Walleye Fishing Clubs - New York Walleye and Southtowns Walleye Associations
See how walleye fans keep these organizations afloat
Great story & brief history of these two clubs HERE
By Will Elliott

A Fish Odyssey 2008 Information HERE September 20 to 28

This is the complete, uncut, unabridged, unedited version of the weekend fishing forecast

Wilson NY Spring Steelhead Stocking  PHOTOS  / To see the picture of the week Look Here                      

Go to the Official DEC Press release regarding the VHS Disease in fish   

Niagara River Cabela's Masters Walleye Tournament story in photos HERE 

NEW BE AN ODN BOOSTER!! Outdoors Niagara Camo Hats ~ Go to our Mini-Store

 Be sure to vote in our NEW Mini-Poll HERE

For LOC photos & stories from the Niagara River/Lake Ontario/Youngstown area go to: 
LOC Derby on Outdoors Niagara  Stories & Photos exclusively on Outdoors Niagara!

See Hilts Algonquin Adventure Here ~ Story, Pictures, Video & Song

 Note: Hilts SUNDAY Outdoor Column appears on this website HERE  

WALLEYE CLASSIC Contest  Information is all right HERE!

CAPTAIN DOUG STEIN REMEMBERED 1947-2009

ATTENTION WINTER STEELHEADER'S! ~ INFORMATION HERE

FRIDAY JULY 3 2009 
Weekly Weekend Fishing Report and Weather Forecast
By Bill Hilts Jr.  

1. Lake Ontario and Tributaries ~   The big action was over the weekend at the kids fishing derby sponsored by the Town of Newfane Tourism Committee and the Newfane Lions Club. Over 125 kids participated in the contest held during the state’s Free Fishing Days weekend and it proved to be a resounding success. One of the big winners was 9 year old Jacob Dolan of Lewiston who earned one of the first place catches by reeling in a 30 inch northern pike. He also caught a 29 inch pike from the same waters of Olcott harbor. Pike, bowfin, perch, panfish and bass were all brought to the measuring table. Read more about it in Sunday’s outdoor column.

Out in the lake, not too much fishing going on as the lake offers up typical early summer conditions. Some trout and salmon are being reported directly in front of Olcott in 100 to 230 feet of water, with flash-fly or spoons being trolled in the top 80 feet of water. The magic depth earlier in the week was 60 to 90 feet down, but it changes daily. Capt. Vince Pierleoni sampled these waters this week and found it surprisingly good for bigger kings and a mix of steelhead. Remember that the summer LOC Derby is still going on through July 19

2. Lower Niagara River ~    Moss is still posing some serious problems for fishermen. The good news is that the river received 25,000 bonus walleye the past week. In the Steven White Memorial Fishing Tournament last week, Steve Levering of Niagara Falls won first place with a 4.60 pound smallmouth bass. First place in the youth division went to Brice Gombert with a white perch. The NYPA Fishing Platform is open and the new parking area at the base of the hill is now functional.

Big Bass Classic Contest Lower Niagara/Lake Ontario coming August 9  ~ Go Here for last years winners and PICTURES!

Check out the Spring 2008 LOC photo page on this website for pics

Drop Shotting the Niagara River and Lakes! HERE Out Doors Niagara Exclusive!

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3. Upper Niagara River - The 19th Annual Erie Canal fishing derby is just around the corner, starting up this Tuesday (July 7) and running through July 19th. Once again there will over $20,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs and the Grand prize is a boat, motor and trailer. There’s also up to $10,000 in additional cash and prizes in tagged fish. Divisions include bass, walleye, pike, bullhead, carp, sheepshead and catfish. Entry fee is $6 for kids, $11 for adults and a family pass for $21 – the best deal in town. For a complete list of rules and registration outlets, visit their website at www.eriecanalderby.com .

Moss is creating some serious problems there, too. Musky trollers have reverted to all casting, showing marginal success with jerk baits and monster tubes. A few fish were reported this past week from Buffalo harbor, the triangle around Strawberry Island and in the east river. Some perch continue to be caught around Strawberry Island, as well as at the foot of Ontario and Ferry streets. Bass are also cooperating all around the river, when you can find waters that are moss-free. Some walleyes are starting to hit around the round house and the head of the river on worm harnesses.

4. Lake Erie and tributaries ~ Bass are hitting in 20 to 40 feet of water on live bait like minnows, crayfish and leeches. Tube jigs or drop shot rigs are good artificials to use. You’ll pick up some nice perch in the process, too, especially off Cattaraugus Creek and Dunkirk.

5. Chautauqua Lake ~  Musky casters are working the waters from we Wan Chu cottages all the way to Chautauqua Institution. Cast perch or firetiger stickbaits to entice the fish to hit. Topwaters are working at first light. Another good area for musky casters has been in front of the Prendergast launch near the hatchery. Perch color sticks in 12 to 14 feet of water has been the ticket. Largemouth bass have been hitting chartreuse spinnerbaits with Colorado blades. A couple areas to check out are Bly’s and Ashville bays on top of the vegetation. Smallmouth bass have been in the northern basin such as the flats off Mayville Beach in 8-10 feet of water. Rat-L-Traps in firetiger are working best, by casting out from the weeds and reeling into them. Perch are still h itting in the southern basin around the G-3 buoy, as well as in the narrows between the bridge and the ferry on the Stow side of the lake, according to local guide Craig Robbins.

6. Finger Lakes/Inland Waters ~

Oneida Lake – The walleye bite is finally starting to improve. Target 25 to 35 foot depths with black and purple bucktail jigs tipped with a crawler the best approach. Best areas have been north of Buoy 109 and Lakeport. You can also pick up some ‘eyes are the weed edges in 10-15 feet of water. Bass fishing continues to be good all around the lake wherever there’s structure in 2 to 15 feet of water. Pickerel fishing is still great.

Cayuga lake – Trout fishing is picking up, especially for lakers in 65 to 90 feet of water as the thermocline develops. Brown trout are 30 feet down below the surface and trolling spoons are working best. For bass, target the north end with spinnerbaits, jerk baits, swimbaits and Senkos. Jigs will also work. Perch are hitting minnows in 15-20 feet of water


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

Finger Lakes Hotspot Fishing Website!  Go Here

7. Canada -  Lake Simcoe – For timely updates visit our Outdoors Forum Here 

Go to Bill Hilts Outdoors Sunday Column HERE

Go To Straight Talk "Straight From The Field" 
Learn from experts Bill Joseph and Dave Elliott
Nature's Way Taxidermy

Go to Sportsmen Protecting Our Future [SPOF] web page and read the letter 
that was sent to the NY DEC regarding deer management change proposed regulations [SPOF]

Go Here for fast real time weekend weather forecast  [At The Top of this Page]

CHARTER A BOAT!
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Western New York, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and the Niagara River GO HERE 
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The above column is as it appears here is seen in the Niagara Gazette weekly.
The Niagara Gazette is the area's leading outdoors sports information newspaper

2008-09 Derby Dates
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