September 3 to September 18, 2026
Lake Erie
It is getting late in the season, but the remarkable Lake Erie walleye action continues. Anglers are catching walleye in as shallow as 15 feet of water around deep weed edges and shallow structure and out to 120 feet of water. However, the can’t miss zone has been from Cattaraugus Creek to the PA line in 70-90 feet of water, where fish are stacked 65-75 feet down. Worm harnesses and stickbaits work very well. Walleye are more scattered and limited near Buffalo. See Walleye Fishing on Lake Erie for more information.
Walleye anglers are now reporting the occasional steelhead catch mixed in. Lake trout are available off Dunkirk and to the west in 90-120 feet of water. Target lake trout below the thermocline in cooler water. Downriggers with spoons run between an established thermocline and the bottom is a good tactic. Smallmouth bass are available in 25-40 feet of water around rocky structure, drops, humps and transition areas. Ned rigs, swim baits and drop-shot rigs with plastics or live crayfish and shiners are good offerings.
Lake Erie conditions resource: The Great Lakes Center at Buffalo State University operates two Lake Erie weather/data buoys that are part of the Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS). These buoys, located outside of Buffalo and off Dunkirk gather a variety of data, including parameters that are very useful to boaters and anglers. Visit Seagull GLOS for real-time buoy data on waves, wind, water temperature, and even a webcam on the Buffalo buoy.
Niagara River
Late summer is typically a productive time to target smallmouth bass in the upper river, as bass are “on the feed”. Smallmouth bass are available throughout the upper river. Target bass from weed edges out to 20 feet of water over rocky or gravel bottom. Controlled drifting and fishing with tube jigs, ned rigs or bottom bouncing rigs with plastics, crayfish or shiners are proven techniques. Shore anglers at Freedom Park report a mix of smallmouth bass and drum, with the occasional walleye mixed in.
The first of the season’s king salmon were reportedly caught in the lower river this week. King salmon and brown trout are also showing along the Niagara Bar ledge. These are signs that the fall trout and salmon run is not far off, but river temperatures need to drop to allow any significant influx of trout or salmon. Smallmouth bass and walleye are available in all drifts and the bite has generally been good. Drop-shot rigs with live crayfish have been especially effective for smallmouth bass. Controlled drifting with a 3-way bottom bouncing rig with worm harnesses is a proven walleye tactic for boaters. There has been an uptick in walleye catches for shore anglers at the NYPA fishing platform and in the gorge. For fishing access maps and lower river fishing information, see Fishing the Lower Niagara River.
Attention lower Niagara River walleye anglers: DEC requests your help in collecting otolith samples from harvested walleye (ONLY Lower Niagara River and Lake Ontario near river). Samples needed to determine the proportion of wild and stocked walleye in the Lower Niagara River. To participate, cut the entire head off of harvested walleye and deposit in freezer at the Lewiston or Fort Niagara State Park fish cleaning stations. Bags and sample labels are available inside freezers. Details for label include date, location (river or lake), specific location in river, length and sex (if known). For more information contact Bureau of Fisheries at [email protected] or 716-851-7010.
Lake Ontario, Tributaries, Harbors and Piers
Recent fishing has been excellent for a mix of king salmon and steelhead in 100-450 feet of water off Niagara and Orleans Counties. During the first few hours of daylight, staging mature king salmon are cooperating at the shallower end of that zone. By late morning, deeper areas are better bet for big kings. There has been a considerable uptick in numbers of steelhead being caught, including many trophy-sized fish. Large spoons and meat rigs run 65-100 feet down have worked very well across the depth range above. Anglers are reporting quality brown trout catches along the Niagara Bar “ledge” and Niagara County shoreline. Target depths of 60-80 feet of water where the thermocline intersects the bottom, with medium-sized spoons run near the bottom. See Trolling for Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon for more information. It is still a bit early for any consistent trout and salmon catches from the piers. However, catches are possible anytime colder water gets pushed up along the shoreline from stiff winds or upwellings.
Chautauqua Lake
Weed beds are the go-to locations for a variety of cooperative species, including bass, sunfish, yellow perch and white perch. The occasional walleye catch is possible during low light periods. Muskellunge fishing has been slow to fair, but musky fishing quality tends to ramp up as waters cool in late summer and fall. Anglers often target musky along weed edges, or musky that are suspended over deeper water of 20-30 feet. The Bemus Point boat launch project has been completed. Upgrades include a new two lane concrete trailered boat launch, and accessible features including floating boarding docks, kayak launch and parking. Visit the Chautauqua Lake page for more information.
Inland Trout Streams
With favorable creek levels and temperatures over the past couple of weeks, the inland trout streams have been fishing well. Some streams may be riled up for a day or so after Wednesday evening’s rainstorms. Trico mayfly hatches are possible in early morning; otherwise, there is not much hatch activity on the streams. Stimulator or terrestrials patterns like hoppers, ants and beetles are good bets for surface action in summer. See Fishing for Stream Trout for how-to information and the Trout Stream Fishing Map User Guide for a map showing fishing access and stream categories. View the Spring Trout Stocking List for County lists of stocked waters and the number, sizes, and species of trout stocked.
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!
