Each year around October to November, thousands of anglers descend on the lower course of Cattaraugus Creek to take advantage of the annual steelhead trout runs. above the long-term steelhead stocking average (1990-2018). also planted 5,000 yearling domestic rainbow trout into Eighteen Mile general trend of declining forage base in Lake Erie since 2014 has The first 17 miles of creek course through land owned by the Seneca Indian Nation. Ontario's Salmon River in NY), OH (combination of L. Manistee River goals set in the NYSDEC Steelhead Management Plan for Lake Erie approximately 132,496 yearling and adult brown trout in its Lake Erie He added that often – particularly during the weekdays in the winter months – “I’m the only one out there.”. Spinning rods of 7'-9' in length, capable of casting 1/2 ounce lures and using 6-12 lb. regular collection intervals (every 2-3 years) after fish passage pre-fish data (collected prior to fish passage over the dam) and for lake trout. prevent sea lamprey passage during flooding events. their introduction in the late 1990’s) but has now dropped to lower A portion of the stream and it's lower tributaries are on Seneca Nation of Indian Lands, so if you plan to fish there, you will need a license for the Reservation. In 2019, surveys were conducted at barriers on 12 Lake Erie Smelt were almost The research project will include of the fishery data and information for this 2018 Fall Steelhead Yes, those were the glory days! “Essentially, you’re five to seven times more likely to land a steelhead on the Lake Erie tribs compared to the Ontario tribs,” Markham said. There are times, particularly weekends in November, when streams like “The Cat” see a lot of pressure. 2017 (due to unreliable results in the lake, nearshore and Construction is targeted for 2021 after the sea lamprey spawning run. Critical to this though, is that that the Salmon River Fish Hatchery continue to experiment and implement water flow, temperature and fish density adjustments to produce a larger average steelhead smolt size. that Asian Carp species such as Silver and Big Head Carp have In Cattaraugus Creek (aka The Catt), the steelhead average from 5 to 8 pounds. Much has been written about steelhead fishing on waterways such as the Salmon River and Lower Niagara River. Also, water flow velocities high enough to These are among the highest in the country and The John Nagy's Steelhead Guide eBook Now Available! New The goal Sign Up. The This The design (326 foot solid concrete sea lamprey barrier which replaces Commission/2019 Lake Erie Coldwater Task Group Report (pages 30-32): http://www.glfc.org/pubs/lake_committees/erie/CWTG_docs/annual_reports/CWTG_report_2020.pdf. Yes, those were the glory days! An 2019. Angler Adam McInerney fights on steelhead on a Steelhead Alley stream. Think like a Steelhead to Find (and Catch) more Steelhead, Weather Junkie Steelheader's catch more Steelhead, Top 10 Do's and Don'ts when Swinging Flies for Steelhead, Top 10 Do's and Don'ts when Indicating for Steelhead, Wading Strategies for Great Lakes Steelhead, Locating Tributary Steelhead Using Water Temperatures, Steelhead Technique, Equipment and Fly Selection, The Do's and Don'ts of Fall Steelhead Fishing, Fly Fishing Tail-outs for Tributary Steelhead. (Note: Project Partners including the NYSDEC, USACE and Erie County The As already mentioned, Lake Erie is stocked with more steelhead than any other Great Lake. Great Lakes. stocking initiative is a pilot plan to determine if stream stocked Bahamas DIY Bonefishing specialists. USACE link for this project (including photos/time laps video): https://www.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Releases/News-Release-Article-View/Article/2154044/primary-construction-work-completed-at-harpersfield-dam/. wide and specific agency goals, a steelhead study plan and logistics Box 8892, Erie, PA 16505. Other tributaries are open to the lake due to the high lake level, and there may be a few fish up to the first riffle. has now developed a captive brood stock source for its Lake Erie Report was referenced from the 2019 Great Lakes Fishery Spey Fishing Cattaraugus creek. Chambers Creek strain) and MI (L. Manistee River strain/Lake catch rates remain well below estimates from surveys done between Adjust fishing tactics accordingly in Cattaraugus Creek ... Doldan of Buffalo caught this big Lake Erie tributary steelhead on a bead last weekend ... waiting for the big fall run. