Weekly Fishing Report

Pacific salmon remains the top target for anglers on the Lower Niagara River. The peak of the run is occurring now, and it may be slightly past the peak. That said, kings are still being taken by drifting treated egg skein off 3-way rig set-ups in the Devil’s Hole area.

No trout action has been reported, and we are probably still three weeks or longer away from any consistent action for steelhead or brown trout activity. We need the water temperatures to drop, and some cold rain will help. S

mallmouth bass action continues to be hit and miss, with some nice fish being reported throughout the river. Top artificial baits have been swimbaits and tubes, but live bait fished off 3-way rigs have been the most reliable presentation.

Walleye fishing has also been hit and miss but there are still some nice fish being taken in the traditional drifts like Stella and the Green Can in Lake Ontario.

Mike Ziehm of Niagara Falls reports that he has seen plenty of salmon action by using his homemade chartreuse No. 4 spinners and his glow No. 4 spinners at night. Last week’s rain didn’t do much for the river. Half of the salmon are up high in the gorge, and the other half are lower in the river system. Brown trout and steelhead are starting to trickle in. The water is still way too warm. We need more cold nights and rain, according to Ziehm. Try drifting treated egg skein under a slip bobber from shore for a good chance at catching a salmon.

Tommy Holycross of Wheatfield hit a nice limit of walleyes off the NYPA fishing platform this past week. Pink beads with gold-bladed worm harnesses worked like magic for him.

Out in the lake, they are still catching salmon, steelhead, and some brown trout tight to the shoreline, reports Karen Evarts with The Boat Doctors and Tackle Barn in Olcott. It’s been a mix of meat rigs and spoons taking fish.

Capt. Taz Morrison of West End Charters hit a huge 12-pound walleye this week while trolling for salmon and trout off Wilson this week, his first one in 30 years of fishing the lake for salmon and trout. It was part of a doubleheader that Pat and Steve Peace from Pittsburgh caught that also included a salmon. The 'eye hit a Northern King spoon back 200 on the high diver. Perch and pike are being caught off the piers, along with the occasional salmon and trout, according to Evarts. Best baits for the bigger fish have been spoons, spinners, and J13 Rapalas.

Up at Burt Dam, it has been hit or miss on the fishing. One day, they get them. The next da,y not so much. Orange and pink colors are working when fish want to cooperate.

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