Published: September 23, 2006 12:40 am      

FISH FINDER: King salmon dominate lower river fishing action

The highlight worthy of mention has we move into National Hunting and Fishing Day weekend is the spectacular salmon fishing in the lower Niagara River — the best we’ve seen in almost 20 years. We were due. This is perfect timing for the Greater Niagara Fish Odyssey that winds up this weekend, as well as for the New York Power Authority’s Wildlife Festival — the Niagara County version of the NHF Day celebration that is going on from coast to coast. The NYPA event, which is co-sponsored by the Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs, will be held both Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is fun for the whole family. It is held at the NYPA Visitor’s Center located on Lewiston Road adjacent to Niagara University. Get in on some of the activities.

1. Lake Ontario and tributaries

Good water flow has triggered good runs of salmon, browns and steelhead in 18 Mile Creek according to Wes Walker at the Slippery Sinker. The water is a bit murky right now so the best baits have been egg pattern baits like egg sacks. Nightcrawlers have also been effective. Some big fish have been caught, too. David Neithe of Olcott is the current brown trout leader with a 17.57-pound fish caught at Burt Dam on egg skein. We’re trying to confirm a 43-pound salmon caught at the dam — but they weren’t in the derby. Off the Olcott piers, night action has been good to very good, depending on how the winds and weather cooperate.

The leading Fish Odyssey salmon came off the pier when Roy Letcher of Olcott hooked into a 29.93-pound salmon while casting a wigglewart. Look for glow in the dark spoons like Little Cleos and K-O Wobblers to be effective this weekend, as well as glow Rat-L-Traps. Out in the lake, trollers can still take fish in tight with J13 J-Plugs first thing in the morning — 15 feet of water is a good starting point. As the day progresses, move out deeper to 50 to 80 feet of water. J-plugs will catch fish, but so will spoons and flasher-flies. Over at the Oak, a similar program is available with some fish in the creek, some mature kings being caught off the wall and some salmon and trout being caught out deep. They have produced the leading steelhead, a 15.8-pound fish caught by Dave Curtis of Maine. The top carp was also caught there, a 24.98-pound fish reeled in by Jason Long of Batavia. Northern Pike fishing has been good over in Wilson according to reports.

2. Lower Niagara River

The king salmon fishing in the lower river has been scary good since Ernesto messed up the local weather and water patterns. Lots of fish are being caught with regularity with double figure catches the norm rather than the exception. Treated egg skein fished off three-way rigs are the way to go from boats in the Devil’s Hole area. From shore, the New York Power Authority Fishing Platform is one of the prime spots to fish from with Super Vibrax spinners in No. 4 or 5 or heavy spoons. That same approach will also work further up into the gorge at Whirlpool State Park. A few walleye are being caught, which is where the Fish Odyssey leader has come from — a 9.11-pounder enticed by Kenneth Barr of Niagara Falls.

3. Upper Niagara River

At the top of the list is the leading smallmouth bass for the Odyssey being taken from Thompson’s Hole by Michael McGrath of Niagara Falls. The fish checked in at 6.28 pounds. We’ll have to wait until Sunday to see if it will hold up. John Van Hoff at Big Catch in Buffalo reports some decent perch have been caught at the foot of Ontario Street. While there might not be a lot of them, some nice 10-inchers have made it into the bucket. They were also getting a few perch at the locks. In addition, some walleye have been caught off Ferry Street. A nine pounder was caught there this week.

4. Lake Erie and tributaries

John Van Hoff reported a banner weekend on perch in Lake Erie. He sampled the waters on Saturday and the result was a limit of 100 perch off Cattaraugus Creek in 47 feet of water. While fishing for perch, he also caught a smallmouth that tipped the scale at six pounds. The highlight, though, was when he reeled in a four pound bass and a 1-1/2 pound perch — on the same rod because of his perch rig. Good number of steelhead are being reported in most Lake Erie tributaries. Bass fishing in the lake has been good in 15 to 45 feet of water, depending on where you are. Golden shiners and tube jigs work best. Meyers Reef, Evans Bar, Seneca Shoal, Waverly Shoal are all good starting points and holding fish. You’ll catch some walleye and perch, too, in all likelihood.

5. Chautauqua Lake

A few muskie are being caught north of the Bell Tower in 10-14 feet of water. Troll a perch colored crankbait. Casters are picking up some fish in the area of the Prendergast launch with black Suicks, according to guide Craig Robbins. Smallmouth bass are hitting around the Victoria bar area in 12-18 feet of water with smoke colored tubes. The winning weight in the bass tourney was over 23 pounds last weekend, all smallmouth stacked up. There are some largemouth being caught off Bemus Point by using pumpkinseed plastic worms in the weeds.

6. Finger Lakes-Inland Waters

Oneida Lake — Casting spinner/worm rigs or jigs tipped with a worm is producing some walleye. Smallmouth bass and perch are hitting live bait over structure. Casting stickbaits along the shoreline in the early morning or at dusk is producing some smallmouth bass.

Cayuga Lake — Lake trout are hitting jigs on the bottom in 70 to 90 feet of water. Landlocked salmon, browns and rainbows are hitting spoons 30 to 60 feet below the surface by trolling. Milliken station is the place to be for bass.

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