Island has been closed to vehicle traffic by the state Department of Transportation and is causing some problems with access.

*OTHER WATERS: On the Susquehanna, Chenango, Tioughnioga and Unadilla Rivers limited fishing!! Only one fishing report received. The Susquehanna is high and muddy but producing some nice walleyes.

>>))))*>

ANGLERS CALENDAR:

30 - End of Statewide Fishing Season for Black Bass and Muskellunge

DECEMBER 2011

7 - Niagara's 2012 International Ice Fishing Show at the Parkway Convention Centre, 327 Ontario Street, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. (5:00 – 9:00 pm) Drawings throughout the evening, with special drawings for young anglers. (For advanced registration details, call Joe Montgomery at (905) 356-0303)

10 – First Ice Expo at Gander Mountain, 5864 Carmenica Drive, Cicero, NY (9:00 am – 4:00 pm) Free Seminars with ice fishing’s top pros. 21 product exhibitors on site. Prizes awarded hourly! (For more info call 315-698-1100)

10 - Rod & Gun Auction at Hessney Auction Center, 2741 route 14N, Geneva, NY (9:15 am) Shotguns, rifles, handguns, military, decoys, knives, mounts, fishing, ammo and swords. (For more information call 315-789-9349 or 585-734-6082 or go to www.hessney.com )

What Are You Catching? (Click Here)

11-25-11

TIP: GO BIG - By thetime fall rolls around, all of the little fish that were born in the spring and summer have grown up a little. Because anglers should use a lure that, at least, imitates the size of the primary forage, larger lures make sense in the fall. The other reason to use larger baits in the fall  is because the walleyes are feed heavily to get ready for winter and - female walleyes in particular - are eating so they can nourish the eggs growing in their bodies.

Fall Walleye Fishing Tips  http://www.ewow.com/way_5379777_fall-walleye-fishing-tips.html#ixzz1ep6gboYv

LAKE ERIE: Yellow perch catches should be good – weather permitting. The most productive area is between Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point in 50-70 fow, but the 60-70 foot range is the most productive. Emerald shiners or small minnows fished just off bottom remain the hot bait but salted minnows and worms are also working. Catches of walleyes have been scarce. Try shallower locations where the walleye should be feeding. Worm harnesses, in blue or silver, both trolled and bottom bounced with a three-way rig are suggested. One of the better spots is just north of Sturgeon Point in 15 – 20 fow. A few steelhead are cruising the shoreline near the major tributary stream mouths. Trolling with spoons and spinners is suggested for steelhead. Casting from the Cattaraugus Creek breakwall with flashy spoons is a good bet for both steelhead and lake trout. If you’re looking for smallmouth bass, best catches can be found in 20-40 fow. Bass stick tight to structure, so key on areas like drop-offs, reefs and rock piles. A drop-shot rig combined with live minnows, crayfish, tube jigs or other plastic creature baits (especially a round goby imitation or a Poor Boys Erie Darter) work well. Expect to catch sheepshead as well, especially on live bait. Smallmouth bass can be caught around harbor and breakwall sites as well. Boat launches at Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point were still open as of this report.

LAKE ERIE TRIBS: Cattaraugus Creek is running high and in parts unfishable. The medium sized streams like Chautauqua, Canadaway, Eighteenmile and Buffalo Creeks are currently in great shape with moderate flows and good color. The Smaller streams such as Silver, Walnut and Cayuga Creeks have lower, clear flows. On the Catt. fish are scattered from the mouth to the Springville Dam, however the lower section, from the breakwall at the mouth up through the reservation is the better stretch. Lake Erie steelhead commonly hit natural baits like egg sacs or worms and flies such as egg patterns, streamers and bugger patterns. When fishing during low and clear water conditions, it is best to move stealthily and use small hooks, small baits, light colored streamers/buggers and light lines to fool finicky steelhead. Fishing early or late in the day is also a good bet. Bass action rates fair this week in the harbors (Barcelona, Dunkirk, Buffalo) and around the breakwalls. Live minnows, stickbaits, woolly buggers and minnow patterns work well. Fishing, in the lower section of the Cattaraugus, is also fair for smallmouth bass and channel catfish. Some smallmouth bass are still available in the lower sections of the other tributaries as well.

UPPER NIAGARA RIVER: Muskellunge season closes down on Nov. 30. So does the season for tiger musky and in addition, bass season switches over to a catch-and-release only season with anglers only allowed to fish for bass with artificial lures. Musky are hitting large body baits or tubes. Try drifting on the outside of weed edges with large 8-10 inch tube jigs around Thompson's Hole, Huntley or either side of Strawberry Island. Casting stickbaits could also produce a few fish. Trollers have been experiencing success in the outer Buffalo Harbor area, pulling large body baits. Increasing your trolling speed can sometimes trigger a strike. Target yellow perch, white perch, rock bass and sheepshead from shore. Live bait provides the best prospects. Target the largemouth bass in shallower areas (with weeds), sheltered from the main current. Stickbaits and crankbaits worked over the weeds is a good bet. Shore anglers also have a good shot at largemouth bass in harbors, marinas, stream inlets and points where each enters the river. Smallmouth bass are available outside of weedlines in 10-20 fow often over rocky areas. Live crayfish work great for smallmouth. The head of the river, Thompson’s Hole, the east sides of Strawberry and Motor Islands are  good bets. A few walleye have been hitting at the head of the river on worm harnesses. Other areas suggested are around Strawberry and Navy Islands followed by Grand and Motor Islands. Live shiners and worms work well for a mixed bag of panfish, perch and bass from shore sites along Buffalo and the Tonawandas.

LOWER NIAGARA RIVER: Trout are spread throughout the system. Kwikfish, egg skein or egg sacs can be productive. Casting ¾ ounce green Cleos, according to one report, is productive too. A lake trout may show up to but remember their season is closed. Anglers fishing at the NYPA fishing platform and other shore fishing areas report decent catches of brown trout and steelhead. Fish with egg sacks, egg pattern flies, bugger patterns, spoons and spinners. Try to get your baits down near the bottom. Smallmouth bass action is spotty. Boaters can target bass by drifting with a three-way bottom bouncing rig combined with minnows, crayfish, tubes or other plastic creature baits. Work along the shoreline in 15-feet of water just outside the weedline. Casting stickbaits/crankbaits toward shore during the drift is also a good option. From Artpark down to the mouth has provided better catches of smallmouth. From shore catches of smallmouth bass, yellow perch, white perch and rock bass are increasing. Live bait is the way to go for the warmwater species. Walleye activity is fair at the mouth of the River. Drifting with 3-way bottom bouncing rigs combined with worm harnesses or yellow sally rigs is the way to go. Trolling with worm harnesses is a better bet out on the Bar. Remember that a study involving lake sturgeon is ongoing through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and if you catch a sturgeon (or even see one) you are asked to call with all the details. contact Dimitri Gorsky at 716-691-5456 Ext. 162.

LAKE ONTARIO - WEST: The start of hunting seasons and the lure of tributary fishing has taken the pressure off the lake. Lake fishing trout rates only fair. Trolling with J-Plugs and J-13 Rapalas may produce near dawn and dusk. Night anglers can anchor in 15-30 fow off the harbor/tributary mouths, casting glow spoons or stickbaits. Try flasher-fly combos, at first light, run 30 - 50 feet down. Fish the top 50 feet for steelhead, browns, coho, and Atlantic salmon. Use a mix of spoons, spin doctors and flies. Color and preferred lure type can change from day to day so don’t be afraid to experiment. Better lures for the browns - green patterned Northern King spoons and the Northland Fluttertail spoon in an alewife pattern. Decent smallmouth bass and yellow perch catches are available in 15 - 30 fow drifting crabs, worms and minnows.

LAKE ONTARIO - WEST - TRIBS: Look for browns, steelhead and the occasional coho salmon and Atlantic salmon. Egg sacs, salmon skein, rubber eggs, marshmellows and yarn eggs, little cleos in greens, oranges and glows and egg pattern flies and bugger patterns are good baits to try. Fly fishing is great using black nymphs, woolie buggers again in black or egg sucking leeches in various colors. Chartruese is also good. A list of streams – Oak Orchard Creek, Eighteenmile Creek, the Genesee River, Four Mile and Twelve Mile Creeks, Johnson, Marsh and Sandy Creeks. The lower, slow moving sections of Eighteenmile Creek, Oak Orchard Creek and the Genesee River are also good options for trout and salmon. These sections are only accessible by boat. Pier action continues with anglers catching brown trout and the occasional steelhead. Night time is the right time to target trout and salmon from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobbler glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Catches are best from piers at the mouths of the major tributaries, however, trout are available from any pier that extends into Lake Ontario. Anglers have been catching brown trout and steelhead on spoons and spinners from the piers when weather permits. Good locations to try include the piers at Wilson Harbor, Olcott Harbor, Oak Orchard Creek and the Genesee River.  Productive baits inland have been egg sacs, beads and egg pattern flies, however, streamer patterns, bugger patterns and grub-tipped marabou jigs also draw strikes. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out. Catches of warm water species around the harbor areas such as Wilson Harbor, Olcott Harbor, Golden Hill State Park, Point Breeze/Oak Orchard and the Genesee should remain good. Also, on the Oak reports are nice perch, northern pike, some walleye, and small and large mouth bass along with some catfish are being caught. Live bait (minnows, golden shiners, crayfish, leeches and worms) is the way to go. For some novelty try lower Oak Orchard for gar pike. On Lake Alice, bluegill are being taken in good numbers around the Waterport Bridge.

CHAUTAUQUA LAKE: The open-lake fishing season is winding down and most anglers have pulled their boats for the winter. Muskellunge fishing rates fair but season ends on the 30th. Concentrate some effort from Prendergast Point to Mayville just outside the weeds. Reports have them hitting silver and white or black and silver crankbaits being trolled in 15 to 30 fow near bottom. Others are casting over the tops of the weeds. Bucktail spinners and jerk baits are recommended. Fishing low light conditions like dawn and dusk should be more productive. The walleye bite is reported better in the north basin. Anchor or drift outside the weeds using a 3 ounce black hair jig tipped with a crawler or cast stickbaits toward shore. Jigging with leeches is another option. Recommended depths are in 12-18 fow. Fish the weedlines and open pockets for bass. Productive methods include fishing with live bait (minnows, crayfish, leeches) outside the weed edge, dropping plastics or tube jigs in open pockets and retrieving weedless or topwater baits over submerged weeds. The 12–18 foot level is recommended. Largemouth bass and sunfish are common along weed edges and within open pockets in the weeds. Better areas for the smallmouth are around Burtis Bar and Ashville Bay. Fish in 8 to 20 feet of water. Minnows, crayfish or plastics work well for smallmouth bass. The north basin has been one active spot. Good action on larger bluegill has kept the panfish anglers happy. Fishing with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow is a good bet. Good numbers of sizeable bluegill, pumpkinseed and crappie have been found in 11 feet of water near Shermans Bay. Yellow perch and white perch are readily taken with worms or small minnows fished near bottom in 10 – 15 fow, outside the weedline. Best reports are coming from around Long Point and Bemus Bay.

WESTERN TROUT STREAMS: The area streams are in good shape. They’re not crowded as many sportsmen enter their hunting mode. Drifting nymphs or casting small streamer patterns through the head and tail out of pools can be effective. Olive wooly buggers with a little bit of flash are a good bet for this tactic. Terrestrials are also on the trout menu. When fishing streams surrounded by moderate to heavy vegetation, terrestrial imitations can be very effective. Ant dry flies and foam beetles are favorites among fly anglers who fish terrestrials often. Considering that terrestrial insects are poor swimmers, these patterns should be fished on a dead drift, with slight twitches every now and again to imitate a struggling insect. Grasshopper, cricket, and spider patterns can also take fish. Spinning anglers do well with worms, salted minnows and small inline spinners. The statewide trout season runs from April 1 to October 15, however many streams and lakes are open all year for trout fishing. Check the Special Regulations by County to determine if your target stream is open for trout fishing beyond October 15.

SILVER LAKE: Largemouth bass and walleye action is picking up. Try worm harnesses, Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds. Pike add to the excitement. Live bait appears most productive for them. Try for panfish with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow. For yellow perch work worms or small minnows outside the weedline around the lake.

CONESUS LAKE: No reports. Help!! A good prospect for largemouth bass. Fish the 5 to 20 foot level around weed beds. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Good numbers of perch, rock bass and sunfish are also available. Fish live bait (worms and small minnows) or small spinner baits. Still no reports on the pike or walleye.

HEMLOCK LAKE: No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

CANADICE LAKE: No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

HONEOYE LAKE: Bass fishing remains good on the lake. Look for a top water bite in the morning on the east side of the lake. When that bite dies, switch to a Texas-rigged Zoom Salty Centipedes in green pumpkin. Wacky-rigged Stik-O worms will also catch fish for you. The west side is also holding fair numbers of bass. The lake also offers some big bluegills at 15 to 30 feet. Try for walleyes in the center of the lake during the day and move into the shallows, 8 - 14 feet, around dusk. Try jigs and leeches for them.

Just a reminder, the NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the south end of Honeoye Lake will close for the remainder of the boating season on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs and a new larger parking lot installation. The parking lot is expected to open in November for the upcoming ice fishing season. Trident Marine on the NE side of the lake will be open, however they charge $10. to launch and have limited parking.

CANANDAIGUA LAKE: Rainbows and a few browns are hitting small, silver spoons or flasher & flies fished down 45 to 60 feet over a 75 to 150 foot bottom. A few lakers are also being taken near bottom at 90 to 120 feet. Bass and perch fishing is improving off the weedbeds in 10 to 30 fow. Try using small tube baits, grubs, or fathead minnows. The NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the north end of Canandaigua Lake closed on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs. It is scheduled to re-open 1/1/12.

WANETA/LAMOKA LAKES: Largemouth bass, pickerel and bluegill fishing remains good, action is not fast and furious, but there is enough to keep it interesting. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Some smallmouth bass and yellow perch are hitting on crayfish and minnows fished in 15 fow. Also, you always have a chance of hooking one of the monster muskies. Your chances are improving with the cooling water temperatures in Waneta. Use large stickbaits and lures for them. Recommended colors to start with are silver and blue, red and white or chartreuse.

KEUKA LAKE: Try for lakers jigging off the points in 90 to 110 feet of water with gold Kastmasters and chartreuse plastics. Trolling flashers and flies, spoons or stillfishing with sawbellies also works. Smallmouth bass fishing has been good in 40 feet of water using crayfish or plastics. Yellow perch fishing can also be very good this time of year. Try jigging fatheads or plastics in 20 to 50 feet.

SENECA LAKE: Yellow perch fishing continues to be good in 20 to 40 feet of water throughout the lake. Atlantic salmon, brown and some rainbow trout are hitting stickbaits and spoons fished at the 40 - 70 foot level. Good colors to try silver and black, silver and blue or silver and chartreuse. Lake trout are being taken on spoons, and flashers & flies fished off Dipsey divers (200 to 230 feet back) and off down riggers down 50 to 100 feet over 150 - 200 fow. Vertical jigging for lakers in 70 to 110 fow is also producing. Start with chartreuse plastics. From shore, anglers are catching northern pike on the weed flats, using either large, live shiners under bobbers or casting large crankbaits (blue and chrome-colored). Suggestions for perch and bass are the 20 to 40 foot waters using crayfish, night crawlers and minnows. Also at the south end don’t forget the Watkins Glen pier. It provides a variety of action. Smallmouth bass and yellow perch are now hitting on crayfish and minnows.

CAYUGA LAKE: Lake trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken around Taughannock trolling with spoons, or flashers and flies both off down riggers and Dipsey divers. Fish at 45 - 80 feet down over a 100 to 300 foot bottom. Lake trout are also hitting for those vertical jigging chartreuse plastics in 65 to 85 feet of water. A few brown trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken on spoons fished 55 to 80 feet down over 110 to 130 foot bottom. Try Countdown Rapalas and Silver Hammered Crocodiles. Good colors have been white, green, purple and blue. Some nice brown trout are also being taken by anglers vertical jigging for lake trout in 65 – 85 fow. Bass, pickerel and perch are being taken in the north end in 10 - 15 fow on fathead and larger minnows. One of the better perch spots is around Union Springs.

The boat launch at Allen Treman State Park has been closed for the season in an effort to help prevent the spread of Hydrilla (an invasive aquatic plant).

SKANEATELES LAKE: Lake trout, rainbows and Atlantic salmon are feeding on small perch. Trolling 30 to 50 feet down with small perch colored spoons or stickbaits is producing. Lake trout are also hitting at 60 to 80 feet down over a 80 -100 foot bottom. Early in the day glow baits are working better but as the sun gets higher switching to pearl, chartreuse, or silver has been better. Trolling on the surface for rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon has been slow; this is usually a good fall fishing technique though. Also, shore fishing with marshmallow and worm rigs usually works well this time of year for rainbow trout. Smallmouth bass and rock bass are being taken in 15-40 fow along the shoreline using fathead minnows, crabs, tube baits, super flukes and drop-shot rigs. Try a surface plug during the evening. Yellow perch fishing is picking up and they are being taken on small minnows or crayfish.

OWASCO LAKE: Lake trout fishing has been slow. Try the north end of the lake, vertical jigging in 65 to 95 fow. Trolling the north end in 50 to 75 fow over 100 - 120 foot bottom with spoons may also produce lakers and an occasional nice sized brown trout. Bass action is reported good. Try using soft-shells and artificial baits (Senkos, tube jigs or drop-shot rigs). Walleye were reported at the north end but no report this week. Try for northern pike at the south end hitting spoons. Yellow perch are hitting around the lake on fathead minnows.

OTISCO LAKE: Smallmouth bass fishing has been fair to good in 35 to 40 feet of water on drop-shot rigs. The largemouth are hitting lipless crankbaits (rat-l-traps, red eye shad, etc.) in the shallows of the north end. Some walleye are being taken trolling 25 – 30 feet down over a 45 to 60 foot bottom with worm harnesses. Also try casting stickbaits off the causeway after dark. A few tiger muskie have been picked up at the lake’s south and north ends on minnows and swimbaits, stickbaits and large spinners. Also, crappies and perch are hitting small minnows along the shore.

EASTERN TROUT STREAMS: Trout and salmon should be showing up at any time in the Finger Lakes tribs. Keep checking and let us know when they’re in. One angler gives a good report Salmon Creek – “One rainbow about 7 pounds and 5 landlocks biggest about 7 pounds.  There were fish everywhere, browns are in, just didn't get any.” Anglers are getting some brown trout in the Owasco Inlet.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR: Perch bite has really picked up this week. Anglers are catching them averaging 11 to 13 inches using fathead minnows and jigs. Try for walleye trolling in 10 -15 fow or drifting with worm harnesses and leeches. Fish slow and work deeper water. Walleye and smallmouth bass are being taken in the spillway on leeches fished under bobbers. Best action is during the early morning or late evening hours. Fishing slowly with dark colored bucktail jigs or worm harnesses along drop-offs has been producing mixed bags of perch, bass and walleye. Casting with dark colored twister tails and Senko style baits is also working for the bass.

SANDY POND: A few pike are providing some action but you have to work for them. Walleye fishing has been fair using crankbaits, worm harnesses and jigs. Largemouth bass are hitting a variety of Texas rigged plastic baits and topwater baits. Panfish are still providing action around the shoreline and some yellow perch are being taken on small minnows.

ONEIDA LAKE: Perch fishing is reported better this week. Fish off the weedbeds in 10 – 20 fow using small crayfish, a little piece of worm on a hook or tipping a small spinner with a piece of a worm. Fish in the shallows, in the weeds, around the weeds and in deep water; it all seems to be working. Walleye fishing is inconsistent with best action found from dusk to dawn casting from shore. Stickbaits in black & silver and blue & silver work well for this fall walleye bite. Use smaller baits this year as young of the year gizzard shad are numerous but are smaller than usual. Try to match young of the year gizzard shad in the 2-3 inch range. The ‘eyes were hitting white bellied stickbaits. Smallmouth bass fishing has dropped off a bit. The better action is around the shoals using tube jigs and drop-shot rigs. White and yellow spinnerbaits as well as shallow diving crankbaits are also working. In deeper waters, try small jigs tipped with yellow or white Mister Twister grubs. Some anglers are catching a lot of bass later in the evening on topwater lures (frog imitations/popping lures). Largemouth are hitting in the shallows. Try topwater lures and weedless frogs. As usual pickerel are also biting on the bass lures. Bluegills and pumpkinseed sunfish are being taken on small tube jigs or tiny crayfish. You can also try drifting chartreuse/green Dixie spinners at 15 feet around the weedbeds. Make note that the docks have been removed from the South Shore launch, if that’s the area you use.

ONONDAGA LAKE: Fish for bass along the shoreline. Try crayfish, minnows, plastic baits. They should be hitting pretty well as they fatten for winter

LAKE ONTARIO - EAST: For brown trout  work the 40-50 foot level, trolling during the early morning with stickbaits (Rapala's, Thunderstiks and Smithwicks) or large spoons (Stinger spoons and NK 28s). Chartreuse colored spoons have been good for the browns. Steelhead are being caught on orange or red spoons at 25 feet. Smallmouth Bass are providing fair to good action along the shallows (15 - 25 fow). Fish white and yellow spinnerbaits as well as shallow diving crankbaits. In deeper waters, try small jigs tipped with yellow or white Mister Twister grubs. Crabs and worms are always a good bet. Fish the live bait on a drop shot rig set to keep the bait 12 – 20 inches off bottom. Perch are hitting in 3 to 4 feet of water, close to shore. The bass baits listed will also work for perch. For all species fishing early or late in the day has been the most productive.

LAKE ONTARIO - EAST TRIBS: Maxwell Creek and the other tributaries have fair to good flows of water to draw in fish. Good numbers to provide some interesting fishing. Maxwell has fish mostly north of Lake Road. Anglers are catching primarily steelhead and brown trout on pink, blue and yellow egg sacs, egg imitating plastics and flies. This will hold for the other tribs as well such as Bear Creek in Ontario, New York. Some anglers are trying night time fishing; targeting trout from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobblers glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Some specific spots are the piers at Sodus Bay, Webster Park and the Genesee River. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out!!

WAYNE COUNTY BAYS: This week the word remains perch. They are the targeted species in all of the bays. In Port Bay, the channel has been the scene of action. Use flathead minnows or small jigs tipped with spikes. In Sodus anglers have been fishing the creek mouths and the island points. Try 20 to 26 feet of water. Perch have been extra large…in the pound plus class.  Bass are hitting all over Sodus Bay. Use any rubber or plastic in 20-35 fow. Follow the weedlines. Fish for pike around LeRoy Island. Work the weed lines trolling stick baits or casting large spoons or spinnerbaits. Large rubber baits also work for pike and for yellow perch use small minnows. For smallmouth try the Port Bay channel with soft-shells and at the south end of the bay try for pike, again along the weedlines.  Panfish are being caught on small jigs or worms. Fishing early or late in the day has proved most productive. On the Canal, anglers are experiencing some good fishing. Fish the shoreline near locks for best action. Bass along the weed lines and cats in the deep holes near Palmyra, and Newark. Fishing from the shore is easy as there are many pull-offs near Route 31. Sections have been drained for the winter, but the Widewaters keeps the same level the entire year.

Perch are also active over on Fairhaven Bay. Work the north end in 25 – 35 fow.

