Printer-friendlyLake Erie Fishing Hotline
May 9 to May 16, 2008
Lake Erie and Tributaries
The smallmouth bass bite has been best in the shallows, tributaries and harbors along the Lake Erie shoreline. Lake Erie water temperatures rise to around 46F.
Bass anglers report good fishing west of Buffalo in 10-25 feet of water around structure. On Wednesday catches averaged 25-40 bass per boat in and around Seneca Shoals and Meyers Reef. Dunkirk Harbor and VanBuren Bay have also been productive sites for smallmouths. Anglers report catches on spoons, spinnerbaits, minnows and tube jigs. Bass fishing has been hot in all the tributaries (lower portions), but especially in 18 Mile and Cattaraugus Creeks. Minnows and minnow imitations have drawn the most strikes.
Yellow perch were scattered by recent winds that moved some schools inside of 50 feet. Fishing in 45-55 feet of water off Evangola State Park and Evans Bar are probably still good bets, but perch have also moved into the mouth of Cattaraugus Creek. Catches have been decent east of Barcelona Harbor in 39-42 feet of water with most perch caught between 12-16 inches!
The walleye bite has been slow in Erie waters since last Saturday's season opener. Anglers have hooked a few eyes in VanBuren Bay and near Barcelona Harbor. Reports indicate that the reefs and shoals are packed with fish, but the hot bite has yet to start. When the bite begins, expect to encounter good numbers from the 2003 year class (22-24") and 2005 year class. Walleye from the 2005 class will be around the size limit of 15", so bring a ruler. Trollers do well fishing stickbaits and worm harnesses and numbers can be better at night.
Cattaraugus Creek is the only tributary with any kind of steelhead activity. Some steelhead are still holding in the deeper pools from Zoar Valley downstream, but the go to stretch is from the Route 5 Bridge down to the railroad trestle. Anglers report steelhead hook-ups on minnows, salted minnows, minnow imitations and egg sacs. Anglers are also catching a variety of other species near the creek mouth such as smallmouth bass, yellow perch, white perch and channel catfish.
Lake Erie Harbors and Marinas
Anglers are still catching a few steelhead in Dunkirk Harbor, but smallmouth bass have been the main attraction on white twister tails. Bass catches have also been good in Barcelona Harbor.
Upper Niagara River
Anglers are still catching a few trout from Squaw Island, but bass and white perch numbers have been better from both the river and canal sides. Perch, panfish, and bass are also plentiful in Small Boat Harbor and near Beaver Island State Park. Few pike reports at this time, but a some catches have been in the shallows around Strawberry Island on shiners.
Chautauqua Lake
The crappie bite remains best near the south end of the lake, between Lakewood and Celeron. Most anglers have to move around a bit for limit catches. Productive baits include tube jigs (white, pink), cubby jigs and minnow. Trollers are picking up a few walleye in the shallows on stickbaits and worm harnesses. The bite has been better at night.
Stocked Trout Streams and Lakes
Inland trout stream conditions are good, with decent flows and temperatures. Your best bet is to target trout in deeper pools, near undercut banks and around overhanging trees and shrubs. Light lines of 4-6 pound test monofilament and small hooks (size 8 or smaller) are recommended for inland trout. Wild and stocked trout will hit small spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster Tail, Mepps, Blue Fox, etc.) dry and wet flies, wax worms, nightcrawlers and salted minnows. Treble hooks can be difficult to remove from trout mouths. Try snipping 2 hooks off your spinner's treble hook; this will cause less harm to the trout you plan to release.
Each year many lakes and streams in Erie, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties receive stockings of yearling brown, brook or rainbow trout. In addition, many waters also receive hundreds of two year old brown trout (12-15 inches). Listed below are trout waters that have been stocked to date. Throughout April and May some waters will receive additional stockings and many other streams and lakes will be stocked. Call the Randolph Fish Hatchery Stocking Hotline (716-358-4950) for updates.
