10 – 3 - 14 WESTERN & CENTRAL NEW YORK FISHING REPORTS TIP: TIPS FOR LANDING EARLY AUTUMN WALLEYE: Targeting walleye in the fall can offer some of the best fishing of the season. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you target this sportfish in the near future. *In early fall walleye can be found in a variety of locations within the water body, including deep, shallow or anywhere in between. Keep that in mind and dont stick to one depth range. *If youre out in the morning, check the areas where deep water meets the shallow spots. *As the day progresses start heading deeper, as walleye can be photosensitive. *Dont forget to try your luck during the nighttime hours! This can be a very productive time during the fall, especially along rock points and flat areas. REMINDER: September 30 – Close of Fishing Season on Lake Ontario, the Lower Niagara River and Tributaries for Lake Trout *LAKE ERIE: The yellow perch fishing continues to be hot off Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point. Anglers are picking up solid numbers of big perch in 55-70 fow. Another top spot was off Evangola State Park in around 50 feet. Depths of 60-65 feet of water off Sturgeon Point and around 60 feet of water off Dunkirk have also produced some decent catches. Live emerald shiners fished just off the bottom is the top technique, but other small minnows, salted shiners, worms and Gulp minnows will also work for foraging perch. Being in the right general location does not however guarantee good catches. Anglers should try to locate perch schools on the bottom with electronics before dropping anchor. Also, the right perch rig and bait can be the difference between a cooler full of fish in one boat and only a few caught in a boat just yards away. Anglers are reporting only fair smallmouth bass action at 20 to 40 feet on the open lake, in the tributaries and in the harbors. At Buffalo Harbor, the action has been good along the inner and outer breakwalls on jerkbaits, tube jigs and spinnerbaits. Along the inner breakwall, anglers are also catching good numbers of northern pike, and largemouth bass are starting to show. Dunkirk Harbor anglers see similar bronzeback action. They were catching bass on just about every cast at times using lipless crankbaits. Out of Dunkirk, anglers report decent smallmouth bass catches around Van Buren Bay and deeper off the point. Van Buren bass anglers have also caught a few walleye and lake trout. Other traditionally good bass spots include Evans Bar, Myers Reef and Seneca Shoal. Tube jigs (3/8 ounce Venom Tube), jigs with twister tails, deep diving stickbaits and live minnows are good bass baits. The harbors at Barcelona, Dunkirk and Buffalo are great spots to target smallmouth bass as well. Work waters less than 40 feet around structures. For more information see the Smallmouth Bass Fishing on Lake Erie page. The walleye bite has been better to the west. However, even then it has been spotty, with some boats doing well, while other struggle to put a few fish in the boat. Trollers run mostly worm harnesses at mid-depths over 70 to 90 feet between Sturgeon Point and Cattaraugus Creek and the trench between Van Buren Point and Brocton Shoals. Out of all ports, anglers are catching walleye on stickbaits and worm harnesses. Although, white bass and sheepshead have been a nuisance at times when running worm harnesses. Anglers reported good lake trout action off Dunkirk west to the stateline in 80-120 feet of water. Trolling NK magnum spoons in green/black, just off the bottom, has produced large lakers with some steelhead and brown trout. Reports out of Barcelona point toward good action in 90-130 feet of water. Stick baits run 50-60 feet down have worked well. Steelhead are staging off tributary streams, waiting for a shot of cooler water to begin entering the streams. Trolling flashy spoons at slightly higher speeds than walleye around the creek mouths and outward to 70 foot depths is a good tactic. Some coho salmon in the 10-12 pound range have also been showing up in some offshore catches, so dont be surprised if you hook into one of them! *LAKE ERIE TRIBS: A few steelhead are scattered in Cattaraugus Creek, all the way up to the dam in Springville. Targeting steelhead in the lowest section of the creek or from the breakwall are, however, better bets at present. All of the other tributaries are low and clear, with only a few steelhead holding in the deep pools of the lowest sections. Lake Erie steelhead commonly hit natural baits like egg sacs or worms, flies such as egg imitations, streamers and bugger patters, and lures like minnow-type stickbaits and in-line spinners. For those new to steelhead fishing, see the Steelhead Fishing in Lake Erie Tributaries page for information on steelhead fishing equipment, locations and links to stream maps. Smallmouth bass are still available in the lower sections of the tributaries. Fly anglers catch bass with woolly buggers and minnow patterns. Spinning anglers do well with stickbaits, marabou jigs with grubs (under a float) and natural baits like minnows, crayfish or worms. Anglers have been catching channel catfish, up to 20+ pounds, in Cattaraugus Creek from the mouth to up past the Thruway bridge. Keep in mind that the section of creek above the Route 5&20 bridge is on Seneca Nation lands, and a fishing license issued by the Seneca Nation is needed to fish that stretch. Nightcrawlers, chicken livers, raw shrimp or cut bait fished on the bottom works well for catfish. Lake Erie Steelhead Diary Cooperator Program: DEC