Fishing in the Western NY & Lake Erie

Lake Erie's New York waters offer world-class walleye fishing, particularly the eastern basin near Buffalo with numerous charter services.

1. Lake Erie (NY)

Lake Erie, Erie/Chautauqua counties

Lake Erie's New York waters offer world-class walleye fishing, particularly the eastern basin with numerous charter services.

Boat Launch: Sturgeon Point Marina →

2. Niagara River (Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Steelhead, Lake Trout, Brown Trout, Muskellunge)

Niagara River, Niagara/Erie counties

The Niagara River offers world-class fishing for walleye and smallmouth bass in both upper and lower sections.

• Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
• Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
• Muskellunge & tiger muskie · Limit: 1 · Min 30-54 in by water

Boat Launch: East Launch →

3. Chautauqua Lake (Walleye, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Crappie)

Chautauqua Lake, Chautauqua County

Chautauqua Lake is a 13,000-acre lake famous for muskellunge and walleye fishing with a 60-mile shoreline.

• Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
• Muskellunge & tiger muskie · Limit: 1 · Min 30-54 in by water
• Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined

Boat Launch: Prendergast Point Boat Launch →

4. Buffalo Harbor (Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Steelhead, Lake Trout, Brown Trout)

Buffalo Harbor, Erie County

Buffalo Harbor on Lake Erie offers excellent fishing with multiple boat launches and the Buffalo River connection.

• Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
• Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined

Boat Launch: Buffalo Coast Guard Slip →

5. Buffalo River (Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Channel Catfish, Carp, Steelhead)

Buffalo River, Erie County

The Buffalo River has undergone a major cleanup and now offers excellent urban fishing for walleye and bass.

• Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
• Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
• Northern pike · Limit: 5 · Min 18 in

Boat Launch: Buffalo Harbor State Park Boat Launches →

6. Tonawanda Creek (Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Channel Catfish, Crappie, Carp)

Tonawanda Creek, Erie/Niagara counties

Tonawanda Creek offers good warmwater fishing in the Erie Canal system.

• Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
• Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
• Northern pike · Limit: 5 · Min 18 in
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined

Boat Launch: East Launch →

7. Oak Orchard River (Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass)

Oak Orchard River, Orleans County

Oak Orchard River is a premier Lake Ontario tributary for steelhead and salmon runs in spring and fall.

• Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)

Boat Launch: East Launch →

8. Eighteenmile Creek (Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)

Eighteenmile Creek, Niagara County

Eighteenmile Creek is a top Lake Ontario tributary known for steelhead and salmon runs.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

9. Genesee River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye)

Genesee River, Monroe/Livingston counties

The Genesee River offers excellent trout and salmon fishing from Letchworth Gorge to Lake Ontario.

• ⚠ This water: From 1.0 mile upstream of County Route 29 near York's Corners upstream to NYS Route 19 bridge in Shongo _(Catch and Release)_ | All year, Catch and Release only, Artificial lures only
• Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
• Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)

Boat Launch: Silver Lake State Park Boat Launch →

10. Letchworth Gorge (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Muskellunge)

Letchworth Gorge, Livingston County

The Genesee River through Letchworth State Park offers spectacular fishing in the 'Grand Canyon of the East'.

• Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
• Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
• Muskellunge & tiger muskie · Limit: 1 · Min 30-54 in by water

Boat Launch: Silver Lake State Park Boat Launch →

11. Cazenovia Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass)

Cazenovia Creek, Erie County

Cazenovia Creek offers good trout fishing in the Buffalo southtowns area.

• Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)

Boat Launch: Cazenovia Community Boating Center →

12. Cayuga Creek (Erie Co.)

Cayuga Creek, Erie County

Cayuga Creek offers good trout fishing in the Buffalo southtowns.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

13. Ellicott Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike)

Ellicott Creek, Erie County

Ellicott Creek offers good fishing at Buffalo.

• Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
• Northern pike · Limit: 5 · Min 18 in

Boat Launch: East Launch →

14. Buffalo Creek (Erie Co.)

Buffalo Creek, Erie County

Buffalo Creek offers good trout fishing in the southtowns of Erie County.

Boat Launch: Buffalo Harbor State Park Boat Launches →

15. Smokes Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)

Smokes Creek, Erie County

Smokes Creek offers good trout fishing in the Lackawanna area.

Boat Launch: Buffalo Harbor State Park Boat Launches →

16. Delaware Park Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)

Delaware Park Lake, Erie County

Delaware Park Lake in Buffalo offers urban fishing with stocked trout.

• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined

Boat Launch: Rich Marine Sales →

17. Hoyt Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Rainbow Trout, Channel Catfish)

Hoyt Lake, Erie County

Hoyt Lake in Delaware Park offers good family fishing in Buffalo.

• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined

Boat Launch: Rich Marine Sales →

18. Rushford Lake (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Crappie, Bluegill)

Rushford Lake, Allegany County

Rushford Lake is a 500-acre lake offering good warmwater fishing in Allegany County.

• Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
• Northern pike · Limit: 5 · Min 18 in
• Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined

Boat Launch: Balcom Beach Small Boat Launch →

19. Conesus Lake (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Crappie, Bluegill)

Conesus Lake, Livingston County

Conesus Lake offers excellent warmwater fishing in Livingston County.

• Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)
• Northern pike · Limit: 5 · Min 18 in
• Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined

Boat Launch: East Launch →

20. Hemlock Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass)

Hemlock Lake, Livingston County

Hemlock Lake offers good trout and bass fishing in Livingston County.

• Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)

Boat Launch: Canadice Lake Boat Launch →

21. Allen Lake (Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Rainbow Trout)

Allen Lake, Allegany County

Allen Lake offers good fishing in Allegany County.

• ⚠ This water: Brook Trout, All year, Minimum Length-none, Daily Limit-5 with no more than 2 longer than 12" | ### [Cattaraugus](https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations/region-9-special-fishing) County
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined

Boat Launch: East Launch →

22. Caneadea Lake (Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch)

Caneadea Lake, Allegany County

Caneadea Lake offers good fishing in Allegany County.

• Northern pike · Limit: 5 · Min 18 in
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined

Boat Launch: Caneadea Lake →

23. Keshequa Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)

Keshequa Creek, Livingston County

Keshequa Creek offers good trout fishing in the Letchworth area.

Boat Launch: Smith Boys Jansen Marine of Conesus →

24. Canaseraga Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass)

Canaseraga Creek, Livingston County

Canaseraga Creek offers good trout fishing in the Genesee River watershed.

• Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)

Boat Launch: Smith Boys Jansen Marine of Conesus →

25. Oatka Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass)

Oatka Creek, Wyoming/Monroe counties

Oatka Creek is a spring-fed trout stream offering excellent year-round fishing.

• ⚠ This water: From Union Street upstream 1.7 miles to Wheatland Center Rd _(Catch and Release)_ | All year, Catch and Release only, Artificial lures only
• Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 combined · Min 12 in (some waters different)

Boat Launch: Silver Lake State Park Boat Launch →

26. Black Creek (Monroe Co.)

Black Creek, Monroe County

Black Creek offers good trout and bass fishing in the Rochester area.

Boat Launch: Balcom Beach Small Boat Launch →

27. Honeoye Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Crappie)

Honeoye Creek, Monroe County

Honeoye Creek offers good fishing in the Rochester area.

• Northern pike · Limit: 5 · Min 18 in
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined

Boat Launch: East Launch →

28. Sandy Creek (Monroe Co.)

Sandy Creek, Monroe County

Sandy Creek is a Lake Ontario tributary offering good salmon and steelhead fishing.

Boat Launch: North Pond Sandy Creek Waterway Access →

29. Irondequoit Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Steelhead, Chinook, Coho, Northern Pike)

Irondequoit Creek, Monroe County

Irondequoit Creek offers excellent steelhead and salmon fishing.

