Winter Fishing Niagara Region : A Guide For Anglers

•  The Niagara River is one of the premier steelhead fishing destinations in North America, and winter provides a special opportunity to catch these elusive fish. Here are a few reasons why winter steelhead fishing on the Niagara River is a must for anglers:
• Prime Steelhead Migration: As water temperatures cool, steelhead move into the river from Lake Ontario, making winter the peak season for these fish.
• Less Crowded Waters: During the winter months, fishing pressure is typically lower, allowing anglers to enjoy the river with fewer crowds and more space.
• Challenging and Rewarding: Winter fishing requires patience and skill, making it a more rewarding experience when you hook into a steelhead.

•  The prime time for winter fishing on the Niagara River is typically from December to March. During this period, trout are most active, moving from Lake Ontario into the river in search of colder, oxygen-rich waters. That being said some winters are much harder than others. The month of December is fantastic as long as winds are calm and waters don't get muddy, ice is never a factor in December making it the best month for winter fishing. As we get into middle of January through end of February floating ice chunks come into play making fishing difficult but not impossible. March brings some slightly warmer weather that will begin to set us up for spring fishing.
• Winter fishing is often best during the warmer parts of the day so late starts and getting to sleep in a little longer is always good. The water conditions will also play a role in determining the best time to fish. Warmer winter days are ideal for winter steelhead fishing.

•  The Niagara River offers plenty of prime fishing spots for steelhead anglers, including:
• The Lower Niagara River: Known for its consistent steelhead population, especially during winter, the lower section is a hotspot for anglers. Areas near Devil’s Hole and The Whirlpool are popular fishing zones.
• The Niagara River Gorge: This area offers deep, slow-moving water, making it ideal for winter steelhead fishing.
• The Niagara Bar on Lake Ontario also holds a good number of fish in the winter months. This can be a great place to target trout as long as the river is navigable. Mild winters in the past gave us great days out on the big lake with plenty of open water to fish.

•  Fishing the Niagara River region in the winter requires specialized techniques and equipment. Here are some expert tips to ensure your success on the Niagara River:

Use the Right Gear

• Rods and Reels: A 7- to 9-foot medium-action rod is perfect for winter fishing. Pair it with a spinning reel in a 3000 to 4000 series that will insure you have an adequate amount of line as these fish will take a lot of drag.
• Lines: Use a 8- to 10-pound test line for better sensitivity and strength, especially in cold water.
• Bait and Lures: Steelhead are attracted to a variety of baits, such as spawn sacs, minnows, and nightcrawlers. In addition, try using brightly-colored lures like spoons or spinners to catch the attention of the fish.

Fish the Right Spots

• Steelhead tend to congregate near slow-moving pools, deep runs, and eddies during winter. Focus your efforts on these areas, as fish are more likely to rest in these calm sections of the river.

        Adapt to Water Conditions

• Water clarity and flow can greatly affect your success rate. During high-water conditions, try using heavier baits and lures to reach the deeper areas of the river.
• On clear days, steelhead can be more cautious, so try using lighter tackle and smaller, more natural-looking bait.
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Dress for the Weather

• Winter fishing on the Niagara River can be frigid, so make sure to wear insulated, waterproof clothing to stay warm and dry. Layer your clothes to maintain warmth without restricting movement.

• Before heading out, make sure you're familiar with the local fishing regulations. Winter fishing in the Niagara River Region has many seasonal changes and is governed by specific rules to protect the fish population. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
• License Requirements: Anglers must have a valid New York State fishing license to fish  the Niagara River on the New York Side as well as a valid Ontario Canada fishing license to fish the Canadian Side. Catch Limits: Always check the current regulations for catch and release rules and bag limits for Steelhead, Brown Trout, Lake Trout And Walleye as these can change to catch and release or lower bag limits depending on the time of year.         

PFD'S

• Boat under 21 feet in length requires all passengers to wear PFD'S while onboard between the months of November - April. However It's recommended that every passenger wears some form of Life Jacket or Float suit in the winter months regardless of boat length. Hypothermia can set in with-in minutes if someone was to go overboard. Wearing a Coast Guard approved life jacket or float suit could be the difference between life and death. Here is a link to United States Coast Guard to learn more about PFD's. Visit NYS-DEC to download a fresh water fishing regulations handbook 

• The primary reason that anyone would want to brave the cold weather and ice is to catch  Migratory trout like  Steelhead , Brown Trout and Lake Trout
• But the Niagara River Region has  1 more bonus species you can hook into in the cold months. The Great Lakes are home to some of the biggest Walleye in North America and the Niagara River holds some beauties in the winter. Anglers can keep 1 walleye per person from January 1st until March 15th when the season closes for spawning and doesn't reopen until May 1st. Rules may be different between the Upper River and Lower River but the winter fishing is almost all on the Lower Niagara River due to faster water and less ice. Catching Walleye in cold icy water makes the meat that much better. these fish will be more of a light blonde color as  opposed to the dark green colors they carry in the warmer months. 
• Live or Artificial 
• Its a bait fish bite for us here in the winter, drifting live minnows, trolling plugs of vertical jigging both hard baits and soft plastics are all great ways to catch fish in the winter.