is seeking active, avid stream anglers to participate in the Diary Cooperator Program for feeder streams along the Lake Erie. With the start of the rainbow/steelhead run, waders and shore casters from Buffalo to Barcelona will be taking tributary treks and could provide valuable information about trout numbers, sizes and other noteworthy details. For more details and to sign on, call 716-366-0228 or email: [email protected]. *UPPER NIAGARA RIVER: Smallmouth fishing continues to be good in the upper river above Niagara Falls and one of the best spots is the head of the river where Lake Erie flows in near Buffalo. Concentrate on areas outside weed edges in 10-20 feet of water. Other spots have been in the west river around Navy Island, Staley’s Reef, Strawberry and Motor islands, Thompson’s Hole and the head of the river. When fishing the west side of Grand Island, be aware that the international line runs quite close to the island. Drifting with a three-way bottom bouncing rig and live crayfish or shiner works well. Some walleye were reported at the head of Strawberry Island on blue-silver or purple worm harnesses. The northern tip of Squaw Island has been producing some walleye from shore. Try casting spoons in the late afternoon or early morning. Bass and a mix of other fish were also available by using live bait or jigs. As water temperatures start to cool, musky fishing should start to pick up around the river and Buffalo Harbor areas. Anglers can target muskellunge by drifting along weed edges with large 8-10 inch tube jigs. Either side of Strawberry Island and the Huntley Power Station can be productive spots. Along the wall extending to the north from the Ontario Street boat launch, anglers are catching a few decent sized yellow perch on emerald shiners, with some rock bass mixed in. At Broderick Park, emeralds are producing mostly catches of white bass with some rock bass mixed in. The harbors and marinas along the river are also good spots to target sunfish and perch. Work the 15-18 foot depths. Look for crappie schooling in the backwater areas of Tonawanda Creek, between the confluence with the Erie Canal and the Niagara River. Tonawanda Creek and the Erie Barge Canal are good places to catch smallmouth bass. Besides bass, anglers can catch a number of other warmwater species such as rock bass, bluegill, northern pike and channel catfish. Downstream of Route 277, multiple municipal parks offer shore access to Tonawanda Creek. Upstream of the confluence with the Erie Canal, Tonawanda Creek is best fished from a canoe or kayak. There is plentiful shore access to the Erie Canal east of Lockport. *LOWER NIAGARA RIVER: The king salmon (chinook salmon) run in the lower Niagara River is ON! Charter boats have been catching salmon in Devils Hole. A three-way rig and cured salmon skein is the top producer, but a three-way with Kwikfish has also worked. Keep in mind that conditions are hazardous in the Devils Hole drift, and only the most experienced boaters should attempt to fish there. Shore anglers are catching some king salmon from the NYPA fishing platform, with a few brown trout, steelhead and smallmouth bass mixed in (see user info for NYPA platform below). Anglers can also target kings from shore at Whirlpool and Devils Hole State Parks. Large casting spoons, Vibrax spinners, egg sacs and cured salmon skein are good offerings for shore anglers. Anglers fishing from shore at the state parks generally do better at night. Anglers are still catching smallmouth bass and sheepshead from Devils Hole down to the mouth of the river. Boaters can drift with a 3-way rig with golden shiners, crayfish or tube jigs, or can cast towards shore with jerkbaits, stickbaits and spinners. Walleye are starting to show in the lower river. Drifting with a 3-way rig and worm harness or yellow sally rig (with worm) is a good bet and it’s also picking up bass. The best drifts for walleye include the Stella drifts, Artpark drift and Coast Guard drift. Anglers are picking up some walleye and smallmouth bass on the Niagara Bar in the vicinity of the green buoy. Trolling or bottom bouncing with worm harnesses is a good bet for walleye, and smallmouth bass anglers do well with a 3-way rig with shiners or tubes. Also, fishing the Niagara Bar has been producing brown trout and lake trout on spoons. Shore anglers also see catches of white bass, rock bass and yellow perch on live baits. White bass and yellow perch generally start to show up in the river at this time of year. For fishing access maps and lower river fishing information see the Fishing the Lower Niagara River page. The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has announced the re-opening of the fishing pier at the base of the Niagara Power Project. Because the construction project on the access road is still ongoing, NYPA has enacted some restrictions on use of the pier. The pier will only be accessible via a free shuttle service that will run to and from parking lot C at the Power Vista every half hour between 7am and 5pm. Familiarize yourself with all rules that are in place by listening to the recording at 716-796-0135, extension 45. *LAKE ONTARIO – WEST: Mature king salmon (chinook salmon) are still staging in the waters off major tributary mouths in preparation for their spawning run. Bring on the rain. Boaters can target these salmon near dawn and dusk by trolling off tributary and harbor mouths with J-Plugs, J-13 Rapalas, flasher-fly combos or cut bait rigs. Another option after nightfall is to anchor in 15-30 feet of water (off