• Northern pike · Limit: 5 · Min 18 in

Boat Launch: Ayrault Boat Launch →

30. Buttonwood Creek (Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Brown Trout)

Buttonwood Creek, Orleans County

Buttonwood Creek is a Lake Ontario tributary offering good salmon fishing.

Boat Launch: Braddock Bay Marina →

31. Johnson Creek (Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)

Johnson Creek, Orleans County

Johnson Creek offers good salmon and steelhead fishing in Orleans County.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

32. Bentley Creek (Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Brown Trout)

Bentley Creek, Niagara County

Bentley Creek offers good salmon fishing flowing into the Niagara River.

Boat Launch: Toll Bridge Park Boat Launch →

33. Hyde Park Lake (Niagara)

Hyde Park Lake, Niagara County

Hyde Park Lake in Niagara Falls offers good urban fishing.

Boat Launch: Marine Railway →

34. Lake LaSalle (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Rainbow Trout)

Lake LaSalle, Niagara County

Lake LaSalle on the Niagara University campus offers good fishing.

• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined

Boat Launch: East Launch →

35. Gratwick Park Pond (Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Rainbow Trout)

Gratwick Park Pond, Niagara County

Gratwick Park Pond in North Tonawanda offers good family fishing.

• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined

Boat Launch: North Tonawanda Marina →

36. Lake Alice (Genesee Co.)

Lake Alice, Genesee County

Lake Alice in Genesee County offers good warmwater fishing.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

37. LeRoy Reservoir (Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)

LeRoy Reservoir, Genesee County

LeRoy Reservoir offers good warmwater fishing in Genesee County.

• Northern pike · Limit: 5 · Min 18 in
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined

Boat Launch: Silver Lake State Park Boat Launch →

38. Darien Lake (Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Walleye)

Darien Lake, Genesee County

Darien Lake offers good fishing with a state park and campground in Genesee County.

• Northern pike · Limit: 5 · Min 18 in
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined
• Walleye · Limit: 5 · Min 15 in (some waters 18 in)

Boat Launch: Darien Lake →

39. Bowman Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)

Bowman Lake, Erie County

Bowman Lake in the Town of Marilla offers good trout fishing.

Boat Launch: Balsam Pond Boat Launch →

40. Canadice Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Rainbow Trout, Northern Pike)

Canadice Lake, New York

Popular fishing lake in the Western NY & Lake Erie region of New York.

• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined
• Northern pike · Limit: 5 · Min 18 in

Boat Launch: East Launch →

41. Honeoye Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Rainbow Trout, Northern Pike)

Honeoye Lake, New York

Popular fishing lake in the Western NY & Lake Erie region of New York.

• ⚠ This water: Black Bass | June 15-Mar 15, Minimum Length-12", Daily Limit-5
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined
• Northern pike · Limit: 5 · Min 18 in

Boat Launch: Canadice Lake Boat Launch →

42. North-South Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Rainbow Trout, Northern Pike)

North-South Lake, New York

Popular fishing lake in the Western NY & Lake Erie region of New York.

• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined
• Northern pike · Limit: 5 · Min 18 in

Boat Launch: North-South Lake →

43. Silver Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Rainbow Trout, Northern Pike)

Silver Lake, New York

Silver Lake is an 832-acre lake offering good walleye and bass fishing.

