The Tackle Blog

Green pumpkin four-inch ring worm for an Oswego River goby-style brown trout jig
Oswego River Brown Trout Fishing After the Late-October Flow Drop: Goby Jigs and Blade Baits
DEC reports Oswego River browns below the dam, behind the hotel, and along the wall. Fish goby jigs and blade baits with this safe plan. Read more...
Savage Gear Mack Stick 170 SS slow-sinking muskie twitch bait in Silver Mackerel finish
Upper Niagara River Late-Fall Muskie in Ultra-Clear Water: Turning Follows into Strikes with Stickbaits and Tube Jigs
Late fall is prime time for Upper Niagara River muskie, but ultra-clear water turns big fish into followers. Learn how to convert those follows into strikes with large stickbaits and... Read more...
Three anglers holding steelhead in the Salmon River during the late-October fall run
Salmon River Lower Fly Section Reopening for Late October Steelhead and Brown Trout
The Salmon River Lower Fly Section is open again, and late October is the transition window when steelhead and brown trout start showing behind the salmon run. This guide gives... Read more...
Angler holding a trophy smallmouth bass on the St. Lawrence River
What Lake Ontario's October 27 Record-Fish Roundup and the 2026 St. Lawrence Tournament Record Reveal About Fall Trophy Smallmouth Tactics
A fresh Lake Ontario record roundup points to deep rock, precise electronics, Ned rigs, and drop-shots for late-fall St. Lawrence trophy smallmouth. Read more...
Three young anglers beside a fall tributary, one holding a large brown trout
Sandy Creek Salmon and Brown Trout Fishing After the October 29, 2026 Erie Canal Flow Increase
After the October 29 Erie Canal flow increase, Sandy Creek salmon and brown trout fishing should turn on for Monroe and Orleans county anglers. Here is a practical fall game... Read more...
Black and red HT2000 spinning reel suited to deep-water Lake Erie yellow perch rigs
Late October Lake Erie Yellow Perch in 50 to 55 Feet: Bottom Rigs, Shiner Choices, and Wind Windows
Lake Erie yellow perch were picking up in 50 to 55 feet during the October 16 to 30 report window. Use bottom rigs, the right shiners, and verified calm conditions... Read more...
Six Double Bead Twenty Incher nymph flies for deep late-fall trout drifts
Lower Niagara River brown trout and steelhead fishing after the October 2026 king salmon run
Lower Niagara River brown trout and steelhead fishing after the king salmon run is the late-fall transition every local angler should be rigged for. This guide covers the drifts, tackle,... Read more...
Green St. Lawrence Leviathan 16-inch deep-trolling muskie lure on a white background
St. Lawrence Muskie Fishing Around the October Full Moon
Plan St. Lawrence River late-fall muskie fishing around the October 26 full moon with practical trolling, casting, safety, and release tactics. Read more...
Pink Livingston Lures EBS Spinner 50 inline spinner for deeper Salmon River steelhead seams
Late October Salmon River Steelhead in Low Water: Eggs, Pools, and Spinner Water
Low Salmon River flows are concentrating late-October steelhead. Here is how to fish pools with eggs and use an inline spinner in the right water. Read more...
Angler fishing from a small boat on a calm, misty lake during the fall season
Late October Sodus Bay and Port Bay Yellow Perch: Finding Deep Schools Around Shad
Find late-October yellow perch in Sodus Bay and Port Bay by tracking deep shad schools and fishing live bait or small grubs below them. Read more...
Angler holding a muskellunge from Chautauqua Lake in fall
Chautauqua Lake Muskie Fishing Near 60-Degree Water: Weed-Edge Stickbaits and Crankbaits in October 2026
Chautauqua Lake is near 60 degrees and the October muskie bite has perked up. Fish green weed edges with muskie crankbaits, jerkbaits, and bucktails. Read more...
Walleye splashing in a landing net beside a boat
Oneida Lake Fall Walleye and Yellow Perch Fishing From Shore and 18 to 19 Feet in Late October 2026
Oneida Lake fall walleye and yellow perch fishing from shore and 18 to 19 feet in late October comes down to two simple patterns: fish wind-blown points after dark from... Read more...
