Date: 2026-07-20
Quick Take: Salmon fishing remains strong in Lake Ontario and Oswego County, with brown trout plentiful in 40 to 70 feet of water. Fluke action is steadily improving near Montauk, while striped bass continue to provide good inshore action. Midshore bluefin tuna fishing is also hot offshore.
Best Bet This Week: Target salmon in eastern Lake Ontario and Oswego County using spoons, cut bait, or flies 50 to 140 feet down on riggers. Concentrate efforts in 40 to 80 feet of water from Catfish Creek to Nine Mile Point for consistent catches.
What Fish Are Active: Salmon, brown trout, smallmouth bass, fluke, striped bass, bluefin tuna, black seabass, and walleye are all active. Smallmouth bass are strong in the Niagara River, while fluke are improving off Montauk.
Where to Fish: Lake Ontario (salmon, brown trout), Niagara River (smallmouth bass, walleye), Montauk (fluke, striped bass), Oswego County (salmon, brown trout), Eastern Sound (porgy), and offshore midshore grounds (bluefin tuna). Specific marks in the reports include 1K, Catfish Creek around Nine Mile Point, and Peconic Bay around Shinnecock Inlet.
Freshwater Focus: The Niagara River is producing solid smallmouth bass and walleye. The Erie Canal offers pike, bass, crappies, and sunfish. No new specific freshwater stocking or fly pattern updates are available.
How to Fish: Use spoons, cut bait, and flies on riggers for salmon in Lake Ontario. Jigging and bait fishing subsurface are effective for striped bass on deeper reefs. Dredge bucktails or live eel for fluke near Montauk.
Best Baits and Lures: Effective baits include spoons, cut bait, worm harnesses for walleye, live eel for fluke, and metal lips or topwater plugs for striped bass surf fishing. Cheaters on rigger setups work well for brown trout.
Trend Watch: Salmon and brown trout bites remain strong with brown trout condensing into smaller bands as water warms. Fluke action is slowly improving with bigger keeper-size fish showing. Bluefin tuna are spreading out midshore with consistent action.
Regulation and Access Changes: No new regulation changes reported. Public lands and waters in Oswego County and eastern Lake Ontario remain open with ample access for shore and boat anglers. The Wayne County Youth Fishing Derby is ongoing through July.