December 12 to December 19, 2025
Steelhead Fishing Clinic
Join DEC for a free learn to fish clinic at Fisherman's Park at Burt Dam on Monday, December 29, 2025, to learn the basics of float fishing for steelhead! Participants will learn about the proper equipment, common rigs and baits/lures used, and the mechanics of float fishing for steelhead Registration is required and limited to 12 participants only. Register and view additional event details.
Lake Erie, Tributaries, and Harbors
The Lake Erie tributaries were locking up with ice prior to Wednesday’s rain and milder temperatures. Creeks received a slight bump in flow which should help to keep some sections open for this weekend. Cattaraugus Creek is mostly ice-free, but is a bit high and stained at report time. There are decent to good numbers of steelhead spread throughout the system and most creeks have been fishing well. In cold water conditions, steelhead are more lethargic and hugging the bottom in areas that offer a break from the current. Slow down the drift and target tail-outs, deep holes and seams. Egg sacs, egg flies, nymphs and jigs tipped with a “grub” are good winter offerings, drifted tight to the bottom. See Steelhead Fishing in Lake Erie Tributaries for more information.
Buffalo River Fishing Access Site Temporary Closure
The Buffalo River’s DEC Harlem Road Fishing Access site located off Harlem Road in West Seneca closed to the public on June 9 for an access improvement project. Work is expected to extend through December. View more information on the Harlem Road Access Site closure.
Niagara River
Anglers have through December 15 before muskellunge season closes on the Niagara River, and the tail end is often the best of the season. Very few shore anglers have been fishing along Unity Island during the recent stained water conditions and frigid weather. Anglers previously were reporting decent walleye catches, and the occasional trout.
There is a solid mix of trout throughout the lower river, but persistently stained waters have diminished the bite, and angler effort. However, any slight improvement in clarity seems to revive the action. The upper drifts and gorge are a good bet for a mix of steelhead and lake trout, with the occasional brown trout. Better numbers of brown trout are holding in the mid to lower drifts. Boaters can target trout by controlled drifting with a three-way rig with egg sacs, trout beads, kwikfish style lures or shiners. Good offerings for shore anglers include drifted egg sacs, trout beads, egg flies, shiners or jigs fished under a float, and casted spoons and spinners. Note the NYPA fishing platform is closed for the winter season.For fishing access maps and lower river fishing information, see Fishing the Lower Niagara River.
Lake Ontario, Tributaries, Harbors and Piers
Erie Canal water releases into select tributaries is scheduled to end on December 15, so from here out flows will now be influenced by only natural factors. Eighteenmile and Oak Orchard Creeks are currently the best tributary options on the west end of Lake Ontario. The sections below the dams remain mostly ice-free, with good numbers of fish around. Anglers at Eighteenmile Creek are still catching lots of brown trout, with a few kings in the mix. Steelhead numbers are just fair, but are building. Oak Orchard anglers report a decent mix of brown trout and steelhead throughout, with a few kings also available by the dam. The rest of the west end tributaries are mostly locked up with ice. See the Canal Corporation Fall Fishing Program for more release details. New salmon anglers can check out the Pacific Salmon in Lake Ontario Tributaries page for more info.
Ice Fishing Safety
Safety is essential during early ice season and anglers should make sure ice is thick enough before venturing out. Four inches of solid clear ice is usually safe for anglers on foot. Five inches is better for groups fishing together. Drilling holes or tapping with a spud bar to check ice thickness is recommended on your way out, or when moving around. Safety ice picks, boot cleats, throw rope, and flotation devices are recommended safety supplies. Use good judgement and fish with a friend if possible. Avoid any areas near open water, dock bubblers, stream inlets and outlets. See the I FISH NY Beginners Guide to Ice Fishing (PDF) and Learn to Ice Fish for safety, how-to, and recommended sites to fish.
Chautauqua Lake
There is some thin unsafe ice covering parts of the south basin, while the north basin remains mostly open. With consistent freezing temperatures in the forecast, open water days are numbered. Visit the Chautauqua Lake page for more information.
Attention anglers: Starting September 2, the Bemus Point State Boat Launch and access site will be temporarily closed for a reconstruction project. The entire site will be closed to access for the duration of the project, which is expected to continue through November. View the DEC Press Release for more information.
Harwood Lake
The dam rehabilitation project has been completed and the DEC access site is now open. Note that as of December 12, the lake water level is still down about two feet. The lake should refill back to normal level over the next month.
Surplus Broodstock Trout Stocking
DEC Randolph Fish Hatchery conducted fall stocking of broodstock trout between October 2 and Octoer 23. All broodstock trout are over 2 years old. The following were stocked. Red House Lake 425 rainbow trout (17”-30”) and 350 brown trout (9”-17”); Case Lake 675 brook trout (13”-20”), 300 brown trout (9”-22”) and 100 rainbow trout (21”); Quaker Lake 550 brown trout (9”-22”) and 450 rainbow trout (17”-30”); Allen Lake 350 brook trout (13”-20”); New Albion Lake 200 brook trout (13”-20”) and 225 brown trout (17”-22”); Genesee River 375 brown trout (17”-22”) and 75 rainbow trout (30”); Cattaraugus Creek 475 brown trout (9”-22”); East Koy Creek 375 brown trout (9”-22”); Lake Flavia 100 brook trout (13”) and 150 brown trout (22”). Call the Randolph Hatchery Stocking Hotline at 716-358-2050 for updates.
Attention Harwood Lake anglers: Due to the ongoing dam rehabilitation project and related water level drawdown at Harwood Lake, broodstock trout stocking will not occur this fall. Those fish will be redistributed amongst the other stocked lakes in the region.
The fishing hotline can also be heard at 716-855-3474. 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!
