Weekly Fishing Report

The LOC Derby kicked off with an early Grand Prize leader out of Olcott when Scott Schneegas of Mohawk, NY, reeled in a 23-pound, 11-ounce salmon. The top brown trout is out of Olcott, a 12-pound, 13-ounce fish reeled in by Charlie Bruning of Gasport. Olcott also has the leading steelhead so far, an 11-pound, 7-ounce fish weighed in by Billie Oxenrider of Spring Glen, PA. Leading Lake trout so far is a 20-pound, 10-ounce fish hauled in by Jan Chybinski of Mexico, NY, while fishing near Henderson Harbor.

Capt. Roy Letcher of Dirty Goose Sportfishing reports that the water has turned cold out of Olcott in the last few days, and fishing has slowed. However, this southwest wind coming should help set the lake back up again. Best depths for him have been 100 to 300 feet of water, putting flasher/flies and meat rigs around the bait pods and marks on the screen for locating fish. Spoons are still working for steelhead and the occasional brown trout.

According to Capt. Matt Yablonsky of Wet Net Charters, the east wind over the weekend stirred the lake up a bit and spread the fish out. The bite is anywhere from 70 to 400 feet of water now. Spoons, meat rigs and flasher/flies are all working. Kings, coho salmon, steelhead and an occasional laker are all being caught. His suggestion for right now is not to be species-specific. Put a spread out throughout the whole water column and take what the lake gives you.

The moss in the lower Niagara River has been less of a factor this past week, although it’s still present. Smallmouth bass are the number one target, with fish available throughout the entire river system. Top baits have been tube jigs, dropshots, and spinnerbaits for artificial presentations, while crawfish and golden shiners presented on 3-way rigs are steady producers for live bait enthusiasts. Walleyes are being caught on worm harnesses and jigs, but the best action should start up soon, targeting the traditional drifts like Stella, Queenston, and the Niagara Bar. The upper Niagara River (above Niagara Falls) is producing some nice bass in both the west and east branches. Target current breaks such as around docks and rocks with spinnerbaits, swimbaits, and drop-shotting worms. Live bait, such as crawfish, is also working, presented on a dropshot or three-way rig.

Last Saturday was a double hit of youthful fishing events. About 60 young anglers enjoyed a day of fishing last Saturday at the Town of Niagara’s Veterans Park, catching bluegill and largemouth bass while enjoying a beautiful day outdoors. The leading bass was caught by Jack Filosofos of GJ Mann Elementary School with a 13-inch beauty.

In Olcott, over 150 kids turned out for the Hooks for Harry contest, and the highlight was the handing out of 8 lifetime licenses to the lucky kids from the generous folks at The Boat Doctors and Tackle Barn, Jim and Karen Evarts. Thank you! Vic Thibault and his crew of merry fishing elves kept the memory of young Harry Hazlett alive in Olcott by running a first-class youth derby. Nice show!

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