MONROE COUNTY BAYS: On Irondequoit Bay, look for perch and smallmouth bass around the outlet, largemouth bass and pike in the coves and walleye along the drop-offs in deeper water. Live bait should prove best all though one report has the big-mouth hitting spinner baits. In Greece, fish the bay and ponds for crappie and perch. Jigs or minnows are recommended. Use small jigs for panfish. In the lower Genesee, action is supplied by catfish around the Turning Basin and smallmouth and sheepshead at the piers.

SALMON RIVER: The river is low and clear. Fresh steelhead are being caught throughout the river. With the low flow, the action on sunny days has been better in the early morning and late afternoon. Good baits are egg sacs (blue and white mesh), streamers and egg-imitating flies and plastics.  Also a few Atlantics, smallmouth and northerns are being picked up in the deep pools of the river on flies, spinners and live bait.

OSWEGO RIVER: The river flow is up making some areas of the river unfishable. Rainbow and brown trout are in the river. The highest concentration of fish is reported from the Utica Street bridge to the dam. Hot-n-tots, fast tracks, Estaz eggs, egg sacs, skein, wooly buggers and egg pattern flies, are working well. Night fishing from the Utica Street bridge north should be good using cleos, rebel fast tracks and hot-n-tots. Smallmouth bass are providing some action. Use live bait (leeches, night crawlers, minnows), along with plastic baits and other lures. A few walleye are being caught on stickbaits or leeches both during the day and at night. Freshwater drum (sheephead) are hitting on night crawlers as are carp and channel cats. The bridge over Oswego Canal Lock 7 at Leto Island has been closed to vehicle traffic by the state Department of Transportation and is causing some problems with access.

OTHER WATERS: On the Susquehanna, Chenango, Tioughnioga and Unadilla Rivers limited fishing!! Only one fishing report received. The Susquehanna is high and muddy but producing some nice walleyes.

>>))))*>

ANGLERS CALENDAR:

30 - End of Statewide Fishing Season for Black Bass and Muskellunge

DECEMBER 2011

1 - Black Bass catch and release / artificial lures only season opens (>6/15/12)

1 – Start of Catch and Release (Artificial Lures Only) Season for Black Bass in Otselic River, Tioughnioga River, East Branch Tioughnioga River and West Branch Tioughnioga River (Cortland County), Chemung River and Tributaries Upstream of Route 17 West of Corning (Steuben County), Allen Lake (Allegany County), and Cassadaga Lake (Chautauqua County) (>6/15/12)

What Are You Catching? (Click Here)

11-18-11

TIP: How can I determine the weight of my fish if I don’t have a scale?
Fish Weight Formula – This is a formula used by many of the “pros” to determine the weight of a fish without a scale:

Girth squared

Multiply by length

Divide by 800

Example Calculation:

Girth is 21”

21” X 21” = 441”

Fish is 27” long

27” X 441” = 11,907”

11,907” ÷ 800 = 14.884 lbs.

(From http://www.fishingmonroecounty.com/frequently-asked-questions/)  

*LAKE ERIE: Yellow perch catches continue to be good to excellent – weather permitting. The most productive area is between Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point in 50-70 fow, but the 60-70 foot range is the most productive. Emerald shiners or small minnows fished just off bottom remain the hot bait but salted minnows and worms are also working. Catches of walleyes have been scarce. They have been moving back into shallower locations to feed before the onset of winter. Now is a good time to hit the springtime (early season) spots again. Worm harnesses, in blue or silver, both trolled and bottom bounced with a three-way rig have worked well. One spot suggested is just north of Sturgeon Point in 15 – 20 fow. A few steelhead are cruising the shoreline near the major tributary stream mouths. Trolling between 2 - 2.2 mph with spoons and spinners is suggested for steelhead. Casting from the Cattaraugus Creek breakwall with flashy spoons is a good bet for both steelhead and lake trout. If you’re looking for smallmouth bass, best catches can be found in 20-40 fow. Bass stick tight to structure, so key on areas like drop-offs, reefs and rock piles. A drop-shot rig combined with live minnows, crayfish, tube jigs or other plastic creature baits (especially a round goby imitation or a Poor Boys Erie Darter) work well. Expect to catch sheepshead as well, especially on live bait. Smallmouth bass can be caught around harbor and breakwall sites as well. Boat launches at Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point were still open as of this report.

*LAKE ERIE TRIBS: Cattaraugus Creek is running high and in parts unfishable. The medium sized streams like Chautauqua, Canadaway, Eighteenmile and Buffalo Creeks are currently in great shape with moderate flows and good color. The Smaller streams such as Silver, Walnut and Cayuga Creeks have lower, clear flows. On the Catt. fish are scattered from the mouth to the Springville Dam, however the lower section, from the breakwall at the mouth up through the reservation is the better stretch. Lake Erie steelhead commonly hit natural baits like egg sacs or worms and flies such as egg patterns, streamers and bugger patterns. When fishing during low and clear water conditions, it is best to move stealthily and use small hooks, small baits, light colored streamers/buggers and light lines to fool finicky steelhead. Fishing early or late in the day is also a good bet. Bass action rates fair this week in the harbors (Barcelona, Dunkirk, Buffalo) and around the breakwalls. Live minnows, stickbaits, woolly buggers and minnow patterns work well. Fishing, in the lower section of the Cattaraugus, is also fair for smallmouth bass and channel catfish. Some smallmouth bass are still available in the lower sections of the other tributaries as well.

*UPPER NIAGARA RIVER: With the cool water temperatures muskellunge action has been picking up. Try drifting on the outside of weed edges with large 8-10 inch tube jigs around Thompson's Hole, Huntley or either side of Strawberry Island. Casting stickbaits could also produce a few fish. Trollers have been experiencing success in the outer Buffalo Harbor area, pulling large body baits. Increasing your trolling speed can sometimes trigger a strike. Target yellow perch, white perch, rock bass and sheepshead from shore. Live bait provides the best prospects. Target the largemouth bass in shallower areas (with weeds), sheltered from the main current. Stickbaits and crankbaits worked over the weeds is a good bet. Shore anglers also have a good shot at largemouth bass in harbors, marinas, stream inlets and points where each enters the river. Smallmouth bass are available outside of weedlines in 10-20 fow often over rocky areas. Live crayfish work great for smallmouth. The head of the river, Thompson’s Hole, the east sides of Strawberry and Motor Islands are  good bets. A few walleye have been hitting at the head of the river on worm harnesses. Other areas suggested are around Strawberry and Navy Islands followed by Grand and Motor Islands. Live shiners and worms work well for a mixed bag of panfish, perch and bass from shore sites along Buffalo and the Tonawandas.

*LOWER NIAGARA RIVER: Anglers now have a better chance of catching brown trout or steelhead. Drifting the Devil’s Hole, Artpark and Stella Drifts with Kwikfish, egg skein or egg sacs can be productive. Casting ¾ ounce green Cleos, according to one report, is productive too. A lake trout may show up to but remember their season is closed. Anglers fishing at the NYPA fishing platform and other shore fishing areas report decent catches of brown trout and steelhead. Fish with egg sacks, egg pattern flies, bugger patterns, spoons and spinners. Try to get your baits down near the bottom. Smallmouth bass action is spotty. Boaters can target bass by drifting with a three-way bottom bouncing rig combined with minnows, crayfish, tubes or other plastic creature baits. Work along the shoreline in 15-feet of water just outside the weedline. Casting stickbaits/crankbaits toward shore during the drift is also a good option. From Artpark down to the mouth has provided better catches of smallmouth. From shore catches of smallmouth bass, yellow perch, white perch and rock bass are increasing. Live bait is the way to go for the warmwater species. Walleye activity is fair at the mouth of the River. Drifting with 3-way bottom bouncing rigs combined with worm harnesses or yellow sally rigs is the way to go. Trolling with worm harnesses is a better bet out on the Bar. Remember that a study involving lake sturgeon is ongoing through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and if you catch a sturgeon (or even see one) you are asked to call with all the details. contact Dimitri Gorsky at 716-691-5456 Ext. 162.

*LAKE ONTARIO - WEST: The start of hunting seasons and the lure of tributary fishing has taken the pressure off the lake. Lake fishing for salmon has dropped off and trout rates only fair this week. Trolling with J-Plugs and J-13 Rapalas may produce near dawn and dusk. Night anglers can anchor in 15-30 fow off the harbor/tributary mouths, casting glow spoons or stickbaits. Try flasher-fly combos, at first light, run 30 - 50 feet down. Fish the top 50 feet for steelhead, browns, coho, and Atlantic salmon. Use a mix of spoons, spin doctors and flies. Color and preferred lure type can change from day to day so don’t be afraid to experiment. Better lures for the browns - green patterned Northern King spoons and the Northland Fluttertail spoon in an alewife pattern. Decent smallmouth bass and yellow perch catches are available in 15 - 30 fow drifting crabs, worms and minnows.

*LAKE ONTARIO - WEST - TRIBS: Look for browns, steelhead, coho salmon and the occasional trophy Atlantic salmon. Egg sacs, salmon skein, rubber eggs, marshmellows and yarn eggs, little cleos in greens, oranges and glows and egg pattern flies and bugger patterns are good baits to try. Fly fishing is great using black nymphs, woolie buggers again in black or egg sucking leeches in various colors. Chartruese is also good. A list of streams – Oak Orchard Creek, Eighteenmile Creek, the Genesee River, Four Mile and Twelve Mile Creeks, Johnson, Marsh and Sandy Creeks. The lower, slow moving sections of Eighteenmile Creek, Oak Orchard Creek and the Genesee River are also good options for trout and salmon. These sections are only accessible by boat. Pier action continues with anglers catching brown trout and the occasional steelhead. Night time is the right time to target trout and salmon from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobbler glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Catches are best from piers at the mouths of the major tributaries, however, trout are available from any pier that extends into Lake Ontario. Anglers have been catching brown trout and steelhead on spoons and spinners from the piers when weather permits. Good locations to try include the piers at Wilson Harbor, Olcott Harbor, Oak Orchard Creek and the Genesee River.  Productive baits inland have been egg sacs, beads and egg pattern flies, however, streamer patterns, bugger patterns and grub-tipped marabou jigs also draw strikes. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out!! Eighteenmile Creek anglers be advised that 30,000 fall fingerling coho salmon were stocked on 10/27 in Olcott Harbor. Some of these delicate 4-6 inch fish migrate up to Burt Dam and readily hit smaller baits. Please handle and release these sub-legal fish so they may return in a few years as adults. Catches of warm water species around the harbor areas such as Wilson Harbor, Olcott Harbor, Golden Hill State Park, Point Breeze/Oak Orchard and the Genesee should remain good. Also, on the Oak reports are nice perch, northern pike, some walleye, and small and large mouth bass along with some catfish are being caught. Live bait (minnows, golden shiners, crayfish, leeches and worms) is the way to go. For some novelty try lower Oak Orchard for gar pike. On Lake Alice, crappie and bluegill are being taken in good numbers around the Waterport Bridge. At Glenwood Lake walleye and crappie are becoming active. The stretch of the Oak in between the two is producing nice smallmouth bass.

*CHAUTAUQUA LAKE: The open-lake fishing season is winding down and most anglers have pulled their boats for the winter. Muskellunge fishing rates fair. Concentrate some effort from Prendergast Point to Mayville just outside the weeds. Reports have them hitting silver and white or black and silver crankbaits being trolled in 15 to 30 fow near bottom. Others are casting over the tops of the weeds. Bucktail spinners and jerk baits are recommended. Fishing low light conditions like dawn and dusk should be more productive. The walleye bite is reported better in the north basin. Anchor or drift outside the weeds using a 3 ounce black hair jig tipped with a crawler or cast stickbaits toward shore. Jigging with leeches is another option. Recommended depths are in 12-18 fow. Fish the weedlines and open pockets for bass. Productive methods include fishing with live bait (minnows, crayfish, leeches) outside the weed edge, dropping plastics or tube jigs in open pockets and retrieving weedless or topwater baits over submerged weeds. The 12–18 foot level is recommended. Largemouth bass and sunfish are common along weed edges and within open pockets in the weeds. Better areas for the smallmouth are around Burtis Bar and Ashville Bay. Fish in 8 to 20 feet of water. Minnows, crayfish or plastics work well for smallmouth bass. The north basin has been one active spot. Good action on larger bluegill has kept the panfish anglers happy. Fishing with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow is a good bet. Good numbers of sizeable bluegill, pumpkinseed and crappie have been found in 11 feet of water near Shermans Bay. Yellow perch and white perch are readily taken with worms or small minnows fished near bottom in 10 – 15 fow, outside the weedline. Best reports are coming from around Long Point and Bemus Bay.

*WESTERN TROUT STREAMS: The area streams are in good shape. They’re not crowded as many sportsmen enter their hunting mode. Drifting nymphs or casting small streamer patterns through the head and tail out of pools can be effective. Olive wooly buggers with a little bit of flash are a good bet for this tactic. Terrestrials are also on the trout menu. When fishing streams surrounded by moderate to heavy vegetation, terrestrial imitations can be very effective. Ant dry flies and foam beetles are favorites among fly anglers who fish terrestrials often. Considering that terrestrial insects are poor swimmers, these patterns should be fished on a dead drift, with slight twitches every now and again to imitate a struggling insect. Grasshopper, cricket, and spider patterns can also take fish. Spinning anglers do well with worms, salted minnows and small inline spinners. The statewide trout season runs from April 1 to October 15, however many streams and lakes are open all year for trout fishing. Check the Special Regulations by County to determine if your target stream is open for trout fishing beyond October 15.

Randolph Fish Hatchery has been conducting their annual fall stocking of broodstock trout over the past few weeks in Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties. All breeder trout stocked are over 2 years old and are stocked in waters where trout fishing is permitted year-round. Quaker Lake was stocked with 250 brown trout (18"-23"), 150 brook trout (18") and 200 rainbow trout (30"); Red House Lake was stocked with 200 brown trout (18"); Genesee River was stocked with 700 brown trout (13") from Wellsville to the PA border; Case Lake was stocked with 100 brown trout (19") and 450 brook trout (13"-18"); Birch Run Ponds was stocked with 100 rainbow trout (13") and 50 brook trout (13").

*SILVER LAKE: Largemouth bass and walleye action is picking up. Try worm harnesses, Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds. Pike add to the excitement. Live bait appears most productive for them. Try for panfish with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow. For yellow perch work worms or small minnows outside the weedline around the lake.

*CONESUS LAKE: No reports. Help!! A good prospect for largemouth bass. Fish the 5 to 20 foot level around weed beds. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Good numbers of perch, rock bass and sunfish are also available. Fish live bait (worms and small minnows) or small spinner baits. Still no reports on the pike or walleye.

*HEMLOCK LAKE: No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

*CANADICE LAKE: No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

*HONEOYE LAKE: Bass fishing remains good on the lake. Look for a top water bite in the morning on the east side of the lake. When that bite dies, switch to a Texas-rigged Zoom Salty Centipedes in green pumpkin. Wacky-rigged Stik-O worms will also catch fish for you. The west side is also holding fair numbers of bass. The lake also offers some big bluegills at 15 to 30 feet. Try for walleyes in the center of the lake during the day and move into the shallows, 8 - 14 feet, around dusk. Try jigs and leeches for them.

Just a reminder, the NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the south end of Honeoye Lake will close for the remainder of the boating season on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs and a new larger parking lot installation. The parking lot is expected to open in November for the upcoming ice fishing season. Trident Marine on the NE side of the lake will be open, however they charge $10. to launch and have limited parking.

*CANANDAIGUA LAKE: Rainbows and a few browns are hitting small, silver spoons or flasher & flies fished down 45 to 60 feet over a 75 to 150 foot bottom. A few lakers are also being taken near bottom at 90 to 120 feet. Bass and perch fishing is improving off the weedbeds in 10 to 30 fow. Try using small tube baits, grubs, or fathead minnows. The NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the north end of Canandaigua Lake closed on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs. It is scheduled to re-open 1/1/12.

*WANETA/LAMOKA LAKES: Largemouth bass, pickerel and bluegill fishing remains good, action is not fast and furious, but there is enough to keep it interesting. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Some smallmouth bass and yellow perch are hitting on crayfish and minnows fished in 15 fow. Also, you always have a chance of hooking one of the monster muskies. Your chances are improving with the cooling water temperatures in Waneta. Use large stickbaits and lures for them. Recommended colors to start with are silver and blue, red and white or chartreuse.

*KEUKA LAKE: Try for lakers jigging off the points in 90 to 110 feet of water with chartreuse plastics. Trolling flashers and flies, spoons or stillfishing with sawbellies also works. Smallmouth bass fishing has been good in 40 feet of water using crayfish or plastics. Yellow perch fishing can also be very good this time of year. Try jigging fatheads or plastics in 20 to 50 feet.

*SENECA LAKE: Yellow perch fishing continues to be good in 20 to 40 feet of water throughout the lake. Atlantic salmon, brown and some rainbow trout are hitting stickbaits and spoons fished at the 40 - 70 foot level. Good colors to try silver and black, silver and blue or silver and chartreuse. Lake trout are being taken on spoons, and flashers & flies fished off Dipsey divers (200 to 230 feet back) and off down riggers down 50 to 100 feet over 150 - 200 fow. Vertical jigging for lakers in 70 to 110 fow is also producing. Start with chartreuse plastics. From shore, anglers are catching northern pike on the weed flats, using either live shiners under bobbers or crankbaits (blue and chrome-colored). Suggestions for perch and bass are the 20 to 40 foot waters using crayfish, night crawlers and minnows. Also at the south end don’t forget the Watkins Glen pier. It provides a variety of action. Smallmouth bass and yellow perch are now hitting on crayfish and minnows.

*CAYUGA LAKE: Lake trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken around Taughannock trolling with spoons, or flashers and flies both off down riggers and Dipsey divers. Fish at 45 - 80 feet down over a 100 to 300 foot bottom. Lake trout are also hitting for those vertical jigging chartreuse plastics in 65 to 85 feet of water. A few brown trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken on spoons fished 55 to 80 feet down over 110 to 130 foot bottom. Try Countdown Rapalas and Silver Hammered Crocodiles. Good colors have been white, green, purple and blue. Some nice brown trout are also being taken by anglers vertical jigging for lake trout in 65 – 85 fow. Bass, pickerel and perch are being taken in the north end in 10 - 15 fow on fathead and larger minnows. One of the better perch spots is around Union Springs.

The boat launch at Allen Treman State Park has been closed for the season in an effort to help prevent the spread of Hydrilla (an invasive aquatic plant).

*SKANEATELES LAKE: Lake trout, rainbows and Atlantic salmon are feeding on small perch. Trolling 30 to 50 feet down with small perch colored spoons or stickbaits is producing. Lake trout are also hitting at 60 to 80 feet down over a 100 - 150 foot bottom. Early in the day glow baits are working better but as the sun gets higher switching to pearl, chartreuse, or silver has been better. Trolling on the surface for rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon has been slow; this is usually a good fall fishing technique though. Also, shore fishing with marshmallow and worm rigs usually works well this time of year for rainbow trout. Smallmouth bass and rock bass are being taken in 15-40 fow along the shoreline using fathead minnows, crabs, tube baits, super flukes and drop-shot rigs. Try a surface plug during the evening. Yellow perch fishing is picking up and they are being taken on small minnows or crayfish.

*OWASCO LAKE: Lake trout fishing has been slow. Try the north end of the lake, vertical jigging in 65 to 95 fow. Trolling the north end in 50 to 75 fow over 100 - 120 foot bottom with spoons may also produce lakers and an occasional nice sized brown trout. Bass action is reported good. Try using soft-shells and artificial baits (Senkos, tube jigs or drop-shot rigs). Walleye were reported at the north end but no report this week. Try for northern pike at the south end hitting spoons. Yellow perch are hitting around the lake on fathead minnows. 

*OTISCO LAKE: Smallmouth bass fishing has been fair to good in 35 to 40 feet of water on drop-shot rigs. The largemouth are hitting lipless crankbaits (rat-l-traps, red eye shad, etc.) in the shallows of the north end. Some walleye are being taken trolling 25 – 30 feet down over a 45 to 60 foot bottom with worm harnesses. Also try casting stickbaits off the causeway after dark. A few tiger muskie have been picked up at the lake’s south and north ends on minnows and swimbaits, stickbaits and large spinners. Also, crappies and perch are hitting small minnows along the shore.

*EASTERN TROUT STREAMS: Trout and salmon should be showing up at any time in the Finger Lakes tribs. Keep checking and let us know when they’re in. One angler gives a good report Salmon Creek – “One rainbow about 7 pounds and 5 landlocks biggest about 7 pounds.  There were fish everywhere, browns are in, just didn't get any.” Anglers are getting some brown trout in the Owasco Inlet.

*WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR: Perch bite has really picked up this week. Anglers are catching them averaging 11 to 13 inches using fathead minnows and jigs. Try for walleye trolling in 10 -15 fow or drifting with worm harnesses and leeches. Fish slow and work deeper water. Walleye and smallmouth bass are being taken in the spillway on leeches fished under bobbers. Best action is during the early morning or late evening hours. Fishing slowly with dark colored bucktail jigs or worm harnesses along drop-offs has been producing mixed bags of perch, bass and walleye. Casting with dark colored twister tails and Senko style baits is also working for the bass.

*SANDY POND: A few pike are providing some action but you have to work for them. Walleye fishing has been fair using crankbaits, worm harnesses and jigs. Largemouth bass are hitting a variety of Texas rigged plastic baits and topwater baits. Panfish are still providing action around the shoreline and some yellow perch are being taken on small minnows.

*ONEIDA LAKE: Perch fishing is reported better this week. Fish off the weedbeds in 10 – 20 fow using small crayfish, a little piece of worm on a hook or tipping a small spinner with a piece of a worm. Fish in the shallows, in the weeds, around the weeds and in deep water; it all seems to be working. Walleye fishing is inconsistent with best action found from dusk to dawn casting from shore. Stickbaits in black & silver and blue & silver work well for this fall walleye bite. Use smaller baits this year as young of the year gizzard shad are numerous but are smaller than usual. Try to match young of the year gizzard shad in the 2-3 inch range. The ‘eyes were hitting white bellied stickbaits. Smallmouth bass fishing has dropped off a bit. The better action is around the shoals using tube jigs and drop-shot rigs. White and yellow spinnerbaits as well as shallow diving crankbaits are also working. In deeper waters, try small jigs tipped with yellow or white Mister Twister grubs. Watch for gulls going after the dying gizzard shad and fish there. Some anglers are catching a lot of bass later in the evening on topwater lures (frog imitations/popping lures). Largemouth are hitting in the shallows. Try topwater lures and weedless frogs. As usual pickerel are also biting on the bass lures. Bluegills and pumpkinseed sunfish are being taken on small tube jigs or tiny crayfish. You can also try drifting chartreuse/green Dixie spinners at 15 feet around the weedbeds. Make note that the docks have been removed from the South Shore launch, if that’s the area you use.

*ONONDAGA LAKE: Fish for bass along the shoreline. Try crayfish, minnows, plastic baits. They should be hitting pretty well as they fatten for winter

*LAKE ONTARIO - EAST: For brown trout  work the 40-50 foot level, trolling during the early morning with stickbaits (Rapala's, Thunderstiks and Smithwicks) or large spoons (Stinger spoons and NK 28s). Chartreuse colored spoons have been good for the browns. Steelhead are being caught on orange or red spoons at 25 feet. Smallmouth Bass are providing fair to good action along the shallows (15 - 25 fow). Fish white and yellow spinnerbaits as well as shallow diving crankbaits. In deeper waters, try small jigs tipped with yellow or white Mister Twister grubs. Crabs and worms are always a good bet. Fish the live bait on a drop shot rig set to keep the bait 12 – 20 inches off bottom. Perch are hitting in 3 to 4 feet of water, close to shore. The bass baits listed will also work for perch. For all species fishing early or late in the day has been the most productive.

