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On this page is the complete, uncut, unabridged, unedited version of the weekend fishing forecast

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Up to date fishing report for your weekend fishing;
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 3 2012   
Weekly Weekend Fishing Report and Weather Forecast [at top]

1. Lake Ontario and Tributaries ~      Tributary action has been tough of late. The snow from last weekend all melted by Tuesday ,creating more turbid water conditions in most of the streams. The only stream that saw any amount of successful action this past week was Keg Creek east of Olcott. Steelhead were cooperating for egg sack fishermen. Burt Dam and 18 Mile Creek was muddy and posing a problem for casters. Twelve mile Creek and Four mile creek were both muddy going into the weekend, too. Once the water starts to come down and clear up, there should be plenty of fish around to keep you busy. Don’t rule out the piers reports Wes Walker at The Slippery Sinker. Casting hardware like spoons and spinners should be a viable option when the waters clear. The recent mild weather and rain cleared most of those structures of any ice. Remember that the next meeting of the Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association is Feb. 9 at Cornell Cooperative Extension Niagara starting at 7p.m. Among their agenda items will be taking care of business in readying for their Lake Ontario Fishing Expo on Feb. 26 and Salmon School on Feb. 25. There are still some openings for their Youth Fishing Class on Feb. 26 from 1:30 to 3p.m. Register for the School or Class at www.lotsa.org The DEC State of Lake Ontario Public Presentation is set for March 1 in Lockport at Cooperative Extension starting at 6:30 p.m.

2. Lower Niagara River ~          The combination of snow,r ain and some more unseasonably mild winter weather has led to a continuation of unstable conditions in the Niagara River. Toss in some strong winds and it created some chocolate milk-like conditions in the River, shutting things down for most of the week. If the winds on Wednesday didn’t pose too much of a threat, the lower river could be fishable by this weekend, but you will have to play things by ear. Prior to this most recent storm surge, the Niagara Bar had been hot for lakers and brown trout. Bob Franczak of Ransomville reports that he did well using Berkley Gulp Smelt fished off three-way rigs when live minnows weren’t available. Of course, live minnows and Kwikfish will always catch you fish, too, if the water is clear enough. In the River itself, Devil’s Hole has been a good spot for steelhead and browns when the fish can see your baits. Use egg sacks or minnows to entice your fish to hit. Shore fishermen are also doing well on egg sacks, egg imitations and a variety of hardware. The Niagara River Anglers Association’s Roger Tobey Memorial Steelhead Contest is set for Feb. 18. Register off the website at www.niagarariveranglers.com or stop in at Creek Road Bait and Tackle in Lewiston. You must be an NRAA member to participate. New this year is a $5 side pot for biggest brown trout.
    Drop Shotting the Niagara River and Lakes! HERE Out Doors Niagara Exclusive!

3. Upper Niagara River -       Turbid water conditions limited activity all week.

4. Lake Erie and tributaries ~      All the tributaries as of this report were high and muddy. The smaller streams could be fishable by the weekend if there’s no more rain or other precipitation. Egg sacs, egg imitations, trout beads or jigs fished under a float and tipped with a wax worm or spike are all good methods for taking trout. In Dunkirk Harbor, the fish platform and city pier are both good spots to cast spoons or spinners to take trout. If you prefer live bait, minnows fished under a bobber is the way to go.

5. Chautauqua Lake ~        Believe it or not, some ice fishermen were venturing out on the lake last weekend, with up to four inches of ice being reported according to Craig Robbins. After a week of mild weather, though, it is recommended to stay off the ice until we get some more cold weather. The areas that saw some activity where around Long Point in 20 feet of water for perch; around the islands (Rock and Grass) for perch and bluegill. As of Wednesday, there was open water in the narrows and in the southern basin. Wait for more cold weather before attempting any hard water action.

6. Finger Lakes/Inland Waters ~ 

Silver Lake – This was still a viable hard water lake last weekend, with good ice of four inches and action for big bluegills, perch and crappie keeping anglers busy. With the mild weather, though, caution is advised.

Seneca lake – Perch are being reported at the south end around Watkins Glen in 25-30 feet of water. Best baits have been spikes and fathead minnows. Pier action has been good for perch, slab blue gills and a few bass. Some trollers have been taking advantage of active trout and salmon in the top 45 feet of water over 65 to 75 foot depths.

If you have fishing information you would like to share please post it on the Outdoors Niagara Forum HERE

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From a prior weeks Hilts Locator and its about dropshotting for bass: [Lake Erie] Capt. Jim Hanley sends word that just prior to the Labor Day weekend and the nasty weather he had experienced some of his best fishing of the year around Sturgeon Point, Myers Reef and Seneca Shoal. You could catch all the 14-15-inch smallmouth bass you wanted in 25 feet of water or you could slide out a bit deeper – out to 45 feet – to catch some bigger fish up to 5 pounds, six ounce for him. He had back to back days of 120 bass coming to the boat. Top bait was crayfish and Gulp green worms fished on a drop shot rig. « Go to Link

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Drop Shotting the Niagara River and Lakes! HERE ODN Exclusive!  
A perch killer at Seneca Lake tipped with live minnows!- Feel everything -Almost weedless!

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