Niagara bar spring fishing

[Grasscutter]

Hey guys wondering if theres an existing thread or maybe start a new one on some tips and tricks for spring fishing the bar

[NymphO]

What species ? The bar holds just about everything.

[Mike M]

Theres no were else you could want to be in the first 2 weeks of May!!

[fishinfreak]

Interested to hear some info as well .

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[Grasscutter]

Eh i guess mostly cold water stuff. Trout and salmon. What a preferred method? Trolling and maybe bouncing the ledge?

[prayingmantis]

Eh i guess mostly cold water stuff. Trout and salmon. What a preferred method? Trolling and maybe bouncing the ledge?

We trolled the bar last year for the first time and killed it. It was the most fun we have ever had. Honestly it was really crazy. Had a hard time keeping lines in. We ran riggers and divers. Flies did work but not nearly as good as our spoons did. A majority of the fish were on mag spoons. Good mix of kings and Lakers depending on our speed.

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[Mike M]

We typically troll a spread of mag spoons and flasher flies. Last year it seemed they wanted spoons more then flies for first half of season. North of the red can at the 50 to 200 fow drop off is the place to be. Productive troll is west to east and east to west. Riggers and divers are all u need. Please no boards! To much traffic.Maybe a 10 color down the shut. We always get Canadian lic. so border is no factor. Good luck!!

[rdebadts]

I’m not kidding when I say put down just about anything and you will catch a lot of fish. Meat and regular sized spoons are good for us. Idk why, but flasher/fly are a relatively small part of our program early season on the bar


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[Grasscutter]

Thats what i hear. More of a spoon program in skinny water than anything else From what ive been reading and hearing.

[Grasscutter]

9 hours ago, Mike M said:

We typically troll a spread of mag spoons and flasher flies. Last year it seemed they wanted spoons more then flies for first half of season. North of the red can at the 50 to 200 fow drop off is the place to be. Productive troll is west to east and east to west. Riggers and divers are all u need. Please no boards! To much traffic.Maybe a 10 color down the shut. We always get Canadian lic. so border is no factor. Good luck!!

So as long as you have a canadian license you can travel into canadian water? Is there any other procedures you need to follow?

[jimski2]

The Bar is not like Lake Ontario Fishing. It is warmer water Lake Erie water. Nutrient rich and oxygenated by the falls and power plants a higher metabolism rate is present resulting in a greater feed rate. The high planktons feed the bait brings fry and minnows that feed the salmon and trout populations keeping them nearby and in the flume that extends along the south shoreline past Wilson and Olcott.


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[fishinfreak]

Can you get by without a Canadian license. Where can you launch from and stay . I want to bring my dad and kids up on the new boat .

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[Kwall]

How far is the bar from Olcott, planning a trip May 17 , 

[ghauser]

18 miles

[Fishnut]

its about 17.5 or 18 miles on the water. no you don't have to buy a Canadian license to catch fish but sometimes it helps.

Edited March 11, 2019 by Fishnut

[Mike M]

For a number years you had to phone canadian customs if you were crossing the border. Now were back to how it used to be years ago. So long as you do not land in Canada or drop anchor in Canadian water you don't have to do anything. Off course if your fishing you better have Canadian licences.Also they only allow 2 rods per licenced angler.

[NymphO]

Can you get by without a Canadian license. Where can you launch from and stay . I want to bring my dad and kids up on the new boat .

 

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Fort Niagara has a public launch that is very nice. About a 3 minute ride and your on the bar. Or, depending on exactly when and what species your after, staying near Wilson will split the difference between Olcott and the bar. You definitely can get by without a Canadian license just watch the line and stay inside it.

 

[Grasscutter]

Thanks for clearing up the canadian thing. Although the licenese is a little expensive i think i read $82 i think it may be worth it. What are some good vertical jigging baits?

[Gill-T]

The Canadian side of the bar is a good option on an East wind blow. 

[Bozeman Bob]

Wilson is 12 miles from the bar. That is why the creek that flows into the harbor is called 12 mile creek. In Olcott it is 18 mile creek . Then there is 4 mile creek which is also 4 miles from the Niagara River,  the starting point for the names of these creeks.

[Kwall]

Is Olcott go that time of year, going for 4 days will probably trailer to the bar 

[Gill-T]

There are no fish in olcott. You best stay away. 

[Kwall]

Lol

[NymphO]

There are no fish in olcott. You best stay away. 

There were tons last year but they were all caught and not released....

[Kwall]

I know last year was awesome in the summer but never been there in May