Updated: October 6, 2026
Thank you to all that have shared your photos with us! Keep them coming!
We want to see your Wayne County fishing photos! We love to see what everyone is catching throughout the year. Click the link below to upload your photos to show us your trophies!
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Lake Ontario
Most of the charter boats are out of the water and being stored for the winter. You can still fish on the lake with a smaller boat, however, make sure it’s a safe craft as Lake Ontario can be temperamental this time of the year. A perfect example is yesterday’s big blow from the northwest.
Troll close to shore in front of Maxwell and west towards Hughes’ Marina.
Streams
Maxwell Creek doesn’t have any flow, and rainfall is needed to bust the mouth open to the lake. The other smaller streams need the same rainfall.
Pier fishing is an option. Make sure you stay safe on the Sodus and Port Bay piers. Use a long-handled net and wear your PFD (Personal Flotation Device). That would be your life jacket.
Cast out heavy bright spoons. Little Cleos and Kastmaster are the favorite.
Lake Ontario tributary regulations: Three fish in combination and not to include more than one Rainbow Trout (or Steelhead) and One Brown Trout.
Bays
The bays are still full of bait which makes it difficult for fishing. Sodus does have some action with perch in deeper water. Try off Shaker Heights and fish 30 fow for larger perch.
Competing with all the small shad in Port and Sodus bays. Try live minnows.
Dock removal dates for Port Bay are usually right after Columbus Day. Without the docks be extra cautious of slippery ramps.
New York, the open season (harvest) for largemouth and smallmouth bass, collectively known as black bass, runs from June 15 to November 30, with a catch-and-release season from December 1 to June 14.
Erie Canal
Sections of the canal will be drained for the season after the closing. Widewaters is not affected to this, and it is still the best location on the Erie for fishing.
Currently the largemouth bass are still being caught at the south side, close to the weed growth. Use Senko worm rigs or try casting spinner baits close to the weeds.
There are plenty of smaller panfish along the southern shore. Fish from the south trail or launch your kayak at the county park ramp.
The Erie Canal will close on October 14th.
Additional Information
Bait for fishing is available on the south end of Sodus at Davenports and Bay Bridge Sport Shop. On Port Bay Jarvis Bait Farm is open on Brown Road. The signs are on East Port Bay Road at the junction of Brown Road.
Anyone underway in a boat less than 21 ft in length anytime between November 1st and May 1st must wear a securely fastened life jacket.
2027 LOC Derby
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Fishing in Wayne County
Blind Sodus Bay – NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
East Bay – NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
Port Bay – NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
Sodus Bay – NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
New York Angler Achievement Awards Program
New York Angler Achievement Awards Program – NYDEC
Boat Launch Sites in Wayne County
Boat Launch Sites for Wayne County – NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
Scam Alert for Fishing Licenses Online
It has come to our attention that fraudulent websites claiming to sell NYS Freshwater Fishing Licenses are scamming users into providing personal information. While we work to resolve this issue, please be advised that the ONLY legitimate method to purchase your NYS fishing license online is through the official DECALS website.
You can purchase them locally in Wayne County at our town offices, Bay Bridge Sport Shop, Davenport & Son Marina, & Walmart.
Notable Freshwater Fishing Regulation Changes
The following list offers a brief summary of the most notable fishing regulation changes resulting from the adopted rulemakings described above.
- New statewide regulation for rainbow trout, brown trout, and splake in lakes and ponds. The season will now be open year-round, with a five-fish daily limit, any size, with a “no more than two longer than 12 inches” harvest rule.
- Statewide Atlantic salmon regulations will now allow for a year-round open season.
- Ice fishing is permitted on all waters in New York unless specifically prohibited with the exception of Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Warren, and Washington counties where previous rules remain.
- New specific dates replaced floating dates for statewide season openers to include:
- May 1 – Walleye, Northern Pike, Pickerel, and Tiger Muskellunge. June 1 – Muskellunge. (Note that in 2022, DEC will allow for the fishing of muskellunge beginning the last Saturday in May to accommodate previously planned fishing trips); and
- June 15 – Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass.
- May 1 – Walleye, Northern Pike, Pickerel, and Tiger Muskellunge. June 1 – Muskellunge. (Note that in 2022, DEC will allow for the fishing of muskellunge beginning the last Saturday in May to accommodate previously planned fishing trips); and
- A five-fish daily walleye limit in Oneida Lake.
- A new regulation to limit the growth of the walleye population in Skaneateles Lake. No daily possession limit; 12-inch minimum size limit, open year-round.
- The statewide sunfish daily harvest limit has been reduced from 50 to 25 fish.
- The statewide minimum size limit for crappie has been increased from nine inches to ten inches.
Please note: The information in this report was developed as a marketing tool and is meant to provide an overview of the current opportunities in Wayne County, New York. Wayne County Tourism does not specifically endorse any fishing guide, charter, outfitter, location or other partner. Nor does Wayne County accept any liability for trips to the area based on the contents of this report. Users should always refer to the New York State DEC to confirm specific fishing regulations.
