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Newfane/Olcott: Some of the Best Fishing on the Planet!
by Bill Hilts, Jr.
The Town of Newfane, with the one-two punch of Olcott and Burt Dam/lEighteennnile Creek, has arguably some of the best freshwater fishing on the planet! Whether it’s salmon, trout, bass, pike or perch, there’s some type of fishing activity that the whole family can enjoy! And, you can catch fish year-round in this agriculturally -rich community. Here’s some excellent examples for arguing that point:
A Lock on the LOC Derbies
Last year was another excellent year for salmon and trout fishing. The Niagara County shoreline, led by the popular port of Olcott, was at the top of its game when it came to the 2009 spring and fall Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Trout and Salmon derbies. In the Spring derby, more than 70 percent of all the winning salmon and trout came from Niagara County - again - with many of those Junkers caught off Olcott. Nearly 40 percent of the winning fish in the fall were also caught right here, including the Grand prize winner. If you don’t believe us, log onto their website at www.loc.org and check out the past leader boards.
2009 Held Lots of Fun Fishing Events
Newfane/Olcott was the host to many fun fishing and family events throughout the summer. The 25th Annual Skip Hartman Memorial Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament was held June 6-7 last year and a near record 90 teams competed for over $70,000 in cash and prizes. The top pro team hailed from right here from Olcott-Team Thrillseeker led by Capt. Vince Pierleoni of Newfane. With near 10 different tournaments wins under his belt around the lake, six of them have come from his home port, pretty impressive to say the least. The top amateur squad was from West Springfield, MA _ Team Spponfed led by Glen Gervais. Also added in 2009 was a Big Boys Shootout event on Monday following the tournament, as well as the continuation of the Don Johannes and Pete DeAngelo memorial events leading to the tournament that Friday - making it more of a tournament week. The 2010 event promises to be even bigger and better, Log on to www.lakeontarioproam.com for more information. Dates are June 6-7 for 2009.
The New York Power Authority/Greater Niagara Fish Odyssey Derby was held September 20-28 and once again the top three winning steelhead trout and salmon in the adult division came out of Olcott. The weather was near perfect and the fish cooperated nicely for this local contest that focuses on kids and family. Kids are free to fish and compete for a ton of merchandise prizes. Log on to www.fishodyssey.net for details. Dates for 2009 are September 19-27.
The Buffalo Sabres Alumni (along with some current players and personalities) invaded Olcott last last June for a Spring Salmon Spectacular, bringing boats from around the lake to assist the local captains in a fund-raising effort. They had to tie the contest into Pro-Am week because it has become so popular! More than $10,000 was raised for the local charities and Town of Newfane causes. A total of 27 boats competed in the fun contest and a good time was had by all — especially the local community who turned out for autograph signings and pictures at Krull Park after the fishing. Food, fun and fishing all go hand-in-hand in Olcott. They will be back in 2010. To find out more information you can monitor the Alumni website at www.sabresalumni.com.
The 33rd greater Niagara Fish Odyssey Derby
was held September 19-27 and once again several of the winning fish in the adult division came out of Olcott. the weather was near perfect and the fish cooperated nicely for this local contest that focuses on kids and family. Kids are free to fish and compete for a ton of merchandise prizes. log on to www.fishodyssey.net for details. Dates for 2010 are September 18-26
Lake Ontario Stream Creel Census Highlights Eighteenmile Creek
DEC completed the second year of a creel census in the tributaries two years ago and one of the top streams in the entire state when it comes to fish numbers based on this creel is 18 Mile Creek right here in the Town of Newfane. Of course, Burt Dam and Fisherman’s Park is the primary destination. Based on those results of the two years, this favorite waterway blew the rest of the lake away when it came to brown trout catch from the middle of September to the end of November 2005. For that short timeframe, 18 Mile Creek had an estimated catch of nearly 23,000 brown trout! It was four times the amount of any other New York tributary! In 2006, the dominance was duplicated for browns. While there weren’t as many fish caught, it was still head and shoulders above any other stream. Eighteen Mile Creek was also at or near the top for steelhead, coho salmon and king salmon for both years of the creel. Based on numbers like these, 18 Mile Creek is an excellent waterway to target if you want as close to a guarantee as it gets when it comes to salmon and trout fishing. You can keep posted on the state’s creel census numbers by checking out the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov.
Net Pen Project Continues
Spearheaded by the Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association, Olcott will once again host a net pen project for salmon and steelhead in 2010, the fifth year in a row for such a project. Some 60 volunteers were involved to help rear 67,000 salmon at the Town of Newfane Marina. Other groups involved were the Newfane Business Association, the Niagara County Fisheries Development Board and the Town of Newfane. County Legislator John Syracuse, The Slippery Sinker, the Niagara River Anglers Association and DEC all played a role in the success of the project. Funds are now being supplied by LOTSA through an annual Lake Ontario Flea Market and Show held at the 4-H Building of Cornell Cooperative Extension Niagara, Lockport. This years event was held Feb. 22. This group reared 3,500 steelhead in a third pen to help improve the survival rates of these fish and imprint them to the waters of 18 Mile Creek. For mor information on LOTSA, check out www.lotsa.org.
The success of the first three years was outstanding both in the way of local support and in how the fish reacted to the 18 Mite Creek site. The fish grew big and healthy in a relatively short amount of time and the benefits will be realized out on the lake and the 18 Mile Creek. If you want to be part of this project, which will continue in 2010 and beyond, stop on down to the Town of Newfane Marina and express an interest or give project coordinator Curt Meddaugh a call at (716) 491-7771.
New Fishing Hotline
Want to how what’s going on with the local fishing scene? Your first stop should be the Niagara County Fishing Hotline. The new number for the hot-line is now (877) FALLS US. That’s right, it’s toll free! It’s also on the net at www.outdoorsniagara.com. For regular updates of the local fishing scene from April to October, check out www.olcottfishing.com.
The future is promising for the Town of Newfane in the fisheries department. More work is being conducted on 18 Mile Creek to expand what’s already been accomplished and sustain/enhance the fishery and environment even more. Handicapped access on the west pier has already taken place and funds are currently being discussed for additional pier work on the east side. More access, easier access — all good things. Kudos to the local officials who are making all this happen.
Local Fishing News
www.olcottnymarinafishnews.net
Western new York Fishing Hotline
www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/fishhotlines.html
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