tributary mouths) and cast glow spoons or stickbaits. Good spots to try include Eighteenmile Creek, Oak Orchard Creek, Sandy Creek and the Genesee River. During the day, trollers have been picking up some salmon in 50-100 feet of water. The Niagara Bar area is also producing some nice mature salmon on the drop off. Trolling with large spoons, flasher fly combos and especially cut bait (a Pacific herring strip) in the top 70 feet has worked well. Look for kings at the shallower end of that zone at first light and work progressively deeper water as the sun climbs in the sky. J-plugs, flasher-fly combos, cut bait rigs and large spoons are good offerings for staging king salmon. A second bite has been found in 200 feet of water and deeper for an occasional mature salmon, some immature kings and steelhead. One recommendation picked up - night fishing in front of Olcott from a small boat, casting ¾-ounce Cleos or Moonshine spoons. This week, action has been good on the bar for lake trout and walleye but remember that lake trout season in Lake Ontario is now closed.. Some nice catches of large walleye have come on worm harnesses trolled near the bottom in the vicinity of the green buoy. Other options for catching fish are of the warm water variety, like bass, pike and panfish in Wilson and Olcott harbors. For bass try trolling the shoreline with stick baits and Kwikfish in 10-12 feet of water. *LAKE ONTARIO - WEST - TRIBS: Lower than normal water levels has the king salmon run off to a slow start in many of western New Yorks Lake Ontario tributaries. On Eighteenmile Creek at Fishermans Park anglers are catching a few salmon at first light or later in the day during overcast conditions. Salmon and trout numbers have been a little better in Oak Orchard Creek, with small pods of salmon and scattered steelhead and brown trout holding in the stretch below Waterport Dam. The Genesee River has better water flow and salmon have shown in good numbers in the section below the falls. Smaller tributaries like Johnson and Sandy Creeks are very low. On those creeks, salmon are confined to the lower, slack water areas. Egg sacs, salmon skein, egg pattern flies and streamers work well for migrating salmon. The lower, slow moving sections of Eighteenmile Creek, Oak Orchard Creek, Sandy Creek and the Genesee River are good options for trout and salmon. These sections are only accessible by boat. Trolling with stickbaits (where possible) or casting and retrieving stickbaits are good methods. In the sections of these waters between the bridge closest to the stream mouth, upstream to the first impassible barrier, any lure that has more than one hook point must float while at rest. For more information see the Great Lakes Tributary Regulations. For those new to stream salmon fishing, see the Pacific Salmon Fishing in Lake Ontario Tributaries page for information on salmon fishing equipment, tackle, techniques and links to salmon stream maps. One of the main routes to the west side of the fly fishing area on Oak Orchard River is across the Waterport Bridge. That bridge is under construction and is slated for completion in late October or early November this year. Plan on using one of the alternate routes until then. In the lower, slower moving sections of the tributaries anglers can also catch northern pike, black bass, rock bass, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, bullhead and channel catfish. Nightcrawlers, chicken livers, leeches, cut bait or raw shrimp fished on the bottom works well for the bullhead and catfish, especially at night. Off the jetties at Point Breeze and pier at Olcott catches of perch, northern pike, smallmouth bass are being taken. Target the smallmouth bass with crayfish or shiners and try larger goldens or chubs for pike. On Lake Alice fair catches of bluegills and crappie are being taken for those who really work at it. Early morning and late evening seem to be the most productive times. At Oak Orchard, anglers fishing below the Waterport Dam are now required to wear life vests and a recent incident has limited access to this popular fishing site. Check for restrictions and respect property rights and stipulations when fishing this area. *CHAUTAUQUA LAKE: Bass fishing runs fair to good for both largemouth and smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass action has cooled a little around docks but top water lures, weedless rigged power worms and wacky rigged senkos are still producing. Fishing with live bait (minnows, crayfish, leeches) outside the weed edge or dropping jig and pig combination in the pockets are also productive methods. For smallmouth, fish a bit deeper in 10 to 15 feet of water with tubes or a drop-shot rig outfitted with a crayfish or shiner. Smallmouth bass are in deep holes off shallower rocky points. Rock and Grass islands in the lower basin is another good spot. Muskie catches have slowed a bit but anglers are still picking up good numbers by casting bucktail jigs and perch-colored stick baits over weed beds in Dewittville and Bemus Bays and between the Bell Tower at Chautauqua Institution and Long Point and from Prendergast Point to Mayville. Trolling for big muskies has been working in 15-30 feet. Targeting areas with weed edges and deep drop offs has been producing. Good trolling lures include perch pattern crankbaits, large jointed stickbaits, hot-n-tots and bucktail trolling spinners. Walleye fishing has been fair to good working No. 11 jointed Rapalas or similar stickbaits in 8-12 feet of water around weed edges. Nighttime has been