Weekly Fishing Report

Each week, catch up on a full report on where to fish, popular baits and lures, weather conditions and upcoming fishing tournaments and derbies. So whether you packed your tackle box, or hire a charter captain in Niagara Falls USA, a fishing adventure awaits – along with that catch of a lifetime!

Niagara Falls USA Weekly Fishing Report for June 20, 2019

Capt. Hank Condes of Wilson (Blade Runner Charters) said it best as he spoke to a group of front line tourism folks this week in Wilson Harbor: “June isn’t the transition month that it used to be!” The push is on to let everyone know that Lake Ontario is open for business … and that the fishing is great, even in June! Capt. Alan Sauerland with Instigator Charters has been fishing 55 to 75 feet down over 160 feet of water straight out from his home port of Wilson. Magnum spoons are the ticket with the best ones being Moonshine Geezer and Warrior pink spoiler or green spoiler patterns. They caught 25 salmon during this catch and release trip. Capt. Vince Pierleoni of Thrillseeker reports similar success out of Olcott, 60 to 80 feet down over 60 to 250 feet of water, also with Dreamweaver magnum and super slim spoons at the top of his list. Joe Oakes of Wilson was fishing out of Olcott this week and wanted to try and get his 300 and 400 foot copper lines a bit deeper so put on a J-plug for the heck of it. Yes, that plug took some hits, too. Next derby is the Lake Ontario Counties Trout and Salmon Derby that runs from June 29 to July 28. Grand prize is $10,000 for the biggest salmon and $32,000 in cash prizes overall. The NYS Summer Classic Tournament is July 1-August 31 with a $10,000 Grand Prize. It should be mentioned that nearly every launch ramp in Niagara County is opened. At Fort Niagara, Wilson-Tuscarora, and Golden Hill state parks you should have at least two people launching the boat due to some higher water around the launch. Bring along boots, too. If you don’t want to get your feet wet, the Town of Newfane Marina in Olcott has been able to adjust to keep the feet of boaters dry. The Town of Wilson launch is also a good one in the West Branch of 12 Mile Creek. Boat size there should be 20 foot or less. Don’t forget that the 5 mph speed limit in the lake is within 1,000 feet of the shoreline.

In the Niagara River, the dreaded moss is slowly starting to arrive on the scene as the river hit the 60 degree mark this week. In the lower Niagara River, there were still some steelhead around. Bass and walleye were cooperating, giving a nice mixed bag to anglers. Live bait like minnows fished off three-way rigs is a popular approach but bouncing bottom with a Strike King Zero cut down has been working for bass up to 5-1/2 pounds this past week. Swim baits and tubes will still work if the moss isn’t too bad. High water levels is making fishing tricky in the Devil’s Hole area and the NYPA fishing platform is under water. The speed limit is still in effect along the NY shoreline so run the middle of the river and take it easy. Upper river action for bass and walleye has also been decent, especially at the head of Strawberry Island. Worm harnesses, minnows, swim baits and tubes are all good baits to use. Make sure you mark your calendar for the Erie Canal Fishing Derby set for July 3-14. Also, next Saturday and Sunday, June 29-30, NYS will be offering up its free fishing weekend again. The Olcott Kids Fishing Derby normally held June 29 has been cancelled due to the high water around the docks.

Every week The Buffalo News gives outdoor sportsmen (and women) a full page of pertinent material as it relates to Western New York and beyond. Read more here.