Angler holding a Lake Ontario steelhead aboard a trolling boat in open water
Late October Lake Ontario Steelhead: Trolling the Top 60 Feet Over Deep Water After Stable Weather Returns
Fresh October reports put Lake Ontario steelhead in the top 60 feet over deep water. Here's a practical trolling plan for the next safe weather window. Read more...
Young lake sturgeon held above the water during a New York restoration stocking effort
What the October 2026 Genesee River Lake Sturgeon Release Means for Lake Ontario Anglers
New York stocked 1,500 young lake sturgeon in the Genesee River on October 14, 2026. Here is what the restoration milestone means for Lake Ontario anglers, how to identify an... Read more...
White feather jig with a pink shiner-style head for fall smallmouth bass
Niagara River Smallmouth Fishing During the October 2026 Emerald Shiner Push
Niagara River smallmouth are feeding around emerald shiners this October. Use shiner-colored drop-shots, light feather jigs in soft seams, and jigging spoons on deeper current breaks. Read more...
Fresh steelhead caught on the Salmon River, October 15, 2026
Salmon River King, Coho, Steelhead, and Brown Trout Mixed Run After the October 15 Rain
The Salmon River king coho steelhead brown trout mixed run after the October 15 rain has fish scattered from gravel to soft seams. Use beads and eggs for salmon and... Read more...
Trolling rods spread from a boat over open Great Lakes water
Lake Erie Walleye 55 to 75 Feet Down: Depth Control
Lake Erie walleye are suspended 55 to 75 feet down off Dunkirk and Barcelona. Build a precise spread with downriggers, divers, harnesses, and cranks. Read more...
Steelhead holding in clear water with other trout in the background
Cattaraugus Creek Steelhead Fishing in Low Clear October Water: Creek Mouth, Lower Creek, and Downsized Presentations
Cattaraugus Creek was low and clear on October 14, with some steelhead in the lower river. Here is a current plan for location, stealth, and downsized presentations. Read more...
Six double-bead Twenty Incher nymph flies for Lake Ontario tributary brown trout
Lake Ontario Tributary Browns Behind the October King Run
A current Lake Ontario tributary plan for brown trout feeding around the October king salmon run, with practical egg, bead, jig, and nymph tactics. Read more...
Livingston Lures Bad Boy Bucktail with green and orange blades for fall muskie fishing
Great Lakes Muskie Fishing Before and After This Week's October Cold Front
A timely Great Lakes muskie plan for the warm pre-front window and the sharp October cooldown, with verified bucktail, crankbait, and bladed-jig picks. Read more...
Fall 2026 Oswego River fishing access map showing closed areas in red, open fishing access in green, and public parking in blue
Oswego River Salmon Access: October 2026 Closures and Open Water
The High Wall and Leto Island remain closed, but legal Oswego River salmon access, free parking, and fishable water remain available in October 2026. Read more...
HT Series light spinning reel for Lake Erie yellow perch rigs
Lake Erie Yellow Perch After the October Cool-Down
Cooling water brought a modest Lake Erie yellow perch rebound in the October 8 report. Here is how to find scattered fish and rig for a careful bite. Read more...
Angler carefully holding a large brown trout in a New York stream during fall
October 2026 New York Broodstock Trout: Where to Fish and What to Throw
New York is stocking 17-to-30-inch surplus broodstock trout in five western waters during the week of October 5. Here are the locations, numbers, and practical lure tactics. Read more...
Shore angler holding a mature king salmon among rocks beside the Lower Niagara River
Lower Niagara River Salmon and Smallmouth Fishing After the October 7, 2026 Clear-Water Cooling Trend
The October 7 Lower Niagara report shows king salmon moving through Devil's Hole and smallmouth feeding hard in clear, mid-50s water. Here is how to adjust timing, locations, and presentations... Read more...
