New York Frontier Report:

Niagara Bass
A pile of five pounders

By Bill Hilts Jr.

For the last couple of years, Empire State anglers have been enjoying a year-round bass season. While the traditional opener has always been the third Saturday in June, it still signals a time when anglers can keep a bass or two for the frying pan—or a trophy for the wall. Thanks to a new regulation that was enacted October 1, 2006, bass can actually be pursued and caught—albeit catch-and-release—prior to the June 20, 2009 opening date this year. If you like catching bass, this is a great time to target Lake Ontario waters.

The biggie out west is the lower Niagara River as fish congregate in the warmer waters of the shoreline. The area from Youngstown to Lewiston on the New York side of the river offers up some prime action for bronzebacks. While the early season was never officially opened before ‘06, some local experts insist that top water stickbaits such as Challengers and buzz baits would offer some feisty action the first three weeks of the month. If you’ve never had smallmouth hitting surface lures before, you’re in for a treat. However, there is a caveat. From the middle of June until the middle of July, fishing can be pretty darn tough due to an excessive amount of river moss that will flow down through the system each year. This can be a little aggravating and may force you to fish out into the lake and to the east in front of Fort Niagara and beyond.

To view the full story, pick up a copy of Outdoors Magazine today or Subscribe Now!