best for boaters trolling outside weed edges with stickbaits and worm harnesses and for shore anglers casting stickbaits. A few walleye have been taken during the day by anglers jigging a bit deeper off weed edges. Better spots have been around Warner’s, Bemus, Brutus and Lakewood Bays and from the Bell Tower to Prendergast. There are still some smaller crappie schools around, but anglers have had to search for them. Focus on areas of 6-12 feet of water in sheltered bays or near reefs and sunken islands. Jig heads (1/32 and 1/64 ounce) with one inch tubes, with or without a minnow, are good bets. One angler’s suggestion – use a 2 1/2 gulp minnow threaded right through the nose on a small tube jig head, with an opened hook gap. Best areas for crappie continue to be around Mayville, Rock and Grass islands, Lakewood Bar, Ashville Bay and Burtis Bay. Perch and bluegills are being picked up in narrows between the Bridge and Ferry on the Stow side in 6-10 feet under a bobber, tipped off with a nightcrawler. Try the sheltered bays of the north basin or throughout the south basin. Worms and wax worms work great for sunfish. Bullhead are hitting well in the canals and along shoreline areas. Worms, leeches or chicken livers fished on the bottom at night, works well for bullhead. A website provides periodic updated photos of the Bay. Go to wunderground/webcams/towerclimber/1/show.html. *WESTERN TROUT STREAMS: All of the areas trout streams are in fair to good fishing shape with moderate to slightly lower flows. There are some small, sporadic hatches of tricos, isonychia and blue-winged olives happening in the area. Terrestrials such as ant dry flies, foam beetles, grasshopper and cricket patterns will take trout. Fish these patterns on a dead drift, giving a slight twitch every now and again to imitate a struggling insect. Productive offerings for spinning anglers include worms, salted minnows and small inline spinners. If you are a catch-and-release angler and use spinners, it is a good practice to outfit your spinners with a single hook rather than a treble hook. The approach you take to the stream can dramatically affect your catch rate. Trout can see the movement of an angler and hide before the angler even realizes he/she is close to a fish. The wise angler will take a tip from his hunting buddies and wear at least a camouflage hat and vest. In fact, it’s a good idea to wear camouflage clothing when fishing year round. In the thin water of autumn, it is important to not only wear camouflage but also creep into position and cast while kneeling to hide from the wary trout. Western New York anglers have a variety of Wild Trout Streams and Stocked Trout Streams to choose from. In addition, Public Fishing Rights Maps are available for many of the areas best trout streams. *SILVER LAKE: Working the weed beds is a good start for bluegill, perch and some crappie. Some days provide non-stop action on bluegills and on others action is slow. Most fish are small but reports have some sizeable bluegills included. There are some reports of fair bass action but no details. (Reports are needed. Use our contact page.) *CONESUS LAKE: The lake has been fishing well for bass with the eastern shore showing the better smallmouth bite. A mix of baits has been working. Jig and pig, creature baits, drop shotting and just about any other method will fool the largemouth. Colors vary according to the water clarity. Watermelon Red, Kudzu, and Green pumpkin have been very good. Weather conditions and the amount of natural light can determine where the fish position, so pay attention and adjust your bait presentation accordingly. Pike have been active at the south end, hitting sucker chubs all hours of the day. For lake conditions at the north end check out conesuscam/links.htm#. (Reports are needed. Use our contact page.) *HEMLOCK LAKE: Lots of bass and bluegills being seen in the shallows but the bite is slow. A few bass are being picked up on plastics fished in the grass in 12 to 18 fow. A suggestion for trout is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. Try for the browns and rainbows up higher and the lakers lower. (Reports are needed. Use our contact page.) *CANADICE LAKE: Try for lakers trolling at 80-90 feet flat lining off planer boards using firetiger stickbaits. Some are being found shallower. A suggestion for the browns and rainbows is to fish the 20 to 50 fow level with medium spoons in black and glow, purple, hot pink or orange crush. (Reports are needed. Use our contact page.) *HONEOYE LAKE: The walleye bite has slowed from a month ago but fish are still being caught. Trollers and drifters are moving slowly with bottom-bouncing rigs rigged with small worm harnesses; depths as shallow as 15 feet can hold ’eye schools. You can also try jigging in about 10 fow with chartreuse jigs and spinner jig heads. The bass fishing has been on and off for anglers. Try the 6-8 foot depth range. Move in and out until you find their desired depth on a particular day. Some days, that depth will change quickly as the water warms up after a cool night. One report had “wacky rigged Zoom trick worms” doing well. If the bite slows or stops, switch to a Texas rigged worm or baby brush hog. As the water cools more, flip the thicker weeds or downsize and throw 4 inch worms or french fries. If water conditions are murky use baits that make some vibration or noise and your catch rate should increase. Give baits and presentations time to work, but if you dont catch fish, change color, presentations and last locations. Larger