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.
Legend PRF: 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.
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!
Public Access on Steelhead Streams in Cattaraugus County Water
Section
Public Access
Miles
Cattaraugus Creek (795 KB pdf file)
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 (795 KB pdf file)
Mouth to falls 2 miles upstream
One mi in Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area
2
Connoisarauley Creek
Mouth to falls 2 miles upstream
Need owner permission
2
Public Access on Steelhead Streams in Chautauqua County Water
Section
Public Access
Miles
Canadaway Creek (612 KB pdf file)
Mouth to falls at Laona
0.9 mi PFR, other sections need owner permission
6
Cattaraugus Creek (795 KB pdf file)
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 (651 KB pdf file)
Mouth to Westfield waterworks dam.
Special regulations apply - check regulation guide. 1.5 mi PFR, other sections need owner permission
5
Silver Creek
Mouth to upper Silver Creek Reservoir
Need owner permission
10
Twenty Mile Creek
PA state line to County Route 9.
Need owner permission
6
Walnut Creek
Mouth to falls in Forestville below Rt. 39
Need owner permission
7
Public Access on Steelhead Streams in Erie County Water
Section
Public Access
Miles
Buffalo Creek
Mouth to Blossom Dam.
Need owner permission
13
Cattaraugus Creek (795 KB pdf file)
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.
Seneca Nation license required on lower section, 0.5 mi Erie County Park land located at Dam, other sections need owner permission
34
Cayuga Creek
Mouth to Como Park Lake
Need owner permission
9
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.
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 (736 KB pdf file)
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.
7
S. Branch Eighteen Mile Creek - (736 KB pdf file)
Mouth to Kroomes Mills falls above Church Road.
0.1 mi PFR, 1 mi on Erie County Park lands, other sections need landowner permission
6
Spooner Brook
Mouth to Concord Road.
Special regulations apply - check regulation guide. Need owner permission
5
Public Access on Steelhead Streams in Niagara County
Water
Section
Public Access
Miles
Eighteen Mile Creek
Mouth to Burt Dam
Most of stream on Town property
2
Keg Creek (573 KB pdf file)
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 (758 KB pdf file)
Mouth to Fitch Road
2.2 mi PFR, other sections need landowner permission
5
Twelve Mile Creek, East Branch (758 KB pdf file)
Mouth to Braley Road
4.0 mi PFR, other sections need landowner permission
7
Other Links of Interest
Current stream flow in Cattaraugus Creek Current stream flow in Buffalo Creek Current stream flow in Cayuga Creek Fish Passage at the Springville Dam - NYSDEC (606 KB pdf file)