Weekly Fishing Report

Warming air temperatures have increased water temperatures, slowing the trout bite. Baits intended for trout have been intercepted by smallmouth, walleye, and musky as those species begin their spring feed.

Remember to quickly release any non-target out-of-season species, but remember that walleye season does open on May 1, along with pike, pickerel and inland tiger musky. That said, there are still scattered numbers of browns, steelhead, and lake trout throughout the river system. Minnows and Maglips are the top baits to target all three species of trout.

The Niagara Bar is starting to pick up for brown trout and lake trout on minnows and Maglips. Salmon have started to show up, too – just in time for the spring LOC Derby that will be held May 2-11. The Wicked Worm is a new weigh station for the derby this year. The docks at Fort Niagara are now in and ready for the upcoming derby.

Speaking of the Wicked Worm, Alan Raymond reports that smallmouth bass had a heavy presence the past week in the river, with anglers using smaller 3-inch swimbaits, tubes, and Ned rigs. Some browns are being caught as an incidental catch to the bass. Steelhead are being caught by jigging nightcrawlers.

Capt. Tyler Siegmann of CGF Guide Service fished over the weekend and caught a good number of smallmouth bass with several in the 5-pound range. All fish were taken on swim baits. Fish were taken at the Cliffs drift and in the lake in front of Fort Niagara. The river temperature was sitting at 47 degrees and the water was still slightly stained, with about 3-4 feet of visibility. Out in the lake, outside of the flow from the river, the water is crystal clear. Siegmann ran a few drifts through Artpark as well, and picked up a steelhead and a lake trout on beads. Kings and browns being caught on top of the bar.

Up in the gorge, Mike Ziehm of Niagara Falls did well over the weekend on lake trout in Devil’s Hole. Water had some slight color to it and was around 5 feet where he was. Best bait was a white bucktail jig. The water temperature is rising quickly, turning on warm water species. Tommy Holycross of Wheatfield had a good day on the NYPA platform, catching a new personal best steelhead. He was using a white paddle tail with a bottom bouncer weight.

Out in the lake, Capt. Joe Oakes of Salmonboy Charters reports that the salmon bite is good right now. Salmon are showing up in Niagara County waters between 60 to 150 feet of water. Best baits have been spoons, flasher/flies and stick baits. All are catching fish.

If you want some tips on spring salmon fishing, LOTSA’s At the Dock seminar with Capt. Matt Yablonsky on May 1st at Bootleggers Cove Marina in Wilson starting at 7 p.m.

Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctors and Tackle Barn in Olcott reports that kings are starting to wake up off Olcott and Wilson in 80 to 100 feet of water. Browns, Coho salmon and lake trout are also plentiful. Some browns are still being caught off the piers. Harbor action is mostly panfish. Evarts is a weigh station for the LOC Derby as well. Check out details at www.loc.org.

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