Shore fighting big fish in a strong current with a deep bottom full of snags.....ain't easy but it can have it's rewards! 

Nice

Here is another Niagara River fighter.      Captain "Reel Action" gets action.

Do you guys fish the niagara river gorge then from shore...
 
I've often eyed the raging river down there, wondering if anything swims in it, and if anybody fishes it?  some incredible fish there!  I thought lake trout were deep water fish! do they run into shallow river in the fall, or are they there year round?  
 
can you fish just below the falls in a boat somehow? - the "maid on the mist", makes it run, but I've never seen another boat anywhere.  Can you shore fish it?  Holding up a huge lake trout with the falls in the background would make a pretty spectacular photo... 
 
just curious.  

We walked down into the devils gorge hole last year while on vacation there and there were fisherman fishing from shore on the u.s side at least. I was told there are no boats allowed up that far except for the jet boat that takes passengers for the thrill ride through the rapids and devils hole.

There were also signs about not being allowed to walk to the rivers edge but we did it as did everyone else.

Hopefully people from that area with more knowledge can give a definate answer.

You can shore fish a lot of areas along the Niagara. Some are very dangerous and those areas are just to fast to fish. We have fished the Devil's Hole on down to Lewiston's Art Park through the years. Niagara is a super challenge from shore. It's a huge "deep river" with strong whirlpool boils and loaded with large bottom rocks (snags). The current is unsupassed to any other river in North America. It is also loaded with fish! Lakers and Steelhead this time of year patrol the river steady. The fight of the larger fish in the strong current double the normal battle. We travel over four hours at least once or twice a year to stay a few days just to challenge the Niagara. We have boat fished many years but my preference is still the shoreline action. It is a challenge with snags 30-50 hooks ties a day is not uncommon when bouncing the bottom.The fish also use the strong current to their advantage to break off even 10 lb.line. But once you hook up and battle and land few trophies you are hooked for life. I tease my buddies with the line" Anyone can catch Trout in a creek but real fishermen fish a river" ! Give it a try sometime........it usually humbles most fishermen who never fished it.............but don't give up! A few photos from the past..   http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/101180776vNqpqT

Dave,
 
The "Devil's hole" is very popular with experienced boat anglers ( no place for a 1st timer ), and guides. The hole you're thinking of, is probabley the Whirlpool, and would require a jet boat, and great skill to reach by boat. It may even be restricted. You can access it ( via a long walk ), and the Devil's hole by shore. Most of the Lakers I hear of are caught in the lower drifts, below the powerplants. I've caught them just above Artpark, both from shore, and boat. The area in front of ( and just below ) the Lewiston launch, has a stretch of less turbulent flow, and sandy/gravel bottom. The Lakers are often found in this stretch. Some Walleye, as well. 

Spoon: Yes your right I meant the whirlpool hole was restricted. When we were on vacation we just drove down the road on the U.S. side. We stopped at the whirlpool lookout and also the next one down which I'm assuming was devils hole? We walked down to the river and could see fishermen fishing the shore and we also watched the boaters on the u.s side at the powerplant.

I have no personal knowledge but was told that trail went for a couple of miles along the river. I did see the signs that said no access to the river but it seemed most people were going to the the river just for a better view at least.

I fished the whirlpool for the first time this year for salmon. We got 2 over the course of several trips. We also fished devils hole but didnt get any there. If you want large numbers of fish this is not the place to go but if you want a shot a nice sized steelie, coho, king or laker that will give you the fight of your life this is the place to go! We stayed with a former guide by the name of Bill Josheph he is famous in that area for catching giant fish outa that river. It is a VERY DANGEROUS place be very careful we wore life jackets while we were near the water! Also pay attention to the water level the river can rise several feet in several minutes due to turbines located above the falls don't get trapped on a rock out in the water this happened to me in devils hole and I was TERRIFIED! For steelies and salmon when the water rises use spoons and when the water is low drift skein under a float you wont be dissapointed! Be careful and have fun!

So how did you get off the rock?