This article with the following tips may help some fishermen and yet there are others that use their own methods quite successfully. This is meant as a general guideline to help “newbies” get started. The riggings here have proved to be quite successful with many seasoned Niagara River fishermen. There are more tips on this page so be sure to read them all! There are other articles and pages on this website that offer some great inside information on fishing the Mighty Niagara. Lines and leaders depend on whom you are asking. Most everyone fishes something similar. 

A good generalization would be 14 to 17 pound line from your rod, and some even use 20# line. Remember the heavier the line, the more water resistance and more weight required. Leader off the 3-way swivel to the bait would run 8 to 9 feet depending on the length of your fishing rod and if you are using egg sacks or skein. That will allow your bait to move freely and more natural. If using the favorite hard bait like Kwikfish lures, shorten up on the leader maybe to 5 to 7 feet. The leader line weight should be 14-15# or less depending on your rod length etc. clear mono, or a lot of river fishermen are using the new, thinner, stronger fluorocarbon lines. The line off your drop pencil sinker should be 8 to 10 inches and 8 or 10 pound test. Weight varies with the wind and the current. Generally start around 1 to 1 1/2 ounce, Pencil sinker. Pencil sinkers can be cut to size the way you want with a pair of side cutters or most needle-nose pliers have a cutter on them.

Tips on Steelhead Lakers, Browns, etc.

Basically, rigging the same way you would for Kings will provide super results but DO lower your line poundage tests on your rod line, [suggest 8-10#] leader line [6-8#] and your drop sinker leader [6-8#] accordingly. Pencil sinkers can start at 1 ounce or less. In all cases, make sure you are either on the bottom or just inches above it. Warm water fish.

Pay Attention:

• Always use good line and good knots; especially pay attention to the fluorocarbon line knots.
  
• The fluorocarbon lines are good but it lacks the elasticity required sometimes that is needed with big fish and light lines, light rods, and strong currents. Using it for leaders to your bait is a real asset because of its thinness. But make sure you go light.
  
• A good trolling motor can be a great asset by helping you control your drifts.
  
• Pencil sinkers help reduce the loss of conventional sinkers, therefore reducing the need to keep tying another rig every time you lose a weight. Especially in cold weather!
  
• In cold weather most fishermen will have their rigs all rigged to go BEFORE getting on the water
  
• Always remember: Practice Safe Catch and Release!

Shore Fishermen Tips;

•  There are many shore fishing opportunities, and number one would be at the New York Power Authority fishing dock/pier. A long walk down to the dock but you can drive down and have someone drop you off or pick you up. DO NOT park your car there. There is parking provided at the top. You could be in for a heap of stink by parking below. There is very limited handicap parking below for those that need it. Always be courteous to the boat fishermen drifting by, even though some of them don’t seem to reciprocate, they are busy too.
  
• Devil’s Hole State Park allows for a great fishing experience but is for the hardy and young at heart. There is a long climb down a set of stairs cut into the rock shale. Hauling a 25-pound salmon up is no fun either. But the fishing can be the greatest of all. By all means, do not go there without a camera. The scenery is just beautiful and trying to explain what you saw is not as good as the picture. Even a picture of your catch and release fish with the background of the river is worth framing. Fall is really exciting.
  
• In Lewiston, go to the Artpark parking lot [free for fishermen] and walk towards the river. [Follow signs] There is access that will take you to some really nifty shore fishing. A long trail and well worth the price you pay for the walk. You will see the favorite spots to fish on the trail by the way the area looks along the shore. Some will be really beaten down from others using those spots. Again, don’t forget the camera.

OK. Shore fishermen. What baits do you use? Tough question. Everybody has their own favorite but some true, long-standing favorites are heavy spoons, spinners and egg sacks or skein.

[See Photos Below]  Spoons could be Little Cleos, mostly silver with a blue stripe 2/5 ounce or K.O. Wobbler Spoons. Spinners, could be Super Vibrax in sizes 4 or 5. Blade colors used are mostly silver, the body colors vary, but silver, florescent green, or chartreuse are good choices. Florescent red has been known to be a potent color on some days. Egg Sacks and/or Skeins are tough to beat some days and at certain times in the Fall. They can be bought at your local independent tackle dealer. Your independent tackle dealer KNOWS what is hot. Your clerk in the big box stores are there to draw a paycheck and need a sale to justify their job. Always support your local tackle dealer, there are only a few left!

Spoons and spinners are best if used without snap swivels but we suppose you could if you are into changing your lure sizes and colors frequently. Tie directly on the end of your line and cast up river, about at the 10 o’clock direction and allow the bait to drift down to about the 2 o’clock angle and reel ‘er in, hopefully with that big fish! Do the same with egg sacks/skein or single eggs sometimes. But now you need weight. Three-way swivels rigged like the boat fishermen will work or better yet, use a split shot of suitable weight pinched up the line. The split shot should be up the line far enough to allow the eggs to drift naturally.

K.O. Wobbler Spoon     3/4 ounce

Super Vibrax Spinner Use #4's or #5's

Acme's Little Cleo ~ Use 2/5 ounce in this color or the ever popular NNB color [Nickel Neon Blue]