Would you like me to let you in on a little fishing secret? There’s some outstanding year-round fishing that takes place in Orleans County that frequently gets overshadowed by the more glamorous Lake trolling or fishing the tributaries for trout and salmon. If you can find the fortitude to look past the world-class trout and salmon fishing (if only for a while), a diverse and untapped fishery for bass, pike, walleye, panfish, and carp awaits.
Smallmouth bass can be found in both the Lake and tributary waters. The biggest fish live in the Lake around near-shore structure and shoals, venturing up the tributaries during cold water upwellings or for spawning. Tube jigs and live bait like leeches or crawfish are sure bets once the fish are located. In the tributaries during the early catch-and-release season, big spawning bass are present from the end of April through May and early June. Not to be confused with the migrating Lake bass, resident bass in the upper Oak Orchard River, primarily between Medina and Waterport, can provide nearly non-stop action. The fish are very willing biters on streamer flies or ultralight plugs and spinners.
Pike action is best in spring and fall in the lower reaches of the tributaries. Pike are still caught in the summer, but hook-ups are inconsistent. Generally, the biggest fish are in the larger waterways. Right after ice-out or when the winter weather breaks is not too soon to chase these toothy critters. Try spoons, large spinnerbaits, stick baits, or streamer flies. Hard water ice action is best in inland lakes, bays, and the downstream tributary waters off the big Lake, rewarding tip-up watchers with some of the best fish of the year. Ten plus pounders are not uncommon, coming off large chubs, shiners, or dead smelt.
Big walleyes up to 10 pounds are caught by shallow water trollers and casters alike during the spring. Some of the best action is around the Oak Orchard River mouth, usually around May. Fishing can be good earlier or later in the year depending on the weather or water flows. The walleye fishing is not just about large numbers of fish, but anglers targeting the evening and after-dark hours will likely hook up one or two good fish. Suspending, rattling stick baits in perch or silver/black colors are top producers. Other walleye action can also be found in Lake Alice and the Erie Canal all summer long.
Panfish like perch, rock bass, and sunfish provide bucker loads of fun and tasty eating later. Perch are targeted in the lower reaches of the tributaries through the fall, winter and spring. The deep water of the Oak Orchard River is excellent as well as Johnson Creek. Open water anglers score with bobber and minnow rigs and ice anglers with micro jigs tipped with various bait. Rock bass make a spawning run up the tributaries in the spring an dare great sport on ultralight rigs and small jigs. Sunfish and bluegills are found suspended in he cool waters of Lake Alice during late summer and early fall. Try spikes, waxworms or redworms from the bridge right in Waterport or else use a small boat to fish less pressured drop-offs and downed trees.
Carp are gaining popularity and for good reason. They’re big, numerous and they’re strong fighters. Carp can be found in all the Lake, tributary and inland waters of Orleans County. The largest fish are Lake Ontario fish that venture up the tributaries to spawn or forage. Thirty and 40 pound fish are not uncommon and some 50 plus pound fish are present. Take a cue from the accomplished European anglers who view the carp angling here as sort of Shangri-la. You can use basic worm or corn rigs or step up to the more advanced European match rod set-ups and methods of baiting a "swim" for large and smart fish.
The bass, pike, walleye, panfish, and carp action can offer a nice change of pace from the better known trout and salmon on fishing. Trolling the big Lake waters and fishing the tributaries might capture most of the glory, but now that you are a fisherman or fisherwoman “in the know,” give the other species a try, and you’ll probably come away a very satisfied angler.
