OrleansCountyTourism.com Skip to Main Content Contact Orleans County Tourism I Love NY (opens new window) Greater Niagara USA (opens new window)
Contact Orleans County Tourism
Orleans County Tourism
In association with I Love NY and Greater Niagara USA Region

News Release [pdf]

 Skip Navigation
Home
What's News
Schedule of Events
World Class Fishing
Grand Waterways
Recreation & Leisure
History & Culture
Markets & Shoppes
Restaurants  
Group Tours
Lodging
Photo Gallery
Beyond Our Borders
Links
Contact Us

Go to MapWorksInc.com for Interactive Map
Download PDF [143 KB]

World Class Fishing
Santa's favorite past time!
Lake Ontario is the most prolific Great Lakes trophy trout and salmon producer. Together with the Oak Orchard River, they form an unequaled year round trout and salmon sportfishery famous for its world class fishing. Fishing our waters is both relaxing and instantly exhilarating when fighting a 12 pound brown trout or 30 pound Chinook salmon.

The diversity and productivity of the Orleans County fishery is unequaled among Great Lakes trout and salmon angling destinations. Off our shores on Lake Ontario during the spring and summer months, our charter fleet can help you find and catch a staggering array of trophy trout and salmon. Chinook, Coho and Atlantic Salmon as well as Steelhead, Lake Trout and Brown Trout make the deep, cool waters of western Lake Ontario their home. They roam the cool, deep waters, gorging themselves on bait fish, growing large and strong as they await your offering of a spoon, lure or fly.
View Orleans County Map using MapWorks' Easy Streets Interactive Maps

For fishing conditions, call the Orleans County Tourism Fishing Hotline:
(585) 589-3220.

Orleans County Fishing Never Rests!
Fishing Seasons
R=Oak Orchard River & Tributaries
L=Lake Ontario
SEASON:
FALL
WINTER
SPRING
SUMMER
Salmon
R/L
-
L
L

Brown Trout

R
R
L
L
Steelhead
R/L
R
R/L
L
Bass
R/L
-
R/L
R/L
Pike
R
R
R/L
R/L
Summer Fishing on Lake OntarioSmall and Largemouth Bass are also abundant, aggressive and eager to bend your rod. They can be found in Lake Ontario, its tributaries like the Oak Orchard River and in numerous inland waterways. The upper Oak Orchard River between Medina and Waterport is an especially prolific Smallmouth fishery. A combination bass fishing/canoe trip is a delightful way to spend a hot, midsummer day.

Tributary Fishing at it's Best!Autumn in Orleans County, when the hardwood leaves are ablaze with vibrant reds and oranges and the apples are ready to be picked is when the mighty Chinook is drawn from the depths of the lake by the spawning instinct. It surges up the tributaries to spawn in remarkable numbers. Rumor has it that spawning salmon aren't feeding and will not take a lure or a fly, but rumor is proven wrong as these monstrous salmonids instinctively strike out at any presentation that threatens or disturbs their hallowed reproductive process. Along with the Chinook come the giant Brown Trout that have made the Oak Orchard area of Orleans County a "must visit" destination for trout fishermen from across the nation.

As the Brown and Salmon runs taper off towards the end of November, the sleek and feisty Steelhead begin their runs up the tributaries, continuing until the first of May, rounding out an entire year of fantastic, world class trout, salmon and pan fishing.

[Return to Top]

2008 Fishing Derbies & Tournaments

LOC Derby
Spring, Summer & Fall
Lake Ontario Counties

Spring: May 2 thru May 11, 2008
Summer: May 23 thru July 20, 2008
Fall: August 15 thru September 1, 2008
(888) 733-5246
www.loc.org

Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon & Trout Team TournamentOrleans County Pro-Am Tournament

June 7 & 8, 2008
Orleans County Marine Park at Point Breeze
Rte 98 N., Kent, NY
(585) 682-4925 or (585) 590-6000
www.lakeontarioproam.com

Erie Canal Derby

July 8 thru July 20, 2008
The Erie Canal between the mouth of the Niagara River & Main Street Bridge, Rte 98, Albion
(716) 772-7972
www.eriecanalderby.com

