As winter settles in, the Saiff Fleet often reflects on the past fishing season, discussing the trends and patterns in our ever-evolving fishery. By April, my focus shifts to Pultneyville, New York, a hotspot for browns and coho salmon along its picturesque shoreline. However, once May arrives, I embark on an exciting two-and-a-half-month journey, targeting the largest brown trout of the entire fishing season on the eastern end of Lake Ontario. This article provides an overview of my effective fishing techniques, including the best locations to explore and the gear to use from early May through July.
Location, Location, Location: Henderson Harbor and Stony Creek
Two pivotal locations for anglers pursuing spring and early summer brown trout are Henderson Harbor and Stony Creek. These areas are key stocking sites, where large quantities of brown trout fingerlings are released each spring. For instance, at the docks of Westview Lodge alone, nearly 15,000 brown trout are stocked annually. These young fish tend to seek refuge along the shoreline docks, utilizing the shallow waters as a hiding spot from avian predators while they acclimate to their new environment.
Water Temperature Matters
The early April stockings are strategically timed before the main cormorant migration, resulting in a higher survival rate for these young trout. Additional stockings in Stony Creek help create a solid foundation for the eastern end of Lake Ontario. Notably, this region warms more slowly than the southern shore, which influences fish behavior and movement patterns. By late April, anglers can expect to find fish following the warmer water temperatures, moving offshore into areas like Sodus Bay, Fair Haven, and Pultneyville. In Henderson and the surrounding areas, most brown trout will be concentrated in depths of five to ten feet, making it essential for anglers to target these shallow waters during this time.
Working the Shoreline: From Black Pond to Southwick Beach State Park
In late April, one of the hottest fishing spots is the shoreline stretching from Black Pond to Southwick Beach State Park. To maximize your success, it’s essential to monitor local wind forecasts, as wind direction plays a significant role in determining where the warmest water temperatures will accumulate. West winds can trap warm water in the Black Pond area and behind the shoal on Drowned Island, while north winds will push warmer water south along the shoreline and in front of Southwick Beach.
Estuaries, Outflows, and Surrounding Tributaries
As late April ushers in warming daytime temperatures, the run-off from local streams and tributaries also begins to rise. This warming trend can create hotspots for fishing. During periods of slack wind, the estuary of Sandy Creek and the outflow of Colwell Pond near Montario Point become particularly effective fishing locations. The run-off from these outflows is typically warmer than the surrounding lake water, and the murky nature of this water can help conceal your bait presentations from hungry fish.
Big Brown Setup
For targeting big brown trout in shallow waters, a combination of spoons and plugs fished from planer boards is highly effective. A reliable setup would include 12 lb. test Trilene Big Game fishing line paired with a seven-foot Seaguar fluorocarbon tippet. At the terminal end, use a #2 Berkley round-nosed cross-lock snap. This connection allows your baits to swim freely and provides the added benefit of quickly changing baits as needed.
Stick Baits on the Eastern End
If you prefer stick baits, Dave’s Ka-Boom lures are an excellent choice for brown trout fishing. The smallest versions dive just one to three feet, making them ideal for targeting fish in shallow waters. For those who favor spoons, Michigan Stinger trolling spoons are a popular option due to their vibrant color schemes and enticing action that appeal to spring brown trout.
When trolling, aim for speeds between 1.5 and 2.5 knots in cloudy water conditions, as this slower pace allows for better bait concealment. Conversely, when fishing in clearer waters, consider increasing your trolling speed to around 3.5 knots. This faster pace enables you to cover more area and can trigger reaction strikes from shoreline browns that are less cautious in more transparent conditions.
Deeper Water from Late May to Mid-June: Alewife Run in Eastern Lake Ontario
The alewife run in eastern Lake Ontario is a remarkable phenomenon during May, as vast schools of these baitfish embark on their spawning journeys. This influx of alewives attracts jumbo brown trout, which are typically found near these concentrated bait schools. The 25 to 50-foot contour directly in front of Stony Creek becomes a hotspot for fishing, as massive schools gather in this area. While planer board rigs can be effective for catching big browns early in the morning, by 9:00 a.m., these fish often retreat to deeper waters.
Fishing Setup for Deep Waters
To effectively target brown trout in deeper waters, using downriggers and Dipsy Divers is essential. Spoon fishing generally yields the most strikes during this time, as large brown trout gorge themselves on the abundant bait. For successful fishing, using larger, hardened treble hooks can help ensure you stay connected to these powerful fish. When baitfish migrate from deeper areas, brown trout can typically be found at depths of 15 to 40 feet over waters reaching 150 feet deep.
