Published: June 18, 2009 11:02 pm      

FISH FORECAST: Moss is mucking up fishing scene

1. Lake Ontario and tributaries

Congratulations are in order for the Top Gun team in the professional division of the Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament event held out of Point Breeze in Orleans County last weekend. Led by Capt. Greg Gehrig of Oswego, the Eastern Basin squad came in with 10 and 11 fish respectively in the two days of competition to win the second event in the Challenge Cup series.

They scored 375.42 points (based on 10 points per fish and a point per pound) to narrowly edge out Screamer/A-Tom-Mik from Pennsylvania with 370.13 points. In the Amateur Division, it was Fish Nutz, led by Paul Powers of Oswego, setting the pace both days of the event with a two-day score of 271.91 points. You can check out the whole story in Sunday’s editions.

The Steven L. White Memorial Bass Tournament, limited to the lower Niagara River and Lake Ontario, will be held opening day of bass (June 20) from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. A picnic will follow at Porter On The Lake. The weigh station will also be there from noon to 2 p.m. Sign up by 7 a.m. at the Wilson Gas Shack, The Slippery Sinker or The Boat Doctors in Olcott. For more information, log on to www.stevenlwhitememorialtournament.com. Call 745-1176 for more information.

There will be a kids fishing derby sponsored by the Wilson Conservation Club from 8 a.m. to noon in any Niagara County water for kids ages 3 to 14. The awards will take place at 1 p.m. at their clubhouse located on Route 425. For more info call 930-7500 or 731-5234.

As far as the fishing, there haven’t been too many people out trolling for salmon and trout. Capt. Eric Bickel of Destiny Charters had a local contingent of anglers that included Dr. John Syracuse of Newfane, Pastor Dave Emmons of Newfane and his father-in-law from St. Louis and Rick Ortiz of Newfane. Trolling out as deep as 260 feet of water to the east of Olcott, they used lead core and downriggers to take some nice steelhead up to 10 pounds and coho salmon up to six pounds. They were fishing in the top 50 feet of water.

2. Lower Niagara River

Moss is limiting fishing action in the river. Please be aware that due to the activities surrounding the re-enactment of the French and Indian War, being held at Old Fort Niagara July 3-5, we anticipate heavy traffic at the boat launches at Fort Niagara State Park. While the docks will be open and available for public use, the re-enactment includes a nautical component and the launches will be in heavy use during this time. For your convenience, public boat launches are located in the Village of Youngstown, the Village of Lewiston, and Wilson-Tuscarora State Park for this special weekend.

3. Upper Niagara River

Moss has been a problem in the upper river as well. The Opening Day smallmouth bass contest sponsored by the Wagon Wheel Restaurant is set for Saturday. The contest is 100 percent pay-out and is limited to U.S. waters in Lake Erie, the Niagara River and Lake Ontario, from sunrise to 4 p.m. in U.S. waters only. There is a two fish weigh-in. Minimum length is 15 inches. Scales open from 3 to 4 p.m. Register at the Wagon Wheel R Restaurant, 7201 Niagara Falls Blvd., Niagara Falls. Call 283-9861 for more info. Entry fee is $20 which includes a $5 Cash Bash. Bass season in Canadian waters does not open until June 27.

4. Lake Erie and tributaries

Walleye fishing has been slow during the Southtowns fishing contest this past week. At least, that’s the inside word. We won’t find out for sure until after the contest is over on Sunday. Bass fishing continues to be productive in all the traditional areas and it should be good for the opener. Remember that the Wagon Wheel has their opening day bass contest going on for the opening day action.

Probably the most consistent fishing continues to be for yellow perch, although the action has slowed a bit from the past couple of weeks. Try around the departure buoy in 35 to 50 feet of water, off Sturgeon Point in 45 to 55 feet of water, or west of Cattaraugus Creek in 44 to 52 feet of water with minnows.

5. Chautauqua Lake

It’s opening day of bass and muskellunge and this is one good body of water to tackle both. Local guide Craig Robbins passes along a couple good spots to start for the opener. For bass, try the docks around Bemus Bay with tube jigs or sluggo-style baits. The American Bass Anglers Association will be holding a tournament there opening day so it might be a little crazy on the water Saturday. For musky, try casting off the Prendergast fish hatchery outside the weeds in 8 to 10 feet of water. Use bucktail jigs or stickbaits in perch, black and silver or black and white colorations.

6. Finger Lakes-Inland Waters

It’s opening day of the regular bass and muskellunge seasons in New York State. Get ready for some fun!

7. Honeoye Lake

Dan Sharp at Honeoye Bait and Tackle sends word that the bass opener should be good because the fish are still on their beds. Use any kind of top water bait like hulapoppers, jitterbugs, or chugbugs. Live bait like crabs, crawlers or bass shiners will also catch you fish. Bluegills and sunfish are still hitting in 12 to 14 feet of water on small jigs tipped with wax worms or spikes. Walleye action is taking place all around the lake.

In the evening, work the shoreline by casting stickbaits, jigs tipped with leeches or crawlers or troll with worm harnesses. Use jigs or harnesses during the day all around the lake, especially for those overcast days.

8. Canadice and Hemlock lakes

Fishing from shore or trolling has been working on trout. From shore, cast large bass shiners and fish the bottom. For trolling, flutter spoons like Sutton 44s in silver or hammered silver will work. Some crappies are being caught in the south ends of the lakes in 14-15 feet of water, suspended 4 to 5 feet below the surface. Use small tube jigs or jigs tipped with spikes or wax worms.

9. Canandaigua Lake

The yellow perch have been snapping at the north end of the lake on fathead minnows. Another good bait has been small bubblegum-colored Cubby jigs.

Bill Hilts Jr. is a past president of the New York State Outdoor Writers Association. Contact him at bhiltsjr69@cs.com.