Orleans County Rotary Derby

August 2 thru August 17, 2008
Lake Ontario and it's tributaries from
the Niagara River to the Genesee River
(585) 589-6724
13937 Allen Road, Albion, NY 14411

Greater Niagara Fish Odyssey

September 20 thru 28, 2008
1-877-325-5787
www.fishodyssey.net

Archers Club Fall Catch & Release Fly Fishing Contest
October 22-24, 2008
Archer's Club on the Oak Orchard River.
Breakfast 4-6 am, dinner 3 pm.  Daily prizes.
W-F 6-3pm. 585-589-9012 or 589-6288 or 682-4546

[Return to Top]

Favorite Tackle of Orleans County

Trolling the Lake for trophy Salmon & Trout:
  • Dodger/Squid
  • Spin Doctor/Fly
  • Assorted Plugs: Rapala, Bomber, Rebel
  • Cut Bait
  • Spoon Patterns: Watermelon, Spook, Glow Frog, Dolphin
Spinfishing the Tribs for Salmon & Trout:
  • Artificial Eggs
  • Egg Sacks
  • Floating Jig with Mister Twister
  • Woolly Buggers (various colors)
  • Jig & Float

Rainbow FlyFlyfishing the Tribs:

  • Baby Rainbow-Steelhead
  • Frammus-Steelhead
  • Hares Ear Nymphs-Browns
  • Marks Carpetfly-Browns & Steelhead
  • Nuclear Roe Bugs-Brown

Note: For best results in the tributaries, be sure to drift lures & flies near the bottom. If you don't drift them naturally, you won't hook up!

[Return to Top]

Bait, Tackle and Fly Shops
*Licensing Agent
Bait Barn and Fly Shop
Route 279
Albion, New York 14411
(585) 589-5855
cabinfly@yahoo.com
Captains Cove Marina*
14339 Route 18
Waterport, New York 14571
(585) 682-3316
info@fishcaptainscove.com
Creekside Grocery and Hardware*
13265 Roosevelt Highway, Rt. 18
Waterport, New York 14571
(585) 682-4302
Sandy's Oak Orchard Marina
1298 Oak Orchard Road, Rt. 98
Kent, New York 14477
(585) 682-3970
Narby's Superette and Tackle*
1292 Oak Orchard Road, Rt. 98
Kent, New York 14477
(585) 682-4624
info@narbys.com
Orleans Outdoor Flyshop & Lodge*
1764 Oak Orchard Road, Rt. 98
Albion, New York 14411
(585) 682-4546
info@orleansoutdoor.com
Eagle Outfitters
14462 Ridge Road, Albion
(585)283-4006
eagleoutfitters69@yahoo.com
Outdoor Adventures
541-543b Main St.
Medina, New York 14103
(585) 798-3047
Fly

[Return to Top]

Derby on the Oak Orchard River
Fishing Guides & Charters: Our charter captains & guides are fully insured and licensed by the United States Coast Guard. They provide the rods, reels, lures and state of the art electronics to assure a hassle-free, unforgettable day of trophy fishing. Click here to view Fishing Charters & Guides in Orleans County. (Will open new browser window).

Our charter captains and guides will also help you find the appropriate lodging to suit your individual needs and lifestyle. Whether it's an efficient and comfortable motel, a quaint bed and breakfast, a cottage on the water, or a fully accommodating campground, Orleans County has your lodging needs covered. [Click here for Lodging & Marinas.]
Get Hooked on Orleans County Fishing!
Charter Checklist
  • Soft, white, rubber-soled boat shoes or sneakers
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen lotion and visitors hat
  • Warm clothing, raingear, windbreaker
  • A camera with lots of film and fresh batteries
  • A New York State Fishing License
  • A cooler to keep your catch fresh after leaving the boat
  • Lunch (sandwiches) & beverages
Take Me Fishing: Get information & get going at takemefishing.org
Lake Ontario Fishing

For fishing conditions, call the
Orleans County Tourism Fishing Hotline: (585) 589-3220.

[Return to Top]

Web Site Design by OCI Partners, LLC ©2008