panfish were reported being caught on small jig spinners, similar to the Beetle Spin. The key to triggering a bite was to retrieve the bait very, very slowly. (Reports are needed. Use our contact page.) *CANANDAIGUA LAKE: Overall, fishing remains slow on the lake. Try trolling spoons or flasher and flies for lakers and a few rainbows at 40 to 80 feet over a 100 to 200 foot bottom. Like the other Finger Lakes, anglers are using a variety of methods to get baits down. A good starting point has been 150 feet for wire and divers and 250 feet for copper. Jigging blade baits and spoons at 100 feet also is reported to be working. Trolling at 30 feet is working for rainbows. The bass have been active. The water is clear, and it helps to make long casts to your targeted area. Several baits have been effective, especially wacky rigged Zoom Trick Worms. Colors varied with light conditions. Use darker baits under low light and more colorful baits when it was sunny. Keep your boat moving until you find fish, then work the area slowly. Yellow perch and bluegills were hitting in shallow water for anglers using minnows and small jigs. One report, “Perch fishing real good on the south end in about 12-16 feet of water right before it drops off to 50-60 feet, using a worm hook and worms with a split shot about 12-18 inches from the bait. Jig it vertically from the bottom to about 1 foot off the bottom. Pickerel were hitting on stick-baits and J-plugs while trolling in 10-15 fow on the south end. Green and white were working colors. Weed mats and fleas are still present making trolling difficult. It may pay to vertical jig instead or try flea-flicker lines. (Reports are needed. Use our contact page.) *WANETA/LAMOKA LAKES: Try for bluegills using worms, rubber worms, crabs and spinnerbaits. Also try for yellow perch with minnows fished in 15 fow. Crappies are hitting small minnows and jigs in the canal between the lakes. On Lamoka Lake fishing is slow. For best results try a bobber at about 3 feet up while fishing in 6 fow. Pickerel action ranges is fair. Cast and retrieve an orange spinner jig head with a green or yellow jig. Size depends on depth. For best results try 8 fow and work your way out to 14. Check out the Waneta Web Cam wanetawebcam/. (Reports are needed. Use our contact page.) *KEUKA LAKE: Try trolling at 50 – 100 feet down for lake trout. Flasher and flies, or spoons are both producing fish but the bite has slowed. For vertical jigging work from 50 feet down to 10 feet off bottom at the south end and/or at 55 - 75 feet around the Bluff and Branchport arm. Flasher and flies, spoons and plugs are working. Green and silver are good colors. From reports Trout Killers are also doing good. Some Atlantics and rainbows are showing up at 40-55 feet. Try the north ends for perch and bass. Some large rockbass have also been caught. (Reports are needed. Use our contact page.) *SENECA LAKE: Look for good lake trout fishing on the lake. Try trolling in 40 to 80 fow over a 80 to 200 foot bottom, with flasher-flys in green or white, stickbaits or black and purple spoons. Running Dipseys back 200 to 250 feet is a good starting point. Fluorescent rainbow trout, silver, orange/silver and silver/green have also been productive spoon colors. You can also try jigging for lakers with a Swedish Pimple or a large spoon in the north portion of the lake, along the west side, off the points in 60 – 90 fow. Some anglers are recommending using 1 1/2 oz jig heads with white Swim Fishes at 85 - 120 fow. Some browns, rainbows and Atlantic salmon were hitting stickbaits, streamers and spoons trolled near surface down to 65 feet. Good colors to try silver and black, silver and blue or silver and chartreuse. Shore anglers were getting brown trout just before dark on live bait and also on stickbaits fished near the surface. Reminder: catch limit on western Finger Lakes, beginning with Seneca Lake, is one rainbow a day. Yellow perch are being caught around the lake on small minnows or worms fished in the 10 - 55 foot range. Also try 2 clear/chartreuse lures. Avacado Glitter SBGG88 was a specific color mentioned. Better action spots are around Severne and Sampson State Park. Casters working from shore or along the shallows with boats, are also finding some monster sunfish. The north end of Seneca is a good spot for bass in 12 to 20 fow. Try tube jigs, plastic stick worms and drop-shot rigs. Pumpkin green and watermelon are good colors for plastics. *CAYUGA LAKE: Anglers trolling 50 to 80 feet down over 120 to 200 feet of water are getting some lake trout and a few rainbow and brown trout. Darker colored spoons seem to be working better than flasher and flies lately. A variety of methods are being used to get lures down, such as using wire with divers (200 feet back), copper (300 feet back), lead-core and down riggers. Vertical jigging is also producing fish in 50 to 95 foot of water with a variety of plastics working. Michigan Stingers (smelt pattern) is a specific lure reported effective both trolling and drifting. Green has been a hot color for the lakers. Better spots were off Taughannock Point and Milliken. Anglers fishing the north end were getting some nice perch in 8 to 16 fow on green Mr. Twisters. Largemouth bass are being found around the lake along outside weed edges. Best tactics included chatterbaits, senkos and jigs. Go a little deeper - 15 to 20 feet. Some good pickerel fishing can also be found on the lake. Weed mats seem to be less of a nuisance, but it does vary by day and wind direction. *SKANEATELES LAKE: