March 22 to March 29, 2024
Lake Erie, Harbors and Tributaries
The Lake Erie tributary spring steelhead run is post peak and anglers are reporting decreasing numbers of drop-back steelhead. Suckers have moved up and anglers are now catching smallmouth bass on the lowest sections of the creeks and around creek mouths. At report time, the Chautauqua County streams are lower and clear, while the Erie County streams are at moderate levels. Cattaraugus Creek is a little high and murky, but completely fishable. For those new to steelhead fishing see the Steelhead Fishing in Lake Erie Tributaries page.
Important Notice: Due to site and trail improvement projects, the Valentine Flats parking lot and access trail at the Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area are closed until further notice. The nearby access point at Forty Road on S. Branch Cattaraugus Creek remains open. See Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area for details.
Lake Erie offers good yellow perch prospects when conditions permit. A bit of searching has been required to locate smaller scattered schools of perch in 50-60 feet of water between Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point. Once found, perch have been very cooperative on emerald shiners The Town of Hanover and State launches at Cattaraugus Creek are open, but launch docks are not in yet. Yellow perch are also showing well in the inner Buffalo Harbor.
Niagara River
Lower river waters are a bit turbid going into the weekend. As things settle out look for steelhead in the upper drifts and gorge, and a mix of brown trout and lake trout on the Niagara Bar. Anglers report that smallmouth bass are already showing in the lower drifts. The New York Power Authority angler access points typically open for the season around April 1, weather and ice permitting. Call 716-286-6662 for updates. Note walleye season closed on March 15th , and will reopen on May 1st. For fishing access maps and lower river fishing information, see Fishing the Lower Niagara River.
Attention anglers: The Artpark State Park Fourth Street entrance and Parking Lot D (lower lot) are closed until mid-May 2024 for a site improvement project. The lower park and shoreline are still accessible to pedestrians who park in the upper lots and walk down.
Lake Ontario, Tributaries, Harbors and Piers
When conditions permit, the nearshore brown trout action has been good to exceptional, from the Niagara Bar to Rochester. Trolling inside 20 feet of water with small to medium-sized spoons and stickbaits run 75-100 feet behind planer boards is a proven tactic. Brown trout fishing tends to be best in slightly warmer water pockets/breaks and along distinct mud lines.
Harbor piers are good bets for brown trout and yellow perch. Casting spoons, spinners and stickbaits has worked well for brown trout. Live shiners have produced decent perch catches at the piers and in the harbors. Bullhead will be moving into the harbors and lower sections of tributaries if they haven’t started already. Twelvemile Creek, Wilson-Tuscarora Bay, Olcott Harbor and Golden Hill State Park are typically productive spots.
Fishing on all of the western Lake Ontario tributaries has beengenerally been slow for steelhead. At report time, the dammed streams are slightly high with a slight stain, while the freestone streams range from slightly low to moderate. For those new to tributary steelhead fishing, see Steelhead Fishing in Lake Ontario Tributaries page.
Chautauqua Lake
Crappie fishing has been slow during the current cold weather pattern. But as soon as some warmer weather returns, look for the crappie bite to ramp back up. Canals, around open-water shallow structure and in sheltered bays with weeds are top locations to target crappie. Also look for bullhead to start showing along the lake’s shoreline during low light periods when the weather breaks. Visit the Chautauqua Lake page for more information.
Inland Trout Streams
Spring is officially here, but it still feels like winter. Looking forward to the traditional trout opener on April 1st (or early part of April in general), angler success will be highly dependent on water temperature and flow levels. Consider watching the weather and flows, and plan fishing trips based on that rather than a specific date on the calendar. Note that trout fishing on inland streams is open for catch and release, artificial lures only until April 1st.
Check out Fishing Tips for Stream Trout for introductory information on trout baits, lures, equipment and techniques. To find information on fishing access sites, stocked stream sections, regulations, and more, check out the interactive DECinfo Locator Map. Be sure to select the “trout streams” and “trout stream fishing access” layers. If needed, refer to the Trout Stream Fishing Map User Guide for how-to information on using this mapping tool.
Spring Trout Stocking
DEC Fish Hatchery staff are busy stocking area waterways with thousands of trout. For County lists of stocked waters and the anticipated number of trout to be stocked, see the Spring Trout Stocking page. Call the Randolph Hatchery Stocking Hotline at 716-358-2052 for stocking updates.
The following waters have been stocked by March 22nd. *Italicized waters are to be stocked the week of March 25th.
Allegany County: Allen Lake (Allen), Little Genesee Creek (Bolivar), California Hollow Brook (Bolivar), Root Creek (Bolivar), Genesee River (Wellsville, Amity), Dodge Creek (Clarksville), Clarksville Town Pond (Clarksville), Dyke Creek (Andover), Cryder Creek (Independence). / *Canacadea Creek (Almond).
Cattaraugus County: Quaker Lake (Cold Spring), Science Lake (Red House), Case Lake (Franklinville), Harwood Lake (Farmersville), New Albion Lake (New Albion), Elton Creek (Freedom). / *Little Conewango Creek (Conewango), Quaker Run (Cold Spring), Red House Brook (Red House), Ischua Creek (Franklinville), Franklinville Conservation Club Pond (Franklinville), Paisley Park Pond (Randolph).
Chautauqua County: *Goose Creek (N. Harmony, Harmony), Cassadaga Creek (Stockton).
Erie County: *Little Buffalo Creek (Lancaster, Marilla), Ellicott Creek (Amherst), Eighteenmile Creek (Boston), E. Branch Cazenovia Creek (Aurora, Holland).
Wyoming County: Cattaraugus Creek (Arcade). / *Little Tonawanda Creek (Middlebury), Tonawanda Creek (Orangeville), Buffalo Creek (Sheldon, Java). East Koy Creek (Gainesville, Pike), Letchworth Park Pond (Genesee Falls).
Steuben County: Cohocton River (Avoca). / *Post Creek (Catlin), Canisteo River (Hornellsville), Bennett Creek (Greenwood), Canacadea Creek (Hornellsville), Meads Creek (Campbell).
If you need more fishing information or would like to contribute to the fishing report, please call or e-mail Mike Todd (716-851-7010; [email protected]). Good Luck Fishing!