Here we are into the 2nd week of February already and the winter that wasn't continues. We still don't have much snow but it looks like a little is on its way.
First a reminder if you can, and you should attend the Annual State of the Lake Meeting being held;
February 22- Oswego/Mexico Boces- 7pm
February 28- Rochester RIT- 7pm Same place as always can somebody add to this for me as I have never attended there.
March 1- Lockport 6:30 Cornell Cooperative Extension, 4H Building in Lockport, NY. 4485 Lake Ave (Rte 78), Lockport, NY 14094
The salmon river is running at a real nice 900 cfs. The nights have been cold and mid day has been producing the best results. The upper end of the river between Altmar and Pineville continues to get the most fishing pressure, but has been producing steady results on a daily basis.
As usual for this time of year, egg sacs in blue, white and pink and beads in glow roe, orange, white lightning and cheese colors are working the best.
For flies, try; Estaz eggs in pink, chart, white and blue, size 10.
Sucker Spawn in pink, oregon cheese, chart, blue, orange, size 8.
Black Hare's ear nymph in size 10.
Glo-bugs in pink, chart, orange, blue and oregon cheese, size 10.
The Oswego river is producing some fish and flows are just right for this time of year. Same items as on the salmon river but don't be afraid to throw some big bucktail jigs in the deep water as well.
Chaumont Bay, Henderson Bay, Sodus Point, Sandy Pond and Black Lake continue to produce great catches of perch.
Sandy Pond is giving up some nice size pike as well. Large shiners and jigs in 10 to 20 FOW are working best.
On Oneida lake Reports of good to excellent walleye and perch catches are coming in from Dunham and Frenchman Islands, Buoy 121 and to the east at Lewis Point.
Most anglers are jigging with Swedish Pimples dressed with a buckeye minnow or a jigging Rapala enhanced with bait. The sonar is also accounting for a few walleyes. Yellow perch are responding to mousies and spikes fished with more finesse than the typical heavy handed jigging for walleyes.
Great Perch Fishing on 3-Mile Bay!!
From Bill Saiif
The "Hard Water Ice Guides" worked the Perch population over hard in 3-Mile Bay the last two days. The bite was excellent on Thursday and satisfactory on Friday. The changing fronts on Friday afternoon slowed the bite a little. Our team worked 13 feet of water off Bourcy Shores and had consistent action all day. #3 Swedish Pimples and Buckshot Rattle Spoons were the baits on the bottom. These were tipped with RosieReds and we ran ice Ticks and Flies 10" above the spoons tipped with eyes and spikes. Both baits took fish! The biggest fish came on Tip-Downs loaded with oversized Perch Bait. These were double hooked so that the big fish had to work to get the bait! The Tip-Downs were the big fish producers on both days!
From Bill Hilts on the Western End of the Pond!
Fresh silvery steelhead caught from Artpark
State Park on the lower Niagara River Eighteen mile and Oak Orchard Creeks are in great shape going into the weekend. Each stream currently has moderate flow with a slight stain and about 2 feet of visibility.
Anglers have been catching a decent mix of steelhead and brown trout on those creeks. Tributaries such as Four mile, Twelve mile & East Branch, Keg, Johnson and Sandy Creeks have lower, clearing flows. All of those streams are holding steelhead, including some fresh fish.
With colder water temperatures, look for trout to hit egg sacs, egg pattern flies and hair jigs tipped with waxworms/spikes (fished under a float).
The key is to drift the bait slowly and keep it at the bottom. It is also best to fish during the warmest part of the day. Anglers should expect floating slush on all streams and shelf ice on the smaller streams.
Lower Niagara River
Trout action was excellent last Saturday as conditions were near ideal. Currently, conditions are decent with lower river water exhibiting a cloudy green color. It is possible that windy weather could stain the water this weekend. Boaters can target steelhead, brown trout and lake trout in the Devils Hole, Artpark and Upper Stella drifts.
Drifting with minnows, egg sacs or Kwikfish lures fished off of a 3-way bottom bouncing rig is the way to go. Shore anglers can target trout from Whirlpool, Devils Hole and Artpark State Parks. Egg sacs, egg pattern flies, spoons, spinners and jigs with grubs fished under a float work well from shore.
Exercise extreme caution when shore fishing in the lower river, as slippery rocks, strong currents and water level changes make these areas hazardous. For fishing access maps and lower river fishing information see the Fishing the Lower Niagara River page.
The NYPA fishing platform has been closed for the winter.
When weather has permitted, anglers have seen great lake trout and brown trout action out on the Niagara Bar. Drifting with minnows or Kwikfish lures on a bottom bouncing rig has worked well.
Ice Fishing
An extended cold snap has some of the area's waters locked back up and ice anglers are venturing out on some of them. However, anglers should not assume that ice thickness is uniform on any body of water.
Remember that a minimum of 3 to 4 inches of solid ice is the general rule for safety. Drilling holes or tapping with a spud bar to check ice thickness is recommended on your way out. Safety ice pics, boot cleats, rope and a floatation devise are recommended safety items. Use good judgement and fish with a friend when possible.
Those new to ice fishing can check the Ice Fishing Basics page for more information.
Attention Ice Anglers: DEC reminds anglers of new ice fishing regulations.
In waters where ice fishing is permitted, anglers will be allowed to use up to three lines and five tip-ups except as noted in special regulations for specific waters. Previously, ice anglers could only use two lines with five tip-ups.
See related Press Release for more information.
Silver Lake
The south end again has solid ice of 4-5 inches and anglers have been accessing the ice from Mack's Restaurant and the Silver Lake State Park boat launch. The bluegill bite has cooled a bit, but it is still the best around. Anglers are catching decent numbers of bluegill in 8-10 feet of water on small jigs w8,ith waxworms.
Some keeper crappie have been caught as well. Tip-ups with larger minnows are a good bet for northern pike. Anglers are not venturing too far north as there is still open water off Buffalo Point.
I will be heading North in the next few weeks and be back on the river on a daily basis. If you want to hook up here is what I have open this Spring.
March 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21
As for April I have the 9th and that is it. Grab it while you can. If not I have May 1, 2 on the river, as well as plenty of days for the 2012 lake season.
If you a have question or comment, feel free to e-mail me anytime. Send your mail to Troy@highadventurefishing.com
You can also log on to our website at www.highadventurefishing.com for more fishing reports, events, charters and river guides, as well as numerous links to great sites and area businesses.
Remember to stay safe, be respectful of others and put a few back for another day.