*LAKE ONTARIO - EAST TRIBS: Maxwell Creek and the other tributaries have fair to good flows of water to draw in fish. Good numbers to provide some interesting fishing. Maxwell has fish mostly north of Lake Road. Anglers are catching primarily steelhead and brown trout on pink and yellow egg sacs, egg imitating plastics and flies. This will hold for the other tribs as well such as Bear Creek in Ontario, New York. Some anglers are trying night time fishing; targeting trout from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobblers glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Some specific spots are the piers at Sodus Bay, Webster Park and the Genesee River. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out!!

*WAYNE COUNTY BAYS: This week the word is perch. They are the targeted species in all of the bays. In Port Bay, the channel has been the scene of action. Use flathead minnows or small jigs tipped with spikes. In Sodus anglers have been fishing the creek mouths and the island points. Try 20 to 26 feet of water. Perch have been extra large…in the pound plus class.  Bass are hitting all over Sodus Bay. Use any rubber or plastic. Follow the weedlines. Fish for pike around LeRoy Island. Work the weed lines trolling stick baits or casting large spoons or spinnerbaits. Large rubber baits also work for pike and for yellow perch use small minnows. For smallmouth try the Port Bay channel with soft-shells and at the south end of the bay try for pike, again along the weedlines.  Panfish are being caught on small jigs or worms. Fishing early or late in the day has proved most productive. On the Canal, anglers are experiencing some good fishing. Fish the shoreline near locks for best action. Bass along the weed lines and cats in the deep holes near Palmyra, and Newark. Fishing from the shore is easy as there are many pull-offs near Route 31. Sections have been drained for the winter, but the Widewaters keeps the same level the entire year.

*MONROE COUNTY BAYS: On Irondequoit Bay, look for perch and smallmouth bass around the outlet, largemouth bass and pike in the coves and walleye along the drop-offs in deeper water. Live bait should prove best all though one report has the big-mouth hitting spinner baits. In Greece, fish the bay and ponds for crappie and perch. Jigs or minnows are recommended. Use small jigs for panfish. In the lower Genesee, action is supplied by catfish around the Turning Basin and smallmouth and sheepshead at the piers.

*SALMON RIVER: The river is low and clear. Fresh steelhead are being caught throughout the river. With the low flow, the action on sunny days has been better in the early morning and late afternoon. Good baits are egg sacs (blue and white mesh), streamers and egg-imitating flies and plastics.  Also a few Atlantics, smallmouth and northerns are being picked up in the deep pools of the river on flies, spinners and live bait.

*OSWEGO RIVER: The river flow is up from last week making some areas of the river unfishable. Rainbow and brown trout are in the river. The highest concentration of fish is reported from the Utica Street bridge to the dam. Hot-n-tots, fast tracks, Estaz eggs, egg sacs, skein, wooly buggers and egg pattern flies, are working well. Night fishing from the Utica Street bridge north should be good using cleos, rebel fast tracks and hot-n-tots. Smallmouth bass are providing some action. Use live bait (leeches, night crawlers, minnows), along with plastic baits and other lures. A few walleye are being caught on stickbaits or leeches both during the day and at night. Freshwater drum (sheephead) are hitting on night crawlers as are carp and channel cats. The bridge over Oswego Canal Lock 7 at Leto Island has been closed to vehicle traffic by the state Department of Transportation and is causing some problems with access.

*OTHER WATERS: On the Susquehanna, Chenango, Tioughnioga and Unadilla Rivers limited fishing!! No fishing reports received.

>>))))*>

ANGLERS CALENDAR:

30 - End of Statewide Fishing Season for Black Bass and Muskellunge

DECEMBER 2011

1 - Black Bass catch and release / artificial lures only season opens (>6/15/12)

1 – Start of Catch and Release (Artificial Lures Only) Season for Black Bass in Otselic River, Tioughnioga River, East Branch Tioughnioga River and West Branch Tioughnioga River (Cortland County), Chemung River and Tributaries Upstream of Route 17 West of Corning (Steuben County), Allen Lake (Allegany County), and Cassadaga Lake (Chautauqua County) (>6/15/12)

What Are You Catching? (Click Here)

11-11-11

TIP: Our Tip of the week comes from the “Days of Jud.” Now is the time to start preparing for the hard water season. Want a great ice fishing machine, check the ads for a lawn tractor!! I saw a 24 hp Sears with a 54 inch deck, snow blade and chains in our local paper for $300.00. About 10% of a good used ATV, and no regulations like registration, insurance, helmet etc. The law is very specific, it state’s snowmobiles, ATV’s and UTV’s. There is nothing in the law about lawn mowers!!

LAKE ERIE: Yellow perch catches continue to be good to excellent. The most productive area is between Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point in 50-70 fow, but the 60-70 foot range is the most productive. Emerald shiners or small minnows fished just off bottom remain the hot bait but salted minnows and worms are also working. Catches of walleyes have been scarce. They have been moving back into shallower locations to feed before the onset of winter. Now is a good time to hit the springtime (early season) spots again. Worm harnesses, in blue or silver, both trolled and bottom bounced with a three-way rig have worked well. A few steelhead are cruising the shoreline near the major tributary stream mouths. Trolling between 2 - 2.2 mph with spoons and spinners is suggested for steelhead. Casting from the Cattaraugus Creek breakwall with flashy spoons is a good bet for both steelhead and lake trout. If you’re looking for smallmouth bass, best catches can be found in 20-40 fow. Bass stick tight to structure, so key on areas like drop-offs, reefs and rock piles. A drop-shot rig combined with live minnows, crayfish, tube jigs or other plastic creature baits (especially a round goby imitation or a Poor Boys Erie Darter) work well. Expect to catch sheepshead as well, especially on live bait. Smallmouth bass can be caught around harbor and breakwall sites as well. Boat launches at Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point were still open as of this report.

LAKE ERIE TRIBS: Cattaraugus Creek is in great shape and the best tributary for steelhead. Fish are scattered from the mouth to the Springville Dam, however the lower section, from the breakwall at the mouth up through the reservation is the better stretch. Other tribs for steelhead such as Chautauqua, Canadaway, Eighteenmile, Cazenovia, Buffalo and Cayuga Creeks are low and clear. Lake Erie steelhead commonly hit natural baits like egg sacs or worms and flies such as egg patterns, streamers and bugger patterns. When fishing during low and clear water conditions, it is best to move stealthily and use small hooks, small baits, light colored streamers/buggers and light lines to fool finicky steelhead. Fishing early or late in the day is also a good bet. Bass action rates fair this week in the harbors (Barcelona, Dunkirk, Buffalo) and around the breakwalls. Live minnows, stickbaits, woolly buggers and minnow patterns work well. Fishing, in the lower section of the Cattaraugus, is also fair for smallmouth bass and channel catfish. Some smallmouth bass are still available in the lower sections of the other tributaries as well.

UPPER NIAGARA RIVER: With the cooling water temperatures muskellunge action has been picking up. Try drifting on the outside of weed edges with large 8-10 inch tube jigs around Thompson's Hole, Huntley or either side of Strawberry Island. Casting stickbaits could also produce a few fish. Trollers have been experiencing success in the outer Buffalo Harbor area, pulling large body baits. Increasing your trolling speed can sometimes trigger a strike. Target yellow perch, white perch, rock bass and sheepshead from shore. Live bait provides the best prospects. Target the largemouth bass in shallower areas (with weeds), sheltered from the main current. Stickbaits and crankbaits worked over the weeds is a good bet. Shore anglers also have a good shot at largemouth bass in harbors, marinas, stream inlets and points where each enters the river. Smallmouth bass are available outside of weedlines in 10-20 fow often over rocky areas. Live crayfish work great for smallmouth. The head of the river, Thompson’s Hole, the east sides of Strawberry and Motor Islands are  good bets. A few walleye have been hitting at the head of the river on worm harnesses. Other areas suggested are around Strawberry and Navy Islands followed by Grand and Motor Islands. Live shiners and worms work well for a mixed bag of panfish, perch and bass from shore sites along Buffalo and the Tonawandas.

LOWER NIAGARA RIVER: Salmon fishing has tapered off. Anglers now have a better chance of catching brown trout or steelhead. Drifting Devil’s Hole and the Artpark area with Kwikfish, egg skein or egg sacs can be productive. Casting ¾ ounce green Cleos, according to one report, is productive too. Anglers fishing at the NYPA fishing platform and other shore fishing areas, are also catching fish with spoons or spinners – green, blue, orange and chartreuse are all the standards. Egg sacks or egg pattern flies will also work for you if you can get your baits down near the bottom. Smallmouth bass action is spotty. Boaters can target bass by drifting with a three-way bottom bouncing rig combined with minnows, crayfish, tubes or other plastic creature baits. Work along the shoreline in 15-feet of water just outside the weedline. Casting stickbaits/crankbaits toward shore during the drift is also a good option. From Artpark down to the mouth has provided better catches of smallmouth. From shore catches of smallmouth bass, yellow perch, white perch and rock bass are increasing. Live bait is the way to go for the warmwater species. Walleye activity is fair at the mouth of the River. Drifting with 3-way bottom bouncing rigs combined with worm harnesses or yellow sally rigs is the way to go. Trolling with worm harnesses is a better bet out on the Bar. Remember that a study involving lake sturgeon is ongoing through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and if you catch a sturgeon (or even see one) you are asked to call with all the details. contact Dimitri Gorsky at 716-691-5456 Ext. 162.

LAKE ONTARIO - WEST: The start of hunting seasons and the lure of tributary fishing has taken the pressure off the lake. Lake fishing for salmon has dropped off and trout rates only fair this week. Trolling with J-Plugs and J-13 Rapalas may produce near dawn and dusk. Night anglers can anchor in 15-30 fow off the harbor/tributary mouths, casting glow spoons or stickbaits. Try flasher-fly combos, at first light, run 30 - 50 feet down. Fish the top 50 feet for steelhead, browns, coho, and Atlantic salmon. Use a mix of spoons, spin doctors and flies. Color and preferred lure type can change from day to day so don’t be afraid to experiment. Better lures for the browns - green patterned Northern King spoons and the Northland Fluttertail spoon in an alewife pattern. Decent smallmouth bass and yellow perch catches are available in 15 - 30 fow off Olcott. Also, some nice bass are being caught drifting crabs, worms and minnows in front of Fort Niagara.

LAKE ONTARIO - WEST - TRIBS: The chinook salmon (king salmon) run is about over on the Lake Ontario tributaries, although there are still a few salmon in the creeks. In place of the kings  look for browns, steelhead, coho salmon and the occasional trophy Atlantic salmon. Egg sacs, salmon skein, rubber eggs, marshmellows and yarn eggs, little cleos in greens, oranges and glows and egg pattern flies and bugger patterns are good baits to try. Fly fishing is great using black nymphs, woolie buggers again in black or egg sucking leeches in various colors. Chartruese is also good. A list of streams – Oak Orchard Creek, Eighteenmile Creek, the Genesee River, Four Mile and Twelve Mile Creeks, Johnson, Marsh and Sandy Creeks. The lower, slow moving sections of Eighteenmile Creek, Oak Orchard Creek and the Genesee River are also good options for trout and salmon. These sections are only accessible by boat. Pier action continues with anglers catching brown trout and the occasional steelhead and coho mixed in. Night time is the right time to target trout and salmon from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobbler glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Catches are best from piers at the mouths of the major tributaries, however, trout are available from any pier that extends into Lake Ontario. Anglers have been catching brown trout and steelhead on spoons and spinners from the piers when weather permits. Good locations to try include the piers at Wilson Harbor, Olcott Harbor, Oak Orchard Creek and the Genesee River.  Productive baits inland have been egg sacs, Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out!! Eighteenmile Creek anglers be advised that 30,000 fall fingerling coho salmon were stocked on Thursday 10/27 in Olcott Harbor. Some of these delicate 4-6 inch fish migrate up to Burt Dam and readily hit smaller baits. Please handle and release these sub-legal fish so they may return in a few years as adults. Catches of warm water species around the harbor areas such as Wilson Harbor, Olcott Harbor, Golden Hill State Park, Point Breeze/Oak Orchard and the Genesee should remain good. Also, on the Oak reports are nice perch, northern pike, some walleye, and small and large mouth bass along with some catfish are being caught. Live bait (minnows, golden shiners, crayfish, leeches and worms) is the way to go. For some novelty try lower Oak Orchard for gar pike. On Lake Alice, crappie and bluegill are being taken in good numbers around the Waterport Bridge. At Glenwood Lake walleye and crappie are becoming active. The stretch of the Oak in between the two is producing nice smallmouth bass.

CHAUTAUQUA LAKE: Muskellunge fishing has picked up.  Concentrate some effort from Prendergast Point to Mayville just outside the weeds. Reports have them hitting silver and white or black and silver crankbaits being trolled in 15 to 20 fow. Others are casting over the tops of the weeds. Bucktail spinners and jerk baits are recommended. Fishing low light conditions like dawn and dusk should be more productive. The walleye bite is reported better in the north basin. Anchor or drift outside the weeds using a 3 ounce black hair jig tipped with a crawler or cast stickbaits toward shore. Jigging with leeches is another option. Recommended depths are in 12-18 fow. Fish the weedlines and open pockets for bass. Productive methods include fishing with live bait (minnows, crayfish, leeches) outside the weed edge, dropping plastics or tube jigs in open pockets and retrieving weedless or topwater baits over submerged weeds. The 12–18 foot level is recommended. Largemouth bass and sunfish are common along weed edges and within open pockets in the weeds. Better areas for the smallmouth are around Warner’s Bar and Ashville Bay. Fish in 8 to 20 feet of water. Minnows, crayfish or plastics work well for smallmouth bass. The north basin has been one active spot. Good action on larger bluegill has kept the panfish anglers happy. Fishing with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow is a good bet. Good numbers of sizeable bluegill, pumpkinseed and crappie have been found in 11 feet of water near Shermans Bay. Yellow perch and white perch are readily taken with worms or small minnows fished near bottom in 10 – 15 fow, outside the weedline. Best reports are coming from around Long Point and Bemus Bay.

WESTERN TROUT STREAMS: The area streams are in good shape. They’re not crowded as many sportsmen enter their hunting mode. Drifting nymphs or casting small streamer patterns through the head and tail out of pools can be effective. Olive wooly buggers with a little bit of flash are a good bet for this tactic. Terrestrials are also on the trout menu. When fishing streams surrounded by moderate to heavy vegetation, terrestrial imitations can be very effective. Ant dry flies and foam beetles are favorites among fly anglers who fish terrestrials often. Considering that terrestrial insects are poor swimmers, these patterns should be fished on a dead drift, with slight twitches every now and again to imitate a struggling insect. Grasshopper, cricket, and spider patterns can also take fish. Spinning anglers do well with worms, salted minnows and small inline spinners. The statewide trout season runs from April 1 to October 15, however many streams and lakes are open all year for trout fishing. Check the Special Regulations by County to determine if your target stream is open for trout fishing beyond October 15.

Randolph Fish Hatchery has been conducting their annual fall stocking of broodstock trout over the past few weeks in Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties. All breeder trout stocked are over 2 years old and are stocked in waters where trout fishing is permitted year-round. Quaker Lake was stocked with 250 brown trout (18"-23"), 150 brook trout (18") and 200 rainbow trout (30"); Red House Lake was stocked with 200 brown trout (18"); Genesee River was stocked with 700 brown trout (13") from Wellsville to the PA border; Case Lake was stocked with 100 brown trout (19") and 450 brook trout (13"-18"); Birch Run Ponds was stocked with 100 rainbow trout (13") and 50 brook trout (13").

SILVER LAKE: Largemouth bass and walleye action is picking up. Try worm harnesses, Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds. Pike add to the excitement. Live bait appears most productive for them. Try for panfish with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow. For yellow perch work worms or small minnows outside the weedline around the lake.

CONESUS LAKE: No reports. Help!! A good prospect for largemouth bass. Fish the 5 to 20 foot level around weed beds. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Good numbers of perch, rock bass and sunfish are also available. Fish live bait (worms and small minnows) or small spinner baits. Still no reports on the pike or walleye.

HEMLOCK LAKE: No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

CANADICE LAKE: No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

HONEOYE LAKE: Bass fishing remains good on the lake. Look for a top water bite in the morning on the east side of the lake. When that bite dies, switch to a Texas-rigged Zoom Salty Centipedes in green pumpkin. Wacky-rigged Stik-O worms will also catch fish for you. The west side is also holding fair numbers of bass. The lake also offers some big bluegills at 15 to 30 feet. Try for walleyes in the center of the lake during the day and move into the shallows, 8 - 14 feet, around dusk. Try jigs and leeches for them.

Just a reminder, the NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the south end of Honeoye Lake will close for the remainder of the boating season on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs and a new larger parking lot installation. The parking lot is expected to open in November for the upcoming ice fishing season. Trident Marine on the NE side of the lake will be open, however they charge $10. to launch and have limited parking.

CANANDAIGUA LAKE: Rainbows and a few browns are hitting small, silver spoons or flasher & flies fished down 50 to 70 feet over a 75 to 150 foot bottom. A few lakers are also being taken near bottom at 90 to 120 feet. Bass and perch fishing is improving off the weedbeds in 10 to 30 fow. Try using small tube baits, grubs, or fathead minnows. The NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the north end of Canandaigua Lake closed on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs. It is scheduled to re-open 1/1/12.

WANETA/LAMOKA LAKES: Largemouth bass, pickerel and bluegill fishing remains good, action is not fast and furious, but there is enough to keep it interesting. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Some smallmouth bass and yellow perch are hitting on crayfish and minnows fished in 15 fow. Also, you always have a chance of hooking one of the monster muskies. Your chances are improving with the cooling water temperatures in Waneta. Use large stickbaits and lures for them. Recommended colors to start with are silver and blue, red and white or chartreuse.

KEUKA LAKE: Try for lakers jigging off the points in 90 to 110 feet of water with chartreuse plastics. Trolling flashers and flies, spoons or stillfishing with sawbellies also works. Smallmouth bass fishing has been good in 40 feet of water using crayfish or plastics. Yellow perch fishing can also be very good this time of year. Try jigging fatheads or plastics in 20 to 50 feet.

SENECA LAKE: Atlantic salmon, brown and some rainbow trout are hitting stickbaits and spoons fished at the 40 - 70 foot level. Good colors to try silver and black, silver and blue or silver and chartreuse. Lake trout are being taken on spoons, and flashers & flies fished off Dipsey divers (200 to 230 feet back) and off down riggers down 50 to 100 feet over 150 - 200 fow. Vertical jigging for lakers in 70 to 110 fow is also producing. Start with chartreuse plastics. From shore, anglers are catching northern pike on the weed flats, using either live shiners or crankbaits (blue and chrome-colored). Suggestions for perch and bass are the 20 to 40 foot waters using crayfish, night crawlers and minnows. Also at the south end don’t forget the Watkins Glen pier. It provides a variety of action. Smallmouth bass and yellow perch are now hitting on crayfish and minnows.

CAYUGA LAKE: Lake trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken around Taughannock trolling with spoons, or flashers and flies both off down riggers and Dipsey divers. Fish at 45 - 80 feet down over a 100 to 300 foot bottom. Lake trout are also hitting for those vertical jigging chartreuse plastics in 65 to 85 feet of water. A few brown trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken on spoons fished 55 to 80 feet down over 110 to 130 foot bottom. Try Countdown Rapalas and Silver Hammered Crocodiles. Good colors have been white, green, purple and blue. Some nice brown trout are also being taken by anglers vertical jigging for lake trout in 65 – 85 fow. Bass, pickerel and perch are being taken in the north end in 10 - 15 fow on fathead and larger minnows. One of the better perch spots is around Union Springs.

The boat launch at Allen Treman State Park has been closed for the season in an effort to help prevent the spread of Hydrilla (an invasive aquatic plant).

SKANEATELES LAKE: Lake trout, rainbows and Atlantic salmon are feeding on small perch. Trolling 30 to 50 feet down with small perch colored spoons or stickbaits is producing. Lake trout are also hitting at 60 to 80 feet down over a 100 - 150 foot bottom. Early in the day glow baits are working better but as the sun gets higher switching to pearl, chartreuse, or silver has been better. Trolling on the surface for rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon has been slow; this is usually a good fall fishing technique though. Smallmouth bass and rock bass are being taken in 15-40 fow along the shoreline using fathead minnows, crabs, tube baits, super flukes and drop-shot rigs. Try a surface plug during the evening. Yellow perch fishing is picking up and they are being taken on small minnows or crayfish.

OWASCO LAKE: Lake trout fishing has been slow. Try the north end of the lake, vertical jigging in 65 to 95 fow. Trolling the north end in 50 to 75 fow over 100 - 120 foot bottom with spoons may also produce lakers and an occasional nice sized brown trout. Bass action is reported good. Try using soft-shells and artificial baits (Senkos, tube jigs or drop-shot rigs). Walleye were reported at the north end but no report this week. Try for northern pike at the south end. Yellow perch are hitting around the lake on fathead minnows. 

OTISCO LAKE: Smallmouth bass fishing has been fair to good in 35 to 40 feet of water on drop-shot rigs. The largemouth are hitting lipless crankbaits (rat-l-traps, red eye shad, etc.) in the shallows of the north end. Some walleye are being taken trolling 25 – 30 feet down over a 45 to 60 foot bottom with worm harnesses. Also try casting stickbaits off the causeway after dark. A few tiger muskie have been picked up at the lake’s south and north ends on minnows and swimbaits, stickbaits and large spinners. Also, crappies are hitting small minnows along the shore.

EASTERN TROUT STREAMS: Trout and salmon should be showing up at any time in the Finger Lakes tribs. Keep checking and let us know when they’re in. One angler gives a good report Salmon Creek – “One rainbow about 7 pounds and 5 landlocks biggest about 7 pounds.  There were fish everywhere, browns are in, just didn't get any.”

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR: Fishing is starting to get back to normal. Try for walleye trolling in 10 -15 fow or drifting with worm harnesses and leeches. Fish slow and work deeper water. Walleye and smallmouth bass are being taken in the spillway on leeches fished under bobbers. Best action is during the early morning or late evening hours. Fishing slowly with dark colored bucktail jigs or worm harnesses along drop-offs has been producing mixed bags of perch, bass and walleye. Casting with dark colored twister tails and Senko style baits is also working for the bass.

SANDY POND: A few pike are providing some action but you have to work for them. Walleye fishing has been fair using crankbaits, worm harnesses and jigs. Largemouth bass are hitting a variety of Texas rigged plastic baits and topwater baits. Panfish are still providing action around the shoreline and some yellow perch are being taken on small minnows.

