Niagara steelhead

NY Outdoor news reports a fresh run of fish with many large ( >10 lbs) fish.   
 
It used to be that large was >20 lbs, but everyone is downsizing!

What Captain said no doubt...those hogs are in the mix...few but there

You won't be wading the Niagara. Shore fishing requires a good pair of hunting boots. The rocks and shore are usually flat enough to move around but like any snow and ice covered area you need to be careful. The Niagara is very dangerous and drops off very quick. It has some crazy whirlpool boils as well as a strong flowing currents. Some actually flow or swirl upstream  in certain areas. Don't take any risk if you fall in this time of year your in serious trouble. Just use common sense! The fish move all around the river so don't move too much sooner or later they will be in your area.
 
My biggest tip to novice anglers is casting upriver, try not to cast too far out or too close to shore. There is a sweet spot at about halfway. Your line or bait should be tapping bottom by the time it's about in front of you on the drift. If your not barely tapping bottom your not in the strike zone. Adjust your weight so you are barely ticking that bottom. Be ready for a lot of snags until you get that feel . The fish grab it with a few light double taps so set your hook when your suspicious. Once hooked be ready for the most powerful fighting Trout you'll experience just about anywhere. Whether Lake Trout ,or Steelhead in the Niagara, these fish are extremely powerful with the currents and the wide deep water. This is what true Steelheading is about , fighting a true sport fish from shore on his conditions! Don't be disgusted if you loose most that's just Niagara's way, it nothing like fishing in the tribs ! These fish are full of power and have the whole river to burn out that drag. (and they will)
 
Baits - Egg sacs , spoons , Vibrix Spinners, jigs , minnows (live or salted) and whatever else you catch Trout on. They will all work.
 
Tips - if the river is pea green your in trouble low visibility, emerald green ,grab your gear! 
 
Line - I start with 8lb. and go from there up or down.
 
Penn reels - 4400 SS series
 
Places to stay - Hope these numbers are still the same ............These are basic rooms mainly for fishermen close to the river. We stayed at the first two many a trip. There are other hotels near but are way more expensive.
 
Portage Hotel, Lewiston NY.- 716-754-8295   (not bad)
Riverside Motel, Lewiston NY - 716-754-4101 (smaller rooms)one room had 3 single beds   
Youngstown Motel,Youngtown NY- 716-745-9906  (never stayed here )
 
Dinning in Lewiston - Tin Pan Alley, or JJ's Cabin outside of Lewiston. There was a breakfast diner in town also. Grocery store in town also. Not sure about a license, no bait shops in Lewiston, try a Wal-Mart on your way. 
 
Fishing - Art Park area , Devils Hole area....ck out satellite maps. There are parking lots.
 
Good luck, it's a challenge and it's an awesome place to fish, one good day and you'll be addicted !
 
 
 
    

Thank you for your time and info   
Steve

Just another tip for travelers heading to the Niagara to fish. Try and monitor the winds up on Lake Erie before locking in on your plans. High strong winds will make the Niagara murky usually a day or so later. If Erie is blowing strong for a few days the Niagara will most likely look pea green or worse. If Erie has been fairly calm a few days pack your gear and head up.
 
My first step was to go down to the launch in Lewiston and look over the side walls , if you see the rocks under water fairly clear your in business ! Emerald green's your perfect color.
 

Perfect water!     
NY power plant as seen from Canada. Notice fishermen on metal pier platform on right side.
I fished that area before and after the platform was built. No parking there employees only ,you must walk the Power Plant entry road down hill. Very long walk, especially back up hill .

Good luck , Spring time fishing is very good especially out near the mouth (Bar) or Fort Niagara area. There is not much shore fishing open at the mouth. Coast Guard and Fort Niagara own all that , and it has no access for shore fishing that I know of (too bad)at least on the river side. Boats do well just fishing around the buoy out in the lake. Drifting bait , jigs , lures will do best.
Check your regulations also, some limits are different from Fall to Spring some are out of season also. We never kept any Lakers ever , only a few Steelhead , Salmon , and Browns. Most of our fish were returned after photos. There are also Musky , Pike , Smallmouth , and Walleye in Niagara as well. We have caught all along with the Trout and Salmon.

CAPT. one last question, is this a realativly good time to go to the NIAGARA or wait till spring, it is a long Drive! Manistee is prime March thru April.

What happened to the short post about the charter and sport store at the landing?

If you were inquiring about the bait shop (A-1) that use to be in the round building near the launch it had closed up years ago. It was nice and convenient while there. I don't know if it has ever reopened again. As far as I know there aren't any bait shops in the Lewiston area anymore. Use to be Kim's bait in Lewiston, and Devil's Hole bait shop up by the power plants, but they also closed years ago.

Lewiston fish cleaning station

Thanks for all the advise. I was going to take my boat and start at the mouth and work my way uo to the power dams. How many miles it from the dams to the mouth. And and locations to refuel. Can't wait. I am going to do Mamuee for the first time also. Anyone want to go. Thanks I need All the advise and knowledge can get   

The parking is on top the hill. Not a lot of spots but it works on most days. The fish cleaning station is up there too. All are free to use.
 
The flow at the power plants is very fast and can be treacherous to both novice and seasoned boat anglers. I would not attempt it especially alone ! You must leave your motor running at all times up there just so you have emergency motor power if needed! The drift is very fast with boils of currents all thru. As a beginner on the Niagara I would stay away from there. If you want to witness the Devil's Hole area drive up to the NY power plant. They have a lookout area in the visitor center there, or drive past the center and park at the road entrance and walk down to the power plant on the road. See pic # 3 that's it.  
 
A few years back a charter captain's boat got swamped in the current at the Power Plants
(Devil's Hole), it cost him and one female passenger their lives! One passenger was luckily saved by another boat in the drift. Even with life jackets on I'm not sure one will survive those currents and whirlpools if you fell in that area! That boat got sucked in the current at the transom and rolled completely over. The boat was recovered miles down river.
 
I would recommend staying in the Lewiston drift on down river. I would also keep a life jacket on or very close by just for safety. Fishing can be awesome at times, but use common sense this river can be dangerous to all fishermen.
 
I've fished the Maumee river too !    
 
 

Hello one and all I just discovered fishing in the devil's hole/whirlpool area and I'm having the hardest time, I started with vibrax spinners (chrome and gold ) lost every single one of them I'm now experimenting with beads so far I've ran yellow clear red and pinkish ones (10mm and 8mm) I'm 90% sure I got at least 1 nibble.
Are the fish super finicky this time of year ? Should I run smaller beads? The biggest question I've got is since the rivers so deep so quick bit also so fast , how deep should I run my veads? Ik it's a lot to ask but I'd appreciate any answers you could give

Probably better to fish some what close, according to channel maps water drops off to around 100 feet deep not far from shore, you will get snagged on the ledge if you are fishing too far out. I found it the hard way, I was up too late in the year and water was off color and air was cold 14 degrees.