Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 from Destination Niagara USA
Winter anglers must take advantage of fishing conditions when they become available. You never know how long they will last. For instance, Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island was using pink egg sacs this week when he noticed the water was finally clearing in the lower Niagara River. Fishing with Gary Laidman of South Wales, they managed to reel in some respectable steelhead in the morning with less than ideal conditions. Capt. Rich Brant of North Tonawanda has also been combatting the marginal conditions. Fishing has been good on minnows with chartreuse beads, using the bright color to attract the fish when water color is two feet or less. Thursday will probably be the death of the current conditions with rain and wind arriving to dampen the action. Be ready to jump at a moment’s notice after this round of inclement weather. Lisa Drabczyk with Creek Road Bait and Tackle in Lewiston was reporting a murky green color to the water. A few guys were fishing from shore in the gorge with spoons, spinners, eggs, or egg imitations like beads.
Over in Wilson Harbor, Matt Vogt of Newfane found some safe ice in the back bay and managed to catch some panfish. It was mostly bluegills and wax worms were the most effective. However, that ice will dissipate with the pending wind and rain on Thursday. The arctic freeze last weekend did its job, but the warming trend will put things right back into the “unsafe” category for hard water anglers. Tanner Niezgoda of Newfane hit 18 Mile Creek this week to catch his first steelhead of the year using an olive-colored jig. Water volume was low, and visibility was about a half-foot mid-week. Options in the tributaries will be good after the rain, but only after you’ve given the streams to settle back down again. Look for the smaller streams to ramp up and attract some fresh fish.
The Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo is only a week, a pure fishing trade show set for Feb. 16 to 19 at the Niagara Falls Convention Center. If you want to learn about fish and fishing, this is the show to be at. Last call for a new Walleye Fishing School that still has a few seats available. With over 220 seminars over the course of the four days, you can’t beat the amount of education that is available for all levels of fishing. Check out www.niagarafishingexpo.com for details. Next weekend is also the first Free Fishing Weekend of the year in the state, slated for Feb. 18 and 19. If you want to give ice fishing a try, take a cast in local streams or tributaries, or try drifting the Niagara River from a boat, no fishing license is required. However, you must abide by the regulations for the body of water you intend to fish. Next weekend is also the Birds on the Niagara Festival, set for Feb. 17 to the 20th with lots of in-person birding tours and recommendations on how and where to bird if you want to do things on your own. There is a new website at birdniagara.org.
The annual Birds on the Niagara Festival is set for Feb. 17 to the 20th with lots of in-person birding tours and recommendations on how and where to bird if you want to do things on your own. There is a new website at www.birdniagara.org. There is also free parking and admission to the Cave of the Winds all weekend through Monday.
Creek Road Bait and Tackle 