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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 MAY 11 2012   
Weekly Weekend Fishing Report and Weather Forecast [at top]

1. Lake Ontario and Tributaries ~     The Lake Ontario Counties Trout and Salmon Derby has been going on all week and fishing has been nothing short of fantastic. Just ask Robert Briggs of Danville, Vermont and BrodieIngalls of Manchester, New Hampshire. The first day of the derby, Briggs took the early grand prize lead by catching a 29 pound, 10 pound lake trout while fishing out of Wilson. The next day, his fishing partner Ingalls did one better by reeling in a 31 pound, six ounce king salmon to take over the grand prize lead and bump Briggs to the leading laker. Listen to their testimonial and check the leader board out at www.loc.org. Salmon and trout fishing continues to be very good right now and you need a 25pound salmon or a 19 pound lake trout just to make the board. Pretty impressive. The derby ends at 1 p.m. on Sunday with the awards to take place at5 p.m. in Sodus Bay. Fishing had been good in front of Wilson and Olcott in 50to 200 feet of water, but that water changed to something a bit more clear. Best spot has been the Niagara Bar in 65 to 225 feet of water with spoons, flasher-fly or stick baits all producing fish. Things will be crazy out there this weekend with the Wilson Harbor Invitational on Saturday and the end of the LOC on Sunday. Rock bass, pike, perch, bowfish and bass are all being caught in the harbors according to Wes Walker at The Slippery Sinker but the talk this week was of the 19 pound catfish caught by John Drotter of Newfane while fishing in Olcott. Remember that Olcott is vying for the Ultimate Fishing Town title. Register your vote at www.worldfishingnetwork.com .

2. Lower Niagara River ~           Trout are still hanging in the river, especially in the Devil’s Hole area for boat drifters and shoreline casters. Drifting three-way rigs along the bottom is producing steelhead, but the bass and other warm water fish are starting to turn on, too. In-Fisherman Television Show was in town trying to catch some bass around Fort Niagara on jerk baits and they ended up filming a full segment on catching Cohos salmon – on jerk baits. Steve Quinn and company had some fun for sure. The bar is also holding lakers and browns.
    Drop Shotting the Niagara River and Lakes! HERE Out Doors Niagara Exclusive!    BE SURE TO VOTE IN OUR MINI-POLL >  -  Mini-Poll HERE

3. Upper Niagara River -      Use emerald shiners for yellow perch catches around Ontario Street launch, Broderick Park and Squaw Island. Also around marinas, harbors and inlets. You will also catch other panfish, too. Worms will also catch you a few panfish. Bass fishing north of the Peace Bridge is artificial lures only.

4. Lake Erie and tributaries ~     With the opening of the special trophy bass season on the lake, there has been more of a focus on targeting bass of late. The normal spring crew of outdoor writers and manufacturers were in town this week to sample a little bit of everything we have to offer and for the bass guys they managed to average 50-60 bass on some days, targeting 20 to 35 feet of water off Hamburg. Fish up to six pounds have been reported so far with some of the new four-inch Berkley Smash tubes in goby colors. Perch are still cooperating off Sturgeon Point and Cattaraugus Creek in 50-60 feet of water. Also off Dunkirk. Cattaraugus Creek is high and muddy right now so any chance at catching a steelhead might be off the creek mouths once waters start to clear.

5. Chautauqua Lake ~   Perch fishing has really been hot around the lake, especially on the Bemus side of the narrows along the weed edges in 10 feet of water. A simple minnow, split shot and float rig is working best. Crappie action has slowed, but the smallmouth bass fishing continues to be good around Lakewood Bar in 10 feet of water. Best baits have been three inch tubes and grubs during the morning and afternoon, top waters later in the day. Nothing consistent on walleye numbers that we can report.

6. Finger Lakes/Inland Waters ~ 

Oneida Lake –Night fishing for walleye is still a hot bite in the shallows with Junior Challenger lures. Use green and silver, blue and silver or black and silver. Try off Sylvan Beach. Bluegills and crappies are still hitting in Big Bay.

Seneca Lake –Yellow perch action has slowed but there are still fish in the shallows. For Landlocked salmon, troll the surface with stick baits with inline planers or by long lining off the back. A few brown trout are also being caught. Lake trout can be found from 40 to 120 feet of water, on or near the bottom. Trollers are using flasher-fly or spoons.

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

7. Canada -  Outdoors Forum Here 
 

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

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Fishing reports & weather at the Fingers

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The above column is as it appears here is seen in the Niagara Gazette weekly.
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