wayne Wayne County Fishing Report for January 23, 2018

[Wayne County]

Bays - Fifty degrees today for the high and then down below freezing…so that’s a good thing for ice anglers. The ice is still safe, running over a foot on Sodus and Port Bays. But… you still need to realize that the run-offs from the creeks will travel underneath ice and make certain locations not consistent with safe ice.

 

The perch epic continues at all Wayne County bays with most of the fish 12 inches long. Some are running 14 inches. You can use whatever you have in your box. Small paddle tails are working as well as small and mid-size jigs. Swedish Pimples are also catching perch.

 

Put some perch eyes or spikes on the end and you’ll have fish.

 

The Sodus Bay hot-spots are all over the bay. At the north end try by the loop, the old trestle and out from Arney’s Marina. At the south end fish straight-out from Bay Bridge Sport Shop or Davenports or the northeast side by Skipper Restaurant.

 

There is parking at the bottom of Shaker Heights Road, however you need to be there early in the morning to find a spot.

 

You can park by the restaurant at Port Bay and fish the points of the bay. The south end DEC road is probably safe now that the snow has melted.

 

Remember, as ice anglers you are visiting the bays, so don’t trespass on land where you don’t have permission to park. And don’t leave stuff on the ice, like propane tanks. The word is that there have been parking issues and litter left behind near the loop at Sodus Point. Make sure you respect where you are because the hospitality given to ice anglers can end quickly.

 

Note that we have experienced a thaw - be careful not to dig-up lawns etc. while trying to find a place to park.

 

Wayne County has an ice fishing guide which gives you the basics of fishing on our bays. Contact the tourism office if you would like the brochure.

 

Check out the rest of the Wayne County Tourism web page for the locations and hours of local bait and tackle shops. www.waynecountytourism.com.

 

Erie Canal - There is plenty of ice on the canal and if you are tired of catching all the perch from the bays, try for bluegills at Widewaters.

 

This report was written on January 23, 2018 by Chris Kenyon of Wolcott, NY, a regular columnist with the Finger Lakes Times, Sun and Record, Lake Ontario Outdoors and freelance writer with other publications, as well as Recreational Promotional Coordinator for Wayne County Tourism. Chris assists with the Wayne County Youth Derby and other outdoor events. He also takes time to work with the Montezuma Audobon Center on programs involving kids, including their Youth Pheasant Hunt. He is a constant presence at sportsmen's events, shows, and anything involving the outdoors. Kenyon is a tireless advocate for enjoying the outdoors, preserving the environment, and sharing knowledge and skills.