FISH FORECAST: Cold weather chills fishing again

By Bill Hilts Jr.

1. Lake Ontario and tributaries

More good new, bad news scenarios for local anglers. Good news if you’re an ice fisherman, bad news if you’re an open water angler. Some of the harbors and embayments along Lake Ontario are starting to freeze over with a few already enjoying some hardwater action. Here in Niagara County, Wilson will probably be offering up safe ice by this weekend, with an outside chance that Olcott Harbor will also have some ice safe enough to walk on. Wes Walker at the Slippery Sinker reported that earlier in the week they were catching a few perch in the open water at Olcott Harbor, but a thin layer of ice had formed by Wednesday. Wilson was already a couple of inches thick and should be four inches or better. Walker also reported that 18 Mile Creek was producing a few steelhead and browns on jigs tipped with wax worms. There were actually some kings and cohos caught the past week, too. There were a few fish sighted in Keg Creek, which means the mouth of the creek finally opened up. However, with the cold temperatures, most of the holes are iced over right now. If you want to hear more about what’s happening with the AES Somerset Lake Uploading Project, a 3,200-foot pier that will extend out into Lake Ontario at the power plant, there will be a public hearing to present the proposal and answer questions on Jan. 30th at the Lockport Holiday Inn located on South Transit Road, Lockport, from 7-9 p.m. The LOTSA Fishing Expo set for Feb. 24 is sold out as far as exhibiting tables are concerned, so it will be a good one to attend if you’re interested at all about Lake Ontario fishing. To the east, safe ice was being reported at Long and Cranberry ponds, Braddocks and Irondequoit bays, with some decent perch fishing going on.

2. Lower Niagara River

The bad news is that the water is chocolate milk again, with more wind in the forecast just prior to the weekend. There was also quite a bit of ice in the river flowing down through the system. The good news is that Lake Erie is getting close to freezing over, which will clear the water up and help the fishing for trout out. Anglers did hit some clear water just prior to the weekend last week and fishing was great on egg sacks, minnows and Kwikfish. The next time the water clears, look for fish to be just as cooperative. Don’t forget that the NRAA Steelhead Contest is Feb. 16. The WNY Boat Show is also at The Summit Mall through Sunday.

3. Upper Niagara River

Lots of ice in the upper river this week as frigid temperatures started to generate some of the hard water along the shorelines and out into the lake. Water was stained, too, so not too much fishing going on. When the water is clear enough, look for some perch fishing to take place around Grand Island. Beaver Island Marina area is one spot to try.

4. Lake Erie and tributaries

Finding open holes in the tributaries is the big challenge now, along with having to deal with a decent amount of snow. Frigid temperatures have started to ice up many of the waters, creating difficult conditions. Conditions were good, even on Cattaraugus Creek, just prior to the recent return to winter and we’re right back into it again. Egg sacks, egg patterns, jigs tipped with wax worms, woolly buggers and streamers are all options if you can find open water. Your best bet might be the warm water discharge at Dunkirk where shiners, stickbaits and egg sacks will produce trout.

5. Chautauqua Lake

Ice had finally formed on the lake at mid-week, but conditions were marginal at best. It could be safe enough by the weekend. Some anglers took a chance at the south of the lake at mid-week and managed to pick up some panfish in 6-8 feet of water around Burtis Bay and Rock Island. Small jigs tipped with spikes were the ticket.

6. Finger Lakes-Inland Waters

Honeoye Lake — The ice has returned at the south end of the lake according to Dan Sharp at Honeoye Bait and Tackle. The bite has been primarily on jigs and mousies, although there was one good day this week were anglers took a fair amount of walleye on tip-ups. There was four inches of ice as of Wednesday.

Conesus Lake — The north end of the lake had three inches of ice as of Wednesday and there should be decent fishing by the weekend.

Canadice Lake — The south end had 2-3 inches as of Wednesday and it should be plenty safe by the weekend. At least one angler took his chances on the ice and he was lucky in more ways than one — no mishaps and he caught a bunch of pickerel on tip-ups, 16 to be exact.

Cayuga Lake — There were some good reports of anglers picking up landlocked salmon and lake trout by trolling with stickbaits around Taughannock Point. A few trout and salmon are also being caught by shore fishermen at AES Cayuga (Milliken Station).

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