Niagara County fishing conditions 3/1/25,3/9/25

[Gill-T]

A trip down the Niagara gorge as planned was put on hold due to the wind this morning so I decided to take a drive. 
 

-Keg Creek still has some ice but things are flowing. The mouth is probably not open. 

-Olcott Harbor has open water to the inner harbor wall so piers are fishable albeit dangerous. 
-Wilson has open water between the piers up to the start of the harbor

-4 mile creek is fishable but stained

-Fort Niagara launch and Youngstown Launches are not open but water conditions look great for casting from shore

-the ice boom is holding, the Niagara water is green and pretty much ice free. 
 

Last visible image from Modis over Lake Erie shows open water on the West end. When I flew over the lake Sunday, the East end of Lake Erie looked pretty well locked up. My forecast is a nice lower river drifting season ahead for the Niagara. You can only launch at Lewiston at this time. Olcott Harbor might be open mid-month if warm trends continue. 

Edited March 9 by Gill-T

[chowder]

Thanks. Never went anywhere this weekend.

[Gill-T]

Ice is fading fast. 
 

 

[Gill-T]

3/9/25- report. Nobody was drifting around the fort. Youngstown launch is free of ice and usable. The fort launches are not open (sign says closed). The water is super low at the fort launches and only small boats are going to be able to get out. Olcott launch is free of ice and usable. The shoreline is not ready yet. Lots of loose chunk and skim ice along shore. You probably could fish from 20’ fow or deeper. Lake Erie ice is fading FAST!  
 

 

[Locoman]

 

Good photo from today. By weeks end it's going to look alot different.

[Fjaq]

Gill T,,, thanks for the launch reports. Much appreciated.

[Gill-T]

Fished the Wilson and Olcott piers for a bit this morning hoping the approaching front would have them chewing. No fish caught plus the absence of any Seagull poop on either pier has me believing the bait is still off the bank a ways.  One boat seen off Olcott that held up two skinny Browns. No ice around and the water looked great. 
 

 

[GAMBLER]

  On 3/22/2025 at 6:29 PM, Gill-T said:

Fished the Wilson and Olcott piers for a bit this morning hoping the approaching front would have them chewing. No fish caught plus the absence of any Seagull poop on either pier has me believing the bait is still off the bank a ways.  One boat seen off Olcott that held up two skinny Browns. No ice around and the water looked great. 
 

 

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I casted off a buddies breakwall last week and there were tons of emeralds around the breakwall.  This was East of Sandy on my favorite shoal.  The difference is probably water temp. We don't have ice cold Niagara water out front.  

[Gill-T]

Glad to hear about Emeralds!  Every trib and ditch around here used to have runs that you could dip for them. They are gone from most places since the bad winters of 2014,15 where VHS reared its head. I hope they make a comeback. Critical species.