Published: October 23, 2009 12:03 am      

FISH FORECAST: Salmon action's hot in Lower Niagara

1. Lake Ontario and tributaries

Action on 18 Mile Creek and at Burt Dam has been hopping the past week as a large influx of salmon and trout have made it up from Lake Ontario. Wes Walker at The Slipper Sinker reports that good numbers of salmon and trout — browns and steelhead — are being caught at Burt Dam, in the creek and off the piers.

Some anglers are even trolling stickbaits along the shoreline in 15 to 25 feet of water and picking up a mix of salmon and trout — when Mother Nature will allow. Pier fishermen are using spoons and spinners, as well as some of the harbor casters. At the dam, the water flow has been good as they’ve been generating some power at the dam, but the water has been clear. With the numbers of fishermen using this area, you might be best off to downsize your line strength and bait size — egg sacks or egg imitations — to get these fish to hit.

Most of the other lake tributaries are lacking in water, but casting out into the lake at the mouth, such as off the mouth of Keg creek with spoons or spinners, should produce a few fish. Wilson and Olcott harbors are both producing some nice perch and a few salmon and trout have been reported from the Wilson Harbor area.

Catch of the week is a 35 lb., 7 oz. king salmon reeled in by Andrew Bilicki of Newfane. He was fishing below Burt Dam. Tip of the week comes from Dr. John Syracuse of Newfane. “If you’re catching fish, don’t rub that into the face of your fishing buddies. As soon as you start talking smack, there’s a good chance that it will come back to haunt you.”

2. Lower Niagara River

In the Lower Niagara River, salmon action has actually picked up the past week with some very good catches being reported from the Devil’s Hole area. That’s the good news. The bad news is that the Lewiston Launch ramp is shut down for anywhere from two to four weeks for some renovations, so if you want to fish from a boat, you’ll have to launch at either the Village of Youngstown ramp or the two ramps at Fort Niagara.

And once we hit Nov. 1, the river will probably be at a lower level from power draw downs, so launching there will also be a bit tricky. Once you get out, though, fishing should be good for salmon and the influx of trout that seem to follow the Pacific salmon run. Fishing over the weekend was excellent in the Whirlpool area from shore for salmon and trout. Egg sacks topped the list of baits, followed by treated egg skein. They are also catching trout along the Artpark trail in Lewiston.

3. Upper Niagara River

Pat Van Camp at Big Catch reports that the trout are starting to hit at the foot of Ferry Street. Anglers are also picking up some nice perch and silver bass off the Army Corps of Engineers wall. Musky fishermen are getting a few smaller sized fish to hit and action should start to improve as water temperatures are hitting the 50 degree mark. Casting tubes or trolling large body baits will be the best two approaches to taking these fish.

4. Lake Erie and tributaries

Tributary action for trout continues to be good and if we get the rain that’s in the forecast, conditions should improve by increasing water flow and giving it some stain. Egg sacks or egg imitations are the way to go and fish can be found throughout each stream system, not just in the lower end. Perch are still being reported off Cattaraugus, Evangola and Sturgeon Point in 55 to 60 feet of water when the winds cooperate. Bass are still an option, too, with live bait or tube jigs inside of 30 feet of water.

5. Chautauqua Lake

Perch action has been very good between Ellis Aero Marina and the Sheriff’s dock at Long Point in 8 to 10 feet of water. Use split shot rig baited with a nightcrawler to take your fish. Smallmouth bass have been hitting crayfish and three-inch grubs directly across from Long Point in 12 to 16 feet of water. Pumpkinseed is the best color on the grubs. Musky fishing has been decent from the Mayville Flats to the Bell Tower at Chautauqua Institution. Troll with oversized perch-colored crankbaits in 12 to 20 feet of water.

6. Finger Lakes-Inland Waters

Oneida Lake — The night time shoreline bite for walleye continues to improve. Casting black and silver or black and blue stickbaits after dark is the approach to use. Perch are still hitting around the weeds in 10-15 feet of water. Bass fishing is good, too, all around the lake wherever there is structure.

Cayuga Lake — Lake trout are cooperating in 70 to 110 feet of water. Try vertical jigging with spoons, swim baits or jigs. Trollers will also take fish with flasher-fly combinations. Green and white are good colors to start out with. Yellow perch are hitting in the north end in 10 to 15 feet of water.

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