Smallmouth bass fishing continues to be good with fish being found shallower then they have been, with 10 to 25 foot being a good depth range to try. Good baits are drop-shot rigs and tube jigs. Live crayfish also are working well. Rock bass are also hitting for anglers targetting smallmouths. Yellow perch are being found in 20 to 30 fow with small minnows. Bass anglers have been doing fair with smallmouth in 10 to 30 fow. Try near shore with topwaters, and stick worms (some examples are Senkos, Stik-Os and Yum Dingers). If that doesnt work try moving deeper with drop-shot rigs, tube jigs or crayfish. Some nice catches of perch, sunfish and bullhead have been reported from the southern end. Some lake trout and rainbow trout are being found 35 to 65 feet down over 100 - 200 feet of water. Trolling with small spoons is working. Shore anglers are catching some rainbow trout on the south end fishing a worm under a bobber in 10 to 30 foot of water. (Reports are needed. Use our contact page.) *OWASCO LAKE: Jigging is producing lake trout in 60 to 90 feet of water. It varies by day on whether plastics or spoons are working better, so give both a try. Lake trout, and occasional rainbows, are also being taken by anglers trolling spoons 40 to 75 feet down over 90 to 150 feet of water. A variety of methods are working to get baits down: wire with divers, copper (300 feet has been a good starting point) and down riggers. Good rainbow action is reported on bright colored spoons on lead core line and riggers fished around the thermocline. Both the north and south ends are producing fish. One angler suggested launching at Emerson Park, at the north end, and then trolling south at about 40-75 ft down over whatever with medium/small spoons off downriggers and also flashers and spinners/fly off dipseys trolled at a medium fast 2.5-3.0 speed. You should connect with rainbows and lakers at the least. If you fish Seth Green rigs dont be afraid to troll right down the middle of the lake with a mixture of spoon sizes. Try drifting the weed line in 5-20 fow for perch and gills using sonars and harnesses. A dropshot rig with a small Berkley gulp minnow has been working on perch in 25-30 fow. Live fathead minnows work too. Smallmouth bass and rock bass are hitting tube jigs and drop-shot rigs fished in 10 to 30 feet of water. Bullhead action continues at the southern end for anglers using night crawlers and live crabs during evening hours. (Reports are needed. Use our contact page.) *OTISCO LAKE: Bass anglers are having some success in15 to 25 fow, using shallow diving crankbaits and a variety of plastics on the north end. Anglers have also been getting some tiger musky, on spinnerbaits and/or 4 to 5 shiners, in addition to the above mentioned baits, at the north end of the lake. Walleye are being taken by anglers trolling stick baits 15 to 25 feet down after dark. Also some are hitting for anglers casting stickbaits from shore after dark, however, aquatic vegetation makes shore casting more difficult. The lake is being drawn down, so use caution when boating. (Reports are needed. Use our contact page.) *EASTERN TROUT STREAMS: Fly anglers can try the appropriate imitation dry flies or sub-surface with nymphs such as stoneflies, hares ear, pheasant tails and caddisflies. Offerings for spinning anglers include worms, salted minnows and small inline spinners. If you are a catch-and-release angler and use spinners, it is a good practice to outfit your spinners with a single hook rather than a treble hook. Some of the Finger Lakes tribs have a few brown trout. The approach you take to the stream can dramatically affect your catch rate. Trout can see the movement of an angler and hide before the angler even realizes he/she is close to a fish. The wise angler will take a tip from his hunting buddies and wear at least a camouflage hat and vest. In fact, it’s a good idea to wear camouflage clothing when fishing year round. In the thin water of autumn, it is important to not only wear camouflage but also creep into position and cast while kneeling to hide from the wary trout. New York anglers have a variety of Wild Trout Streams and Stocked Trout Streams to choose from. In addition, Public Fishing Rights Maps are available for many of the areas best trout streams. *WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR: Walleye action continues at a fair pace around the islands on the reservoir. Decent numbers but not many of legal size (18 inches). Try drifting with worms or minnows or using bucktail jigs, twister tails, and crankbaits. Tipping jigs with nightcrawler or leeches has increased success. Some white crappie and bluegills are being taken on small minnows and jigs fished near shore. A few yellow perch are hitting on fathead minnows. Smallmouth bass fishing has been fair along shore with stick worms, crankbaits, jigs and crayfish all working. (Reports are needed. Use our contact page.) *SANDY POND: The weeds on the pond are thick making it difficult to fish. The northern pike bite continues at a slow pace. Trolling is difficult in the weedy conditions so plastics or floating a minnow under a bobber are good applications to try. Walleyes are spotty. Worm harnesses, crankbaits and jigging with bucktail jigs tipped with a worm take some fish. Live minnows under a float and small light jigs under a casting bobber are working for crappie. Look for fair largemouth bass action. Early and later in the day seem to be the most productive times. For bullhead try evening fishing from shore with worms and leeches. (Reports are