ONEIDA LAKE: Walleye fishing is inconsistent with best action found from dusk to dawn casting from shore. Stickbaits in black & silver and blue & silver work well for this fall walleye bite. Use smaller baits this year as young of the year gizzard shad are numerous but are smaller than usual. Try to match young of the year gizzard shad in the 2-3 inch range. The ‘eyes were hitting white bellied stickbaits. Perch fishing is spotty this week. Fish off the weedbeds in 10 – 20 fow using small crayfish, a little piece of worm on a hook or tipping a small spinner with a piece of a worm. Fish in the shallows, in the weeds, around the weeds and in deep water; it all seems to be working. Smallmouth bass fishing has dropped off a bit. The better action is around the shoals using tube jigs and drop-shot rigs. White and yellow spinnerbaits as well as shallow diving crankbaits are also working. In deeper waters, try small jigs tipped with yellow or white Mister Twister grubs. Watch for gulls going after the dying gizzard shad and fish there. Some anglers are catching a lot of bass later in the evening on topwater lures (frog imitations/popping lures). Largemouth are hitting in the shallows. Try topwater lures and weedless frogs. As usual pickerel are also biting on the bass lures. Bluegills and pumpkinseed sunfish are being taken on small tube jigs or tiny crayfish. You can also try drifting chartreuse/green Dixie spinners at 15 feet around the weedbeds. Make note that the docks have been removed from the South Shore launch, if that’s the area you use.

ONONDAGA LAKE: Fish for bass along the shoreline. Try crayfish, minnows, plastic baits. They should be hitting pretty well as they fatten for winter The main lake, Inner Harbor and Seneca River continue to be good places to catch sizeable carp on fruit flavored packbaits. Also, some reports of some nice-sized catfish being caught in the nearby Seneca River.

LAKE ONTARIO - EAST: For brown trout  work the 40-50 foot level, trolling during the early morning with stickbaits (Rapala's, Thunderstiks and Smithwicks) or large spoons (Stinger spoons and NK 28s). Chartreuse colored spoons have been good for the browns. Steelhead are being caught on orange or red spoons at 25 feet. Smallmouth Bass are providing fair to good action along the shallows (15 - 25 fow). Fish white and yellow spinnerbaits as well as shallow diving crankbaits. In deeper waters, try small jigs tipped with yellow or white Mister Twister grubs. Crabs and worms are always a good bet. Fish the live bait on a drop shot rig set to keep the bait 12 – 20 inches off bottom. Perch are hitting in 3 to 4 feet of water, close to shore. The bass baits listed will also work for perch. For all species fishing early or late in the day has been the most productive.

LAKE ONTARIO - EAST TRIBS: Maxwell Creek and the other tributaries have fair to good flows of water to draw in fish. Good numbers to provide some interesting fishing. Maxwell has fish mostly north of Lake Road. Anglers are catching primarily steelhead and brown trout on pink and yellow egg sacs, egg imitating plastics and flies. This will hold for the other tribs as well such as Bear Creek in Ontario, New York. Some anglers are trying night time fishing; targeting trout from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobblers glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Some specific spots are the piers at Sodus Bay, Webster Park and the Genesee River. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out!!

WAYNE COUNTY BAYS: This week the word is perch. They are the targeted species in all of the bays. In Port Bay, the channel has been the scene of action. Use flathead minnows or small jigs tipped with spikes. In Sodus anglers have been fishing the creek mouths and the island points. Try 20 to 26 feet of water. Perch have been extra large…in the pound plus class.  Bass are hitting all over Sodus Bay. Use any rubber or plastic. Follow the weedlines. Fish for pike around LeRoy Island. Work the weed lines trolling stick baits or casting large spoons or spinnerbaits. Large rubber baits also work for pike and for yellow perch use small minnows. For smallmouth try the Port Bay channel with soft-shells and at the south end of the bay try for pike, again along the weedlines.  Panfish are being caught on small jigs or worms. Fishing early or late in the day has proved most productive. On the Canal, anglers are experiencing some excellent fishing. Fish the shoreline near locks for best action. Bass along the weed lines and cats in the deep holes near Palmyra, and Newark. Fishing from the shore is easy as there are many pull-offs near Route 31.

MONROE COUNTY BAYS: On Irondequoit Bay, look for perch and smallmouth bass around the outlet, largemouth bass and pike in the coves and walleye along the drop-offs in deeper water. Live bait should prove best all though one report has the big-mouth hitting spinner baits. In Greece, fish the bay and ponds for crappie and perch. Jigs or minnows are recommended. Use small jigs for panfish. In the lower Genesee, action is supplied by catfish around the Turning Basin and smallmouth and sheepshead at the piers. Also, salmon are being taken off the piers casting spoons like Cleo's and Krocodiles and around the river mouth by anglers trolling with J-plugs.

SALMON RIVER: Fishing continues to be good with the major pools full of  trout and remnant salmon. The fish have been holding in the deeper pools, but when on the move, the deep slots, riffles and pocket water have produced action. 81 Pool, Compactor, Sportsman, The Trestle and the gravel above the Sportsman pool are all holding good numbers of fish. Suggested patterns are comets, nymphs, large stoneflies and streamers. For the bait fisherman, blue, pink and chartreuse egg sacs, streamers and egg imitating flies and plastics have been working. The brighter colors have worked well in the lower end of the river, while natural colors such as black, brown and olive have worked well in the upper end of the river. Also a few Atlantics, smallmouth and northerns are being picked up in the deep pools of the river on flies, spinners and live bait.

OSWEGO RIVER: The cool temperatures and increased flow a week ago, helped bring on a good push of rainbow and brown trout into the river. Fish are spread throughout and the fishing is great. The highest concentration of fish is reported from the Utica Street bridge to the dam. Hot-n-tots, fast tracks, Estaz eggs, egg sacs, skein, wooly buggers and egg pattern flies, are working well. Night fishing from the Utica Street bridge north should be good using cleos, rebel fast tracks and hot-n-tots. Smallmouth bass are providing some action. Use live bait (leeches, night crawlers, minnows), along with plastic baits and other lures. A few walleye are being caught on stickbaits or leeches both during the day and at night. Freshwater drum (sheephead) are hitting on night crawlers as are carp and channel cats. The bridge over Oswego Canal Lock 7 at Leto Island has been closed to vehicle traffic by the state Department of Transportation and is causing some problems with access.

OTHER WATERS: On the Susquehanna, Chenango, Tioughnioga and Unadilla Rivers limited fishing!! No fishing activities to report as all the rivers are still high and muddy. Because of the recent flooding in the area, launch ramps may still be mud and debris covered making them unusable at this time.

>>))))*>

ANGLERS CALENDAR:

12 – Fall Sports Show at the Coopers Plains – Long Acres Fire Department, Main Street, Coopers Plains, NY (9:00 am – 3:00 pm) Buy, sell or swap. Lunch available. (For information call 607-962-2183)

15 - First Day Ice Fishing Tip-Ups Can Be Used Statewide (>4/30/12)

What Are You Catching? (Click Here)

11-4-11

TIP: BASS OF NOVEMBER

November, on a lot of lakes around the country, finds baitfish dying because of falling water temperatures. Believe me, when this starts happening you need to be on the water. Bass really

key on these fish and gorge themselves putting on fat for the colder months ahead. Once you locate the schools, start fishing with a ¾ oz. spoon with a snapping, fluttering motion to resemble the dying fish. Also try jigging spoons on any creek channel bed, especially those between 12 and 30 feet deep. Riprap around a causeway is another productive area to try. Use ¼ oz. Rat-L-Traps® on chrome and blue, or 3/8 oz. spinnerbaits with small gold or silver blades.

Jimmy Houston is host of “Jimmy Houston Outdoors” TV Show on ESPN2 For more tips, log onto basspro.com    

*LAKE ERIE: When get back on the lake try for yellow perch. They’re catches continue to be  good to excellent. The most productive area is between Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point in 50-70 fow. Emerald shiners or small minnows fished just off bottom remain the hot bait but salted minnows and worms are also working. Catches of walleyes have been scarce. They have been moving back into shallower locations to feed before the onset of winter. Now is a good time to hit the springtime (early season) spots again. Worm harnesses, in blue or silver, both trolled and bottom bounced with a three-way rig have worked well. A few steelhead are cruising the shoreline near the major tributary stream mouths. Trolling between 2 - 2.2 mph with spoons and spinners is suggested for steelhead. Casting from the Cattaraugus Creek breakwall with flashy spoons is a good bet for both steelhead and lake trout. If you’re looking for smallmouth bass, best catches can be found in 20-40 fow. Bass stick tight to structure, so key on areas like drop-offs, reefs and rock piles. A drop-shot rig combined with live minnows, crayfish, tube jigs or other plastic creature baits (especially a round goby imitation or a Poor Boys Erie Darter) work well. Good locations include Waverly Shoal, Seneca Shoal, Myers Reef and Evans Bar. Expect to catch sheepshead as well, especially on live bait. Smallmouth bass can be caught around harbor and breakwall sites as well. Boat launches at Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point were still open as of this report.

*LAKE ERIE TRIBS: Water levels in the tribs range from good to low. Cattaraugus Creek is the best tributary for steelhead. Fish are scattered from the mouth to the Springville Dam, however the lower section, from the breakwall at the mouth up through the reservation is the better stretch. Other tribs for steelhead such as Chautauqua, Canadaway, Eighteenmile, Cazenovia, Buffalo and Cayuga Creeks are low and clear. Lake Erie steelhead commonly hit natural baits like egg sacs or worms and flies such as egg patterns, streamers and bugger patterns. When fishing during low and clear water conditions, it is best to move stealthily and use small hooks, small baits, light colored streamers/buggers and light lines to fool finicky steelhead. Fishing early or late in the day is also a good bet. Bass action rates fair this week in the harbors (Barcelona, Dunkirk, Buffalo) and around the breakwalls. Live minnows, stickbaits, woolly buggers and minnow patterns work well. Fishing, in the lower section of the Cattaraugus, is also fair for smallmouth bass and channel catfish. Some smallmouth bass are still available in the lower sections of the other tributaries as well.

*UPPER NIAGARA RIVER: With the cooling water temperatures muskellunge action has been picking up. by drifting on the outside of weed edges with large 8-10 inch tube jigs around Thompson's Hole, Huntley or either side of Strawberry Island. Casting stickbaits could also produce a few fish. Trollers have been experiencing more success in the Buffalo Harbor area, pulling large body baits. Increasing your trolling speed can sometimes trigger a strike. Target yellow perch, white perch, rock bass and sheepshead from shore. Live bait provides the best prospects. Target the largemouth bass in shallower areas (with weeds), sheltered from the main current. Stickbaits and crankbaits worked over the weeds is a good bet. Shore anglers also have a good shot at largemouth bass in harbors, marinas, stream inlets and points where each enters the river. Smallmouth bass are available outside of weedlines in 10-20 fow often over rocky areas. Live crayfish work great for smallmouth. The head of the river, Thompson’s Hole, the east sides of Strawberry and Motor Islands are  good bets. A few walleye have been hitting at the head of the river on worm harnesses. Other areas suggested are around Strawberry and Navy Islands followed by Grand and Motor Islands. Live shiners and worms work well for a mixed bag of panfish, perch and bass from shore sites along Buffalo and the Tonawandas.

*LOWER NIAGARA RIVER: Salmon fishing is tapering off. Anglers now have a better chance of catching brown trout or steelhead.  Drifting with a three-way rig and egg skein, egg sacs or Kwikfish can be productive. Casting ¾ ounce green Cleos, according to one report, is productive too. Anglers fishing at the NYPA fishing platform and other shore fishing areas, are also catching fish with spoons or spinners – green, blue, orange and chartreuse are all the standards. Egg sacks or egg pattern flies will also work for you if you can get your baits down near the bottom. Smallmouth bass action is spotty. Boaters can target bass by drifting with a three-way bottom bouncing rig combined with minnows, crayfish, tubes or other plastic creature baits. Work along the shoreline in 15-feet of water just outside the weedline. Casting stickbaits/crankbaits toward shore during the drift is also a good option. From Artpark down to the mouth has provided better catches of smallmouth. From shore catches of smallmouth bass, yellow perch, white perch and rock bass are increasing. Live bait is the way to go for the warmwater species. Walleye activity is fair at the mouth of the River. Drifting with 3-way bottom bouncing rigs combined with worm harnesses or yellow sally rigs is the way to go. Trolling with worm harnesses is a better bet out on the Bar. Remember that a study involving lake sturgeon is ongoing through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and if you catch a sturgeon (or even see one) you are asked to call with all the details. contact Dimitri Gorsky at 716-691-5456 Ext. 162.

*LAKE ONTARIO - WEST: The start of hunting seasons and the lure of tributary fishing has taken the pressure off the lake. Lake fishing for salmon and trout rates only fair this week. The nearshore chinook salmon (king salmon) action is about gone as mature kings have entered the tribs. Trolling with J-Plugs and J-13 Rapalas may produce near dawn and dusk. Night anglers can anchor in 15-30 fow off the harbor/tributary mouths, casting glow spoons or stickbaits. Try flasher-fly combos, at first light, run 30 - 50 feet down. Fish the top 50 feet for steelhead, browns, coho, and Atlantic salmon. Use a mix of spoons, spin doctors and flies. Color and preferred lure type can change from day to day so don’t be afraid to experiment. Better lures for the browns - green patterned Northern King spoons and the Northland Fluttertail spoon in an alewife pattern. Decent smallmouth bass and yellow perch catches are available in 15 - 30 fow off Olcott. Also, some nice bass are being caught drifting crabs, worms and minnows in front of Fort Niagara.

*LAKE ONTARIO - WEST - TRIBS: The chinook salmon (king salmon) run is winding down on the Lake Ontario tributaries, although there are still good numbers of salmon in the creeks. The majority of king salmon are post spawn, however some fresh fish are still showing up. In addition to king salmon look for browns, steelhead, coho salmon and the occasional trophy Atlantic salmon. Egg sacs, salmon skein, rubber eggs, marshmellows and yarn eggs, little cleos in greens, oranges and glows and egg pattern flies and bugger patterns are good baits for salmon. The action for brown trout can be good for those fishing egg sacs and egg pattern flies downstream of actively spawning salmon. Fly fishing is great using black nymphs, woolie buggers again in black or egg sucking leeches in various colors. Chartruese is also good. A list of streams – Oak Orchard Creek, Eighteenmile Creek, the Genesee River, Four Mile, and Twelve Mile Creeks, Johnson, Marsh and Sandy Creeks. The lower, slow moving sections of Eighteenmile Creek, Oak Orchard Creek and the Genesee River are also good options for trout and salmon. These sections are only accessible by boat. Pier action continues with anglers catching hefty mature king salmon with brown trout and the occasional steelhead and coho mixed in. Night time is the right time to target trout and salmon from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobbler glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Catches are best from piers at the mouths of the major salmon tributaries like Oak Orchard Creek, however, salmon and trout are available from any pier that extends into Lake Ontario. Productive baits inland have been egg sacs, Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out!! Eighteenmile Creek anglers be advised that 30,000 fall fingerling coho salmon were stocked on Thursday 10/27 in Olcott Harbor. Some of these delicate 4-6 inch fish migrate up to Burt Dam and readily hit smaller baits. Please handle and release these sub-legal fish so they may return in a few years as adults. Catches of warm water species around the harbor areas such as Wilson Harbor, Olcott Harbor, Golden Hill State Park, Point Breeze/Oak Orchard and the Genesee should remain good. Also, on the Oak reports are nice perch, northern pike, some walleye, and small and large mouth bass along with some catfish are being caught. Live bait (minnows, golden shiners, crayfish, leeches and worms) is the way to go. For some novelty try lower Oak Orchard for gar pike. On Lake Alice, crappie and bluegill are being taken in good numbers around the Waterport Bridge. At Glenwood Lake walleye and crappie are becoming active. The stretch of the Oak in between the two is producing nice smallmouth bass.

*CHAUTAUQUA LAKE: Muskellunge fishing has picked up along the west side of the lake in both basins. Reports have them hitting silver and white or black and silver crankbaits being trolled in 15 to 20 fow. Others are casting over the tops of the weeds. Bucktail spinners and jerk baits are recommended. Fishing low light conditions like dawn and dusk should be more productive. The walleye bite is reported better in the north basin. Anchor or drift outside the weeds using a 3 ounce black hair jig tipped with a crawler or cast stickbaits toward shore. Jigging with leeches is another option. Recommended depths are in 12-18 fow. Fish the weedlines and open pockets for bass. Productive methods include fishing with live bait (minnows, crayfish, leeches) outside the weed edge, dropping plastics or tube jigs in open pockets and retrieving weedless or topwater baits over submerged weeds. The 12–18 foot level is recommended. Largemouth bass and sunfish are common along weed edges and within open pockets in the weeds. Better areas for the smallmouth are around Warner’s Bar and Ashville Bay. Fish in 8 to 20 feet of water. Minnows, crayfish or plastics work well for smallmouth bass. The north basin has been one active spot. Good action on larger bluegill has kept the panfish anglers happy. Fishing with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow is a good bet. Good numbers of sizeable bluegill, pumpkinseed and crappie have been found in 11 feet of water near Shermans Bay. Yellow perch and white perch are readily taken with worms or small minnows fished near bottom in 10 – 15 fow, outside the weedline. Best reports are coming from around Long Point and Bemus Bay.

*WESTERN TROUT STREAMS: The area streams are in good shape. They’re not crowded as many sportsmen enter their hunting mode. Drifting nymphs or casting small streamer patterns through the head and tail out of pools can be effective. Olive wooly buggers with a little bit of flash are a good bet for this tactic. Terrestrials are also on the trout menu. When fishing streams surrounded by moderate to heavy vegetation, terrestrial imitations can be very effective. Ant dry flies and foam beetles are favorites among fly anglers who fish terrestrials often. Considering that terrestrial insects are poor swimmers, these patterns should be fished on a dead drift, with slight twitches every now and again to imitate a struggling insect. Grasshopper, cricket, and spider patterns can also take fish. Spinning anglers do well with worms, salted minnows and small inline spinners. The statewide trout season runs from April 1 to October 15, however many streams and lakes are open all year for trout fishing. Check the Special Regulations by County to determine if your target stream is open for trout fishing beyond October 15.

Randolph Fish Hatchery has been conducting their annual fall stocking of broodstock trout over the past few weeks in Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties. All breeder trout stocked are over 2 years old and are stocked in waters where trout fishing is permitted year-round. Quaker Lake was stocked with 250 brown trout (18"-23"), 150 brook trout (18") and 200 rainbow trout (30"); Red House Lake was stocked with 200 brown trout (18"); Genesee River was stocked with 700 brown trout (13") from Wellsville to the PA border; Case Lake was stocked with 100 brown trout (19") and 450 brook trout (13"-18"); Birch Run Ponds was stocked with 100 rainbow trout (13") and 50 brook trout (13").

*SILVER LAKE: Largemouth bass and walleye action is picking up. Try worm harnesses, Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds. Pike add to the excitement. Live bait appears most productive for them. Try for panfish with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow. For yellow perch work worms or small minnows outside the weedline around the lake.

*CONESUS LAKE: No reports. Help!! A good prospect for largemouth bass. Fish the 5 to 20 foot level around weed beds. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Good numbers of perch, rock bass and sunfish are also available. Fish live bait (worms and small minnows) or small spinner baits. Still no reports on the pike or walleye.

*HEMLOCK LAKE: No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

*CANADICE LAKE: No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

*HONEOYE LAKE: Bass fishing remains good on the lake. Look for a top water bite in the morning on the east side of the lake. When that bite dies, switch to a Texas-rigged Zoom Salty Centipedes in green pumpkin. Wacky-rigged Stik-O worms will also catch fish for you. The west side is also holding fair numbers of bass. The lake also offers some big bluegills at 15 to 30 feet. Try for walleyes in the center of the lake during the day and move into the shallows, 8 - 14 feet, around dusk. Try jigs and leeches for them.

Just a reminder, the NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the south end of Honeoye Lake will close for the remainder of the boating season on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs and a new larger parking lot installation. The parking lot is expected to open in November for the upcoming ice fishing season. Trident Marine on the NE side of the lake will be open, however they charge $10. to launch and have limited parking.

*CANANDAIGUA LAKE: Rainbows and a few browns are hitting small, silver spoons or flasher & flies fished down 50 to 70 feet over a 75 to 150 foot bottom. A few lakers are also being taken near bottom at 90 to 120 feet. Bass and perch fishing is improving off the weedbeds in 10 to 30 fow. Try using small tube baits, grubs, or fathead minnows. The NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the north end of Canandaigua Lake will close for the remainder of the boating season on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs. It is scheduled to re-open 1/1/12.

*WANETA/LAMOKA LAKES: Largemouth bass, pickerel and bluegill fishing remains good, action is not fast and furious, but there is enough to keep it interesting. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Some smallmouth bass and yellow perch are hitting on crayfish and minnows fished in 15 fow. Also, you always have a chance of hooking one of the monster muskies. Your chances are improving with the cooling water temperatures. Use large stickbaits and lures for them. Recommended colors to start with are silver and blue, red and white or chartreuse.

*KEUKA LAKE: Try for lakers suspended 25-75 feet down over a variable bottom, or on the bottom in water 60-120 feet deep. Trolling flashers and flies, spoons or stillfishing with sawbellies works well. Vertical jigging with chartreuse plastics or sawbellies in 60 to 90 fow is also working. Smallmouth bass fishing has been good in 40 feet of water with crayfish or plastics working well. Yellow perch fishing can also be very good this time of year. Try jigging fatheads or plastics in 20 to 50 feet.

*SENECA LAKE: Atlantic salmon, brown and some rainbow trout are hitting stickbaits and spoons fished at the 40 - 70 foot level. Good colors to try silver and black, silver and blue or silver and chartreuse. Lake trout are being taken on spoons, and flashers & flies fished off Dipsey divers (200 to 230 feet back) and off down riggers down 50 to 100 feet over 150 - 200 fow. Vertical jigging for lakers in 70 to 110 fow is also producing. Start with chartreuse plastics. From shore, anglers are catching northern pike on the weed flats, using either live shiners or crankbaits (blue and chrome-colored). Anglers fishing large minnows under bobbers are also catching some northern pike around the lake. Suggestions for perch and bass are the 20 to 40 foot waters using crayfish, night crawlers and minnows. Also at the south end don’t forget the Watkins Glen pier. It provides a variety of action. Smallmouth bass and yellow perch are now hitting on crayfish and minnows.

*CAYUGA LAKE: Lake trout, Atlantic salmon and brown trout are being caught trolling the south portion of the lake with spoons, or flashers and flies both off down riggers and Dipsey divers. Fish at 45 - 80 feet down over 75 to 150 foot bottom. Lake trout are also hitting for those vertical jigging chartreuse plastics in 65 to 85 feet of water. A few brown trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken on spoons fished 55 to 80 feet down over 110 to 130 foot bottom. Try Countdown Rapalas and Silver Hammered Crocodiles. Good colors have been white, green, purple and blue. Some nice brown trout are also being taken by anglers vertical jigging for lake trout in 65 – 85 fow. Bass, pickerel and perch are being taken in the north end in 10 - 15 fow on fathead and larger minnows. One of the better perch spots is around Union Springs.

The boat launch at Allen Treman State Park has been closed for the season in an effort to help prevent the spread of Hydrilla (an invasive aquatic plant).

*SKANEATELES LAKE: Lake trout, rainbows and Atlantic salmon are feeding on small perch. Trolling 30 to 50 feet down with small perch colored spoons or stickbaits is producing. Lake trout are also hitting at 60 to 80 feet down over a 100 - 150 foot bottom. Early in the day glow baits are working better but as the sun gets higher switching to pearl, chartreuse, or silver has been better. Trolling on the surface for rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon has been slow; this is usually a good fall fishing technique though. Smallmouth bass and rock bass are being taken in 15-40 fow along the shoreline using fathead minnows, crabs, tube baits, super flukes and drop-shot rigs. Try a surface plug during the evening. Yellow perch fishing is picking up and they are being taken on small minnows or crayfish.

