Published: October 30, 2008 10:30 pm      

FISH FORECAST: Local fishing is now ‘scary good’

COMMENTARY

1. Lake Ontario and tributaries

With Halloween on our door step, anglers fishing the 18 Mile Creek area are enjoying some pretty darn good fishing. In fact, to quote Buffalo Sabres announcer Rick Jeanneret, the fishing has been scary good (pun intended). The increased water flow has brought in some more salmon and trout into the system while providing a little color to the water at the same time. Reports coming in had water coming over the dam and the water stained, but definitely fishable. That should improve for the weekend action, with the focus on king salmon and trout like browns and rainbows. The power plant was producing power, which is good news for the shore fishing guys on the east side of the creek near the dam, helping to spread the fish out a bit. Some fresh coho salmon have shown up on the scene this week, along some silver female kings. Not only can you catch them below the dam, but you can catch them in the harbor and off the piers. At least off the piers when the winds cooperate. Some night fishing for kings is still happening with eggs, spoons or Rat-L-Traps. Some browns and steelhead are being caught off the piers, too. Steve Strong of Olean has been catching steelhead up to 12 pounds off the piers in Olcott, with a Little Cleo spoon the best enticement. Brown trout can be caught throughout the creek, with woolly buggers and single eggs or egg imitations the best baits to use. A 17-pound brown was reported from the dam area at mid-week. Try fishing the first couple hours of light for the best brown trout fishing. In the harbor, Jim Johnson of Newfane was catching some nice perch in Olcott, picking up some decent northern pike in the process, too. The Wilson short pier was producing both brown trout and perch, with an occasional steelhead.

2. Lower Niagara River

Marginal conditions after the storm that blew through earlier in the week has kept fishermen off the water, but that should change by the time this report hits the public. Just before the storm, steelhead fishing was starting to take off in the Devil’s Hole area, according to Mike George and Chick D’Augustino. They were averaging 6 to 7 fish a trip, so there had to be a pile of fish in the river. Kwikfish was their primary tool to take trout. Some other guides on the river were using pink egg sacks. Capt. Frank Campbell reported his first lake trout of the fall season while drifting for steelhead and salmon. Remember that lake trout season is closed until Jan. 1. He also reported a fresh run of coho salmon and female Chinook into the lower river this week.

3. Upper Niagara River

Bass are still hanging around, but becoming tougher to catch as the waters cool. Some of the back bays around Grand Island were near 50 degrees going into the weekend. Some perch are being caught around Ontario Street on salted minnows. If you want to catch a northern pike, use a chub. Rainbows are hitting at the foot of Ferry Street. Egg sacks and Little Cleo spoons are the way to go.

4. Lake Erie and tributaries

The head of the Niagara River is the way to go if you want to try and catch a fall walleye right now. Tom Slomka with the Niagara River Station Fishing Club on Grand Island reports good walleye success by trolling a deep diving Wally Diver in 18 to 20 feet of water, 50 feet behind the boat. You’ll need to fish from just before dusk until midnight to be the most successful. They have also been catching good numbers of bass at the rock pile at this end of Waverly Shoal. Bass are also showing up at Myers Reef in good numbers according to Capt. Jeff Draper of Grand Island. He was using tube jigs and minnows to take some nice fish last weekend. Target 20 to 35 feet of water. The rain should help the tributaries along Lake Erie, with Cattaraugus Creek the water with the most fish in it. It was starting to clear up nicely going into the weekend.

5. Chautauqua Lake

Not too much changed as far as the muskellunge fishing. However the smallmouth bass have moved a bit deeper in front of Smith Boys Marina. Target 12 to 14 feet of water on the outside edge of the rock pile — that would be the southeast portion of Lakewood Bar — according to local guide Craig Robbins of Ashville. Artificial crayfish or live crayfish are both hot baits right now. If you want to try and catch walleye, try off the Bell Tower at Chautauqua Institution in 12 to 22 feet of water. Use small black hair jigs clean or tipped with a minnows.

6. Finger Lakes

Canadice/Hemlock lakes — Anglers are starting to pick up some nice trout on nightcrawlers or bass minnows while fishing from shore. On a side note, Naples Creek has some good numbers of brown trout in it right now.

Canandaigua Lake — Perch are still cooperating for anglers, but the winds have not. If things calm down in the wind department, you can do well on perch — once you find them — on fathead minnows.

Honeoye Lake — Not too much action going on other than for crappie. Start your search around Log Cabin Point in 14-15 feet of water, according to Dan Sharp at Honeoye Bait and Tackle. Off the marina is another good spot. Use fathead minnows, spikes or wax worms to take your fish.

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