needed. Use our contact page.) *ONONDAGA LAKE: Honeywell is dredging the lakes southern end for contaminants - a project expected to be finished this year and finished off with a cap of clay, sand and gravel by 2016. The area is a major spawning area for smallmouth and largemouth bass. Fishing in areas that arent being dredged is reported to be good. One angler reports catching about 50 smallmouth bass in a couple of hours. Many were in the 3-, 4- and 5-pound range. Its also not uncommon for anglers to catch large tiger muskies, walleyes - even brown trout. Other fish species present are bluegill; pumpkinseed; yellow perch; common carp; channel catfish; brown bullhead and crappie. (Reports are needed. Use our contact page.) *ONEIDA LAKE: The walleye bite continues and they are being taken on bucktail jigs tipped with nightcrawlers, stick baits, jigging blade baits (gold or fire-tiger) or by trolling worm harnesses in 20 to 40 foot of water. Casting jigs or stickbaits from shore after dark is also working. Reports vary on the degree of the bite. The walleye are feeding on small yellow perch so fishing small perch colored baits should also be good. Bass fishing has been hot and cold for anglers fishing around the shoals with drop-shot rigs or tube baits. Cooler temperatures will probably start to push walleye into shallower waters in the near future. Fall tactics for walleye are casting the shoreline with small stickbaits when they finally do move into the shallows. Fishing spinnerbaits or chatterbaits in 5 to 8 foot of water is also working for bass. Keep an eye out for birds diving; when bass are feeding on young of the year (YOY) gizzard shad or yellow perch they often drive them to the surface. Terns and gulls take advantage of this and can be seen from a long ways off as the dive to catch the shad or perch. Bass usually dont stay up long during this, so you need to get to the area quickly. Casting topwaters, lipless crankbaits, chatterbaits, swimbaits or stickbaits into these feeding fish can produce some exciting action when this is taking place. Chain pickerel fishing has also been good on the lake. Toss out anything flashy and you should catch fish. The perch action has slowed. Fish in 10 to 20 feet of water using fathead minnows or jigs tipped with a piece of worm, spikes or a small crayfish. One suggestion received – Fish around the islands, using dropshots and fathead minnows or just worms in about 12 feet of water. *LAKE ONTARIO - EAST: The salmon are starting to turn color and staging is occurring, although they are still scattered. Salmon are being found both shallow and deep. Look for salmon in 50 to 90 foot of water around river mouths and also out over 250 foot plus of water. Flasher flies, like our locally produced A-Tom-Mik flies, have been enticing the larger fish to bite. NKs, Stingers, Dreamweavers and cutbait are also proving successful. All the colors in the spectrum are working but green is preferred. Take your pick. Some salmon are also being taken by anglers casting glow in the dark spoons off piers after dark. Plugs have started to come on lately so don’t be afraid to throw one out! Many kings are 25 to 30 pounds, which can give you a pretty powerful fight. Anglers trolling near shore waters (40-80 fow) with spoons (flatlining) or stickbaits (minnow imitating lures like Storm Thunderstiks, Smithwick Rougues, and Rapalas) (downriggers) are catching rainbows, some browns, cohos and occasional Atlantics. Start your trip early before the sun scares the skittish trout. As the sun rises continue moving to deeper water. Fish have been caught from near shore out to about 400 feet of water. Bass should be in more shallow water, 8-12 foot range. Soft shell crabs, bass minnows, nightcrawlers, crankbaits and plastic worms should work well. Crappie are slow to show in numbers at the docks. For more information on fishing the big lake view, Trolling for Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon. *LAKE ONTARIO – EAST - TRIBS: Look for some action with mainly warm water species. There are a few salmon reported staging off the mouths but not a large number of them. A few have been reported entering Maxwell Creek. Rain is needed to trigger some action. *WAYNE COUNTY BAYS: While waiting for the autumn salmon run you can easily cast into the channels at Port and Sodus Bays. Some big kings come out of the water from pier fishing. Use braided line and a nice stiff rod and cast “Cleos” out in the channel. Sounds simple, but this has work for years. Bass fishing remains good on the bays and very little competition. Start shallow and work out towards the outside weed edges. Try spinnerbaits, buzz baits and stick worms (some examples are Senkos, Stik-Os, and Yum Dingers). On Sodus Bay pike are roaming near the islands. Fish the pike with spoons or still fish with minnows. Crappies and rockbass are suspended close to shore in 15 feet of water and bullheads are hitting near the south end of the bay. Port Bay has good action on crappie, bluegills and perch around the bay especially off the points and drop-offs. Work the 3-5 foot level with red/white, 1-1.5 inch jigs under a bobber. Fish near the reeds. Nice largemouth are being caught in Port and Blind Sodus Bays using some rubber shads. On Blind Sodus Bay pike are providing some action. You can also fish for nice bass, crappies and bluegills along with pike and catfish near the Widewaters of the Erie Canal but be prepared for heavy boat traffic. The cats like the deeper pools. Cast out cut bait or dough balls and prepare for