Western New York

Lake Erie and tributaries: Action in the tributaries has been
good. Most steelhead/rainbow trout are actively spawning right now
so catch-and-release is recommended. Eighteen Mile Creek has been
one of the better tribs, but Canadaway, Chautauqua and Silver have
been producing fish. Dunkirk Harbor has been producing some trout
off the pier and fishing platform. A jig fished under a float has
been the best technique, but spoons, spinners and stick baits will
catch you fish, too. Bullhead have also been hitting in the harbor
east of the Clarion. Barcelona Harbor trout fishing has been good,
with mostly steelhead being caught off the pier.

Lake Ontario and tributaries: Terry Swann at Wilson reports some
great bullhead action in the west branch of 12 Mile Creek and
perch, as well as crappie, are being caught in the harbor. Brown
trout fishing has been good for casters off the piers, using spoons
and spinners. Browns, steelhead, along with some warm water species
like bass and pike, were being reported off the Olcott piers. In
the harbor, as waters clear and levels come down, perch and crappie
action will pick up. Steelhead fishing at Burt Dam and 18 Mile
Creek has also been improving, as conditions get better. Keg Creek
to the east has been producing some nice trout catches, but you
have to wade through the suckers that are now in pretty heavy. 

Lower Niagara River: Steelhead are available in the river, but
fishing was tough because of the ice and because of the influx of
smelt into the system.

Upper Niagara River: You can cast for trout along the Army Corps
wall at Squaw Island with spoons or spinners.

Chautauqua Lake: Crappie have been hitting at Smith Boys Marina
,according to Craig Robbins. Target the shallows inside of eight
feet. Best bait has been a 1/64th ounce jig head with a one-inch
tube. Color pattern has been a white head and pink tail, tipped off
with a minnow. That same technique will also work off Rock Island
(outside the buoys near Lakewood Rod and Gun Club) hanging just off
the island in six feet of water or less.

Bill Hilts, Jr.

(www.outdoorsniagara.com)

(716) 679-ERIE.