Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020 from Destination Niagara USA
With Christmas a week away, there are plenty of fishing-related gifts that can be stuffed in stockings or wrapped up for under the tree. A fishing charter is a great option to help someone along to learn more about fishing or treat someone to a special outdoor adventure. A Lake Ontario Counties Trout and Salmon Derby season pass is a great stocking stuffer, too, along with a lifetime fishing license for young and old alike. New rods, reels and tackle boxes are good for under the tree. A gift certificate for your local tackle shop is a way to show local businesses a little holiday love. It is not too late to find a perfect gift for that special someone.
We are not sure how much of an impact there will be from the Nor’easter storming up the east coast. It appears we will not be feeling the full effects of the weather event with only an inch of snow being forecast. The Niagara River was muddy again from wind, but it is slowly starting to switch over to cleaner water. Mike Rzucidlo and Mike Ziehm, both of Niagara Falls, hit the lower river from shore using No. 5 spinners in roughly 2 feet of visibility on Monday. The duo reeled in over a dozen steelhead, caught and released. According to Rzucidlo, just use a very slow retrieve and get close to the bottom for trout. Use bright fluorescent colors when its muddy water. Also use bigger spinners. He did that this week and did well. Earlier they went to Devil’s Hole and used jigs all day. They managed to catch 6 lake trout and 1 bass. Capt. Frank Campbell of Lewiston hit the water of the lower river on Tuesday this week and the water was slowly clearing into more favorable conditions. His trip managed to squeeze out 5 out of 8 fish for a mix of lake trout and steelhead. They also managed to catch a smallmouth bass. They were using minnows fished off three-way rigs, primarily in Devil’s Hole because of a north wind. The final day for muskellunge fishing for the lower river, Lake Ontario and beyond was Dec. 15.
There are a few fishermen at Burt Dam on 18 Mile Creek, but fishing pressure has been down of late. Focus has been on steelhead and browns, with wax worms, single eggs and flies all taking fish this past week according to Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctors in Olcott. Water flow is moderate, and this coming week should be the last of the Erie Canal releases according to a published schedule for fall and winter draining.
Outdoor Promotions Director