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 January 20, 2021

Only 2 more months until Spring! The recent Western New York lake effect event missed us here in Niagara Falls USA once again, but the influences can still be felt by stained water in the Niagara River from the winds impacting Lake Erie. Lake Erie water temperatures are still above freezing and there is no ice, so a wide-open lake is susceptible to winds, rain, and snow – whatever Mother Nature dishes out to us this time of year. And it can change quickly!

Mike Ziehm of Niagara Falls was reporting 3 feet of visibility on Monday morning upstream of the power plant. He was landing brown trout, lake trout, rainbows, and steelhead for four days in a row. Jigs and spinners were the tools of his casting efforts. However, visibility turned to 1 foot at mid-day and the action was finished until things settle down again. More wind is on the way. Lisa Drabczyk with Creek Road Bait and Tackle in Lewiston said that beads and jigs tipped with a plastic shad minnow were working along Artpark before the water turned color. From boats, Capt. Matt Yablonsky of Wet Net Charters reports that the river is stained right now, and he has not been out this week yet. However, the bite was decent before the water got dirty. Devil’s Hole was giving up some feisty steelhead on egg sacs, fished off 3-way rigs. The Niagara Bar has been pretty good as well. There was a decent lake trout bite with some browns mixed in, again off 3-way set-ups. Emeralds and golden shiners were best out there, triggering consistent hits. An occasional king salmon has also been surprising anglers drifting around out on the Bar. If the wind does not blow too much, look for action to begin again by this weekend.

In the tributaries of Lake Ontario, Scott Feltrinelli with Ontario Fly Outfitters reports that scattered single trout are everywhere, but you must work for them. This is the usual winter fishing pattern that we are in right now. Waters are low and clear. Be stealthy on your approach. The streamer bite remains good. Karen Evarts at the Boat Doctors in Olcott reports that wax worms and spikes have been flying out of their 24-hour bait machine in front of their shop. Candy bars and floats, too. Fishing pressure has been light. With colder temperatures in the forecast, look for some icing up to take place in the smaller streams. Good luck out there and stay safe!

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

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.