BT- Brown Trout, 2YBT- 2-year old brown trout, ST- Brook Trout, RT- Rainbow Trout
Erie County
Little Buffalo Creek (Lancaster-Marilla)- 1,440 BT, 200 2YBT / Eighteen Mile Creek (Boston)- 600 BT / Cazenovia Creek, East Branch (Holland)- 2,880 BT, 300 2YBT / Cattaraugus Creek (Sardinia)- 3,040 BT, 600 2YBT (Yorkshire)- 2,400 BT, 350 2YBT/ Sprague Brook Park Ponds (Concord)- 800 RT, 200 2YBT.
Cattaraugus County
Ischua Creek (Franklinville)- 6,880 BT, 1,800 2YBT / Franklinville Retention Pond (Franklinville)- 400 ST / Forks Creek (Great Valley)- 2,000 BT / Wrights Creek (Humphrey)- 680 BT / Cattaraugus Creek, South Branch (East Otto)- 960 BT / Mansfield Creek (Mansfield)- 640 BT, 100 2YBT / Great Valley Creek (Great Valley)- 2,000 BT (Ellicottville)- 360 BT / Beaver Meadow Creek (Ellicottville)- 240 BT / Connoisarauley Creek (Ashford)- 320 BT / Little Conewango Creek (Conewango)- 2,320 BT, 200 2YBT / Paisley Park Pond (Randolph)- 100 ST / Guernsey Run (South Valley)- 160 BT / Sawmill Run, North Branch (South Valley)- 120 BT / Bone Run (South Valley)- 300 ST / Bay State Brook (Red House)- 440 BT / Quaker Run (Cold Spring)- 750 ST , 1,200 BT, 100 2YBT / Red House Brook (Red House)- 2,900 ST / Science Lake (Red House)- 500 ST / Red House Lake (Red House)- 800 ST / Quaker Lake (Elko)- 4,200 ST, 3,490 BT, 400 2YBT / New Albion Lake (New Albion)- 2,800 ST, 2,800 BT, 200 2YBT / Rice Brook (Carrollton)- 240 BT / Elton Creek (Freedom)- 2,160 BT, 200 2YBT / County Pond A (Randolph)- 100 ST / County Park B (Randolph)- 100 ST / Five Mile Creek (Allegany)- 2,320 BT / Haskell Creek (Hinsdale)- 560 BT / Case Lake (Franklinville)- 1,800 ST, 1,800 BT, 350 2YBT / Harwood Lake (Farmersville)- 4,600 ST, 200 2YBT / Olean Creek (Olean)- 160 BT.
Chautauqua County
Twenty Mile Creek (Ripley)- 880 BT / Chautauqua Creek (Chautauqua)- 280 BT / Goose Creek (Harmony, N. Harmony)- 3,040 BT, 700 2YBT / Little Brokenstraw Creek (Harmony)- 320 BT, 100 2YBT / Clay Pond (Poland)- 300 ST / Bear Lake Outlet (Stockton)- 720 BT / Canadaway Creek (Arkwright)- 320 BT, 100 2YBT / Cassadaga Creek (Stockton)- 640 BT, 200 2YBT / Conewango Creek, W. Branch (Villenova)- 520 BT / Farrington Hollow Brook (Cherry Creek)- 240 BT / Mill Creek (Gerry)- 880 BT, 100 2YBT / Maples Club Pond (Otto)- 300 ST.
Wild Trout Streams
Opportunities are also good for anglers seeking wild trout, as a number of local streams support quality populations of wild brown and rainbow trout. Wiscoy Creek is a good bet, as a recent survey showed that there is an average of over 1,400 adult brown trout per mile of stream. Clear Creek near Ellington is another good stream for wild brown trout. Lime Lake Outlet, Elton Creek, McKinstry Creek and Clear Creek near Arcade have excellent populations of wild brown and rainbow trout. Wild trout tend to be more difficult to catch, but the catch is much more rewarding.
If you need more fishing information or would like to contribute to the fishing report, please call or e-mail Mike Todd (716-851-7010; mttodd@gw.dec.state.ny.us) or Jim Markham (716-366-0228; jlmarkha@gw.dec.state.ny.us). Good Luck Fishing!
The fishing hotline can also be heard at (716) 679-ERIE.
