Remember this time last spring when we were all nervous about being in tight quarters with another human, let alone getting in a boat with someone to fish? Many believed everything they touched could carry the virus, and worse yet, we were going to run out of TP. Speaking of TP, there is a brilliant book on that subject titled No Toilet Paper by author Hans Brown… but I digress. As a country, we’ve learned a lot since last spring; unfortunately, much of it the hard way. This spring, there is a feeling of renewal in the air, a fresh start if you will. I believe with vaccines and wearing masks in large gatherings, we can enjoy a new normal, and as anglers, we can again celebrate the fact Western New York has some of the finest fishing in the U.S. I would put the freshwater fishing within a few hours’ drive in any direction of Rochester against any place in the country. With boundless fishing waters like Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, the Finger Lakes, and the Thousand Islands region, our fishing in Upstate New York is something to be proud of. Most anglers in the U.S. would give up their second vaccine to live in such a fishing paradise.
Each month brings on a hot bite for a different species of fish. Come April, trout are the fish to target. Whether you’re a stream angler or a Lake Ontario troller, you can’t go wrong. These two styles of fishing are about as different as opera and hip hop, and rarely does a stream angler ever troll or vice versa. If you choose stream fishing, there are hundreds if not thousands of miles of great trout streams across the state. The DEC stocks around 2.3 million catchable-size brook, brown, and rainbow trout in almost 300 lakes, ponds, and roughly 3,100 miles of streams across the state. Many of these streams support wild populations of trout as well. Good fishing can be had on inland streams like Naples Creek, Catherine Creek, and Powder Mills Park. The DEC stocks around 151,000 brook trout, 1.8 million brown trout, 89,000 of which are two-year-old fish that average thirteen inches, and around 392,000 rainbow trout each spring into streams and lakes. The DEC has some great information on stocking areas and tips on stream fishing on their website.
If you are looking for big brown trout, Lake Ontario is the place to play come April. As the lake warms up to the low 40s, brown trout leave the creeks and rivers and move along the shoreline, shopping the warmer water for schools of baitfish. They will often congregate around river mouths where the warmer river water meets the lake water. Pier anglers at these tributaries have good luck at certain times but are limited to that location. If you have a boat, trolling is your best bet, as the browns are usually scattered, and trolling allows you to cover much more water. Almost any boat 14-foot or larger will work as you will be fishing close to shore, that is, if Lake Ontario is in a good mood. Just beware of wind changes and get off the water if the winds switch to the north. Offshore south winds usually bring warm temperatures and calm waters, at least near shore. Any winds out of the north or west, and the big O gets upset fast. There is a free application called “Windfinder” that gives you a five-day wind forecast and, in some cases, predicts wave heights. We have learned by using this app all summer when fishing walleyes on Lake Erie to double their predicted wave height, and you will get a better idea of how rough it will be. As far as trolling equipment goes, all you need is a couple of decent fishing rods rigged with 12 to 15 lb. test fishing line and a handful of minnow-shaped stick baits, and you will be good to go. Troll them behind the boat about 60 to 100 feet back and motor slowly along the shoreline, staying under 2.5 mph, fishing when possible right where the darker tributary water intersects with the clear lake water.
Without a doubt, the greatest thing about these fandangle (geezer alert) smartphones is that it weeds out the baloney (second geezer alert) artists when it comes to bragging about the fish they catch. These days, if someone doesn’t show you a picture of the fish they claim they caught, it didn’t happen! Unfortunately, a photo is all you may want when catching these Lake Ontario browns because, like their cousins, the salmon aren’t the greatest table fare. Best break out the smartphone and practice CPR – “Catch… Photograph… Release!” That is, unless you have a recipe that can take the strong flavor out of these browns, then by all means, “release to the grease.” Remember, unlike salmon in the fall, these browns aren’t in the process of dying, and if released, someone else could enjoy the fun that the fish gave you.
Unless it’s a trick, spring has come early this year so let’s all get fishing in the greatest fishery in the country. Yes, I said it, the greatest! Anyone that disagrees, please go to wedontgivearatshindquarters.com.
