Welland river, recreational canal gems, says Labignan
DAVE JOHNSON
POSTMEDIA NETWORK
Niagara is one of the best places to fish in North America, according to the host of the
show. “Where I love to fish, the No. 1 place for me is the Niagara River, both the upper and lower,” says Italo Labignan during a meet and greet at Seaway Mall’s outdoor show on the weekend. “I like to fish the river even in the middle of winter for steelhead and brown trout.”
Labignan launches out of Queenston to fish the lower section, and out of Fort Erie to fish the upper section.
“Did you know the Niagara River holds the North American record for the largest walleye caught at 25 pounds?” says the angler, who has been on the air for more than 20 years presenting his fishing show.
While he loves the Niagara River, Labignan says Lake Erie is one of the best smallmouth bass fisheries around.
“I love eating pan fish, and Lake Erie has fantastic perch fishing. They are very easy to catch, as long as the lake is not too rough.”
Labignan says Niagarans have access to great fisheries no matter where they are located, whether it be on the lakes or the many rivers and streams.
“I know people who come down from the GTA and further to fish in Niagara …”
Labignan, who says he’s often down in Niagara, has filmed his shows on the Niagara River, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, and even the Welland River.
“The Welland River is clean if you look at the
There’s a lot of good coarse fish in the river. I’ve done a lot of carp fishing in it, and filmed shows on it. There are great channel catfish, up to 30 pounds, just monsters. I’ve even seen salmon and rainbow trout near the aqueduct.”
Labignan, who gave advice about the river to some of those who came to meet him at the mall, says the Welland River can be fished from shore or by boat, and that it’s perfect for small craft, kayaks and canoes.
“I’ve done shows from kayaks before. Even if the weather is nasty and windy, you can still safely navigate on the river.”
One thing with river fishing, he says, is the fish are not always in the same spot. The river flow has an effect on fish, and they can be in and out of the river at any time.
The Welland Recreational Canal, he says, is also a great place to fish, with species such as largemouth and smallmouth bass, pike and muskie to be found.
Labignan says both the Welland River and recreational canal are among Niagara’s hidden fishing spots.
“Both are underutilized, but maybe it’s better that way, better for the locals.” dajohnson@postmedia.com