Fall fishing: Don’t fear the cold front
Photo courtesy of Frank Campbell Gary Laidman of South Wales, N.Y., is pictured with a 27-pound salmon he caught on the Niagara Bar in Lake Ontario fishing with Capt. Joe Cinelli of Grand Island.
Photo courtesy of Adam McInerney Occasional tributary visitors to our Lake Erie tributaries include beautiful brown trout.
Photo courtesy of Frank Campbell Gary Laidman of South Wales, N.Y., is pictured with a 27-pound salmon he caught on the Niagara Bar in Lake Ontario fishing with Capt. Joe Cinelli of Grand Island.
Photo courtesy of Adam McInerney Occasional tributary visitors to our Lake Erie tributaries include beautiful brown trout.
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Fall arrives differently on eastern Lake Erie. As September slips toward October, cooler temperatures and passing cold fronts can change our fishing game almost overnight. One day the walleye, yellow perch and smallmouth bass are cooperating; the next, they seem to have collectively decided that breakfast, lunch and dinner are overrated.
Don’t worry. It’s not the end of the fishing season -- it’s simply time to adjust.
Cold fronts can temporarily slow the bite, particularly for walleye, perch and smallmouth bass. Stable weather following a front can bring those fish back to life, so anglers willing to watch the forecast and pick their days can still find excellent opportunities. It's then that these same starved fish will binge feed. So get ready for that.
There is an upside to the cooler weather too: fewer crowds.
From Buffalo to Ripley, popular launch areas that include Sturgeon Point, Sunset Bay, Dunkirk Harbor and Barcelona Harbor typically become quieter as summer fades. That can mean easier launching, less boat traffic and more time actually fishing instead of waiting your turn at the ramp.
For boat anglers, fall is a good time to keep the tackle selection simple and adaptable. Walleye anglers can work familiar presentations such as crankbaits, jigs and worm harnesses, adjusting depth and speed as water temperatures change. Perch anglers can keep smaller offerings handy, while smallmouth fans can continue working rocky structure when conditions cooperate.
Fall brings another spectacular opportunity nearby.
The steelhead and salmon are calling. As Lake Erie changes, many summertime Lake Erie charter captains point their boats north toward Lake Ontario, where the annual king salmon run becomes a major attraction. Ports including Lewiston, Fort Niagara, Wilson and Olcott come alive with anglers chasing powerful Chinook salmon.
Some of these autumn kings can top 30 pounds, making them a serious handful for even experienced anglers. It is one of Western New York’s great fall fishing traditions -- and for many Lake Erie charter services, moving north for the salmon run provides an exciting way to extend the season.
Back on Lake Erie, the other major fall player is steelhead. As tributary temperatures drop, steelhead become increasingly active around Lake Erie tributary mouths and begin
moving into the streams. Boat anglers can target them near the mouths, while shore anglers and wading fishermen can follow the fish upstream.
That creates two very different -- and equally entertaining -- ways to enjoy the same fall transition. It's an exciting time.
From a boat, anglers can cover water, locate concentrations of fish and take advantage of changing conditions. Small spoons, spinners and plugs can be effective around tributary mouths.
In the tributaries, anglers trade the boat for a pair of waders, a light spinning or fly rod setup and a willingness to explore. Small spinners, spoons, beads, egg patterns and nymphs are popular choices, depending on water conditions and regulations. Just remember: steelhead have seen plenty of fishermen before, and they didn’t get to be Lake Erie’s famous fighters from being gullible. They can be skittish, and then, too, they can devour everything you toss in the creek.
Autumn creates a remarkable variety of fishing opportunities within a relatively small corner of Western New York.
The best fall strategy is flexibility. Watch the weather, dress in layers, change locations when necessary and keep several presentations available.
A cold front may temporarily put some fish off their feed, but it also signals the beginning of one of Lake Erie’s most exciting seasonal transitions.
The crowds are smaller. The scenery gets better. Steelhead are arriving. The king salmon are putting on their annual heavyweight show across Lake Ontario.
You and I will both take note that somewhere between September and October, fall fishing stops being something to endure -- and becomes something to look forward to.
Gotta love the outdoors.
CALENDAR
Sept. 26: NYS Free Fishing Day, no license required for residents or nonresidents.
Sept. 26: National Hunting and Fishing Day, Erie County, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free admission, free fishing, archery, face painting, more; presented by the Erie County Federation of Sportsmen at Elma Conservation Club, 600 Creek Road, Elma.
Sept. 26: National Hunting and Fishing Day, Niagara County, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., NY Power Authority Wildlife Festival at the NYPA Power Vista.
Sept. 26: Air Rifle Shoot, 10 a.m. start, Westfield Fish & Game, Ogden Road, Westfield; info: 716-969-8344.
Sept. 26-27: Youth Waterfowl Hunt Weekend, for youth 12-15 years old, must be accompanied by a licensed adult. Visit www.dec.ny.org.
Sept. 30: 3-D Archery, Evans Rod & Gun Club, 4 p.m. start, $10 fee, 15 targets, free instruction 4-6 p.m.; Info: call Jerry Gorski, 716-698-3008.
Oct. 1: Opening Day for NYS Early Big Game Archery Season -- deer and bear.
Oct. 1: Opening Day for small game ruffed grouse and cottontail rabbit in the Southern Zone.