Steelhead Streams In Western New York
DEC Region 9 offers steelhead anglers an abundance of opportunities from the mighty lower Niagara River to Cattaraugus Creek, one of the premier streams in the state, to other smaller streams. These streams offer high quality lake-run steelhead fishing from November through April. The majority of the steelhead in these streams are the result of smolt stockings by DEC. There is some natural reproduction of steelhead that adds to the fishery, particularly in the Cattaraugus Creek system. Studies are ongoing to evaluate the contribution of these wild fish to the angler catch. Projects are being planned and implemented to increase the contribution of wild steelhead. For detailed information on steelhead management, migratory runs, fishing tackle and techniques see the Steelhead Fishing in Lake Erie Tributaries and Lake Ontario Tributaries pages.
Legend
- PFR: Public fishing rights, which are public rights-of-way through otherwise private land. Please be considerate of the landowners and their property. Yellow "Public Fishing Area" signs are posted along sections of streams with PFR. Maps are available for all streams with PFR.
- Blue text: Streams with PFR, click blue text to link to PFR map for that stream.
- Need owner permission: In sections of these streams without PFR, you must obtain permission to fish from the landowner. Respect their property or you risk losing public access to these streams.
Please note: small tributary streams to the major water listed here also get runs of steelhead. These streams can provide good fishing, but they are located on private lands and you must have landowner permission to fish them. Your fishing license is not a permit to trespass on private property!
| Water | Section | Public Access | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cattaraugus Creek (PDF) | Village of Gowanda to Springville Dam | 3.8 mi PFR, 6 mi in Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area, need owner permission on other sections | 20 |
| S. Branch Cattaraugus Creek (PDF) | Mouth to falls 3.5 miles upstream | One mi in Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area | 3.5 |
| Connoisarauley Creek | Mouth to falls 2 miles upstream | Need owner permission | 2 |
| Water | Section | Public Access | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadaway Creek (PDF) | Mouth to falls at Laona | 0.9 mi PFR, other sections need owner permission | 6.5 |
| Cattaraugus Creek (PDF) | Virtually entire stream in Chautauqua County is located on the Seneca Indian Reservation. A Seneca license is required to fish on reservation lands. | Seneca Nation license required. | 6 |
| Chautauqua Creek (PDF) | Mouth to 15 miles upstream. Special regulations apply - check regulation guide. | 8.5 mi PFR, State Forest lands, other sections need owner permission | 15 |
| Silver Creek | Mouth to falls near Hanover Rd. and King Rd. intersection | Need owner permission | 7.3 |
| Twenty Mile Creek | PA state line to County Route 9. | Need owner permission | 6 |
| Walnut Creek | Mouth to falls below Rt. 39 in Forestville | Village of Silver Creek park, other sections need owner permission | 7.7 |
| Water | Section | Public Access | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Creek | Mouth to Blossom Dam. | Need owner permission | 14 |
| Cattaraugus Creek (PDF) | Mouth to Springville Dam. Virtually the entire lower 14 miles in Erie County are located on the Seneca Indian Reservation. A Seneca license is required to fish on reservation lands. | 6 mi in Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area, 0.5 mi Erie County Park land located at Dam, Seneca Nation license required on lower section, other sections need owner permission | 34 |
| Cayuga Creek | Mouth to Como Park Lake Dam | J.C. Stiglmeier Park, Como Lake County Park, other sections need owner permission | 10.4 |
| Cazenovia Creek and East and West Branches | Mouth to dam in East Aurora just below Center St. on E. Branch, Falls at West Falls on W. Branch. | Cazenovia Park, other sections need owner permission | 25 |
| Clear Creek | Mouth to falls above Bagdad Rd. Lower end located on the Seneca Indian Reservation. A Seneca license is required to fish on reservation lands. Special regulations apply - check regulation guide. | Lower 6.0 mi on Seneca Indian Reservation, other sections need landowner permission. | 10 |
| Clear Creek, N. Br. | Mouth to falls at Jennings Rd. Lower end located on the Seneca Indian Reservation. A Seneca license is required to fish on reservation lands. Special regulations apply - check regulation guide. | Lower 0.4 mi on Seneca Indian Reservation, other sections need landowner permission. | 6 |
| Eighteen Mile Creek (PDF) | Mouth to falls 1.5 mi below Rt 62 bridge. Special regulations apply - check regulation guide. | 1.5 mi PFR, 1.5 miles on Erie County Park lands, other sections need landowner permission. | 8 |
| S. Branch Eighteen Mile Creek (PDF) | Mouth to Kromer's Mill falls above E. Church Street. | 0.1 mi PFR, 1 mi on Erie County Park lands, other sections need landowner permission | 6.3 |
| Spooner Brook | Mouth to Concord Road. Special regulations apply - check regulation guide. | Need owner permission | 5 |
| Water | Section | Public Access | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eighteen Mile Creek | Mouth to Burt Dam | Town of Newfane Fisherman's Park at Dam | 2.2 |
| Keg Creek (PDF) | Mouth to 3 miles upstream | 0.1 mi PFR, other sections need landowner permission | 3 |
| Niagara River | Mouth to Whirlpool Area | Several state parks, fishing platform at Niagara Power Authority turbines | 11 |
| Twelve Mile Creek (PDF) | Mouth to Fitch Road | 2.2 mi PFR, other sections need landowner permission | 5 |
| Twelve Mile Creek, East Branch (PDF) | Mouth to Braley Road | 4.0 mi PFR, other sections need landowner permission | 7 |
Other Links of Interest
Current stream flow in Cattaraugus Creek (leaves DEC website)
Current stream flow in Buffalo Creek (leaves DEC website)
Current stream flow in Cayuga Creek (leaves DEC website)