Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Observations from 05/05/2025 – 05/11/2025
Here’s our latest Buffalo NY fishing report: Happy Mothers Day! This week tested my flexibility and that of my clients – I’m thankful every day was a success. With east and northeast winds dominating the week, there weren’t a ton of options. Plus, a lot of cold water got pushed to our side of the lakes – both Erie and Ontario. Water temperatures throughout the region dropped a degree or 2 this past week. That shook things up a bit on the salmon front – not so much for the river and lake bass fishing though. Keep reading for more details.
Days on the water: 7
Who we fished with: friends/clients
Where we fished: Lake Ontario, Lower Niagara, Upper Niagara, Lake Erie
What we caught: smallmouth bass, walleye, freshwater drum
Tactics: trolling spoons; 3-way rigs with minnows; casting swim baits, dropshots, tubes, and bucktails
Detailed Reporting/Daily Observations
05/05/2025 – East Wind Ease
Fished the Upper Niagara with Steve and Ethan, longtime clients from New Hampshire who usually chase smallmouth bass with me. For years, they’ve been itching to target king salmon, but every attempt has been thwarted—today was no exception. A strong east and northeast wind blew all day, churning up 6-foot waves on Lake Ontario, so we pivoted to bass fishing. The result? Their best outing ever, with nonstop action.
Some say, “wind from the east, fish bite the least,” but I beg to differ. On Lake Erie and the Upper Niagara, an east wind keeps you moving just right without big waves and today proved it. 
05/06/2025 – Figuring it Out
Fished the Upper Niagara with Lee. Normally, I don’t like to do 2 days in a row on the Upper Niagara. It can be finicky if you put too much pressure on it. But Lee, a skilled angler who thrives on “figuring it out,” was the perfect partner for the challenge. We ventured into sections I typically skip, uncovering some intriguing zones that produced fish.
05/07/2025 – Reunion of the Minds
Fished Lake Ontario and the Lower Niagara with the Whisperer, Captain America, and the Silent Assassin. After 3 days of hard E and NE winds, Lake Ontario was a mystery. We connected to one king, but it came unbuttoned a couple minutes into the fight. We got bit maybe once per hour – hits on the riggers without a connection. So, we went into the river and did some bassing.
05/08/2025 – Lake Erie
Did a multi boat trip with captains Mike Trifiletti and Peter Goretti. I fished with Brandon, Justin, and Harlon, visiting from Iowa. We fished though a stiff NE wind – Lake Erie was rolling. The bite was picky – we only managed a few smallish fish everywhere we stopped. Cold and windblown, we ventured back into the harbor for the last hour or so – it produced. 
05/09/2025 – Ratatata
Fished the Upper Niagara with long time friends/clients Matt, Natalie, and Gerry. We had another day of stiff E and NE winds, so the Upper Niagara was the best option. It fished well – some of the areas we fished were a little picky but all in all it was a great session for both size and numbers.
05/10/2025 – Out with the Young Bucks
Fished the Lower Niagara with John, Lucas, and Daniel, a crew of 14-year-old boys brought together by a birthday gift certificate from John’s dad, aiming to chase king salmon. We gave it our all, but like Wednesday’s trip, the kings were stingy—scattered bites, no hookups after a couple of hours. With my patience rivaling a 14-year-old’s, and the group’s enthusiasm fading, we switched to bass fishing. That move paid off, as the bass bite was excellent, turning the day into a win.
05/11/2025 – The 360 Program
Fished the Upper Niagara with new clients Paul and Doug, brothers from Maryland who proved to be stellar sticks. They connected right away in our first zone, setting the tone for a awesome day. We covered the entire circumference of Grand Island, hitting well over a dozen zones and landing MANY with some biggies in the mix. Their skill and endurance made it an absolute blast on the water.
Seasonal Assessment/General Observations
I’m on day 21 – that’s 21 days straight folks. I’m feeling spry though – more going with the flow/at the mercy of things right now. Fishing is good right now. I’m feeling, “well fished.” My face is red, my hands are red, and thankfully, the tops of my feet are red. Yes, I’ve gone to flops – not to return until the fall.
Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Forecast for 05/12/2025 – 05/18/2025
Forecast Commentary
We’ve got a long period of stability ahead of us. The front half of the week will be near windless and warm. I’m optimistic that’ll set up a good king salmon bite by mid-week if not earlier. Expect rain to show up here and there, but not in problematic amounts. If the long range forecast holds, the weekend looks like it might be breezy, but again, nothing “day-ruining.” I’m booked daily – except Thursday – my wedding anniversary. More awesomeness to come.
Stay healthy my friends – mentally and physically,
Ryan