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Walleye - females typically grow much larger than males. A walleye's lifespan can reach up to 25 years old. Walleyes' light-sensitive eyes will keep them confined to deep or murky waters during the day. They are best fished between the hours of dawn and dusk when they are relating to the bottom. When suspended, as they most generally are on Lake Erie, they will bite all day long because they are deep enough to avoid bright sun. Once hooked, they are known to be very strong fighters. Crayfish, minnows, leeches, night crawlers make excellent live bait for walleye. Some popular lures include spinners, stick baits, and spoons. The best time for catching walleyes out of the Dunkirk, NY area on Lake Erie is mid June – Sept. |
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Lake Trout - live very long and, with the right diet, will eventually grow between 15 and 40 pounds. Anglers commonly troll using downriggers for this species. Spinners, spoons and minnows are the most common attractor for these deep swimmers. Bottom rigs and cut bait will produce lake trout bites as well. The fish will wage a strong underwater battle once they are hooked. These can be targeted on Lake Ontario in April and May. Your best chance of catching a trophy (20-40 lbs.) is on Lake Erie out of the Dunkirk, NY area June – Sept. |
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Smallmouth Bass - can live up to 7 years in the south and up to 18 years in the north. Like the largemouth bass, these make for great freshwater sport fishing. Smallmouth will take just about any bait presented, and put up a strong fight afterward. Live baits include minnows, night crawlers, shiners and leeches. Streamer flies, crank baits, rubber worms and spinners also will produce. Your best chance to catch a wall hanger (fish exceeding 5 lbs.) is in June on Lake Erie out of Dunkirk, NY |
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Brown Trout - known for their fast growth, but they rarely live longer than 8 years. Stream-dwelling brownies will not grow as large as lake-dwellers. The species can grow over 30lbs. in Lake Ontario. These are the wariest eaters of all the trout. Night crawlers and minnows are your best chance to trigger their appetites. The best time to catch these big Lake Ontario Brownies is in April when they come in close to shore chasing spawning bait fish. Planer boards with stick baits and downriggers with small spoons fished in 3-8 ft. of water is your best presentation. |
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Chinook (King) Salmon - usually spawn between the ages of two and 9. They die right after spawning. Before beginning the upstream run, they grow between 15 and 25 pounds. Males will generally be much larger. Chinook are extremely sensitive to light and are less likely to feed on the surface. They will hit trolling flies, erratic plugs, spoons, spinner/salmon egg combos and whole or cut baitfish. Once hooked, Chinook run and fight tenaciously. The best time to catch Kings is off the Wilson/Niagara Bar area of Lake Ontario during the month of May. |
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Coho Salmon - usually spawn between the ages of 2 and 5 — most commonly at 3 years. They will die after spawning. Males will generally be much larger. Cohoes are extremely strong fighters. Unlike the Chinook, they will usually feed near the surface. They have a reputation for leaping repeatedly and changing direction very quickly — occasionally charging toward the boat. They can be hooked with spawn bags, dodger-fly combos, plugs, spinners, and spoons. Like their cousins the Kings, the best time to catch these is during May off the Wilson/Niagara Bar area of Lake Ontario. |
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Rainbow trout (Steelhead) - normally live
between 4 and 6 years, but some have been recorded up to 11 years. The rainbow trout's knack for striking
insects on the water's surface makes them a favorite among fly fishermen. They
usually leap 5 or 6 times before capture. They are also very popular on
conventional light tackle. Rainbows will hit a variety of baits, spoons,
spinners, and plugs. The Best time to catch Rainbow Trout is the month of May
off the Wilson/Niagara Bar area of Lake Ontario or July – September off the
Dunkirk, NY area of Lake Erie. Winter run rainbows are available October
– April in all the tributaries feeding the Great Lakes Capt. Paul Dreher 17 S. Sylvan Glen |
Frewsburg, NY 14738
Pictures and info obtained from
