April 25 to May 2, 2025
May 1 – Statewide Season Opener for Walleye, Pike, Pickerel, and Tiger Musky
May 1st is the statewide season opener for most of the coolwater sportfish species in New York. This includes walleye, northern pike, chain pickerel, and tiger muskellunge. Before venturing out, be familiar with the statewide season limits and any special fishing regulations that may apply on waters you plan to fish.
Lake Erie Tributaries
Lake Erie anglers are reporting solid yellow perch fishing with some limit catches. Depths of 50-60 feet of water between Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point have been productive (Note: the Sturgeon Point boat launch remains closed). Live minnows fished at the bottom work great for perch. Walleye season kicks off on Thursday, May 1. Night fishing along the nearshore reefs and shoals is typically the most productive tactic during the early season. Try trolling stickbaits at around 1.5 mph over rocky areas in 6-15 feet of water. Colder than usual water temperatures could impact early walleye fishing. See the Walleye Fishing on Lake Erie page for more information.
Cattaraugus Creek is a bit high and murky at report time, while all other creeks are in great fishing shape. There were still decent numbers of steelhead around through last weekend, but with creek temperatures now around 60 degrees, the run will likely end soon. Conversely, the warmer temps have smallmouth bass pushing up the creeks. Jigs with plastics fished under a float is a top bass tactic for drift anglers. Wooly buggers and streamers are productive for fly anglers.
Niagara River
The upper river is clear of ice and the navigation season is here. Once Lake Erie ice had passed, water temperatures quickly jumped into the low 40s. As temperature continues to rise, look for the smallmouth bass bite to take off throughout the upper river. Controlled drifting and fishing ned rigs, swimbaits or drop-shot rigs with plastics works well. Unity Island at Broderick Park is a great shore fishing site for walleye when the season opens.
The temperature swing sparked the trout bite in the lower river at mid-week and a good slug of lake trout moved in. The upper drifts were producing a mix of steelhead, lake trout and brown trout. Brown trout were the dominant catch in the lower drifts, along with some bonus Atlantic salmon. Controlled drifting with a three-way rig and live shiners was most productive. Smallmouth bass are now showing in the lower drifts, and number will continue to build over next month. Lower river water temperature quickly blew past the prime temperature for smelt to show along the shoreline, so might be worth a look now. Artpark State Park and Lewiston Landing are the typical smelt dipping spots. For fishing access maps and lower river fishing information, see Fishing the Lower Niagara River.
Lake Ontario, Tributaries, Harbors and Piers
Lake Ontario anglers were starting to see the occasional king salmon catch last week. But by Wednesday, kings were showing well off Wilson in 75-100 feet of water. Some charters had a banner day with some king weights in the mid-teens. Trolling with large spoons is a good bet. See the Pacific Salmon Fishing In Lake Ontario Tributaries page for more information. Brown trout are still snapping along the nearshore shallows, with some coho and the occasional Atlantic salmon mixed in. Running medium-sized spoons and stickbaits about 75-100 feet behind planer boards is a proven tactic. Solid numbers of lake trout have been available at depths around 50 feet.
Lake Ontario Harbors and low ends of tributaries are good spots for a variety warmwater species. Smallmouth bass, northern pike, bowfin, yellow perch, rock bass bullhead and more are available. The occasional trout or coho salmon are possible catches from the piers.
Chautauqua Lake
Crappie are available in the canals, near stream inlets and at in sheltered bays at depths under 8 feet around weedbeds or other structure. Small jigs tipped with a small minnow, one-inch tube or other small plastics are good crappie offerings. When the walleye season opens on May 1, the nearshore shallows are a good bet at night. Boaters typically do well by trolling and casting stickbaits, and shore anglers connect by casting stickbaits. Visit the Chautauqua Lake page for more information.
Harwood Lake
From March 31 through September, there will be access limitations at Harwood Lake to allow for dam rehabilitation work. The project will also require lowering of the lake level by 3.5 feet, limiting fishing and other water-based recreation. DEC will not stock Harwood Lake with trout this spring, but stocking numbers will be increased at the nearby Allen and Case Lakes, to offset the loss. View more information on limited access at Harwood Lake.
Inland Trout Streams
The inland trout streams are in prime shape at report time, but keep an eye on the rain forecasts this weekend. Hendrickson mayflies and some other small hatches are happening, so trout should be looking up. Action has primarily been on subsurface baits and flies, though surface action is possible in the afternoons of warmer days. See Fishing For Stream Trout page for how-to information. See Trout Stream Fishing Map User Guide page for interactive map showing fishing access and stream categories.
Spring Trout Stocking
All of western New York’s trout stocking waters have been stocked with at least one stocking increment. Hatchery staff are now delivering additional stocking increments for “stocked-extended” streams. For County lists of stocked waters and the anticipated number, sizes and species of trout to be stocked, see the Spring Trout Stocking page. Call the Randolph Hatchery stocking hotline at 716-358-2050 for stocking updates.
The following waters are scheduled for an additional stocking the week of April 28.
Allegany County: Genesee River (Wellsville, Amity).
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!
