Fishing in Lake Ontario Near Hamilton

Question
QUESTION: I live down in the south part of lake Ontario, Right by 50 point marina, Hamilton. I need a lot of help fishing in and around this marina from the shores. In the marina, along the docks and under the boats there are lots of 10-15LBS salmon and carp. however they swim around near the to of the water very slowly and avoid anything i cast in.    Are there any lures that you think would work well to get their attention, or times i should be trying?   also There is a man-made river that connects the marina to the lake, therefore it is deep. As the sun goes down do you think many fish would swim in through it during the summer? and what kinds?     Tons of thanks in advance. Fishing is my favorite sport, well it was before i moved out of the bay of quinte, because now i cant catch anything.

ANSWER: Hi Jordan,

I'm not familiar with your area but it has to be similar to here on Lake Michigan.

I'm a little confused though.  Are those Salmon there now or last fall?  If it was last fall, those are the spawners.  Yes, they are very hard to catch when they are staging for their fall runs.  They are interested in spawning and really aren't eating.  They can be caught before light or near evening at times.  You almost have to irritate them and get them to strike.  Minnow baits like Thundersticks and crankbaits like Shad Raps or Flicker Shads are also good.  Another option is a spawn bag fished on the bottom with a slip sinker rig.  These fish are dropping eggs and spawn is a great bait for not only the spawning salmon, but the other fish like Browns and Steelhead that are hanging around and eating spawn.  When our salmon are spawning, we even catch Walleyes on spawn.  

As far as your harbor and connecting channel, it sounds like a great spot for summer smallmouth bass.  It probably gets too warm for Trout and Salmon in the summer, but I could see it being full of bass or even pike.

I've taken the liberty to look at an aerial shot of the area.  If you could get out on those jetties that border the harbor early in the morning, I could see that being a good spot right now.  Cast spoons like a 2/5th oz. Cleo or a #2 Mepps Syclops for Salmon or Browns.  Remember, it's all about water temps and bait when you are chasing the Salmonids.  If the water temps are under 55 degrees F and there is some bait around, you should have a good shot.  When the water gets over 55-58, they will move off-shore to seek cooler water in the depths.  But a little off-shore wind will bring in an up-welling of cold water and the salmon will come right back in.  When things get too warm, work the harbor for Bass and Pike.  They will get active when the water warms.  

It sounds like a new location for you, but it sounds like you have been successful in other locations.  I think you just have to give yourself some time to dial-in on this new fishery.  

It never hurts to observe others or buy a few lures at the local tackle shop.  They get real talkative when you spend a few bucks.

If you want to get a feel for what is around the area, try a 4" Gulp Minnow (Smelt color) on a 1/4 ounce jig head.  Swim it at mid-depths, or hop it along the bottom.  That Gulp Minnow is the best "catch anything" lure that I have ever found.  Even Carp will pick those up jigged along the bottom.  

Good luck and good fishing!  Let me know how you do.

Marc

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the great answer, and going to he extent of checking what the lace looks like.

In the summer when I'm in the marina what should i be using for the smallmouth and the pike I know for a fact theres pike there because the only fish I have caught there was a 9LBS pike. also when you said jetties you just mean the rocks on either side of the channel, or do you mean the point that sticks out on the right? Last thing, when you look at the satellite view the bottom right corner of the marina and along that bank is where i see the carp.and in the part of the marina with docks its the only place i can fish because of the boats, however everywhere else is fair game as long as their is no boats docked.



thanks

Answer
Hi Jordan,

I'd go with some "catch anything" type baits till you start dialing in on them.  The 4" Gulp on a 1/4 ounce jig is good.  A 1/2 ounce Rat-L-Trap, #7 Shad Rap, 4 1/2 " Storms Thunderstick, #3 Mepps Spinner, 3/8th ounce Spinner bait in white or yellow, #10 X-Rap, or some live bait.  Leeches under a slip bobber for Smallmouth or a small (4-6") sucker minnow for the pike.  It's hard to beat a 4" twister tail on a 1/4 ounce jig for just about anything too.  You can't fish it wrong!  If you are worried about bite offs, make some leaders out of very light wire like .012 coffee colored wire.  Put a small swivel on one end and tie it directly to the jig on the other end.  Use a haywire twist.  That wire is so light that it wont bother the bass much and the pike won't bite through it.

I'd say any of those rock jetties that I see there that will get you out into deeper water.  Inside the harbor, look for bass to hang around close to the wall.  Make casts parallel to the wall when possible. Inside corners and outside corners at going to attract the fish.   

There looks to be four good rock jetties and then a series of small finger jetties to the west of the channel.  It's going to take some experimenting on your part, but you will find some hot spots.  That's half the fun.  

If you want to try for the carp, try canned corn on the bottom.  They aren't much to look at, but they sure put up a hard fight.  

Is there anything worth catching in that small lake just to the south?

Good luck and keep me posted.

Marc