• ⚠ This water: Sunfish, All year, Minimum Length-8", Daily Limit-15 | Contact for this Page Bureau of Fisheries, Region 9 192 East Union Street, Suite 3 Allegany, NY 14706 **Phone:**[716-372-0645](tel:716-372-0645) [fwfish9@dec.ny.gov](mailto:fwfish9@dec.ny.gov) This Page Covers Region 9 Western New York Icon  [Department of Environmental Conservation](https://dec.ny.gov/) * [Quick Links](https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations/region-9-special-fishing) * [About DEC](https://dec.ny.gov/about) * [Hunting & Fishing Licenses](https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits-licenses/sporting-and-use/sporting/decals) * [DECinfo Locator](https://dec.ny.gov/maps/interactive-maps/decinfo-locator) * [Events Calendar](https://dec.ny.gov/get-involved/events) * [Press Releases](https://dec.ny.gov/news/press-releases) * [Employment](https://dec.ny.gov/about/employment) * [Apply for a Grant](https://dec.ny.gov/get-involved/grant-applications) * [Help Center](https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations/region-9-special-fishing) * [Contact Us](https://dec.ny.gov/about/contact-us) * [Accessibility Assistance](https://dec.ny.gov/about/accessibility-for-persons-with-disabilities) * [Language Assistance](https://dec.ny.gov/about/website-usage-and-policies/language-assistance) * [Nondiscrimination and Civil Rights](https://dec.ny.gov/about/contact-us/federal-civil-rights-nondiscrimination-program) * [PDF Help](https://dec.ny.gov/about/website-usage-and-policies/pdf-files) * [Help for Businesses](https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/help-for-businesses) * [Doing Business with DEC](https://dec.ny.gov/about/doing-business) * [Resources](https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations/region-9-special-fishing) * [Website and Usage Policies](https://dec.ny.gov/about/website-usage-and-policies) * [Privacy Policy](https://dec.ny.gov/about/website-usage-and-policies/privacy-policy) * [Terms of Participation for Social Media](https://dec.ny.gov/about/website-usage-and-policies/social-media) * [Freedom of Information Law FOIL](https://dec.ny.gov/news/foil) * [Donate](https://www.naturalheritagetrust.org/dec "(opens in a new window)") #### Subscribe to DEC's Conservationist Magazine _Conservationist_ is packed with informative articles, first-rate photography and stunning artwork. [Subscribe](https://www.simplecirc.com/subscribe/conservationist-magazine "Subscribe (opens in a new window)") Connect With Us * [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/NYSDEC "(opens in a new window)") * [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/nysdec/ "(opens in a new window)") * [Threads](https://www.threads.net/@nysdec "(opens in a new window)") * [BlueSky](https://bsky.app/profile/dec.ny.gov "(opens in a new window)") * [X](https://www.x.com/NYSDEC "(opens in a new window)") * [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/nys-department-of-environmental-conservation "(opens in a new window)") * [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/nysdecvideos "(opens in a new window)") * [Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/nysdec/ "(opens in a new window)") * [Podcast](https://dec.ny.gov/news/podcast) * [Agencies](https://www.ny.gov/agencies) * [App Directory](https://www.ny.gov/mobileapps) * [Counties](https://www.ny.gov/counties) * [Events](https://www.ny.gov/events) * [Programs](https://www.ny.gov/programs) * [Services](https://www.ny.gov/services) Translate [Translation Services](https://www.ny.gov/web-translation-services) This page is available in other languages * [English](https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations/region-9-special-fishing) * [Español](https://es.dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations/region-9-special-fishing) * [中文](https://zh.dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations/region-9-special-fishing) * [繁體中文](https://zh-traditional.dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations/region-9-special-fishing) * [Русский](https://ru.dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations/region-9-special-fishing) * [יידיש](https://yi.dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations/region-9-special-fishing) * [বাংলা](https://bn.dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations/region-9-special-fishing) * [한국어](https://ko.dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations/region-9-special-fishing) * [Kreyòl Ayisyen](https://ht.dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations/region-9-special-fishing) * [Italiano](https://it.dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations/region-9-special-fishing) * [العربية](https://ar.dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations/region-9-special-fishing) * [Polski](https://pl.dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations/region-9-special-fishing) * [Français](https://fr.dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations/region-9-special-fishing) * [اردو](https://ur.dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations/region-9-special-fishing)
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined
• Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish) · Limit: 50 combined
• Northern pike · Limit: 5 · Min 18 in

Boat Launch: Silver Lake State Park Boat Launch →