*OWASCO LAKE: Lake trout fishing varies from day to day. Try the north end of the lake, vertical jigging in 65 to 95 fow. Trolling the north end in 50 to 75 fow over 100 - 120 foot bottom with spoons may also produce lakers and an occasional nice sized brown trout. Bass are reported being caught ‘all over the lake’. Try using soft-shells and artificial baits (Senkos, tube jigs or drop-shot rigs). Walleye were reported at the north end but no report this week. Try for northern pike at the south end. Yellow perch are hitting around the lake on fathead minnows.

*OTISCO LAKE: Smallmouth bass fishing has been fair to good in 35 to 40 feet of water on drop-shot rigs. The largemouth are hitting lipless crankbaits (rat-l-traps, red eye shad, etc.) in the shallows of the north end. Some walleye are being taken trolling 25 – 30 feet down over a 45 to 60 foot bottom with worm harnesses. Also try casting stickbaits off the causeway after dark. A few tiger muskie have been picked up at the lake’s south and north ends on minnows and swimbaits, stickbaits and large spinners. Also, crappies are hitting small minnows along the shore.

*EASTERN TROUT STREAMS: No reports. Help!! Trout and salmon should be showing up at any time in the Finger Lakes tribs. Keep checking and let us know when they’re in.

*WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR: Fishing is starting to get back to normal. Try for walleye trolling in 10 -15 fow or drifting with worm harnesses and leeches. Fish slow and work deeper water. Walleye and smallmouth bass are being taken in the spillway on leeches fished under bobbers. Best action is during the early morning or late evening hours.

Fishing slowly with dark colored bucktail jigs or worm harnesses along drop-offs has been producing mixed bags of perch, bass and walleye. Casting with dark colored twister tails and Senko style baits is also working for the bass.

*SANDY POND: A few pike are providing some action but you have to work for them. Walleye fishing has been fair using crankbaits, worm harnesses and jigs. Largemouth bass are hitting a variety of Texas rigged plastic baits and topwater baits. Pan fish are still providing action around the shoreline and some yellow perch are being taken on small minnows.

*ONEIDA LAKE: Walleye fishing is improving with best action found at dawn and dusk casting from shore. Stickbaits in black & silver and blue & silver work well for this fall walleye bite. It may pay to use smaller baits this year as young of the year gizzard shad are numerous but are smaller than usual. Try to match young of the year gizzard shad in the 2-3 inch range. The ‘eyes were hitting white bellied stickbaits. Perch fishing is Spotty this week. Fish off the weedbeds in 10 – 20 fow using small crayfish, a little piece of worm on a hook or tipping a small spinner with a piece of a worm. Fish in the shallows, in the weeds, around the weeds and in deep water; it all seems to be working. Smallmouth bass fishing has dropped off a bit. The better action is around the shoals using tube jigs and drop-shot rigs. White and yellow spinnerbaits as well as shallow diving crankbaits are also working. In deeper waters, try small jigs tipped with yellow or white Mister Twister grubs. Watch for gulls going after the dying gizzard shad and fish there. Some anglers are catching a lot of bass later in the evening on topwater lures (frog imitations/popping lures). Largemouth are hitting in the shallows. Try topwater lures and weedless frogs. As usual pickerel are also biting on the bass lures. Bluegills and pumpkinseed sunfish are being taken on small tube jigs or tiny crayfish. You can also try drifting chartreuse/green Dixie spinners at 15 feet around the weedbeds.

*ONONDAGA LAKE: No change. Fish for bass along the shoreline. Try crayfish, minnows, plastic baits. The main lake, Inner Harbor and Seneca River continue to be good places to catch sizeable carp on fruit flavored packbaits. Also, some reports of some nice-sized catfish being caught in the nearby Seneca River.

*LAKE ONTARIO - EAST: Chinook fishing is about at its end for this season.A few fish may still be at the mouths of tributaries. Sugested lures are Spin Dr & pro-chip flashers in white, green, chrome in front of sweetpea, pro-am, hammer & Big Fin Glow shredded hammer, and live lime A-Tom-Mik flies. Brown trout fishing is better. Work the 40-50 foot level, trolling during the early morning with stickbaits (Rapala's, Thunderstiks and Smithwicks) or large spoons (Stinger spoons and NK 28s). Chartreuse colored spoons have been good for the browns. Steelhead are being caught on orange or red spoons at 25 feet. Smallmouth Bass are providing fair to good action along the shallows (15 - 25 fow). Fish white and yellow spinnerbaits as well as shallow diving crankbaits. In deeper waters, try small jigs tipped with yellow or white Mister Twister grubs. Crabs and worms are always a good bet. Fish the live bait on a drop shot rig set to keep the bait 12 – 20 inches off bottom. Perch are hitting in 3 to 4 feet of water, close to shore. The bass baits listed will also work for perch. For all species fishing early or late in the day has been the most productive.

*LAKE ONTARIO - EAST TRIBS: Maxwell Creek and the other tributaries have fair to good flows of water to draw in fish. Good numbers to provide some interesting fishing. Maxwell has fish north and south of Lake Road. Anglers are catching steelhead, browns and kings on pink and yellow egg sacs, egg imitating plastics and flies. This will hold for the other tribs as well such as Bear Creek in Ontario, New York. Some are trying night time fishing; targeting salmon and browns from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobblers glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. This is good all day now that the salmon have moved in. Some specific spots are the piers at Sodus Bay, Webster Park and the Genesee River. Salmon are also found in the bays and the major bay feeder streams. Port Bay’s Furnace Creek is one example. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out!!

*WAYNE COUNTY BAYS: The word is largemouths are hitting all over Sodus Bay. Use any rubber or plastic. Follow the weedlines. Fish for pike around LeRoy Island. Work the weed lines trolling stick baits or casting large spoons or spinnerbaits. Large rubber baits also work for pike. For yellow perch use small minnows. Those fishing the channel and the points are catching some nice 12 inch perch. On the rest of the bays it’s “Search for Perch” but when you find them it’s nice fishing. Try off the points in 20-25 feet of water. For the smallmouth bass try soft-shelled crayfish. Panfish are being caught on small jigs or worms. Fishing early or late in the day has proved most productive. For smallmouth try the Port Bay channel with soft-shells and at the south end of the bay try for pike, again along the weedlines. The bays are also reported as having Chinook salmon in the Bays and in the major feeder streams. On the Canal, anglers are experiencing some excellent fishing. Fish the shoreline near locks for best action. Bass along the weed lines and cats in the deep holes near Palmyra, and Newark. Fishing from the shore is easy as there are many pull-offs near Route 31.

*MONROE COUNTY BAYS: On Irondequoit Bay, look for perch and smallmouth bass around the outlet, largemouth bass and pike in the coves and walleye along the drop-offs in deeper water. Live bait should prove best all though one report has the big-mouth hitting spinner baits. In Greece, fish the bay and ponds for crappie and perch. Jigs or minnows are recommended. Use small jigs for panfish. In the lower Genesee, action is supplied by catfish around the Turning Basin and smallmouth and sheepshead at the piers. Also, salmon are being taken off the piers casting spoons like Cleo's and Krocodiles and around the river mouth by anglers trolling with J-plugs.

*SALMON RIVER: Fishing continues to be tremendous but salmon numbers are starting to decline. The major pools, however, are loaded salmon and trout. The fish have been holding in the deeper pools, but when on the move, the deep slots, riffles and pocket water have produced action. 81 Pool, Compactor, Sportsman, The Trestle and the gravel above the Sportsman pool are all holding good numbers of fish. Suggested patterns are comets, nymphs, large stoneflies and streamers. For the bait fisherman, blue, pink and chartreuse egg sacs, streamers and egg imitating flies and plastics have been working. The brighter colors have worked well in the lower end of the river, while natural colors such as black, brown and olive have worked well in the upper end of the river. Also a few Atlantics, smallmouth and northerns are being picked up in the deep pools of the river on flies, spinners and live bait.

*OSWEGO RIVER: The cool temperatures and increased flow helped to improve the fishing in the River. Some salmon and a good push of rainbow and brown trout have made their way into the river. Fish are spread throughout and the fishing is great. The highest concentration of fish is reported from the Utica Street bridge to the dam. Hot-n-tots, fast tracks, Estaz eggs, egg sacs, skein, wooly buggers and egg pattern flies, are working well. Night fishing from the Utica Street bridge north should be good using cleos, rebel fast tracks and hot-n-tots. Smallmouth bass are providing some action. Use live bait (leeches, night crawlers, minnows), along with plastic baits and other lures. A few walleye are being caught on stickbaits or leeches both during the day and at night. Freshwater drum (sheephead) are hitting on night crawlers as are carp and channel cats. The bridge over Oswego Canal Lock 7 at Leto Island has been closed to vehicle traffic by the state Department of Transportation and is causing some problems with access.

*OTHER WATERS: On the Susquehanna, Chenango, Tioughnioga and Unadilla Rivers limited fishing!! No fishing activities to report as all the rivers are still high and muddy. Because of the recent flooding in the area, launch ramps may be mud and debris covered making them unusable at this time.

>>))))*>

ANGLERS CALENDAR:

5 - LOTAC 2nd Annual ‘Catch & Clean’ Fishing Tournament at the Fox Hollow Lodge, 2740 State Route 13, Altmar NY (Registration: 11/4 – 6:00-8:00 pm or 11/5 - 4:00 am. Fishing ends at 4:00 pm) Sponsored by the Lake Ontario Tributary Anglers Council (LOTAC). Each angler has to fill at least one 30 gallon garbage bag with litter to enter fish. (Costs $25/non-member and $15/member) (For more information call 607-239-6492 or email lotac@lotac.org)

What Are You Catching? (Click Here)

10-28-11

TIP: Crappie Fishing – The Light Bite

Sometimes when out crappie fishing they just don’t want to bite… Well that happens more often than not for some of us. Here are a couple of Crappie fishing tips for that light bite.

First off make sure you don’t dress up your presentation too much. Just a plain hook tipped with a minnow will do. Make sure your split shot is at least 12” away from your bait. Keep a very lively minnow on the hook. A dead minnow equals dead fishing. Don’t be too aggressive with jigging the line. It’s ok to jig every once in a while, but over jigging will not work! Slowly reel your line in. A fish’s natural reaction to falling or moving bait is to follow it, by slowly moving your bait you will likely trigger a bite. I hope these tips help you catch more fish. Have fun out there!

(From Sportsmen’s Paradice Online http://blog.sportsmansparadiseonline.com/2009/06/01/crappie-fishing-tips-the-light-bite/)

LAKE ERIE: Weather will determine the success rate this week. When you can get back on the lake try for yellow perch. They’re catches were reported as good to excellent. Some say the best this year! The most productive area continues to be between Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point in 50-70 fow. Emerald shiners or small minnows fished just off bottom remain the hot bait but salted minnows and worms are also working. Recent catches of walleyes have been scarce. They have been moving back into shallower locations to feed before the onset of winter. Now is a good time to hit the springtime (early season) spots again. Worm harnesses, in blue or silver, both trolled and bottom bounced with a three-way rig have worked well. Steelhead are cruising the shoreline near the major tributary stream mouths and can be found throughout most of the major tribs, Trolling off tributary mouths is productive. Trolling between 2 - 2.2 mph with spoons and spinners is a good bet for steelhead. Casting from the Cattaraugus Creek breakwall with flashy spoons is a good bet for both steelhead and lake trout. If you’re looking for smallmouth bass, best catches can be found in 20-40 fow. Bass stick tight to structure, so key on areas like drop-offs, reefs and rock piles. A drop-shot rig combined with live minnows, crayfish, tube jigs or other plastic creature baits (especially a round goby imitation or a Poor Boys Erie Darter) work well. Good locations include Waverly Shoal, Seneca Shoal, Myers Reef and Evans Bar. Expect to catch sheepshead as well, especially on live bait. Smallmouth bass can still be caught around harbor and breakwall sites as well.

LAKE ERIE TRIBS: The tribs have the added flows needed to bring in and spread the steelhead; in some cases too much flow. Cattaraugus Creek is the best tributary for steelhead but it’s flowing high and muddy. Fish are scattered from the mouth to the Springville Dam, however the lower section, from the breakwall at the mouth up through the reservation is the better stretch. Another decent trib for steelhead is Canadaway Creek. Buffalo area streams such as Buffalo, Cayuga and Eighteenmile Creeks have peaked above ideal levels and are stained at present. Lake Erie steelhead commonly hit natural baits like egg sacs or worms and flies such as egg patterns, streamers and bugger patterns. Bass action rates fair this week in the harbors (Barcelona, Dunkirk, Buffalo) and around the breakwalls. Live minnows, stickbaits, woolly buggers and minnow patterns work well. Fishing, in the lower section of the Cattaraugus, is also fair for smallmouth bass and channel catfish. Some smallmouth bass are still available in the lower sections of the other tributaries as well. For those new to tributary steelhead fishing, see the Steelhead Fishing in Lake Erie Tributaries page for information on steelhead fishing tackle, equipment and links to steelhead stream maps.

UPPER NIAGARA RIVER: Muddy water has slowed fishing for a day or two. Once it clears anglers can target yellow perch, white perch, rock bass and sheepshead from shore. Live bait provides the best prospects. Target the largemouth bass in shallower areas (with weeds), sheltered from the main current. Stickbaits and crankbaits worked over the weeds is a good bet. Shore anglers also have a good shot at largemouth bass in harbors, marinas, stream inlets and points where each enters the river. Smallmouth bass are available outside of weedlines in 10-20 fow often over rocky areas. Live crayfish work great for smallmouth. The head of the river, Thompson’s Hole, the east sides of Strawberry and Motor Islands are a good bet. Some walleye have been hitting at the head of the river on worm harnesses. Other areas suggested are around Strawberry and Navy Islands followed by Grand and Motor Islands. With the cooling water temperatures target muskellunge by drifting on the outside of weed edges with large 8-10 inch tube jigs around Thompson's Hole, Huntley or either side of Strawberry Island. Live shiners and worms work well for a mixed bag of panfish, perch and bass from shore sites along Buffalo and the Tonawandas.

LOWER NIAGARA RIVER: Salmon fishing should improve once waters become more fishable and less turbid. Boaters should see an increase in activity with king salmon and steelhead. Drifting with a three-way rig and egg skein, egg sacs or Kwikfish can be productive. Casting ¾ ounce green Cleos, according to one report, is productive too. Conditions are hazardous in the Devil's Hole drift so be careful out there. Anglers fishing at the NYPA fishing platform and other shore fishing areas, are also catching fish on the green cleos. Shore anglers at Whirlpool and Devils Hole State Parks have excellent trout and salmon opportunity this weekend as areas near shore generally have better clarity than the main channel. Smallmouth bass action is spotty. Boaters can target bass by drifting with a three-way bottom bouncing rig combined with minnows, crayfish, tubes or other plastic creature baits. Work along the shoreline in 15-feet of water just outside the weedline. Casting stickbaits/crankbaits toward shore during the drift is also a good option. From Artpark down to the mouth has provided consistent catches of smallmouth. From shore catches of smallmouth bass, yellow perch, white perch and rock bass along with occasional kings are increasing. Live bait is the way to go for the warmwater species and spoons, Vibrax spinners and Mister Twister jigs are being used by those targeting the salmon when fishing at the platform or from shore. Be sure to have a strong, long handled landing net to lift caught salmon up to the fishing deck. Walleye activity is increasing at the mouth of the River. Drifting with 3-way bottom bouncing rigs combined with worm harnesses or yellow sally rigs is the way to go. Trolling with worm harnesses is a better bet out on the Bar.

If you fish at the state parks, be cautious of rising river levels after 8:00 A.M.

LAKE ONTARIO - WEST: The start of hunting seasons and the lure of tributary fishing has taken the pressure off the lake and weather conditions haven’t helped. Lake fishing for salmon and trout rates fair this week. The nearshore chinook salmon (king salmon) action is better as mature kings are entering the tribs. Trollers have seen salmon action inside 50 fow near major tributary mouths. Trolling with J-Plugs and J-13 Rapalas has been the ticket near dawn and dusk. Night anglers can anchor in 15-30 fow off the harbor/tributary mouths, casting glow spoons or stickbaits. Try flasher-fly combos, at first light, run 30 - 50 feet down. Spoons and J-plugs will catch king salmon as well, but flasher-flies help keep the shakers off. Fish the top 50 feet for steelhead, coho, Atlantic salmon and smaller king salmon. Use a mix of spoons, spin doctors and flies. Color and preferred lure type can change from day to day so don’t be afraid to experiment. It’s browns at 60 feet off Wilson and Olcott. Hot lures for them - green patterned Northern King spoons and the Northland Fluttertail spoon in an alewife pattern. Decent smallmouth bass and yellow perch catches are available in 15 - 30 fow off Olcott. Also, some nice bass are being caught drifting crabs, worms and minnows in front of Fort Niagara.

LAKE ONTARIO - WEST - TRIBS: Tributaries received the needed rain the last few days and salmon are spread from mouth to the first impassable barrier. The salmon run should be at its peak the next week or two. Some salmon are actively spawning while other groups of fresh king salmon are pushing up from the lake. In addition to king salmon look for browns, steelhead, coho salmon and the occasional trophy Atlantic salmon. Egg sacs, salmon skein, rubber eggs, marshmellows and yarn eggs, little cleos in greens, oranges and glows and egg pattern flies and bugger patterns are good baits for salmon. The action for brown trout can be good for those fishing egg sacs and egg pattern flies downstream of actively spawning salmon. Fly fishing is great using black nymphs, woolie buggers again in black or egg sucking leeches in various colors. Chartruese is also good. A list of streams – Oak Orchard Creek, Eighteenmile Creek, the Genesee River, Four Mile, and Twelve Mile Creeks, Johnson, Marsh and Sandy Creeks. The lower, slow moving sections of Eighteenmile Creek, Oak Orchard Creek and the Genesee River are also good options for trout and salmon. These sections are only accessible by boat. Pier action continues with anglers catching hefty mature king salmon with brown trout and the occasional steelhead and coho mixed in. Night time is the right time to target king salmon from the piers but they are starting to show up during the day. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobbler glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Catches are best from piers at the mouths of the major salmon tributaries like Oak Orchard Creek, however, salmon and trout are available from any pier that extends into Lake Ontario. Productive baits inland have been egg sacs, Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out!! Catches of warm water species around the harbor areas such as Wilson Harbor, Olcott Harbor, Golden Hill State Park, Point Breeze/Oak Orchard and the Genesee should remain good. Also, on the Oak reports are nice perch, northern pike, some walleye, and small and large mouth bass along with some catfish are being caught. Live bait (minnows, golden shiners, crayfish, leeches and worms) is the way to go. For some novelty try lower Oak Orchard for gar pike. On Lake Alice, crappie and bluegill are being taken in good numbers around the Waterport Bridge and at the south end of Glenwood Lake crappie are becoming active. The stretch of the Oak in between the two is producing nice smallmouth bass.

CHAUTAUQUA LAKE: Muskellunge fishing is fair along the west side of the lake in both basins. Reports have them hitting silver and white or black and silver crankbaits being trolled in 15 to 20 fow. Others are casting over the tops of the weeds. Bucktail spinners and jerk baits are recommended. Fishing low light conditions like dawn and dusk should be more productive. One good spot has been the Mayville Flats; another at Lakewood Bar with perch and black-colored jerk baits. The walleye bite is reported better in the north basin. Anchor or drift outside the weeds using a 3 ounce black hair jig tipped with a crawler or cast stickbaits toward shore. Jigging with leeches is another option. Recommended depths are in 12-18 fow. Fish the weedlines and open pockets for bass. Productive methods include fishing with live bait (minnows, crayfish, leeches) outside the weed edge, dropping plastics or tube jigs in open pockets and retrieving weedless or topwater baits over submerged weeds. The 12–18 foot level is recommended. Largemouth bass and sunfish are common along weed edges and within open pockets in the weeds. Better areas for the smallmouth are around Warner’s Bar and Ashville Bay. Fish in 8 to 20 feet of water. Minnows, crayfish or plastics work well for smallmouth bass. The north basin has been one active spot. Good action on larger bluegill has kept the panfish anglers happy. Fishing with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow is a good bet. Good numbers of sizeable bluegill, pumpkinseed and crappie have been found in 11 feet of water near Shermans Bay. Yellow perch and white perch are readily taken with worms or small minnows fished near bottom in 10 – 15 fow, outside the weedline. Best reports are coming from around Long Point and Bemus Bay.

WESTERN TROUT STREAMS: The area streams are in good shape; but may be a little high after recent rains. They’re not crowded as many sportsmen enter their hunting mode. Drifting nymphs or casting small streamer patterns through the head and tail out of pools can be effective. Olive wooly buggers with a little bit of flash are a good bet for this tactic. Terrestrials are also on the trout menu. When fishing streams surrounded by moderate to heavy vegetation, terrestrial imitations can be very effective. Ant dry flies and foam beetles are favorites among fly anglers who fish terrestrials often. Considering that terrestrial insects are poor swimmers, these patterns should be fished on a dead drift, with slight twitches every now and again to imitate a struggling insect. Grasshopper, cricket, and spider patterns can also take fish. Spinning anglers do well with worms, salted minnows and small inline spinners. The statewide trout season runs from April 1 to October 15, however many streams and lakes are open all year for trout fishing. Check the Special Regulations by County to determine if your target stream is open for trout fishing beyond October 15.

Randolph Fish Hatchery has been conducting their annual fall stocking of broodstock trout over the past few weeks in Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties. All breeder trout stocked are over 2 years old and are stocked in waters where trout fishing is permitted year-round. Quaker Lake was stocked with 250 brown trout (18"-23"), 150 brook trout (18") and 200 rainbow trout (30"); Red House Lake was stocked with 200 brown trout (18"); Genesee River was stocked with 700 brown trout (13") from Wellsville to the PA border; Case Lake was stocked with 100 brown trout (19") and 450 brook trout (13"-1SILVER LAKE: Largemouth bass and walleye are providing some action. Try worm harnesses, Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds. Pike add to the excitement. Live bait appears most productive for them. Try for panfish with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow. For yellow perch work worms or small minnows outside the weedline around the lake.

8"); Birch Run Ponds was stocked with 100 rainbow trout (13") and 50 brook trout (13").

CONESUS LAKE: No reports. Help!! A good prospect for largemouth bass. Fish the 5 to 20 foot level around weed beds. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Good numbers of perch, rock bass and sunfish are also available. Fish live bait (worms and small minnows) or small spinner baits. Still no reports on the pike or walleye.

HEMLOCK LAKE: No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 90 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

CANADICE LAKE: No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 90 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

HONEOYE LAKE: Bass fishing remains good on the lake. Look for a top water bite in the morning on the east side of the lake. When that bite dies, switch to a Texas-rigged Zoom Salty Centipedes in green pumpkin. Wacky-rigged Stik-O worms will also catch fish for you. The west side is also holding fair numbers of bass. The lake also offers some big bluegills at 15 to 30 feet. Try for walleyes in the center of the lake during the day and move into the shallows, 8 - 14 feet, around dusk. Try jigs and leeches for them.

Just a reminder, the NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the south end of Honeoye Lake will close for the remainder of the boating season on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs and a new larger parking lot installation. The parking lot is expected to open in November for the upcoming ice fishing season. Trident Marine on the NE side of the lake will be open, however they charge $10. to launch and have limited parking.

CANANDAIGUA LAKE: Lake trout and rainbows are hitting small, silver spoons or flasher & flies fished down 50 to 80 feet over a 75 to 175 foot bottom. Some anglers are also using down riggers, wire and Dipseys, and off lead core. Vertical jigging has been good with white plastics in 110 fow. Bass fishing runs fair to good fishing off the weedbeds at the south end. Fleas and weed mats are making trolling difficult.

The NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the north end of Canandaigua Lake will close for the remainder of the boating season on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs. It is scheduled to re-open 1/1/12.

WANETA/LAMOKA LAKES: Largemouth bass, pickerel and bluegill fishing remains good, action is not fast and furious, but there is enough to keep it interesting. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Some smallmouth bass and yellow perch are hitting on crayfish and minnows fished in 15 fow. Also, you always have a chance of hooking one of the monster muskies. Your chances improve with the cooling water temperatures. Use large stickbaits and lures for them. Recommended colors to start with are silver and blue, red and white or chartreuse.

KEUKA LAKE: Try for lakers suspended 25-75 feet down over a variable bottom, or on the bottom in water 60-120 feet deep. Trolling flashers and flies, spoons or stillfishing with sawbellies works well. Vertical jigging with chartreuse plastics or sawbellies in 60 to 90 fow is also working. Smallmouth bass fishing has been good in 40 feet of water with crayfish or plastics working well.

SENECA LAKE: Atlantic salmon, brown and some rainbow trout are hitting stickbaits and spoons fished at the 40 - 70 foot level. Good colors to try silver and black, silver and blue or silver and chartreuse. Lake trout are being taken on spoons, and flashers & flies fished off Dipsey divers (200 to 230 feet back) and off down riggers down 50 to 100 feet over 150 - 200 fow. Vertical jigging for lakers in 70 to 110 fow is also producing. Start with chartreuse plastics. From shore, anglers are catching northern pike on the weed flats, using either live shiners or crankbaits (blue and chrome-colored). Anglers fishing large minnows under bobbers are also catching some northern pike around the lake. Suggestions for perch and bass are the north and south ends using crayfish, night crawlers and minnows. The south end is the better this week fishing in 30 – 40 fow. Also at the south end don’t forget the Watkins Glen pier. It provides a variety of action. Smallmouth bass and yellow perch are now hitting on crayfish and minnows.

CAYUGA LAKE: Lake trout, Atlantic salmon and brown trout are being caught trolling the south portion of the lake with spoons, or flashers and flies both off down riggers and Dipsey divers. Fish at 45 - 80 feet down over 75 to 150 foot bottom. Lake trout are also hitting for those vertical jigging chartreuse plastics in 65 to 85 feet of water. A few brown trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken on spoons fished 55 to 80 feet down over 110 to 130 foot bottom. Try Countdown Rapalas and Silver Hammered Crocodiles. Good colors have been white, green, purple and blue. Some nice brown trout are also being taken by anglers vertical jigging for lake trout in 65 – 85 fow. Bass, pickerel and perch are being taken in the north end in 10 - 15 fow on fathead and larger minnows. One of the better perch spots is around Union Springs.

The boat launch at Allen Treman State Park has been closed for the season in an effort to help prevent the spread of Hydrilla (an invasive aquatic plant).

SKANEATELES LAKE: Lake trout, rainbows and Atlantic salmon are feeding on small perch. Trolling 30 to 50 feet down with small perch colored spoons or stickbaits is producing. Lake trout are also hitting at 60 feet down over a 75 - 130 foot bottom. Early in the day glow baits are working better but as the sun gets higher switching to pearl, chartreuse, or silver has been better. Trolling on the surface for rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon has been slow; this is usually a good fall fishing technique though. Smallmouth bass and rock bass are being taken in 15-40 fow along the shoreline using fathead minnows, crabs, tube baits, super flukes and drop-shot rigs. Try a surface plug during the evening. Yellow perch fishing is picking up and they are being taken on small minnows or crayfish.

OWASCO LAKE: Lake trout fishing varies from day to day. Try the north end of the lake, vertical jigging in 65 to 95 fow. Trolling the north end in 50 to 75 fow over 100 - 120 foot bottom with spoons may also produce lakers and an occasional nice sized brown trout. Bass are reported being caught ‘all over the lake’. Try using soft-shells and artificial baits (Senkos, tube jigs or drop-shot rigs). Walleye were reported at the north end but no report this week. Try for northern pike at the south end. Yellow perch are hitting around the lake on fathead minnows.

OTISCO LAKE: Smallmouth bass fishing has been fair to good in 35 to 40 feet of water on drop-shot rigs. The largemouth are hitting lipless crankbaits (rat-l-traps, red eye shad, etc.) in the shallows of the north end. Some walleye are being taken trolling 25 – 30 feet down over a 45 to 60 foot bottom with worm harnesses. Also try casting stickbaits off the causeway after dark. A few tiger muskie have been picked up at the lake’s south and north ends on minnows and swimbaits, stickbaits and large spinners. Also, crappies are hitting small minnows along the shore.

EASTERN TROUT STREAMS: No reports. Help!! Trout and salmon should be showing up at any time. Keep checking and let us know when they’re in.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR: Fishing is starting again but the water is still high and muddy. Try for walleye trolling in 10 -15 fow or drifting with worm harnesses and leeches. Fish slow and work deeper water. Walleye and smallmouth bass are being taken in the spillway on leeches fished under bobbers. Best action is during the early morning or late evening hours.

Fishing slowly with dark colored bucktail jigs or worm harnesses along drop-offs has been producing mixed bags of perch, bass and walleye. Casting with dark colored twister tails and Senko style baits is also working for the bass.

SANDY POND: A few pike are providing some action but you have to work for them. Walleye fishing has been fair using crankbaits, worm harnesses and jigs. Largemouth bass are hitting a variety of Texas rigged plastic baits and topwater baits. Pan fish are still providing action around the shoreline and some yellow perch are being taken on small minnows.

ONEIDA LAKE: Walleye fishing is improving with best action found at dawn and dusk casting from shore. Stickbaits in black & silver and blue & silver work well for this fall walleye bite. It may pay to use smaller baits this year as young of the year gizzard shad are numerous but are smaller than usual. Try to match young of the year gizzard shad in the 2-3 inch range. The ‘eyes were hitting white bellied stickbaits. Perch fishing is producing the better action this week. Fish off the weedbeds in 10 – 20 fow using small crayfish, a little piece of worm on a hook or tipping a small spinner with a piece of a worm. Fish in the shallows, in the weeds, around the weeds and in deep water; it all seems to be working. Smallmouth bass fishing has dropped off a bit. The better action is around the shoals using tube jigs and drop-shot rigs. White and yellow spinnerbaits as well as shallow diving crankbaits are also working. In deeper waters, try small jigs tipped with yellow or white Mister Twister grubs. Watch for gulls going after the gizzard shad and fish there. Some anglers are catching a lot of bass later in the evening on topwater lures (frog imitations/popping lures). Largemouth are hitting in the shallows. Try topwater lures and weedless frogs. As usual pickerel are also biting on the bass lures. Bluegills and pumpkinseed sunfish are being taken on small tube jigs or tiny crayfish. You can also try drifting chartreuse/green Dixie spinners at 15 feet around the weedbeds.

ONONDAGA LAKE: No change. Fish for bass along the shoreline. Try crayfish, minnows, plastic baits. The main lake, Inner Harbor and Seneca River continue to be good places to catch sizeable carp on fruit flavored packbaits. Also, some reports of some nice-sized catfish being caught in the nearby Seneca River.

LAKE ONTARIO - EAST: Chinook fishing looks good as numbers of concentrating fish continue at the mouths of tributaries. The largest concentration of fish seems to be between Oswego & Pulaski. Fishing is producing limit catches. Lures being hit are Spin Dr & pro-chip flashers in White, green, chrome in front of sweetpea, pro-am, hammer & Big Fin Glow shredded hammer, and live lime A-Tom-Mik flies. Along the southern shoreline of Ontario start fishing in 30-50 fow in front of the tributaries. Troll with copper with the lures (a silver Jensen/white fly was hot for one angler) 300 feet back. Good colors have been green, chrome, white, glow green ladder back and gold. For Coho's anything red will work. Luhr Jensen Dodgers, Pro-Troll E-chips and a red Spin Dr are all deadly. Run a green glow, hammer, Pro-Am Glow, little bot blue or a Ripka Killer behind them and hang on. Also try some night fishing for the salmon. It’s working along the west portion of the lake. Brown trout fishing is reported good. Work the 40-50 foot level. Trolling during the early morning with stickbaits (Rapala's, Thunderstiks and Smithwicks) or large spoons (Stinger spoons and NK 28s) is also producing some fish. Chartreuse colored spoons have been good for the browns. Steelhead are being caught on orange or red spoons at 25 feet. Smallmouth Bass are providing fair to good action along the shallows (15 - 25 fow). Fish white and yellow spinnerbaits as well as shallow diving crankbaits. In deeper waters, try small jigs tipped with yellow or white Mister Twister grubs. Crabs and worms are always a good bet. Fish the live bait on a drop shot rig set to keep the bait 12 – 20 inches off bottom. Perch are hitting in 3 to 4 feet of water, close to shore. The bass baits listed will also work for perch. For all species fishing early or late in the day has been the most productive.

LAKE ONTARIO - EAST TRIBS: Maxwell Creek and the other tributaries have good flows of water to draw in fish. Good numbers to provide some interesting fishing. Maxwell has fish north and south of Lake Road and some say it has never been this good. Anglers are catching steelhead, browns and kings on pink and yellow egg sacs. This will hold for the other tribs as well such as Bear Creek in Ontario, New York. Some are trying night time fishing; targeting salmon and browns from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobblers glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. This is good all day now that the salmon have moved in. Some specific spots are the piers at Sodus Bay, Webster Park and the Genesee River. Salmon are also found in the bays and the major bay feeder streams. Port Bay’s Furnace Creek is one example. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out!!

WAYNE COUNTY BAYS: The word is largemouths are hitting all over Sodus Bay. Use any rubber or plastic. Follow the weedlines. Fish for pike around LeRoy Island. Work the weed lines trolling stick baits or casting large spoons or spinnerbaits. Large rubber baits also work for pike. For yellow perch use small minnows. Those fishing the channel and the points are catching some nice 12 inch perch. On the rest of the bays it’s “Search for Perch” but when you find them it’s nice fishing. Try off the points in 20-25 feet of water. For the smallmouth bass try soft-shelled crayfish. Panfish are being caught on small jigs or worms. Fishing early or late in the day has proved most productive. For smallmouth try the Port Bay channel with soft-shells and at the south end of the bay try for pike, again along the weedlines. The bays are also reported as having Chinook salmon in the Bays and in the major feeder streams. On the Canal, anglers are experiencing some excellent fishing. Fish the shoreline near locks for best action. Bass along the weed lines and cats in the deep holes near Palmyra, and Newark. Fishing from the shore is easy as there are many pull-offs near Route 31.

MONROE COUNTY BAYS: On Irondequoit Bay, look for perch and smallmouth bass around the outlet, largemouth bass and pike in the coves and walleye along the drop-offs in deeper water. Live bait should prove best all though one report has the big-mouth hitting spinner baits. In Greece, fish the bay and ponds for crappie and perch. Jigs or minnows are recommended. Use small jigs for panfish. In the lower Genesee, action is supplied by catfish around the Turning Basin and smallmouth and sheepshead at the piers. Also, salmon are being taken off the piers casting spoons like Cleo's and Krocodiles and around the river mouth by anglers trolling with J-plugs.

SALMON RIVER: Fishing continues to be tremendous. More salmon are coming up the river, followed by some runs of steelhead, along with a few browns. The major pools throughout the Salmon River are loaded with kings and Coho's. The fish have been holding in the deeper pools, but when on the move, the deep slots, riffles and pocket water have produced action. 81 Pool, Compactor, Sportsman, The Trestle and the gravel above the Sportsman pool are all holding good numbers of salmon. Suggested patterns are comets, nymphs, large stoneflies and streamers. For the bait fisherman, blue, pink and chartreuse egg sacs, streamers and egg imitating flies and plastics have been working. The brighter colors have worked well in the lower end of the river, while natural colors such as black, brown and olive have worked well in the upper end of the river. Also a few Atlantics, browns, smallmouth and northerns are being picked up in the deep pools of the river on flies, spinners and live bait.

OSWEGO RIVER: The cool temperatures and increased flow helped to improve the fishing in the River. Fresh salmon and a good push of trout have made their way into the river. Fish are spread throughout and the fishing is great. The highest concentration of fish is reported from the Utica Street bridge to the dam. Hot-n-tots, fast tracks, Estaz eggs, egg sacs, skein, wooly buggers and egg pattern flies, are working well. Also look for a few brown trout and steelhead in the mix with the salmon. Night fishing from the Utica Street bridge north should be good using cleos, rebel fast tracks and hot-n-tots. Smallmouth bass are providing some action. Use live bait (leeches, night crawlers, minnows), along with plastic baits and other lures. A few walleye are being caught on stickbaits or leeches both during the day and at night. Freshwater drum (sheephead) are hitting on night crawlers as are carp and channel cats. The bridge over Oswego Canal Lock 7 at Leto Island has been closed to vehicle traffic by the state Department of Transportation and is causing some problems with access.

OTHER WATERS: On the Susquehanna, Chenango, Tioughnioga and Unadilla Rivers limited fishing!! No fishing activities to report as all the rivers are still high and muddy. Because of the recent flooding in the area, launch ramps may be mud and debris covered making them unusable at this time.

>>))))*>

ANGLERS CALENDAR:

29 - Dave Wood Open Bass Tournament, Keuka Lake (For more info call 607-535-771 or e-mail bassbutcher@localnet.com)

November 2011

5 - LOTAC 2nd Annual ‘Catch & Clean’ Fishing Tournament at the Fox Hollow Lodge, 2740 State Route 13, Altmar NY (Registration: 11/4 – 6:00-8:00 pm or 11/5 - 4:00 am. Fishing ends at 4:00 pm) Sponsored by the Lake Ontario Tributary Anglers Council (LOTAC). Each angler has to fill at least one 30 gallon garbage bag with litter to enter fish. (Costs $25/non-member and $15/member) (For more information call 607-239-6492 or email lotac@lotac.org)

What Are You Catching? (Click Here)

10-21-11

TIP: Fishing Tips for Northern Pike: When you go to pick a lure make sure you get one with a lot of flash and go by the phrase ‘bigger is better’. Pike can and will hit on a big lure, don’t be afraid to use them because they are big and you don’t think you’ll catch anything with it

For example: Try a large jointed floating Rapala, one that is 6-9 inches and is a deep runner.. For some reason, pike are generally attracted more to the jointed Rapalas than the not jointed ones. I have found this to be true from experience.

Things you can try are:

1. trolling with a spinner bait, spoon, Rapala

2. If legal in your area! Put a hook through a small bluegill, perch, crappie, or shad on a big bobber and cast it along a weed line. You can always use pike minnows for live bait.

3. Try spoons (ex. red devils). This is probably the most popular way to catch pike.

4. Plastics that you would normally use for bass. I have caught many northern on these while going for bass.

5. When there are lily pads around or moss on top of water, throw a frog. I prefer a yum buzz frog. It is an amazing lure. I have tried two colors of these so far and they work wonders. (Carolina pumpkin/yellow and watermelon red flake.) You can get them almost anywhere that sells Yum products. Also buy some Gamagatsu size 4 offset hooks. Make sure the point of the hook is on TOP of the frog not underneath. These will work best in the morning or evening in non-vegetation areas or anytime during the day in heavy vegetation areas.

5. If fishing from shore I would fish the 6-8 feet deep part of a channel.

As for a steel leader, They do take away action from the lure. You need to decide if you’d rather have more action (which brings in more bites) or less action(wobble) and also less chance that a fish will bite through your line. Just a matter of preference. You WILL catch pike either way but, you’ll be more likely to catch them without the leader.

(From Sportsmen’s Paradice Online  http://blog.sportsmansparadiseonline.com/2009/07/29/35/ )

*LAKE ERIE: Weather will determine the success rate this week. When you can get back on the lake try for yellow perch. They’re catches were reported as good to excellent. Some say the best this year! The most productive area continues to be between Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point in 50-70 fow. Emerald shiners or small minnows fished just off bottom remain the hot bait but salted minnows and worms are also working.   Recent catches of walleyes have been scarce. They have been moving back into shallower locations to feed before the onset of winter. Now is a good time to hit the springtime (early season) spots again. Worm harnesses, in blue or silver, both trolled and bottom bounced with a three-way rig have worked well. Steelhead are cruising the shoreline near the major tributary stream mouths and can be found throughout most of the major tribs,  Trolling off tributary mouths is productive. Trolling between 2 - 2.2 mph with spoons and spinners is a good bet for steelhead. Casting from the Cattaraugus Creek breakwall with flashy spoons is a good bet for both steelhead and lake trout. If you’re looking for smallmouth bass, best catches can be found in 20-40 fow. Bass stick tight to structure, so key on areas like drop-offs, reefs and rock piles. A drop-shot rig combined with live minnows, crayfish, tube jigs or other plastic creature baits (especially a round goby imitation or a Poor Boys Erie Darter) work well. Good locations include Waverly Shoal, Seneca Shoal, Myers Reef and Evans Bar. Expect to catch sheepshead as well, especially on live bait. Smallmouth bass can still be caught around harbor and breakwall sites as well.

*LAKE ERIE TRIBS: The tribs have the added flows needed to bring in and spread the steelhead; in some cases too much flow. Cattaraugus Creek is the best tributary for steelhead but it’s flowing high and muddy. Fish are scattered from the mouth to the Springville Dam, however the lower section, from the breakwall at the mouth up through the reservation is the better stretch. Another decent trib for steelhead is Canadaway Creek. Buffalo area streams such as Buffalo, Cayuga and Eighteenmile Creeks have peaked above ideal levels and are stained at present. Lake Erie steelhead commonly hit natural baits like egg sacs or worms and flies such as egg patterns, streamers and bugger patterns. Bass action rates fair this week in the harbors (Barcelona, Dunkirk, Buffalo) and around the breakwalls. Live minnows, stickbaits, woolly buggers and minnow patterns work well. Fishing, in the lower section of the Cattaraugus, is also fair for smallmouth bass and channel catfish. Some smallmouth bass are still available in the lower sections of the other tributaries as well. For those new to tributary steelhead fishing, see the Steelhead Fishing in Lake Erie Tributaries page for information on steelhead fishing tackle, equipment and links to steelhead stream maps.

*UPPER NIAGARA RIVER: Muddy water has slowed fishing for a day or two. Once it clears anglers can target yellow perch, white perch, rock bass and sheepshead from shore. Live bait provides the best prospects. Target the largemouth bass in shallower areas (with weeds), sheltered from the main current. Stickbaits and crankbaits worked over the weeds is a good bet. Shore anglers also have a good shot at largemouth bass in harbors, marinas, stream inlets and points where each enters the river. Smallmouth bass are available outside of weedlines in 10-20 fow often over rocky areas. Live crayfish work great for smallmouth. The head of the river, Thompson’s Hole, the east sides of Strawberry and Motor Islands are a good bet. Some walleye have been hitting at the head of the river on worm harnesses. Other areas suggested are around Strawberry and Navy Islands followed by Grand and Motor Islands. With the cooling water temperatures target muskellunge by drifting on the outside of weed edges with large 8-10 inch tube jigs around Thompson's Hole, Huntley or either side of Strawberry Island. Live shiners and worms work well for a mixed bag of panfish, perch and bass from shore sites along Buffalo and the Tonawandas.

*LOWER NIAGARA RIVER: Salmon fishing should improve once waters become more fishable and less turbid. Boaters should see an increase in activity with king salmon and steelhead.

Drifting with a three-way rig and egg skein, egg sacs or Kwikfish can be productive. Casting ¾ ounce green Cleos, according to one report, is productive too. Conditions are hazardous in the Devil's Hole drift so be careful out there. Anglers fishing at the NYPA fishing platform and other shore fishing areas, are also catching fish on the green cleos. Shore anglers at Whirlpool and Devils Hole State Parks have excellent trout and salmon opportunity this weekend as areas near shore generally have better clarity than the main channel. Smallmouth bass action is spotty. Boaters can target bass by drifting with a three-way bottom bouncing rig combined with minnows, crayfish, tubes or other plastic creature baits. Work along the shoreline in 15-feet of water just outside the weedline. Casting stickbaits/crankbaits toward shore during the drift is also a good option. From Artpark down to the mouth has provided consistent catches of smallmouth. From shore catches of smallmouth bass, yellow perch, white perch and rock bass along with occasional kings are increasing. Live bait is the way to go for the warmwater species and spoons, Vibrax spinners and Mister Twister jigs are being used by those targeting the salmon when fishing at the platform or from shore. Be sure to have a strong, long handled landing net to lift caught salmon up to the fishing deck. Walleye activity is increasing at the mouth of the River. Drifting with 3-way bottom bouncing rigs combined with worm harnesses or yellow sally rigs is the way to go. Trolling with worm harnesses is a better bet out on the Bar.

If you fish at the state parks, be cautious of rising river levels after 8:00 A.M.

*LAKE ONTARIO - WEST: The start of hunting seasons and the lure of tributary fishing has taken the pressure off the lake and weather conditions haven’t helped. Lake fishing for salmon and trout rates fair this week. The nearshore chinook salmon (king salmon) action is better as mature kings are entering the tribs. Trollers have seen salmon action inside 50 fow near major tributary mouths. Trolling with J-Plugs and J-13 Rapalas has been the ticket near dawn and dusk. Night anglers can anchor in 15-30 fow off the harbor/tributary mouths, casting glow spoons or stickbaits. Try flasher-fly combos, at first light, run 30 - 50 feet down. Spoons and J-plugs will catch king salmon as well, but flasher-flies help keep the shakers off. Fish the top 50 feet for steelhead, coho, Atlantic salmon and smaller king salmon. Use a mix of spoons, spin doctors and flies. Color and preferred lure type can change from day to day so don’t be afraid to experiment. It’s browns at 60 feet off Wilson and Olcott. Hot lures for them - green patterned Northern King spoons and the Northland Fluttertail spoon in an alewife pattern. Decent smallmouth bass and yellow perch catches are available in 15 - 30 fow off Olcott. Also, some nice bass are being caught drifting crabs, worms and minnows in front of Fort Niagara.

*LAKE ONTARIO - WEST - TRIBS: Tributaries received the needed rain the last few days and salmon are spread from mouth to the first impassable barrier. The salmon run should be at its peak the next week or two. Some salmon are actively spawning while other groups of fresh king salmon are pushing up from the lake. In addition to king salmon look for browns, steelhead, coho salmon and the occasional trophy Atlantic salmon. Egg sacs, salmon skein, rubber eggs, marshmellows and yarn eggs, little cleos in greens, oranges and glows and egg pattern flies and bugger patterns are good baits for salmon. The action for brown trout can be good for those fishing egg sacs and egg pattern flies downstream of actively spawning salmon. Fly fishing is great using black nymphs, woolie buggers again in black or egg sucking leeches in various colors. Chartruese is also good. A list of streams – Oak Orchard Creek, Eighteenmile Creek, the Genesee River, Four Mile, and Twelve Mile Creeks, Johnson, Marsh and Sandy Creeks. The lower, slow moving sections of Eighteenmile Creek, Oak Orchard Creek and the Genesee River are also good options for trout and salmon. These sections are only accessible by boat. Pier action continues with anglers catching hefty mature king salmon with brown trout and the occasional steelhead and coho mixed in. Night time is the right time to target king salmon from the piers but they are starting to show up during the day. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobbler glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Catches are best from piers at the mouths of the major salmon tributaries like Oak Orchard Creek, however, salmon and trout are available from any pier that extends into Lake Ontario. Productive baits inland have been egg sacs, Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out!! Catches of  warm water species around the harbor areas such as Wilson Harbor, Olcott Harbor, Golden Hill State Park, Point Breeze/Oak Orchard and the Genesee should remain good. Also, on the Oak reports are nice perch, northern pike, some walleye, and small and large mouth bass along with some catfish are being caught. Live bait (minnows, golden shiners, crayfish, leeches and worms) is the way to go. For some novelty try lower Oak Orchard for gar pike. On Lake Alice, crappie and bluegill are being taken in good numbers around the Waterport Bridge and at the south end of Glenwood Lake crappie are becoming active. The stretch of the Oak in between the two is producing nice smallmouth bass.