Angler kneeling in shallow tributary water while holding a mature king salmon in early fall
Oak Orchard and Eighteenmile Salmon Fishing During the October 2026 Canal Releases
Use the October 2026 Erie Canal release schedule to plan Lake Ontario tributary salmon fishing at Oak Orchard and Eighteenmile Creek. Read more...
Angler kneeling in shallow Salmon River water with a fresh coho salmon in early October 2026
Salmon River King and Coho Fishing After the October 2 Rain and Northwest Wind in Low Flow
A practical breakdown of Salmon River king and coho fishing after the October 2 rain and northwest wind in low flow, with where to look, what to throw, and the... Read more...
Chartreuse shad jigging spoon for early October brown trout and steelhead fishing
Sodus Point Pier Trout: Casting Spoons in Early October
A practical early October plan for Sodus Point pier brown trout and steelhead, covering spoon depth, current, verified gear, safety, and regulations. Read more...
Green 16-inch St. Lawrence Frog deep-diving muskie lure on a light background
St. Lawrence River Muskie Fishing Before the First October Cold Front
A September 30 marine forecast puts a sharp wind shift and colder nights on the way. Here is a practical St. Lawrence muskie plan built around bucktails, gliders, and deep... Read more...
Anglers fishing from shore near a bridge on the Oswego River
Oswego River Salmon in Low, Warm Water: September 29 Flow and Shore Access
Use the September 29 Oswego River flow, current shore access, and controlled jigging tactics to plan a safer late-season salmon trip. Read more...
Silver lipless crankbait for fall St. Lawrence River smallmouth fishing
St. Lawrence River Fall Smallmouth Fishing This Week: Wind-Blown Rock Versus Deep Current Edges
From September 28 to October 4, target St. Lawrence smallmouth on wind-blown rock or deep current edges with this practical two-pattern plan. Read more...
Green and silver Livingston Interceptor minnow-profile crankbait
What the Niagara River Emerald Shiner Passage Means for Fall Walleye and Bass Lure Choice
A newly completed Niagara River passage is already moving emerald shiners through slower water at Freedom Park. Here is how to match that forage only when the fish show you... Read more...
Walleye held above a boat during cold-water river fishing
Lower Niagara Walleye Head Collection: How Anglers Can Help DEC
DEC is collecting heads from legally harvested Lower Niagara River and nearby Lake Ontario walleye. Here is what to save, label, and where to take it. Read more...
Angler fighting a salmon in the Salmon River during low fall water
Salmon River Kings and Cohos in Low September Water
Fresh kings and cohos are moving through the low Salmon River. Find them with careful drifts, current seams, and legal egg or fly presentations. Read more...
Shore angler holding a king salmon against the rocky Niagara Gorge shoreline
Lower Niagara River King Salmon Shore Fishing After the September 23 Cold-Water Push: Spinners, Spoons, and Eggs
After the September 23 cold-water push dropped Lower Niagara River temperatures below 70 degrees, shore anglers from Artpark to below the falls are connecting with king salmon on spinners, spoons,... Read more...
Six orange-legged double-bead stonefly nymph flies for Salmon River trout and steelhead preparation
Salmon River Fish Hatchery Open House September 26, 2026: What Anglers and Families Should Know
Plan the Salmon River Fish Hatchery Open House on September 26, 2026, with confirmed event details, access updates, family tips, and fall fly picks. Read more...
Livingston Lures Interceptor deep-diving crankbait in Blue Tiger
Bay of Quinte Walleye on the September 26 Harvest Full Moon: Crankbaits, Harnesses, or Jigs?
Plan your Bay of Quinte walleye trip around the September 26 Harvest Full Moon with crankbaits, harnesses, and jigs matched to the depth and feeding window. Read more...
Angler holding a mature Chinook salmon aboard a trolling boat on Lake Ontario
Late-September Lake Ontario Kings: Plugs, Spoons, or Flasher Rigs?
Choose plugs, spoons, or flasher rigs for late-September Lake Ontario staging kings, using fresh depth reports from Sodus Bay to the Salmon River. Read more...
White four-inch Ring Worm soft-plastic trailer for a Lake Erie walleye harness
Late-September Lake Erie Walleye: Harnesses or Stickbaits?
