Weekly Fishing Report

The water in the river got quite a bit of color through the weekend into this week, reports Capt. Matt Yablonsky of Wet Net Charters. The steelhead bite has been a little picky because it's getting closer to the spawn. Brown trout have been available to catch in nearly every drift from Devil’s Hole to the lake, including the Niagara Bar, according to Yablonsky. The best bait for him was using live minnows and fished off three-way rigs by bouncing bottom. He also caught walleyes while targeting them on certain drifts. Remember that walleye season closes at the end of the day on March 15.

Alan Raymond with The Wicked Worm in Youngstown reports the weather is starting to wake up, and so are the fish. Brown trout are being caught off the Fort Niagara docks using baitfish imitations like Little Cleo spoons. Emerald shiners have been the winning ticket in the river for the last week, everything from steelhead to brown trout and walleye. Raymond reminds everyone that his 2nd annual Spring Steelhead Slam is set for March 28 in the lower Niagara River and Lake Ontario tributaries from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Weigh-in at the Wicked Worm. Register at the store or online at www.thewickedworm.com.

The warmer temperatures and rain the last week have taken a toll on the water color in the lower river; however, there are still options to catch fish. Devil’s Hole still had good water color and produced good action over the weekend for a mix of species, with the best action being lake trout on live bait. A few steelhead and browns were found in the mix. That action slowed to start the week on Monday in Devil’s Hole, but the marginal water color didn’t stop the brown trout from responding to large shiners off three-way rigs in the slower drifts in the lower section of the river. Look for fishing to continue to be good to very good for the near future, as water color is improving daily.

Steve Brzuszkiewicz of Marilla has been hitting walleyes in the upper Niagara River at the foot of Ferry Street on Unity Island, casting ¾ to 1-ounce jigs tipped with plastic swim baits. Minnows were also effective baits to use.

Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctors and Tackle Barn in Olcott reports that there has been quite a bit of activity at Fisherman’s Park and Burt Dam on 18 Mile Creek this week, now that the streams are flowing. With heavy rain in the forecast on Wednesday, look for the creek to be high and muddy, but when flows come down, it should be great for both steelhead and brown trout. Top baits will be egg sacs, single eggs, or egg imitations. Also, white- or olive-colored jigs, beads in peach or blue, and live bait like wax worms should catch fish. Other creeks along the lake should also be flowing and hold fish after the rains settle things down. Colder weather is forecast for the end of this week.

There is an Antique Fishing Tackle Show on March 14 at the Elk’s Lodge on North Canal Road in Lockport from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association will be holding its annual pen rearing gathering for salmon and trout at the Town of Newfane Marina in Olcott on March 28, starting at 9 a.m. They will be assembling the pens and placing them in the water.

Sign up for a fishing tournament or derby in Niagara Falls USA. See the full schedule of events here.