*CHAUTAUQUA LAKE: Muskellunge fishing is fair along the west side of the lake in both basins.  Reports have them hitting silver and white or black and silver crankbaits being trolled in 15 to 20 fow. Others are casting over the tops of the weeds. Bucktail spinners and jerk baits are recommended. Fishing low light conditions like dawn and dusk should be more productive. One good spot has been the Mayville Flats; another at Lakewood Bar with perch and black-colored jerk baits. The walleye bite is reported better in the north basin. Anchor or drift outside the weeds using a 3 ounce black hair jig tipped with a crawler or cast stickbaits toward shore. Jigging with leeches is another option. Recommended depths are in 12-18 fow.  Fish the weedlines and open pockets for bass. Productive methods include fishing with live bait (minnows, crayfish, leeches) outside the weed edge, dropping plastics or tube jigs in open pockets and retrieving weedless or topwater baits over submerged weeds. The 12–18 foot level is recommended. Largemouth bass and sunfish are common along weed edges and within open pockets in the weeds. Better areas for the smallmouth are around Warner’s Bar and Ashville Bay. Fish in 8 to 20 feet of water. Minnows, crayfish or plastics work well for smallmouth bass. The north basin has been one active spot. Good action on larger bluegill has kept the panfish anglers happy. Fishing with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow is a good bet. Good numbers of sizeable bluegill, pumpkinseed and crappie have been found in 11 feet of water near Shermans Bay. Yellow perch and white perch are readily taken with worms or small minnows fished near bottom in 10 – 15 fow, outside the weedline. Best reports are coming from around Long Point and Bemus Bay.

*WESTERN TROUT STREAMS: The area streams are in good shape; but may be a little high after recent rains. They’re not crowded as many sportsmen enter their hunting mode. Drifting nymphs or casting small streamer patterns through the head and tail out of pools can be effective. Olive wooly buggers with a little bit of flash are a good bet for this tactic. Terrestrials are also on the trout menu. When fishing streams surrounded by moderate to heavy vegetation, terrestrial imitations can be very effective. Ant dry flies and foam beetles are favorites among fly anglers who fish terrestrials often. Considering that terrestrial insects are poor swimmers, these patterns should be fished on a dead drift, with slight twitches every now and again to imitate a struggling insect. Grasshopper, cricket, and spider patterns can also take fish. Spinning anglers do well with worms, salted minnows and small inline spinners. The statewide trout season runs from April 1 to October 15, however many streams and lakes are open all year for trout fishing. Check the Special Regulations by County to determine if your target stream is open for trout fishing beyond October 15.

Randolph Fish Hatchery has been conducting their annual fall stocking of broodstock trout over the past few weeks in Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties. All breeder trout stocked are over 2 years old and are stocked in waters where trout fishing is permitted year-round. Quaker Lake was stocked with 250 brown trout (18"-23"), 150 brook trout (18") and 200 rainbow trout (30"); Red House Lake was stocked with 200 brown trout (18"); Genesee River was stocked with 700 brown trout (13") from Wellsville to the PA border; Case Lake was stocked with 100 brown trout (19") and 450 brook trout (13"-18"); Birch Run Ponds was stocked with 100 rainbow trout (13") and 50 brook trout (13").

*SILVER LAKE: Largemouth bass and walleye are providing some action. Try worm harnesses, Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds. Pike add to the excitement. Live bait appears most productive for them. Try for panfish with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow. For yellow perch work worms or small minnows outside the weedline around the lake.

*CONESUS LAKE: No reports. Help!! A good prospect for largemouth bass. Fish the 5 to 20 foot level around weed beds. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Good numbers of perch, rock bass and sunfish are also available. Fish live bait (worms and small minnows) or small spinner baits. Still no reports on the pike or walleye.

*HEMLOCK LAKE: No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 90 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

*CANADICE LAKE: No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 90 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

*HONEOYE LAKE: Bass fishing remains good on the lake. Look for a top water bite in the morning on the east side of the lake. When that bite dies, switch to a Texas-rigged Zoom Salty Centipedes in green pumpkin. Wacky-rigged Stik-O worms will also catch fish for you. The west side is also holding fair numbers of bass. The lake also offers some big bluegills at 15 to 30 feet. Try for walleyes in the center of the lake during the day and move into the shallows, 8 - 14 feet, around dusk. Try jigs and leeches for them.

Just a reminder, the NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the south end of Honeoye Lake will close for the remainder of the boating season on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs and a new larger parking lot installation. The parking lot is expected to open in November for the upcoming ice fishing season. Trident Marine on the NE side of the lake will be open, however they charge $10. to launch and have limited parking.

*CANANDAIGUA LAKE: Lake trout and rainbows are hitting small, silver spoons or flasher & flies fished down 50 to 80 feet over a 75 to 175 foot bottom. Some anglers are also using down riggers, wire and Dipseys, and off lead core. Vertical jigging has been good with white plastics in 110 fow. Bass fishing runs fair to good fishing off the weedbeds at the south end. Fleas and weed mats are making trolling difficult.

The NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the north end of Canandaigua Lake will close for the remainder of the boating season on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs. It is scheduled to re-open 1/1/12.

*WANETA/LAMOKA LAKES: Largemouth bass, pickerel and bluegill fishing remains good, action is not fast and furious, but there is enough to keep it interesting. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Some smallmouth bass and yellow perch are hitting on crayfish and minnows fished in 15 fow. Also, you always have a chance of hooking one of the monster muskies. Your chances improve with the cooling water temperatures. Use large stickbaits and lures for them. Recommended colors to start with are silver and blue, red and white or chartreuse.

*KEUKA LAKE: Try for lakers suspended 25-75 feet down over a variable bottom, or on the bottom in water 60-120 feet deep. Trolling flashers and flies, spoons or stillfishing with sawbellies works well. Vertical jigging with chartreuse plastics or sawbellies in 60 to 90 fow is also working. Smallmouth bass fishing has been good in 40 feet of water with crayfish or plastics working well.

*SENECA LAKE: Atlantic salmon, brown and some rainbow trout are hitting stickbaits and spoons fished at the 40 - 70 foot level. Good colors to try silver and black, silver and blue or silver and chartreuse. Lake trout are being taken on spoons, and flashers & flies fished off Dipsey divers (200 to 230 feet back) and off down riggers down 50 to 100 feet over 150 - 200 fow. Vertical jigging for lakers in 70 to 110 fow is also producing. Start with chartreuse plastics. From shore, anglers are catching northern pike on the weed flats, using either live shiners or crankbaits (blue and chrome-colored). Anglers fishing large minnows under bobbers are also catching some northern pike around the lake. Suggestions for perch and bass are the north and south ends using crayfish, night crawlers and minnows. The south end is the better this week fishing in 30 – 40 fow. Also at the south end don’t forget the Watkins Glen pier. It provides a variety of action. Smallmouth bass and yellow perch are now hitting on crayfish and minnows.

*CAYUGA LAKE: Lake trout, Atlantic salmon and brown trout are being caught trolling the south portion of the lake with spoons, or flashers and flies both off down riggers and Dipsey divers. Fish at 45 - 80 feet down over 75 to 150 foot bottom. Lake trout are also hitting for those vertical jigging chartreuse plastics in 65 to 85 feet of water. A few brown trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken on spoons fished 55 to 80 feet down over 110 to 130 foot bottom. Try Countdown Rapalas and Silver Hammered Crocodiles. Good colors have been white, green, purple and blue. Some nice brown trout are also being taken by anglers vertical jigging for lake trout in 65 – 85 fow. Bass, pickerel and perch are being taken in the north end in 10 - 15 fow on fathead and larger minnows. One of the better perch spots is around Union Springs.

The boat launch at Allen Treman State Park has been closed for the season in an effort to help prevent the spread of Hydrilla (an invasive aquatic plant).

*SKANEATELES LAKE: Lake trout, rainbows and Atlantic salmon are feeding on small perch. Trolling 30 to 50 feet down with small perch colored spoons or stickbaits is producing. Lake trout are also hitting at 60 feet down over a 75 - 130 foot bottom. Early in the day glow baits are working better but as the sun gets higher switching to pearl, chartreuse, or silver has been better. Trolling on the surface for rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon has been slow; this is usually a good fall fishing technique though. Smallmouth bass and rock bass are being taken in 15-40 fow along the shoreline using fathead minnows, crabs, tube baits, super flukes and drop-shot rigs. Try a surface plug during the evening.  Yellow perch fishing is picking up and they are being taken on small minnows or crayfish.

*OWASCO LAKE: Lake trout fishing varies from day to day. Try the north end of the lake, vertical jigging in 65 to 95 fow. Trolling the north end in 50 to 75 fow over 100 - 120 foot bottom with spoons may also produce lakers and an occasional nice sized brown trout. Bass are reported being caught ‘all over the lake’. Try using soft-shells and artificial baits (Senkos, tube jigs or drop-shot rigs). Walleye were reported at the north end but no report this week. Try for northern pike at the south end. Yellow perch are hitting around the lake on fathead minnows.

*OTISCO LAKE: Smallmouth bass fishing has been fair to good in 35 to 40 feet of water on drop-shot rigs. The largemouth are hitting lipless crankbaits (rat-l-traps, red eye shad, etc.) in the shallows of the north end. Some walleye are being taken trolling 25 – 30 feet down over a 45 to 60 foot bottom with worm harnesses. Also try casting stickbaits off the causeway after dark. A few tiger muskie have been picked up at the lake’s south and north ends on minnows and swimbaits, stickbaits and large spinners. Also, crappies are hitting small minnows along the shore.

*EASTERN TROUT STREAMS: No reports. Help!! Trout and salmon should be showing up at any time. Keep checking and let us know when they’re in.

*WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR: Fishing is starting again but the water is still high and muddy. Try for walleye trolling in 10 -15 fow or drifting with worm harnesses and leeches. Fish slow and work deeper water. Walleye and smallmouth bass are being taken in the spillway on leeches fished under bobbers. Best action is during the early morning or late evening hours.

Fishing slowly with dark colored bucktail jigs or worm harnesses along drop-offs has been producing mixed bags of perch, bass and walleye. Casting with dark colored twister tails and Senko style baits is also working for the bass.

*SANDY POND: A few pike are providing some action but you have to work for them. Walleye fishing has been fair using crankbaits, worm harnesses and jigs. Largemouth bass are hitting a variety of Texas rigged plastic baits and topwater baits. Pan fish are still providing action around the shoreline and some yellow perch are being taken on small minnows.

*ONEIDA LAKE: Walleye fishing is improving with best action found at dawn and dusk casting from shore. Stickbaits in black & silver and blue & silver work well for this fall walleye bite. It may pay to use smaller baits this year as young of the year gizzard shad are numerous but are smaller than usual. Try to match young of the year gizzard shad in the 2-3 inch range. One report has action on the outside of the weeds off Constantia and Cleveland in 4 – 6 fow. The ‘eyes were hitting white bellied stickbaits.  Perch fishing is producing the better action this week. Fish off the weedbeds in 10 – 20 fow using small crayfish, a little piece of worm on a hook or tipping a small spinner with a piece of a worm. Fish in the shallows, in the weeds, around the weeds and in deep water; it all seems to be working. Smallmouth bass fishing has dropped off a bit. The better action is around the shoals using tube jigs and drop-shot rigs. White and yellow spinnerbaits as well as shallow diving crankbaits are also working. In deeper waters, try small jigs tipped with yellow or white Mister Twister grubs. Watch for gulls going after the gizzard shad and fish there. Some anglers are catching a lot of bass later in the evening on topwater lures (frog imitations/popping lures).  Largemouth are hitting in the shallows. Try topwater lures and weedless frogs. As usual pickerel are also biting  on the bass lures.  Bluegills and pumpkinseed sunfish are being taken on small tube jigs or tiny crayfish. You can also try drifting chartreuse/green Dixie spinners at 15 feet around the weedbeds.

*ONONDAGA LAKE: No change. Fish for bass along the shoreline. Try crayfish, minnows, plastic baits. The main lake, Inner Harbor and Seneca River continue to be good places to catch sizeable carp on fruit flavored packbaits. Also, some reports of some nice-sized catfish being caught in the nearby Seneca River.

*LAKE ONTARIO - EAST: Chinook fishing looks good as numbers of concentrating fish continue  at the mouths of tributaries. The largest concentration of fish seems to be between Oswego & Pulaski. Fishing is producing limit catches. Lures being hit are Spin Dr & pro-chip flashers in White, green, chrome in front of sweetpea, pro-am, hammer & Big Fin Glow shredded hammer, and live lime A-Tom-Mik flies. Along the southern shoreline of Ontario start fishing in 30-50 fow in front of the tributaries. Troll with copper with the lures (a silver Jensen/white fly was hot for one angler) 300 feet back. Good colors have been green, chrome, white, glow green ladder back and gold. For Coho's anything red will work. Luhr Jensen Dodgers, Pro-Troll E-chips and a red Spin Dr are all deadly. Run a green glow, hammer, Pro-Am Glow, little bot blue or a Ripka Killer behind them and hang on. Also try some night fishing for the salmon. It’s working along the west portion of the lake. Brown trout fishing is reported good. Work the 40-50 foot level. Trolling during the early morning with stickbaits (Rapala's, Thunderstiks and Smithwicks) or  large spoons (Stinger spoons and NK 28s) is also producing some fish. Chartreuse colored spoons have been good for the browns. Steelhead are being caught on orange or red spoons at 25 feet. Smallmouth Bass are providing fair to good action along the shallows (15 - 25 fow). Fish white and yellow spinnerbaits as well as shallow diving crankbaits. In deeper waters, try small jigs tipped with yellow or white Mister Twister grubs. Crabs and worms are always a good bet. Fish the live bait on a drop shot rig set to keep the bait 12 – 20 inches off bottom.  Perch are hitting in 3 to 4 feet of water, close to shore. The bass baits listed will also work for perch. For all species fishing early or late in the day has been the most productive.

*LAKE ONTARIO - EAST TRIBS: Maxwell Creek and the other tributaries have good flows of water to draw in fish. Good numbers to provide some interesting fishing. Maxwell has fish north and south of Lake Road and some say it has never been this good.  Anglers are catching steelhead, browns and kings on pink and yellow egg sacs. This will hold for the other tribs as well such as Bear Creek in Ontario, New York. Some are trying night time fishing; targeting salmon and browns from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobblers glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. This is good all day now that the salmon have moved in. Some specific spots are the piers at Sodus Bay, Webster Park and the Genesee River. Salmon are also found in the bays and the major bay feeder streams. Port Bay’s Furnace Creek is one example. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out!!

*WAYNE COUNTY BAYS: The word is largemouths are hitting all over Sodus Bay. Use any rubber or plastic. Follow the weedlines. Fish for pike around LeRoy Island. Work the weed lines trolling stick baits or casting large spoons or spinnerbaits. Large rubber baits also work for pike. For yellow perch use small minnows. Those fishing the channel and the points are catching some nice 12 inch perch. On the rest of the bays it’s “Search for Perch” but when you find them it’s nice fishing. Try off the points in 20-25 feet of water. For the smallmouth bass try soft-shelled crayfish. Panfish are being caught on small jigs or worms. Fishing early or late in the day has proved most productive. For smallmouth try the Port Bay channel with soft-shells and at the south end of the bay try for pike, again along the weedlines. The bays are also reported as having Chinook salmon in the Bays and in the major feeder streams. On the Canal, anglers are experiencing some excellent fishing. Fish the shoreline near locks for best action. Bass along the weed lines and cats in the deep holes near Palmyra, and Newark. Fishing from the shore is easy as there are many pull-offs near Route 31.

*MONROE COUNTY BAYS: On Irondequoit Bay, look for perch and smallmouth bass around the outlet, largemouth bass and pike in the coves and walleye along the drop-offs in deeper water. Live bait should prove best all though one report has the big-mouth hitting spinner baits. In Greece, fish the bay and ponds for crappie and perch. Jigs or minnows are recommended. Use small jigs for panfish. In the lower Genesee, action is supplied by catfish around the Turning Basin and smallmouth and sheepshead at the piers.  Also, salmon are being taken off the piers casting spoons like Cleo's and Krocodiles and around the river mouth by anglers trolling with J-plugs.

*SALMON RIVER: Fishing continues to be tremendous. More salmon are coming up the river, followed by some runs of steelhead, along with a few browns. The major pools throughout the Salmon River are loaded with kings and Coho's. The fish have been holding in the deeper pools, but when on the move, the deep slots, riffles and pocket water have produced action. 81 Pool, Compactor, Sportsman, The Trestle and the gravel above the Sportsman pool are all holding good numbers of salmon.  Suggested patterns are comets, nymphs, large stoneflies and streamers. For the bait fisherman, blue, pink and chartreuse egg sacs, streamers and egg imitating flies and plastics have been working. The brighter colors have worked well in the lower end of the river, while natural colors such as black, brown and olive have worked well in the upper end of the river. Also a few Atlantics, browns, smallmouth and northerns are being picked up in the deep pools of the river on flies, spinners and live bait.

*OSWEGO RIVER: The cool temperatures and increased flow helped to improve the fishing in the River. Fresh salmon and a good push of trout have made their way into the river. Fish are spread throughout and the fishing is great. The highest concentration of fish is reported from the Utica Street bridge to the dam. Hot-n-tots, fast tracks, Estaz eggs, egg sacs, skein, wooly buggers and egg pattern flies, are working well. Also look for a few brown trout and steelhead in the mix with the salmon. Night fishing from the Utica Street bridge north should be good using cleos, rebel fast tracks and hot-n-tots. Smallmouth bass are providing some action. Use live bait (leeches, night crawlers, minnows), along with plastic baits and other lures. A few walleye are being caught on stickbaits or leeches both during the day and at night. Freshwater drum (sheephead) are hitting on night crawlers as are carp and channel cats. The bridge over Oswego Canal Lock 7 at Leto Island has been closed to vehicle traffic by the state Department of Transportation and is causing some problems with access.

*OTHER WATERS: On the Susquehanna, Chenango, Tioughnioga and Unadilla Rivers limited fishing!! No fishing activities to report as all the rivers are still high and muddy. Because of the recent flooding in the area, launch ramps may be mud and debris covered making them unusable at this time.

>>))))*>

ANGLERS CALENDAR:

29 - Dave Wood Open Bass Tournament, Keuka Lake (For more info call 607-535-771 or e-mail bassbutcher@localnet.com)

What Are You Catching? (Click Here)

10-14-11

TIP: Stop Fishing      Halt your retrieve when fish follow but refuse to strike. Fish follow the lure all the way back to the boat but refuse to strike. What do you do? Some people recommend speeding up your retrieve to elicit a take from a trailing fish. Others say slow down your retrieve. Still others say to make a figure eight with your rod tip at the side of the boat to draw a strike.
These all work at times, but I'm suggesting you just stop your retrieve entirely. Many species of fish will strike the dropping lure with a vengeance. In murky water, watch for the slightest twitch in the line. In clear water, let the lure drop until you see it hit bottom -- if a fish doesn't suck it in before that. Some fish will even pick it up off the bottom. This works with all types of baits, but it's deadly with jigs, plastic worms, and spinnerbaits.
Stacey King is a 12-time Bassmaster Classic Qualifier For more tips, log onto basspro.com.

LAKE ERIE: Recent catches of walleyes have been scarce. They have been moving back into shallower locations to feed before the onset of winter. Now is a good time to hit the springtime (early season) spots again. Worm harnesses, in blue or silver, both trolled and bottom bounced with a three-way rig have worked well. Steelhead are cruising the shoreline near the major tributary stream mouths and can be found throughout most of the major tribs,  Trolling off tributary mouths will become increasingly more productive. Trolling between 2 - 2.2 mph with spoons and spinners is a good bet for steelhead. Casting from the Cattaraugus Creek breakwall with flashy spoons is a good bet for both steelhead and lake trout. Yellow perch catches have been reported as good to excellent. Some say the best this year! The most productive area continues to be between Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point in 50-70 fow. Emerald shiners or small minnows fished just off bottom remain the hot bait but salted minnows and worms are also working. If you’re looking for smallmouth bass, best catches can be found in 20-40 fow. Bass stick tight to structure, so key on areas like drop-offs, reefs and rock piles. A drop-shot rig combined with live minnows, crayfish, tube jigs or other plastic creature baits (especially a round goby imitation or a Poor Boys Erie Darter) work well. Good locations include Waverly Shoal, Seneca Shoal, Myers Reef and Evans Bar. Expect to catch sheepshead as well, especially on live bait. Smallmouth bass can still be caught around harbor and breakwall sites as well.

LAKE ERIE TRIBS: Bass action rates fair this week in the harbors (Barcelona, Dunkirk, Buffalo) and around the breakwalls. Live minnows, stickbaits, woolly buggers and minnow patterns work well. Cattaraugus Creek is the best tributary for early steelhead. Fish are scattered from the mouth to the Springville Dam, however the lower section, from the breakwall at the mouth up through the reservation is the better stretch. Another decent trib for steelhead is Canadaway Creek. The weekend rains should help improve all of the tributaries. Lake Erie steelhead commonly hit natural baits like egg sacs or worms and flies such as egg patterns, streamers and bugger patterns. Fishing, in the lower section of the Cattaraugus, is also fair for smallmouth bass and channel catfish. Some smallmouth bass are still available in the lower sections of the other tributaries as well. Live minnows, stickbaits, woolly buggers and minnow patterns work well for bass. For those new to tributary steelhead fishing, see the Steelhead Fishing in Lake Erie Tributaries page for information on steelhead fishing tackle, equipment and links to steelhead stream maps.

UPPER NIAGARA RIVER: Anglers are catching a fair number of yellow perch, white perch, rock bass and sheepshead from shore. Live bait provides the best prospects. Target the largemouth bass in shallower areas (with weeds), sheltered from the main current. Stickbaits and crankbaits worked over the weeds is a good bet. Shore anglers also have a good shot at largemouth bass in harbors, marinas, stream inlets and points where each enters the river. Smallmouth bass are available outside of weedlines in 10-20 fow often over rocky areas. Live crayfish work great for smallmouth. The head of the river, Thompson’s Hole, the east sides of Strawberry and Motor Islands are a good bet. Some walleye have been hitting at the head of the river on worm harnesses. Other areas are around Strawberry and Navy Islands followed by Grand and Motor Islands. With the cooling water temperatures target muskellunge by drifting on the outside of weed edges with large 8-10 inch tube jigs around Thompson's Hole, Huntley or either side of Strawberry Island. Live shiners and worms work well for a mixed bag of panfish, perch and bass from shore sites along Buffalo and the Tonawandas.

