As the winter season sets in, western New York’s ice angling community are ever hopeful for frigid temperatures and good ice. The region offers a variety of opportunities for ice fishing enthusiasts. Chautauqua Lake’s abundance of warm water species and numerous access points make it a top regional ice fishing destination. Select smaller lakes in the southern tier are stocked in fall with large broodstock trout and are open to trout fishing year-round. Some sheltered harbors along the Great Lakes and Niagara River offer a mix of panfish and a chance at a trophy catch of a lake run trout or northern pike.
Ice Fishing in Region 9 (Western New York)
Site Access During Winter: Some parking areas, roads, and trails may not be maintained through winter. For the most up to date access information, contact the Region 9 Fisheries Office.
Ice Safety: When deciding if ice is safe, it is always best to err on the side of caution. Before venturing out, review DEC’s Ice Safety Guidelines.
Fishing Regulations: Be sure to check the Statewide Fishing Regulations and the Special Fishing Regulations that may apply in the water or county you are fishing.
Places to Go (by County)
Allegany || Cattaraugus || Chautauqua || Erie || Niagara || Wyoming
Allegany County
Water | Town | Species | Access | Contour Map Available (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allen Lake | Allen | Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Brown Bullhead, Yellow Perch, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Green Sunfish, White Sucker, Golden Shiner | In Allen Lake State Forest off Muckle Road. Lot plowed in winter. | |
| Alma Pond | Alma | Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Common Carp, Brown Bullhead, Northern Pike, Golden Shiner | DEC Boat Launch Site off County Route 38. Lot plowed in winter. | |
| Cuba Lake | Cuba | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Brown Bullhead, Black Crappie | South end of dam off South Shore Road | |
| Rushford Lake | Rushford, Caneadea | Smallmouth Bass, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Walleye, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, White Sucker | North side of the Caneadea Dam from the picnic area at end of Lake Access Road. Lake level is drawn down each winter. |
Cattaraugus County
Water | Town | Species | Access | Contour Map Available (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklinville | Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Brown Bullhead | DEC Boat Launch Site off County Route 24. Lot plowed in winter. | ||
| Farmersville | Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed | DEC Boat Launch Site parking off Route 98. Lot plowed in winter. | ||
| Machias | Largemouth Bass, Tiger Muskellunge, Walleye, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Brown Bullhead, Golden Shiner | DEC Fishing Access Site east side of lake, off Potter Road | ||
| New Albion | Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, White Crappie, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Brown Bullhead | DEC Boat Launch Site off Mosher Hollow Road | ||
| Cold Spring | Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Rock Bass, Brown Bullhead, Golden Shiner | In Allegany State Park, off Route 280 | ||
| Red House | Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Rock Bass, White Sucker | In Allegany State Park, off ASP Route 1 |
Chautauqua County
Water | Town | Species | Access | Contour Map Available (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Lake | Pomfret, Stockton | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Northern Pike, Walleye, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Yellow Perch, White Perch, Brown Bullhead, Rock Bass, Longnose Gar, Golden Shiner | DEC Boat Launch Site off Bear Lake Road. Lot plowed in winter. | |
| Cassadaga Lake | Pomfret, Stockton | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Walleye, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Golden Shiner | At Cassadaga Beach, located on Lower Cassadaga Lake off Park Ave. | |
| Chautauqua Lake | Chautauqua, North Harmony, Busti, Ellery | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Black Crappie, White Crappie, White Perch, White Bass, Brown Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, White Sucker, Common Carp, Rock Bass, Longnose Gar, Golden Shiner | Multiple access points, including Mayville Lakeside Park, DEC Prendergast Point Launch (Plowed), Midway State Park (Plowed), Long Point State Park (Plowed), DEC Bemus Point Launch, and Lakewood Community Park (Plowed). | |
| Findley Lake | Mina | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Tiger Muskellunge, Muskellunge, Northern Pike, Walleye, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Yellow Perch, White Perch, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Brown Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead | DEC Boat Launch Site off Route 426, north end of lake. Lot plowed in winter. |
Erie County
Water | Town | Species | Access | Contour Map Available (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver Island State Park Marina | Grand Island | Yellow Perch, Rainbow Smelt, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass | Sheltered marina located within Beaver Island State Park, on south end of Grand Island. | No |
| Big Six Mile Creek State Marina | Grand Island | Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass | Operated by State Parks. Protected inlet off the Upper Niagara River, located off Whitehaven Road. | No |
| Buffalo Harbor State Park Marina | Buffalo | Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Black Crappie, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow Smelt | Operated by State Parks. Located in Buffalo off Fuhrmann Blvd. Inner harbor is accessible from Boat Launch Site at southwest corner. Use of boat docks prohibited. | No |
| Clear Lake | North Collins | Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead | Located in Clear Lake Wildlife Management Area. Parking located off Genesee Road, 0.3 miles west of Route 75. | No |
Niagara County
Water | Town | Species | Access | Contour Map Available (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscarora Bay | Wilson | Yellow Perch, Rainbow Smelt, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout | At Wilson-Tuscarora State Park, off Route 18 | No |
Wyoming County
Water | Town | Species | Access | Contour Map Available (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Lake | Castile | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Rock Bass, Brown Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Common Carp, White Sucker, Golden Shiner | At Silver Lake State Park at south end of lake, off West Lake Road. Additional shore access at Village of Perry public beach on northeast side of lake. |