Choose worm harnesses or hard stickbaits for Lake Erie walleye holding 65 to 75 feet down, with a practical late-September trolling plan. Read more...
Pearl Shiner soft plastic drop-shot bait for St. Lawrence River smallmouth
St. Lawrence Drop-Shot Tips from Evan Kung's Record Win
Use heavy drop-shot weights, subtle bait control, and smart rock positioning to target fall St. Lawrence River smallmouth after a record-setting win. Read more...
Illustrated cover of Shorette's St. Lawrence Musky ebook, not a photograph of either fish discussed
St. Lawrence Musky Giants: One Record, One River Mystery
Derek Balmas's certified catch and Captain Bob Walters's underwater footage tell two different stories about the St. Lawrence's giant muskies. Read more...
Brown and gold Livingston Lures Banshee crankbait for northern pike
New York Free Fishing Day: Northern Pike Starter Lures
New York's September 26 Free Fishing Day is a timely chance to try Tupper Lake. Compare three in-stock pike lure styles and learn how to rig them safely. Read more...
Large rubber-mesh landing net sized for king salmon river fishing
Salmon River Lower Fly Zone Closure: What Anglers Need Now
The lower fly zone is closed under low-water protections. See what remains open, how flows affect the run, and how to fish responsibly. Read more...
New York Sea Grant fisheries specialist Stacy Furgal holds a Lake Ontario Atlantic salmon from a boat
Lake Ontario Lake Trout Tracking: What Anglers Can Learn at the September 23 Oswego Program
A free September 23 program in Oswego will share Lake Ontario lake trout tracking work and practical context for anglers who fish the fall transition. Read more...
Angler with a king salmon beside the low-flow Salmon River in September
Low-Water Salmon River King Salmon Tactics for September 2026: Pools, Travel Lanes, and Bright-to-Natural Bait Changes
Low-water Salmon River king salmon tactics for September 2026, updated with the September 13 flow and temperature report. Learn where moving and holding kings set up, how to fish travel... Read more...
Double-crested cormorants gathered along the New York Great Lakes shoreline
How Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River Anglers Can Report Cormorant Impacts in 2026
Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River anglers can report cormorant impacts in 2026 through a new statewide survey that turns on-the-water observations into data fisheries managers can use. This guide... Read more...
Livingston Lures Banshee musky crankbait in a walleye pattern for St. Lawrence River fall fishing
St. Lawrence River Musky Fishing After the September Dark Moon: Current Edges, Points, Weeds, and Deep Water
Cooling nights, a dark moon, and roughly 71°F water at Alexandria Bay are setting up an early-fall St. Lawrence musky transition. Here is how to work current edges, points, healthy... Read more...
Yellow perch pattern mini crankbait for September perch fishing in Sodus Bay
September Yellow Perch Fishing in Sodus Bay: Finding the First Fall Schools
The first fall yellow perch schools are forming in Sodus Bay. Here is where to look, how to fish the transition, and four verified in-stock perch baits for September. Read more...
Lake Ontario angler holding a mature king salmon near the Niagara Bar
What the 2026 LOC Fall Derby winners reveal about Lake Ontario fall spoon fishing for salmon
The 2026 LOC Fall Derby leaderboard is a practical cheat sheet for Lake Ontario fall spoon fishing for salmon, brown trout, and steelhead. Here is what the winning lures, depths,... Read more...
Lake Ontario angler holding a mature king salmon during the September 2026 staging bite near the Niagara Bar
Lake Ontario Staging King Salmon After the September Northeast Blow: Sodus Bay to the Salmon River
A practical fall trolling plan for Lake Ontario staging king salmon after the September northeast blow, from Sodus Bay east to the Salmon River, with current depths, spreads, and the... Read more...
NOAA map of Lake America showing the United States and Canada boundary and the eastern Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary
Lake Ontario or Lake America? What the 2026 Name Change Means for New York Anglers
Lake Ontario is now called Lake America by the U.S. federal government. Here is what changed, what did not, and what New York anglers should know. Read more...
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