Nov 28/18

Niagara River
Only a couple weeks left to target muskellunge in the upper river, before the season closes on November 30th. November is traditionally a top month for muskellunge fishing in the upper river. Target musky by casting large stickbaits or by drifting and jigging large (8"-10") tube jigs. Trolling around the outer Buffalo Harbor and breakwall gaps can sometimes produce a musky catch.

Lower river waters have cleared up and conditions are currently prime. Trout fishing started to pick back up early in the week and then really turned on over last few days. Steelhead are now the dominant catch, with some brown trout and lake trout mixed in. Be aware that lake trout season is closed in the lower river until January 1st. Incidentally caught lake trout should be quickly returned to the water. Devils Hole and Artpark are the top spots for steelhead catches for both boaters and shore anglers, but some lower drifts are starting to produce trout catches too. There are less specific reports of decent walleye and smallmouth bass catches around the lower river as well. Egg sacs, egg pattern flies, shiners or jigs with plastics fished under a float or casting medium-sized spoons and spinners are good steelhead offerings. The New York Power Authority (NYPA) Fishing Platform typically closes for season by December 1st, but may close earlier under icy conditions.

NY DEC