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 2009 Information HERE

On this page  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

►UP TO DATE PICTURES AND INFORMATION ON THE LEWISTON
 LAUNCH RAMP REPLACEMENT AND FISH GRINDER OVERHAUL

Go here for Lewiston Louie's picture and story
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ALL 2010 DERBY DATES POSTED HERE Compiled by Bill Hilts Jr.

Outdoors Niagara Exclusive

FRIDAY MARCH 6 2010
Weekly Weekend Fishing Report and Weather Forecast
By Bill Hilts Jr.  

1. Lake Ontario and Tributaries ~   The state’s DEC has announced that they will be holding a series of three state of Lake Ontario meetings along the lake, starting with Oswego on March 9th and Rochester March 10th. Lockport will host a meeting on March 16th at Cornell Cooperative Extension Niagara starting at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is an opportunity to interact with the scientists who perform some of the research that takes place that allows management decisions to be made. Updates will be given on the salmon and trout fisheries, as well as an overview on what’s happening with the lake itself. And speaking of fishing, the weekend is shaping up to be a good one with temperatures into the 40’s. If you want open water action, the area below Burt Dam on 18 Mile Creek in Newfane has good water flow. Mostly steelhead are available right now according to Wes Walker at the Slippery Sinker, but there are a few brown trout available. Best baits for tributary fishing are trout beads, white egg sacks, jigs tipped with wax worms and just a plain ‘ol wax worm on a hook drifting down through a hole. Trout Magnets have also been producing a few chromers. Water conditions have been clear. Ice at Olcott Harbor is not safe but there is good cover in Wilson with 12 inches or more being reported for pike, trout and panfish. Minnows, grubs, wax worms, spikes – all will catch fish, as will small ice jigs.

2. Lower Niagara River ~  In the Lower Niagara River, fishing action has been good for a mix of trout with steelhead leading the way. Brown trout continue to cooperate on a consistent basis and a few lake trout are being caught in the river and on the bar at the mouth when the winds cooperate. Best baits have been Kwikfish, minnows or emerald shiners, and egg sacks – not necessarily in that order. Every day is different according to local guide Frank Campbell. What works one day may not work the next. He had one day this past week where the fish only wanted Kwikfish lures. The next day they wouldn’t touch them. You will have to move around the river to see where the active fish are.

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

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

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3. Upper Niagara River - The pond hockey tournament is over so ice fishermen are allowed back into the Erie Basin for hard water action. Fishing has been spotty inside the inner break wall at Buffalo harbor, with a mix of smelt, perch and other panfish, along with the occasional northern pike. There have been reports of some bigger perch being caught in the shipping channel just outside the inner breakwall.

4. Lake Erie and tributaries ~  The warmer temperatures being forecast could be what is needed to open some of the sections back up again. Cattaraugus Creek is still your best bet, but you may have to do some exploring in the medium-sized tributaries to find open sections. Fish slow and deep with egg sacks, egg imitations, and with jigs and/or wax worms. The Dunkirk fishing platform is open again and producing a few trout. Try casting spoons, egg sacks or fish a jig tipped with a grub and fished under a float in the open warm water discharge area.

5. Chautauqua Lake ~ Not too much changed from last week according to Craig Robbins. While ice fishing is still taking place, caution is advised. Perch fishing continues to be good in 10-15 feet of water along the east side of the lake and towards Mayville. Jigging spoons tipped with grubs or minnows is still the best approach, but small ice jigs tipped with grubs will catch fish, too. You can also try in the narrows between the bridge and the ferry for perch. A few walleye are still showing up off Long Point. Use a jigging Rapala tipped with a minnow.

6. Finger Lakes/Inland Waters ~ 

Oneida Lake – Thick slush on the surface has made conditions miserable for walkers and four wheelers. Ice conditions vary greatly around the lake. Some perch were being reported in the 20-35 foot depth range. Small jigs tipped with mousies are working. Big Bay is the place to be for panfish.

Cayuga Lake – Head out of the State Park in the north end for perch and pickerel. Four to 5 inches of ice is being reported. Best spot for shore fishing has been off AES for a mix of salmon and trout.

ODN REPORT:
7. Canada -  Lake Simcoe – For timely updates visit our Outdoors Forum Here  12 inches of ice reported at Pfferlaw on Lake Simcoe and fish are reported to be hitting great! January 29 2010

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

Go to Bill Hilts Outdoors Sunday Column HERE

NEW! Finger Lakes Fishing Website! Check it out here! Finger Lakes Fishing  
Fishing reports & weather at the Fingers

Go To Straight Talk "Straight From The Field" 
Learn from experts Bill Joseph ~ 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]

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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

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