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
►ONLY ON OUTDOORS NIAGARA! EXCLUSIVE! ☺☺

ALL 2010 DERBY DATES POSTED HERE Compiled by Bill Hilts Jr.

Outdoors Niagara Exclusive

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 3 2010
Weekly Weekend Fishing Report and Weather Forecast
By Bill Hilts Jr.  

1. Lake Ontario and Tributaries ~   The final weekend of the Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) trout and salmon derby is here and Niagara County waters have produced the current Grand Prize leader yet again. Earlier this week, Richard Priest of Blossburg, PA reeled in a 39 pound, 8 ounce salmon to take over the lead for the $20,000 check. Rumor has it that he was fishing between Four Mile Creek and the Niagara Bar with a spin doctor, sushi fly and cut bait combination to take the huge fish. He was fishing with Al Bodolus of Pennsylvania aboard the Big Fatty boat. If this fish holds on, it will be the first time that the grand prize catches for the spring, summer and fall derbies all came from one county – incredible. A three-peat; the triple crown of fishing. The top brown is out of the Niagara Bar – a 14 pounder – caught by Andrew Costa of Virginia this past week. The top steelhead is out of Niagara, too, weighing in at better than 18 pounds out of Olcott. It was caught by Catherine Sylvester of North Tonawanda. There was also a 20 pounder caught this week, but they weren’t in the derby. The top lake trout is from Henderson Harbor at 19 pounds, but the derby isn’t over yet. The 2nd and 4th place fish come from the Niagara Bar. It would be cool if it was a sweep of all the categories, too! As far as fishing action, king salmon have been reported off the piers in Olcott, as well as browns and steelhead already. Lake trollers have been targeting 80 to 120 foot depths with cut bait, j-plugs or spin doctor and fly combos to take mature fish getting ready to stage. Fish are also being taken out deep, with a focus on steelhead and a mixed year class of salmon. Nothing at Burt Dam yet other than warm water species like northern pike and a mix of bass. Ditto for Wilson Harbor, but the crappie bite at night continues to be good. Tip of the week comes from John Raschi of King Temper Charters in Olcott. When mounting any kind of electronics onto your boat, make sure you measure twice and drill once – not the other way around!

2. Lower Niagara River ~    The Niagara Bar has been producing some salmon in the trench and at the drop off. In the lower river, walleye and bass have been spotty. Fishing was tough for smallies at mid-week and walleye have been finicky – although some nice ones were caught for the Niagara River walleye contest last weekend. Randy Litten won the contest with two fish totaling 16.68 pounds, taken on the Niagara Bar with a worm harness rigged with No. 5 green blades and yellow beads. Included in his catch was the biggest for the tournament, an 11 pound ‘eye. Second place was Charlie Hoy with two fish totaling 15.06 pounds. Third place was Jim Janese with 9.64 pounds. Be sure to mark your calendars for the Greater Niagara Fish Odyssey Derby, set for Sept. 18 to 26. It’s free for kids under 16 years of age; and just $20 for adults. Log on to www.fishodyssey.net  for details.

2010 Fall Walleye Classic Information HERE

Big Bass Classic Contest Lower Niagara/Lake Ontario coming August 21 2010 GO HERE for all the information!  ~

 Go Here for last years winners and PICTURES!

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

[top]|

3. Upper Niagara River -   Bass and walleye action has been improving a bit with good reports out of the head of the river in the Emerald Channel and around the round house on live bait like crayfish and shiners. Other good spots for bass and walleye have been around Strawberry Island and Staley’s Reef. A few musky were reported this past week on large tubes, but it’s been more of being in the right place at the right time. Put your time in.

4. Lake Erie and tributaries ~ Walleye are still being caught but action is slowing a bit. Off Sturgeon Point, best luck is being reported in 55 to 60 feet of water with worm harnesses on the bottom. Off Dunkirk, that magic depth is 70 to 80 feet. Yellow perch are still hitting minnows 60 to 70 feet down off Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point. Bass action is still hot and heavy in 25 to 45 feet of water wherever there is structure – reefs, shoals, humps, drops.

5. Chautauqua Lake ~  Action has been good for large musky this year. To tip the odds in your favor, try trolling the outside weed edges from Prendergast Point to the Bell Tower with large body baits in perch or firetiger patterns. Troll the weed edges or 20 to 25 feet down over 30 to 35 foot depths for suspended fish. Bass are also available on the outside weed edges with crayfish, tube jigs and grubs.

6. Finger Lakes/Inland Waters ~ 

Oneida Lake – Walleye action has picked back up again off Shackelton Shoals, Dutchman’s Bar and Lewis point all being good starting points. Fish both shallow or deep with worm harnesses, stickbaits, jig and crawler combos or blade baits like Sonars. Bass fishermen have been trying their luck slow and deep with drop shot rigs, tube jigs or plastic craws to take fish. Target around the weeds for largemouth.

Seneca Lake – Big Weenie flies are the ticket for Atlantic salmon, targeting the top 60 feet of water for 500-plus foot depths. Lake trout have been cooperating in the 75 to 125 foot range with spoons or flasher-fly combos. Vertical jigging for lakers is working in 75 to 90 feet of water with white plastics. Some pike were being reported off the pier at Watkins Glen. Perch are being caught in and around the weeds on small crayfish.

It was from John Raschi of King Temper Charters in Olcott and is a local expert when it comes to drying things off following any dock mishaps.

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

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]

CHARTER A BOAT!
Make Outdoors Niagara your Charter Connection throughout 
Western New York, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and the Niagara River GO HERE 
Largest listing anywhere!

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

[top]  

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

Be an Outdoors Niagara Booster; Visit our mini store! HERE

Mini-Poll HERE