Sept 6, 2018

Niagara River
Smallmouth bass are available throughout the upper river. Good spots to try include the head of the river, head of Strawberry Island, east side of Strawberry and Motor Islands and in the west river along Beaver Island State Park and Staley's Reef. A 3-way rig with softshell crayfish works well. Anglers can target muskellunge along weed edges and bottom structure with large tube jigs or stickbaits.

With salmon starting to show along the Niagara Bar ledge, the lower river spawning run is not far off. In general, king salmon start to trickle into the river in early September. Numbers build through the month, with the run often peaking during the last week of September. For now, warmwater species are still the top target. Walleye fishing has been decent in the mid to lower drifts, including some fish pushing 10 pounds. Drifting with a bottom bouncing rig and worm harness or yellow sally rig (with worm) are traditional lower river walleye tactics. Smallmouth bass are still available from Devils Hole down to the bar.

NY DEC