Lake Erie Fishing Hotline
November 20 to November 27, 2009
Lake Erie and Tributaries
Jamie Overturf with his first ever steelhead,
caught on Chautauqua Creek.
It was a great week to fish Cattaraugus Creek as water conditions were prime and weather was outstanding. Steelhead catches were fair overall, however anglers who moved around and covered larger areas were rewarded with better catches. The Catt will get an extended break from fishing pressure after rainstorms dumped over an inch of rain in the area. Cattaraugus Creek has crested and current flow is 1,680 cubic feet per second. Dunkirk and areas to the west received only half the precipitation that fell on Buffalo. Look for medium sized tributaries such as Canadaway or Chautauqua Creeks to fall into fishable shape as early as Saturday, however tributaries closer to Buffalo (Eighteen Mile Creek, Buffalo Creek) will take more time to settle out. Most of the smaller tributaries will be in good shape for tomorrow, especially those to the west. Look for a new batch of fresh fish to enter the streams on the tail of the latest water surge. Spinning anglers do well with egg sacs, artificial eggs or small spinners and fly anglers see strikes on egg patterns and streamers (minnow patterns, woolly buggers, egg-sucking leeches). Anglers can also still catch steelhead by casting spoons from either side of the Cattaraugus Creek breakwall.
Stream temperatures continue to drop. This generally causes a transition in the "productive" fishing time of day. Look for the better bite to switch from dawn/dusk to the warmer, middle of day. Cold stream temperatures will also increase the rate at which muddy water settles out following a water surge.
The use of spoons, spinners and other sinking lures is a favorite of many anglers, but their legal use in or upon Lake Erie tributary streams requires comprehension. Below the bridge closest to a stream mouth, use of sinking lures with a treble hook (3 points) is permitted. From that first bridge upstream to the first barrier impassible to fish, the use of sinking lures that have a free-swinging hook with no more than 1 hook point and a hook gap of no more than 1/2 inch (between shank and point) is permitted. Convert your spoons and spinners with split rings and single hooks. In the creeks, smaller lures are best with size 6 or smaller hooks. Size 1 and 2 hooks are around the legal 1/2 inch hook gap regulation, but are overkill. Not to mention, one snag on a rock or log can widen the hook gap enough to set you up for a violation.
If weather permits, anglers can find some good fall yellow perch action on Lake Erie. A good start is in 50 feet of water (fow) between Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point. Watch your graph and move around, a few feet (depth) on either side of 50 should be good as well. Anglers can also give their favorite nearshore springtime areas a go for late season walleye. Walleye typically move back inshore at this time of year to feed before the onset of winter. For smallmouth bass, key on reef and shoal areas in 15-30 feet of water (fow). A drop-shot rig with live crayfish or shiners works well, but tubes or plastics that imitate crayfish, gobies and shiners will also produce.
Lake Erie Harbors
A recent DEC netting survey showed good numbers of brown trout just off Barcelona Harbor in 6-10 fow. Anglers typically start to see steelhead and brown trout catches in the Barcelona and Dunkirk Harbors at this time of year. The DEC Dunkirk Harbor Fishing Platform has been closed due to safety concerns over rotted railings and support posts. The platform will remain closed until necessary repairs are completed.
Upper Niagara River
Anglers are picking up some trout from Broderick Park (foot of Ferry St.) and along the Bird Island Pier. Egg sacs and egg imitations have been working best. Muskellunge angers have had to work for their catches in Thompson's Hole, near Huntley Plant, around Strawberry Island and in the Buffalo Harbor. Large 8-10" tube jigs or large stickbaits are the baits of choice.
Chautauqua Lake
The open lake fishing is winding down and many anglers are pulling their boats for the season. However, yellow perch action continues to be good for anglers fishing mid-lake areas in 10-16 fow. Anglers have also seen good perch and panfish action from shore, especially at Long Point State Park where a duo caught 90 perch last week. Minnows are top bait, but worms or grubs will work as well. Muskellunge are still an option, target them by trolling bucktail spinners or large stickbaits in 12-20 fow.
Surplus Broodstock Trout Stocking
Randolph Fish Hatchery completed their annual fall stocking of broodstock trout in Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties in late October. All breeder trout stocked were over 2 years old, between 12-30 inches long and were stocked in waters where trout fishing is permitted all year. The following waters have been stocked: Allen Lake- 200 brook trout; New Albion Lake- 100 brook trout, 100 brown trout, 100 rainbow trout; Case Lake- 200 brook trout, 100 brown trout, 100 rainbow trout; Harwood Lake- 100 brook trout, 100 brown trout, 100 rainbow trout; Quaker Lake- 450 brown trout, 200 rainbow trout; Birch Run Ponds and Red House Lake. The Genesee River was stocked on 10/30 with 150 rainbow trout between Wellsville and the PA border. Call the Randolph Fish Hatchery Stocking Hotline at 716-358-4950 for updates.
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 or (716) 855-FISH.
