FISH FORECAST: Wind, weather hampering lower river

By Bill Hilts Jr.

1. Lake Ontario and tributaries

Despite a decent amount of rain and snow the past week, Lake Ontario tributaries are still suffering in the water department.

The only game in town worth talking about is 18 Mile Creek in Niagara County; the Oak Orchard River in Orleans County. Wes Walker at The Slippery Sinker in Olcott sends word that water is still low and clear at Burt Dam. Some work at the power station dropped water levels even further, but good numbers of steelhead, browns and coho salmon can still be found from the dam to Olcott Harbor. A few old king salmon are still struggling to hold on. Because the waters are low and clear, small baits, light line and small hooks are all in order. No one has been able to fish the piers at either Wilson or Olcott due to the high winds. If things calm down, casting spoons or spinners should produce some nice trout. Wilson harbor is still producing panfish like perch and bluegills; Olcott has yellow perch.

Some boaters actually had trouble launching at the Town of Newfane Marina because water levels were so low. Keg Creek is still relatively dry, with six feet of gravel being reported between the lake and the creek mouth. Walker said that he would be closing until the day after Christmas after this weekend.

2. Lower Niagara River

Wednesday saw the cancellation of trips due to high winds earlier in the week creating muddy conditions. More winds were in the forecast for Thursday and if they come, the weekend will probably be a wash, too. Up until the winds hit, action had been good for trout - a mix of steelhead, lake trout and brown trout. Minnows, Kwikfish, egg sacks and yarn balls were all catching fish off of three-way rigs. The Niagara Bar has been a good spot for trout, with minnows or jigs good options to use. Shore fishermen can actually do well when the water is stained. Remember that lake trout season is closed until Jan. 1. If you have a Canadian fishing license, lake trout season opens on Dec. 1 for the Lower River and Lake Ontario. The limit is three with no minimum size.

3. Upper Niagara River

Muddy conditions all but stopped fishing at mid-week with more wind in the forecast going into the weekend. That doesn't look good for musky fishermen as the season ends on Nov. 30. Ditto for tiger musky. The regular bass season also closes Nov. 30, but Dec. 1 starts up the special catch-and-release season around the state. Northern pike are still an option with chubs from the foot of Ferry Street to Strawberry Island.

4. Lake Erie and tributaries

Cattaraugus Creek is still the place to be for trout fishing, with very good numbers of steelhead being reported from the Scoby Dam in Springville to the mouth at Lake Erie. There are also quite a few brown trout in the creek. Egg sacks, egg imitations, woolly buggers, streamers and nymphs are all good bets for taking trout. Eighteen Mile and Chautauqua Creek are holding fish, as well, and water may improve going into the weekend with rain at mid-week. It could also help Canadaway, Walnut and Silver creeks. If the water is still low and clear, downsize your baits, line and hook. Not too much action going on in the main lake due to winds and weather.

5. Chautauqua Lake

Reports are indicating that perch and crappie are starting to hit in the shallows at Ashville Bay Marina. Use a split shot, bobber and a nightcrawler according to local guide Craig Robbins. The same thing will work in the front of Smith Boys. Saturday starts up the Catch and Release bass season around the state, but you must use artificial baits only. Target the rock piles in front of Lakewood Rod & Gun Club in 8 to 10 feet of water. Use tubes and grubs for smallmouth bass.

6. Finger Lakes-Inland Waters

Oneida Lake — Walleye fishing is still on fire for shoreline casters using black-silver or blue-silver stickbaits. Blade baits in gold are also working for jiggers. Fish from dusk until 7 p.m. During the day, troll with the same stickbaits or crankbaits in 15 to 20 feet of water. Fathead minnows are the ticket for perch in 12-15 foot depths.

Cayuga Lake — There are reports of both salmon and trout in the larger tributaries around the lake. Eggs or egg imitations, streamers or nightcrawlers are the best baits right now. Lake trout should still be hitting around Taughannock Point. Use egg sacks from shore; plastics on a jig from boat.

Bill Hilts Jr. is the outdoor sports specialist with the Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation. Contact him at bhiltsjr69@cs.com.