LOWER NIAGARA RIVER: The increase in salmon numbers has slowed but should come back with the weekend rains. Boaters are catching some king salmon and the occasional steelhead by drifting with a three-way rig and egg skein. Also egg sacs or Kwikfish can be productive too. Conditions are hazardous in the Devil's Hole drift so be careful out there.  Smallmouth bass action is spotty. Boaters can target bass by drifting with a three-way bottom bouncing rig combined with minnows, crayfish, tubes or other plastic creature baits. Work along the shoreline in 15-feet of water just outside the weedline. Casting stickbaits/crankbaits toward shore during the drift is also a good option. From Artpark down to the mouth has provided consistent catches of smallmouth. Anglers fishing at the NYPA fishing platform and other shore fishing areas, are seeing catches of smallmouth bass, yellow perch, white perch and rock bass along with occasional kings. More to come! Live bait is the way to go for the warmwater species and spoons, Vibrax spinners and Mister Twister jigs are being used by those targeting the salmon when fishing at the platform. Be sure to have a strong, long handled landing net to lift caught salmon up to the fishing deck. Walleye activity is increasing at the mouth of the River. Drifting with 3-way bottom bouncing rigs combined with worm harnesses or yellow sally rigs is the way to go. Trolling with worm harnesses is a better bet out on the Bar.

If you fish at the state parks, be cautious of rising river levels after 8:00 A.M.

LAKE ONTARIO - WEST: Lake fishing for salmon and trout rates only fair this week. The nearshore chinook salmon (king salmon) action is better as mature kings are staging and entering the tribs. Trollers have seen great salmon action inside 50 fow near major tributary mouths. Trolling with J-Plugs and J-13 Rapalas has been the ticket near dawn and dusk. Night anglers can anchor in 15-30 fow off the harbor/tributary mouths, casting glow spoons or stickbaits. A starting spot during the day would be the top 50 - 100 fow over a 100 - 200 foot bottom. From the Niagara Bar to Sandy Creek (Hamlin), king salmon are increasing in size and are moving in shallower. Try flasher-fly combos, at first light, run 30 - 50 feet down. Spoons and J-plugs will catch king salmon as well, but flasher-flies help keep the shakers off. Fish the 50 - 100 foot level out to over a 100 to 200 foot bottom for mature kings and the top 50 feet for steelhead, coho, Atlantic salmon and smaller king salmon. Use a mix of spoons, spin doctors and flies. Color and preferred lure type can change from day to day so don’t be afraid to experiment. It’s browns at 60 feet off Wilson and Olcott. Hot lures for them - green patterned Northern King spoons and the Northland Fluttertail spoon in an alewife pattern. Trollers out of Olcott, Oak Orchard and Sandy Creek Harbors also report good trout and salmon action in 50 - 100 fow. Spoons and flasher-fly combos run between 30 - 60 feet down have caught a mix of king salmon, coho salmon, Atlantic salmon and steelhead. Lures run at the deeper end of the strike zone have turned up the larger kings here as well. Decent smallmouth bass and yellow perch catches are available in 15 - 30 fow off Olcott. Also, some nice bass are being caught drifting crabs, worms and minnows in front of Fort Niagara.

LAKE ONTARIO - WEST - TRIBS: Pier action continues with anglers catching hefty mature king salmon with brown trout and the occasional steelhead and coho mixed in. Night time is the right time to target king salmon from the piers but they are starting to show up during the day. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobbler glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. Catches are best from piers at the mouths of the major salmon tributaries like Eighteenmile Creek, Oak Orchard Creek and the Genesee River. However, salmon and trout are available from any pier that extends into Lake Ontario. The salmon and trout are also spread as far up as they can go in the tributaries. Productive baits inland have been egg sacs, rubber eggs, marshmellows and yarn eggs along with  little cleos in greens, oranges and glows. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out!! Catches of  warm water species around the harbor areas such as Wilson Harbor, Olcott Harbor, Golden Hill State Park, Point Breeze/Oak Orchard and the Genesee should remain fair to good. Live bait (minnows, golden shiners, crayfish, leeches and worms) is the way to go for the black bass, rock bass, yellow perch and northern pike that will concentrate in the harbors. For some novelty try lower Oak Orchard for gar pike. On Lake Alice, crappie and bluegill are being taken in good numbers around the Waterport Bridge and at the south end of Glenwood Lake crappie are becoming active. The stretch of the Oak in between the two is producing nice smallmouth bass.

CHAUTAUQUA LAKE: Muskellunge fishing is fair along the west side of the lake in both basins.  Reports have them hitting silver and white or black and silver crankbaits being trolled in 15 to 20 fow. Others are casting over the tops of the weeds. Bucktail spinners and jerk baits are recommended. Fishing low light conditions like dawn and dusk should be more productive. The walleye bite is reported better in the north basin. Anchor or drift outside the weeds using a 3 ounce black hair jig tipped with a crawler or cast stickbaits toward shore. Jigging with leeches is another option. Recommended depths are in 12-18 fow.  Fish the weedlines and open pockets for bass. Productive methods include fishing with live bait (minnows, crayfish, leeches) outside the weed edge, dropping plastics or tube jigs in open pockets and retrieving weedless or topwater baits over submerged weeds. The 12–18 foot level is recommended. Largemouth bass and sunfish are common along weed edges and within open pockets in the weeds. Better areas for the smallmouth are around Warner’s Bar and Ashville Bay. Fish in 8 to 20 feet of water. Minnows, crayfish or plastics work well for smallmouth bass. The north basin has been one active spot. Good action on larger bluegill has kept the panfish anglers happy. Fishing with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow is a good bet. Good numbers of sizeable bluegill, pumpkinseed and crappie have been found in 11 feet of water near Shermans Bay. Yellow perch and white perch are readily taken with worms or small minnows fished near bottom in 10 – 15 fow, outside the weedline. Best reports are coming from around Long Point and Bemus Bay.

WESTERN TROUT STREAMS: The area streams are in good shape; but may be a little high after the weekend rains. They’re not crowded as many sportsmen enter their hunting mode. Drifting nymphs or casting small streamer patterns through the head and tail out of pools can be effective. Olive wooly buggers with a little bit of flash are a good bet for this tactic. Terrestrials are also on the trout menu. When fishing streams surrounded by moderate to heavy vegetation, terrestrial imitations can be very effective. Ant dry flies and foam beetles are favorites among fly anglers who fish terrestrials often. Considering that terrestrial insects are poor swimmers, these patterns should be fished on a dead drift, with slight twitches every now and again to imitate a struggling insect. Grasshopper, cricket, and spider patterns can also take fish. Spinning anglers do well with worms, salted minnows and small inline spinners.

Randolph Fish Hatchery has been conducting their annual fall stocking of broodstock trout over the past two weeks in Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties. All breeder trout stocked are over 2 years old and are stocked in waters where trout fishing is permitted year-round. Previously, Quaker Lake was stocked with 150 brown trout (18"), Red House Lake received 200 brown trout (18") and the Genesee River was stocked with 700 brown trout (13") from Wellsville to the PA border. Yesterday, Case Lake was stocked with 100 brown trout (19") and 450 brook trout (13"-18"), and Birch Run Ponds was stocked with 100 rainbow trout (13") and 50 brook trout (13").

SILVER LAKE: Largemouth bass and walleye are providing some action. Try worm harnesses, Rapalas and fire tiger Wiggle Worms at 12 to 14 feet in and around the weed beds. Pike add to the excitement. Live bait appears most productive for them. Try for panfish with worms or grubs in weedy areas of 6-10 fow. For yellow perch work worms or small minnows outside the weedline around the lake.

CONESUS LAKE: No reports. Help!! A good prospect for largemouth bass. Fish the 5 to 20 foot level around weed beds. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Good numbers of perch, rock bass and sunfish are also available. Fish live bait (worms and small minnows) or small spinner baits. Still no reports on the pike or walleye.

HEMLOCK LAKE: No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 90 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

CANADICE LAKE: No reports. Help!! A suggestion is to fish the 20 to 90 fow level for trout with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower.

HONEOYE LAKE: Bass fishing remains good on the lake. Look for a top water bite in the morning on the east side of the lake. When that bite dies, switch to a Texas-rigged Zoom Salty Centipedes in green pumpkin. Wacky-rigged Stik-O worms will also catch fish for you. The west side is also holding fair numbers of bass. The lake also offers some big bluegills at 15 to 30 feet. Try for walleyes in the center of the lake during the day and move into the shallows, 8 - 14 feet, around dusk. Try jigs and leeches for them.

Just a reminder, the NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the south end of Honeoye Lake will close for the remainder of the boating season on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs and a new larger parking lot installation. The parking lot is expected to open in November for the upcoming ice fishing season. Trident Marine on the NE side of the lake will be open, however they charge $10. to launch and have limited parking.

CANANDAIGUA LAKE: Lake trout and rainbows are hitting small, silver spoons or flasher & flies fished down 50 to 80 feet over a 75 to 175 foot bottom. Some anglers are also using down riggers, wire and Dipseys, and off lead core. Vertical jigging has been good with white plastics in 110 fow. Bass fishing runs fair to good fishing off the weedbeds at the south end. Fleas and weed mats are making trolling difficult.

The NYS boat ramp and parking lot at the north end of Canandaigua Lake will close for the remainder of the boating season on 9/6/11 for ramp repairs. It is scheduled to re-open 1/1/12.

WANETA/LAMOKA LAKES: Largemouth bass, pickerel and bluegill fishing remains good, action is not fast and furious, but there is enough to keep it interesting. Worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits are bringing them to the hook. Some smallmouth bass and yellow perch are hitting on crayfish and minnows fished in 15 fow. Also, you always have a chance of hooking one of the monster muskies. Your chances improve with the cooling water temperatures. Use large stickbaits and lures for them. Recommended colors to start with are silver and blue, red and white or chartreuse.

KEUKA LAKE: Try for lakers suspended 25-75 feet down over a variable bottom, or on the bottom in water 60-120 feet deep. Trolling flashers and flies, spoons or stillfishing with sawbellies works well. Vertical jigging with chartreuse plastics or sawbellies in 60 to 90 fow is also working. Smallmouth bass fishing has been good in 40 feet of water with crayfish or plastics working well.

SENECA LAKE: Atlantic salmon, brown and some rainbow trout are hitting stickbaits and spoons fished at the 40 - 70 foot level. Good colors to try silver and black, silver and blue or silver and chartreuse. Lake trout are being taken on spoons, and flashers & flies fished off Dipsey divers (200 to 230 feet back) and off down riggers down 50 to 100 feet over 150 - 200 fow. Vertical jigging for lakers in 70 to 110 fow is also producing. Start with chartreuse plastics. From shore, anglers are catching northern pike on the weed flats, using either live shiners or crankbaits (blue and chrome-colored). Anglers fishing large minnows under bobbers are also catching some northern pike around the lake. Suggestions for perch and bass are the north and south ends using crayfish, night crawlers and minnows. The south end is the better this week fishing in 30 – 40 fow. Also at the south end don’t forget the Watkins Glen pier. It provides a variety of action. Smallmouth bass and yellow perch are now hitting on crayfish and minnows.

CAYUGA LAKE: Lake trout, Atlantic salmon and brown trout are being caught trolling the south portion of the lake with spoons, or flashers and flies both off down riggers and Dipsey divers. Fish at 45 - 80 feet down over 75 to 150 foot bottom. Lake trout are also hitting for those vertical jigging chartreuse plastics in 65 to 85 feet of water. A few brown trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken on spoons fished 55 to 80 feet down over 110 to 130 foot bottom. Try Countdown Rapalas and Silver Hammered Crocodiles. Good colors have been white, green, purple and blue. Some nice brown trout are also being taken by anglers vertical jigging for lake trout in 65 – 85 fow. Bass, pickerel and perch are being taken in the north end in 10 - 15 fow on fathead and larger minnows. One of the better perch spots is around Union Springs.

The boat launch at Allen Treman State Park has been closed for the season in an effort to help prevent the spread of Hydrilla (an invasive aquatic plant).

SKANEATELES LAKE: Lake trout, rainbows and Atlantic salmon are feeding on small perch. Trolling 30 to 50 feet down with small perch colored spoons or stickbaits is producing. Lake trout are hitting at 60 feet down over a 75 - 130 foot bottom. Early in the day glow baits are working better but as the sun gets higher switching to pearl, chartreuse, or silver has been better.  Smallmouth bass and rock bass are being taken in 15-40 fow along the shoreline using fathead minnows, crabs, tube baits, super flukes and drop-shot rigs. Try a surface plug during the evening.  Yellow perch fishing is picking up and they are being taken on small minnows or crayfish.

OWASCO LAKE: Lake trout fishing varies from day to day. Try the north end of the lake, vertical jigging in 65 to 95 fow. Trolling the north end in 50 to 75 fow over 100 - 120 foot bottom with spoons may also produce lakers and an occasional nice sized brown trout. Bass are reported being caught ‘all over the lake’. Try using soft-shells and artificial baits (Senkos, tube jigs or drop-shot rigs). Walleye were reported at the north end but no report this week. Try for northern pike at the south end. Yellow perch are hitting around the lake on fathead minnows.

OTISCO LAKE: Smallmouth bass fishing has been fair to good in 35 to 40 feet of water on drop-shot rigs. The largemouth are hitting lipless crankbaits (rat-l-traps, red eye shad, etc.) in the shallows of the north end. Some walleye are being taken trolling 25 – 30 feet down over a 45 to 60 foot bottom with worm harnesses. Also try casting stickbaits off the causeway after dark. A few tiger muskie have been picked up at the lake’s south and north ends on minnows and swimbaits, stickbaits and large spinners. Also, crappies are hitting small minnows along the shore.

EASTERN TROUT STREAMS: No reports. Help!! Trout and salmon should be showing up at any time. Keep checking and let us know when they’re in.

WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR: Fishing is starting again but the water is still high and muddy. Try for walleye trolling in 10 -15 fow or drifting with worm harnesses and leeches. Fish slow and work deeper water. Walleye and smallmouth bass are being taken in the spillway on leeches fished under bobbers. Best action is during the early morning or late evening hours.

Fishing slowly with dark colored bucktail jigs or worm harnesses along drop-offs has been producing mixed bags of perch, bass and walleye. Casting with dark colored twister tails and Senko style baits is also working for the bass.

SANDY POND: A few pike are providing some action but you have to work for them. Walleye fishing has been fair using crankbaits, worm harnesses and jigs. Largemouth bass are hitting a variety of Texas rigged plastic baits and topwater baits. Pan fish are still providing action around the shoreline and some yellow perch are being taken on small minnows.

ONEIDA LAKE: Perch fishing is producing the better action this week. Fish off the weedbeds in 10 – 20 fow using small crayfish, a little piece of worm on a hook or tipping a small spinner with a piece of a worm. Fish in the shallows, in the weeds, around the weeds and in deep water; it all seems to be working. Walleye fishing is improving with best action found at dawn and dusk in around 40 fow, next to structure. Bucktail jigs tipped with night crawler and blade baits (reported best) are productive but trolling spinners, small stickbaits and worm harnesses are still working. A one mph trolling speed works best. Try to match young of the year gizzard shad in the 2-3 inch range. One report has action on the outside of the weeds off Constantia and Cleveland in 4 – 6 fow. The ‘eyes were hitting white bellie stickbaits.

Smallmouth bass fishing has dropped off a bit. The better action is around the shoals using tube jigs and drop-shot rigs. White and yellow spinnerbaits as well as shallow diving crankbaits are also working. In deeper waters, try small jigs tipped with yellow or white Mister Twister grubs. Watch for gulls going after the gizzard shad and fish there. Some anglers are catching a lot of bass later in the evening on topwater lures (frog imitations/popping lures). Largemouth are hitting in the shallows. Try topwater lures and weedless frogs. As usual pickerel are also biting  on the bass lures. Bluegills and pumpkinseed sunfish are being taken on small tube jigs or tiny crayfish. You can also try drifting chartreuse/green Dixie spinners at 15 feet around the weedbeds.

ONONDAGA LAKE: No change. Fish for bass along the shoreline. Try crayfish, minnows, plastic baits. The main lake, Inner Harbor and Seneca River continue to be good places to catch sizeable carp on fruit flavored packbaits. Also, some reports of some nice-sized catfish being caught in the nearby Seneca River.

LAKE ONTARIO - EAST: Chinook fishing looks good as numbers of concentrating fish continue to build at the mouths of tributaries. The largest concentration of fish seems to be between Oswego & Pulaski in 30 to 150 fow. Fishing is producing limit catches. Lures being hit are Spin Dr & pro-chip flashers in White, green, chrome in front of sweetpea, pro-am, hammer & Big Fin Glow shredded hammer, and live lime A-Tom-Mik flies. Along the southern shoreline of Ontario start fishing in 30-50 fow in front of the tributaries. As the day progresses move to 60 to 80 fow, over a 100-150 foot bottom, with flashers & flies, cut-bait or large spoons. Troll with copper with the lures (a silver Jensen/white fly was hot for one angler) 300 feet back. Good colors have been green, chrome, white, glow green ladder back and gold. For Coho's anything red will work. Luhr Jensen Dodgers, Pro-Troll E-chips and a red Spin Dr are all deadly. Run a green glow, hammer, Pro-Am Glow, little bot blue or a Ripka Killer behind them and hang on. Also try some night fishing for the salmon. It’s working along the west portion of the lake. Brown trout fishing is reported good. Work the 40-80 foot level over 100 - 150 bottom. Trolling during the early morning with stickbaits (Rapala's, Thunderstiks and Smithwicks) or  large spoons (Stinger spoons and NK 28s) is producing fish. Chartreuse colored spoons have been good for the browns. Steelhead are being caught on orange or red spoons down 25 feet over 150 fow. Smallmouth Bass are providing fair to good action along the shallows (15 - 25 fow). Fish white and yellow spinnerbaits as well as shallow diving crankbaits. In deeper waters, try small jigs tipped with yellow or white Mister Twister grubs. Crabs and worms are always a good bet. Fish the live bait on a drop shot rig set to keep the bait 12 – 20 inches off bottom.  Perch are hitting in 3 to 4 feet of water, close to shore. The bass baits listed will also work for perch. For all species fishing early or late in the day has been the most productive.

LAKE ONTARIO - EAST TRIBS: Maxwell Creek and the other tributaries have an adequate flow of water to draw in fish. Not great numbers but enough to provide some fishing. Anglers are catching steelhead, browns and kings on egg sacs. Some try night time fishing; targeting king salmon from the piers. Casting heavy (3/4 oz plus) Little Cleo and K.O. Wobblers glow spoons works best, however egg sacs or skein fished under a float can be productive under calmer conditions. This is good all day now that the salmon are moving in. Some specific spots are the piers at Sodus Bay, Webster Park and the Genesee River. Salmon are also found in the bays and the major bay feeder streams. Port Bay’s Furnace Creek is one example. Remember that there is no night fishing in upstream portions of several of the tributaries from September 1 through March 31. You cannot be fishing the creek until one-half hour before sunrise and you must be off the water by one-half hour after sunset. Check the regulations before going out!!

WAYNE COUNTY BAYS: The word is largemouths are hitting all over Sodus Bay. Use any rubber or plastic. Follow the weedlines. Fish for pike around LeRoy Island. Work the weed lines trolling stick baits or casting large spoons or spinnerbaits. Large rubber baits also work for pike. For yellow perch use small minnows. Those fishing the channel and the points are catching some nice 12 inch perch. On the rest of the bays it’s “Search for Perch” but when you find them it’s nice fishing. For the smallmouth bass try soft-shelled crayfish. Panfish are being caught on small jigs or worms. Fishing early or late in the day has proved most productive. For smallmouth try the Port Bay channel with soft-shells and at the south end of the bay try for pike, again along the weedlines. The bays are also reported as having Chinook salmon showing up in the Bays and into the major feeder streams. On the Canal, anglers are experiencing some excellent fishing. Fish the shoreline near locks for best action. Bass along the weed lines and cats in the deep holes near Palmyra, and at Clyde. Fishing from the shore is easy as there are many pull-offs near Route 31.

MONROE COUNTY BAYS: On Irondequoit Bay, look for perch and smallmouth bass around the outlet, largemouth bass and pike in the coves and walleye along the drop-offs in deeper water. Live bait should prove best all though one report has the big-mouth hitting spinner baits. In Greece, fish the bay and ponds for crappie and perch. Jigs or minnows are recommended. Use small jigs for panfish. In the lower Genesee, action is supplied by catfish around the Turning Basin and smallmouth and sheepshead at the piers.  Also, salmon are being taken off the piers casting spoons like Cleo's and Krocodiles and around the river mouth by anglers trolling with J-plugs.

SALMON RIVER: The major pools throughout the Salmon River are loaded with kings and Coho's. The fish have been holding in the deeper pools, but when on the move, the deep slots, riffles and pocket water have produced action. 81 Pool, Compactor, Sportsman, The Trestle and the gravel above the Sportsman pool are all holding good numbers of salmon.  Suggested patterns are comets, nymphs, large stoneflies and streamers. For the bait fisherman, blue, pink and chartreuse egg sacs, streamers and egg imitating flies and plastics have been working. The brighter colors have worked well in the lower end of the river, while natural colors such as black, brown and olive have worked well in the upper end of the river. Also a few Atlantics, browns, smallmouth and northerns are being picked up in the deep pools of the river on flies, spinners and live bait.

OSWEGO RIVER: The cool temperatures helped to improve the fishing in the River. Fresh salmon and a good push of trout have made their way into the river. Fish are spread throughout the river and the fishing is great. The highest concentration of fish is reported from the Utica St. bridge to the dam. Hot-n-tots, fast tracks, Estaz eggs, egg sacs, skein, wooly buggers and egg pattern flies, are working well. Also look for a few brown trout and steelhead in the mix with the salmon. Night fishing from the Utica Street bridge north should be good using cleos, rebel fast tracks and hot-n-tots. Smallmouth bass are providing some action. Use live bait (leeches, night crawlers, minnows), along with plastic baits and other lures. A few walleye are being caught on stickbaits or leeches both during the day and at night. Freshwater drum (sheephead) are hitting on night crawlers as are carp and channel cats. The bridge over Oswego Canal Lock 7 at Leto Island has been closed to vehicle traffic by the state Department of Transportation and is causing some problems with access.

OTHER WATERS: On the Susquehanna, Chenango, Tioughnioga and Unadilla Rivers limited fishing!! No fishing activities to report as all the rivers are still high and muddy. Because of the recent flooding in the area, launch ramps may be mud and debris covered making them unusable at this time.

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Anglers Calendar:

15 - Regular Trout Season Closes (See fishing regulation guide. Great Lakes and tributaries as well as some inland waters are open all year)

15 - Rod & Gun Auction at Hessney Auction Center, 2741 route 14N, Geneva, NY (9:15 am) Shotguns, rifles, handguns, military, decoys, knives, mounts, fishing, ammo and swords. (For more information call 315-789-9349 or 585-734-6082 or go to www.hessney.com )

15 - Dave Wood Open Bass Tournament, Cayuta (Little) Lake (For more info call 607-535-771 or e-mail bassbutcher@localnet.com)

16 – Start of Catch and Release (Artificial Lures Only) Season for Trout in Salmon Creek (Cayuga County), Salmon Creek Above Ludlow Falls & West Branch Owego Creek (Tompkins County), Spring Creek on Caledonia State Fish Hatchery Property (8:00 am – 4:00 pm) (Livingston County), Oatka Creek from Bowerman Road Upstream to Union Street and from theWheatland Center Road Upstream to the Mouth of Spring Creek, and Spring Creek (Monroe County), East Koy & Wiscoy Creeks (Allegany County) (3/31/12)

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