a great fight. Some nice walleye are also being caught in Lyons and Palmyra sections of the canal. Jig for them with purple buck tails. Put a piece of worm on the end. You can launch at Clyde or Newark or fish along the shoreline. Wayne County offers a Fishing Brochure which features where to go, what to use, and what to catch. Call 1-800-527-6510 for a free fishing packet, including the new brochure. On Fairhaven Bay (Cayuga County) There is lots of fun to be had in the bay, fishing for bass, pan fish, and sheephead. The area surrounding Grassy Island has been holding plenty of sunfish and rock bass. From reports perch are staged just outside the harbor and should move into the bay in the near future. *MONROE COUNTY WATERS: Both bays and the ponds should be good spots to try for bass and perch. Start shallow and work out towards the outside weed edges. Try spinnerbaits, stick worms (some examples are Senkos, Stik-Os, and Yum Dingers). Rock bass are biting on worms in the shallows. No word on salmon in the river but a few are showing up at the piers. (Reports are needed. Use our contact page.) *SALMON RIVER: There are reports of good numbers of salmon being spotted in the estuary and numbers are increasing in the river. In the estuary there’s a decent bite going on in 10-30 feet of water off the river mouth. Floating egg sacs and light tackle are working. Anglers have reported getting into some kings, cohos and trout in the Upper and Lower Fly Zone. Other reports come from Town, Sportsman and Trestle Pools, along with the estuary, Black Hole, Ellis Cove and Schoolhouse. One recommendation received is to fish the largest, deepest, major holes from the top of the river to the bottom and try to stay in the fast water or fish the lower river and hope for a good run of fresh salmon. If not seeing fish try moving up or down the river. During bright sunny days fishing early and late in the day produces more action. Some lunker smallmouth bass are also being caught in the deep holes and occasionally anglers catch an Atlantic salmon. *OSWEGO RIVER: There are salmon coming into the river and a few are reported at the dam but not a large number. Try egg sacs, egg imitating plastics, skein under a float, Hot-N-Tots, deep-diving Jr. Thundersticks and flies. Driftboats are finding a good morning bite. Bass can be found throughout the river and harbor. Crayfish, minnows, crankbaits and plastics will work. There are a good number of sheepshead/freshwater drum being taken with crayfish. Anglers are also finding panfish, catfish, and carp throughout the river. Remember the bridge to Leto Island is closed, and there are Mandatory Personal Flotation Device (PFD) zones on the Oswego River below the Varick Dam. For more information on the Brookfield Varick Fish Safely Brochure go to visitoswegocounty/wp-content/uploads/Brookfield-Varick-Fish-Safely-Brochure-FINAL9.11-lowres.pdf. *OTHER WATERS: The Chemung, Chenango, Tioughnioga and Unadilla Rivers are fishable but reported action is slow. Walleye were hitting on hair jigs with brown or brown and orange working well. Tipping them with a piece of nightcrawler has also been helping. Fish near bottom. Channel catfish are hitting on cut-bait fished in the deeper holes. Smallmouth bass fishing has been slow on the rivers but should be picking up. Suggested baits would be tube jigs or crayfish. Quaker Lake (Cattaraugus County) was stocked with 100 24-inch brown trout from the DEC Randolph Hatchery. Additional waters in Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties will be stocked with broodstock trout over the next couple weeks. All breeder trout stocked are over 2 years old and are stocked in waters where trout fishing is permitted year-round. >>))))*> THIS WEEK’S ANGLER EVENTS: (For complete future listings go to huntfishnyoutdoors/events.php) 4 - Seager Marine Fall Fishing Tournament on Canandaigua Lake at the City Pier, Canandaigua.. There will be 3 divisions (trout, perch, and bass). Top weight in each division will win a $100 gift card from Seager Marine plus 1/3 the proceeds. (Entry fee is $20) (For details and registration forms go to the Seager Marine website - Seagermarine.) 4 - Arcadia Bass Anglers Sodus Bay Fishing Derby (For information go to arcadiabassanglers/) 4 - Southern Tier Bassmasters Honeoye Lake Open Team Event at the State Launch, Honeoye, NY. (6:45 am – 3:00 pm) (Entry fee: $55.00 per two) Entry must be received by 5:00 pm, Tuesday, September 30, 2014. All late entries must be accompanied by additional $10 late fee. CA$H ONLY at the launch! (For information call 315-597-4405) 11 – Conesus Lake Open Fishing Tournament at the State Launch sponsored by the Oak Orchard River Bassmasters. (Registration – 6:00 am/Start Fishing 7:00 am/End – 3:00 pm) (Entry Fee: $60 - cash only - per boat) (For information go to orleanscountybass/) 11-12 - 8th Annual Southern Tier Outdoor Show at Wilkins RV, Bath, NY (9:00 am – 5:00 pm) Free seminars on bass fishing, NY black bear, fishing from shore, trout streams of NY, river recreation, invasive insects, food plots, women and archery, retriever training and tracking wounded deer. For youth – fishing, archery, turkey calling and petting zoo. (For information call 607-664-2300 or go to SouthernTierOutdoorShow) 12 - Finger Lakes Open Bass Tournament – Keuka Lake Megabucks. Meet at Penn Yan launch. (For information contact Tucker Kautz 607-227-5937 or email Kautzt86@yahoo)
Posted on: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 23:18:29 +0000
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