Published: November 26, 2009 10:20 pm      

FISH FORECAST: Rains helping open tributaries

1. Lake Ontario and tributaries

Last week’s heavy rains helped to open up a few more Lake Ontario tributaries on the local front. Eighteenmile Creek continues to be at the top of the list for best tributary fishing options, especially from Fisherman’s Park to Burt Dam. The increased flow that resulted from the rain brought in another fresh run of king salmon, a few more coho salmon and some more trout. The water is stained a little, limited the perch action in the harbors of Olcott and Wilson. When those waters clear, perch will take back off again. Keg Creek to the east of Olcott was finally opened and brought in a run of fish — browns and steelhead. Both branches of 12 Mile Creek in Wilson have been holding trout, as well as a couple salmon. Fourmile Creek in Porter is also open and harboring some trout for casters. Egg sacks, single eggs, egg imitations and wax worms are all good baits to use. If you’re not into deer hunting, this is a great time to take advantage of the lessen pressure on the streams.

2. Lower Niagara River

The big news is the re-opening of the Lewiston Launch Ramp this past week, allowing boaters easier access to the Artpark and Devil’s Hole drifts. Lower river action has been good for trout fishermen, with a few warm and cool water fish species like bass and walleye still hanging around. Best baits this week have been silver and chartreuse kwikfish and minnows — both fished off three-way rigs. Steelhead is the top target for anglers, but some brown trout are showing up down river and on the Niagara Bar. Lake trout are also being caught, but remember that the season is closed on the New York side until the end of the year. In Canadian waters, lake trout season opens on December 1. Remember that the traditional bass season closes on Nov. 30, but you can still perform catch and release on them. Muskellunge season does not close on Nov. 30 in the lower river or Lake Ontario. That season extends to Dec. 15.

3. Upper Niagara River

Upper River muskellunge fishing has been decent the past week, but you do have to put your time in to ensure success by being there when the fish turn on. This is the last hurrah for this season as it closes on Nov. 30. Large tubes up to 12 inches long have been a hot bait of late. Large body baits will also entice fish to hit — by casting or trolling. Trout fishing at the foot of Ferry Street and along the Bird Island Pier is still an option for casters using spoons, spinners and egg sacks.

4. Lake Erie and tributaries

Cattaraugus Creek was good before the heavy rains. After that, the only place to catch fish seemed to be at the mouth by casting spoons and spinners for trout. Smaller tributaries will be good this weekend like Canadaway, Chautauqua, 18 Mile and Buffalo creeks if we don’t see too much rain at the end of the week. Egg sacks or egg imitations are the way to go. Perch are still an option off traditional spots like Sturgeon Point if the winds aren’t too bad. Bass in 15 to 30 feet of water is good, too, but remember that the regular season closes on Nov. 30. It will be all catch and release until next May after that.

5. Chautauqua Lake

Diehard musky trollers have been working the western shore waters from Tom’s Point to the Prendergast fish hatchery with deep diving crankbaits and bucktail spinners. Black and silver or perch colors have worked the best.

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