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Bill Hilts Fish Locator
Bill Hilts Jr.

Bill Hilts is a past president of the 
New York State Outdoor Writers Association.
In addition to the above, Hilts is an avid outdoorsman, 
an outdoor writer who has contributed articles to numerous 
national and local magazines, newspapers, and other publications. 
Hilts is also responsible for Niagara County Tourism Sportfishing Programs.
He freelances from his home in Sanborn N.Y.  
Hilts was inducted in the New York State 
Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame in the Spring of 2007! 

Email Bill at; Hilts Jr.     
  This column as it appears here is seen in the Niagara Gazette on Fridays.
The Niagara Gazette is the area's leading outdoors sports information newspaper


 

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QUICK INDEX TO WEEKLY FISH LOCATOR PAGE ~  

UPDATED EVERY THURSDAY!
1. Lake Ontario and Tributaries
2. Lower Niagara River
3. Upper Niagara River                                                                    
4. Lake Erie and tributaries                                        
5. Chautauqua Lake
6. Finger Lakes/Inland Waters  
7. Canada   [Ontario]

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THIS BILL HILTS Jr. WEEKEND FISHING FORECAST
IS UPDATED EVERY WEEK FOR YOUR WEEKEND FISHING!
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CAPTAIN DOUG STEIN REMEMBERED 1947-2009

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 13 2009 - We must preface this report with some sad news. One of the local giants in the sportfishing industry passed away this week. Capt. Doug Stein of Grand Island, a charter captain and guide for many years, died after a valiant bout with cancer. Doug was the president of the Niagara River Anglers Assn. for nearly a decade, with one of his big initiatives being the first pen rearing project for salmon in the county. He was one of those guys willing to go out on a limb to support what he believed in and always willing to help when work needed to be accomplished to help the sportfishery along. He was a big man with an even bigger heart and I’m proud to say that he was a friend of mine. We fished, hunted and shot together and he will be sorely missed by many.

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Lower Niagara River Fall Walleye Classic II 2009

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

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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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                                                    Blue Pike

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Shawn Pinkham [L] Gary Rammy Jr. [R]
With 35# 12 oz. Salmon ~ LOC Derby Leader [082808]
Wayne Peters Photo


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ALL THESE COLUMNS ARE UPDATED REGULARLY:

Go to Hilts Weekend Fish Locator
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Go to Will Elliott's "Fishing Line"  / 
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Bob Confer's Outdoors

Fishing Tips Page ~                           Odyssey  Information GO HERE

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