Trolling on the Eastern End
Utilizing satellite thermal imaging maps can provide anglers with valuable insights into significant temperature breaks within the lake. These breaks often hold schools of baitfish and the big browns feeding on them. Trolling in these expansive open waters is a planer board fisherman’s paradise, and deploying multiple lines on an eight to ten rod setup can significantly increase your chances of success. Tools such as Gibb weights, Mini Jon Divers, and Dive Bombs assist planer board fishermen in reaching these deeper fish effectively.
Planer Boards for Trolling
While many weights and diving attachments are effective, the Dive Bomb weighted diving planer from Advance Tackle offers the flexibility to place the weight precisely where desired. In situations where fish are skittish, the Dive Bomb can be positioned further up the line, away from the trolled bait, reducing the chances of spooking the fish. Conversely, when fish are more active, the Dive Bomb can be placed just ahead of the fluorocarbon tippet, where its vibrant colors can act as an additional attractant. The variety of sizes available allows anglers to adjust their planer boards to suit nearly any fishing condition.
Warm Water Temperatures
In recent years, schools of baitfish have gathered near traditional walleye and pike hotspots in the eastern basin. Structures like Bull Rock and Everleigh Point along the north shore of Black River Bay are particularly productive for warm-water species. Local guides have discovered that when brown trout bait congregates in these areas, large brown trout can be found just above the pike and walleye, all targeting the same bait schools. Brown trout’s remarkable tolerance for warm water enables them to continue feeding on bait even as water temperatures rise into the mid-sixties.
Picking the Best Lures
Middle Shoal and the green can buoy on Point Peninsula are prime locations for anglers seeking brown trout during this time frame. Under clear conditions, natural-colored Michigan Stinger spoons are the top choice for lures. Popular patterns include emerald shiner, tuxedo, alewife, and blue smelt. When the water is murky, anglers should switch to colors like gold perch, Sodus Point buckeye, nuclear green, and the shanster to increase their chances of attracting bites.
Big Browns in July: Finding the Thermal Break
The “Mountain” off Stony Point Lighthouse is considered a fisherman’s paradise for targeting big summer browns. The secret to successful summer brown trout fishing lies in locating the thermocline, where the warmer upper layer of water meets the cooler bottom layer. The steep structure of the mountain attracts baitfish, making it easier for anglers to pinpoint where the thermal break occurs. During July, this break typically lies between 65 to 100 feet down. Trolling along the edge of this structure at the thermal break depth can result in consistent action and keep rods bending with brown trout.
Deep Rigging and Trolling Speed
For staying in touch with these deep-dwelling fish, deep rigging spoons on downriggers is the most effective approach. NK-28 spoons and Michigan Stinger spoons are the best hardware to use at this time. Black/silver NK-28s are particularly effective, as anglers often troll them just 20 feet behind the downrigger ball. Additionally, natural patterns from the Stinger lineup are also proving successful this season.
Fishing Patterns
Local anglers often utilize specific patterns like the Grim Reaper to entice strikes from these deeper fish. Spreading out your pattern during July can further enhance your chances of landing brown trout. Another effective tactic is employing wire Dipsy Divers to target depths of 90 to 100 feet. These silent stalkers have a proven track record for being deadly on summer browns, making them a reliable choice for anglers looking to reel in trophy fish.
An Added Bonus for Anglers – Multiple Species
The eastern basin of Lake Ontario is renowned for its rich biodiversity, making it one of the most varied fisheries in the region. While targeting brown trout, anglers can also encounter a range of sport fish, including walleye, northern pike, steelhead, lake trout, and king salmon, providing ample opportunities throughout the season.
If conditions are too rough for big brown trout fishing in early May, anglers can seek refuge in the sheltered back bays, where walleye and northern pike offer excellent action. This flexibility allows for a productive day on the water, regardless of the weather.
Fishing for Trophy Trout
Many anglers find that the eastern end provides such exceptional brown trout fishing that they can reach their limits by mid-morning. After a successful morning of catching browns, it’s not uncommon for these same fishermen to switch gears and deep troll for “Hog” lake trout. This approach maximizes both time and resources, enabling anglers to get the most out of their fishing experience.
By exploring the diverse waters of the eastern basin, anglers not only enhance their chances of landing trophy fish but also benefit from one of the best backup plans in the sport. This season, consider wetting your lines for brown trout in the eastern basin of the “Big Pond.”
Original Article By Captain Bill Saiff III
About The Author
Capt. Bill Saiff III owns and operates the Saiff Charter Fleet in Henderson Harbor, NY. For more information, visit the team online at BillSaiffOutdoors.com.