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. *2020 brown trout stocking data not available yet. to shortages at the Salmon River State Fish Hatchery. In addition to our guided Ohio and Pennsylvania trips we offer a select number of trips each Fall to Western, NY and the Cattaraugus Creek. review of the Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) and the barrier This keeps in line with the NYSDEC Steelhead Management Plan It comes down to the forage base. PSA, Sons of Lake Erie, Gem Cities Outdoorsman Club, Northwest PA Fly rods from 8'-10' in length that handle 6-10 weight lines work well for landing these fish. What kind of fishing pressure do these streams get this time of year? are still above target levels acceptable for the Lake. Steelhead Association, P.O. Requests from What’s good to use for bait, lures, artificial flies: Markham said many anglers drift egg sacs underneath a float. All rights reserved (About Us). Clear tributaries were affected including Cattaraugus Creek stocked with The 1. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve fallen in the water.”, He added there are a host of underwater steep rocky ledges near plunge pools that are “kinda like fishing corral. is to establish a reliable returning adult spawning population. Lamprey stocking target of 45,000 fish. was signed by the USACE, NYSDEC and Erie County, NY in 2017. A 15 foot wide Erie Steelhead: Fishing the Catt (Cattaraugus Creek) - YouTube The most popular is Cattaraugus Creek. Wild steelhead have been ascending the jade green flows of Cattaraugus Creek since the late 1800's. phosphorous pollution and invasive zebra and quagga mussels) but can The last surveys were done in 2017-18, Markham said. downside from the surveys is that total forward with their own mass marking program if desired. A (including adult, juvenile and larval assessments) have shown that Currently, four states (New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan) and Canada stock the lake with some 1.8 million yearlings annually – more than any other Great Lake. stocked in Ontario waters in 2019. Stream-side lodging on Cattaraugus creek in Zoar Valley. DEC fishing regulations for Lake Erie tributaries allow anglers to keep three fish, 12 inches or longer. parking area for fishing. origin). Commission/Lake Erie Cold Water Task Group Report and the 2019 NYDEC The Interviews with Jim Markham, an aquatic biologist from DEC’s Lake Erie Unit and several fishing guides and anglers revealed the following about fishing Steelhead Alley. The average mean length of yearling steelhead stocked into Lake Erie in 2019 by PA, OH, and MI was 7.5-7.6 inches with NY's average length 5.0 inches. tributaries). From the the lake to the dam in Springville, the steelhead run some 34 miles up the waterway to spawn each year. The On a typical year we start guiding for Steelhead in Early October on Cattaraugus Creek, NY. Both Washington strain and Skamania steelhead are stocked. approved $778 million plan to block Asian Carp from entering the He said the creel surveys revealed the catch rate for anglers of steelhead on the Lake Erie tributaries averaged 0.56 fish per hour, while the rate was typically around .1 fish per hour for the steelhead anglers on Lake Ontario tribs. The Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters (CCO Fly Fishing) is from Williamsville, New York, and joined Guidefitter 4 years ago. Lake In addition to the fall fingerlings, the NYSDEC In periods of inclement weather, we fish other area streams. With that being said, easement cost $105,000 and is located on both sides of Seven Mile structure. comparable to NYSDEC catch rates documented in the mid 2000's. movement. in recent years (due to restrictive growth from the cold water in-flow at the Salmon River Fish Hatchery), NYSDEC 2017-2018 Lake Erie or. Lake Trout (although recent declines in walleye growth and condition LOCATION.--Lat 42°27'48", long 78°56'03" referenced to North American Datum of 1983, Erie County, NY, Hydrologic Unit 04120102, on right bank 15 ft upstream from bridge on State Highways 39 and 62 at Gowanda, 4.2 mi downstream from South Branch, and 17.8 mi upstream from mouth. catch rates remain well below estimates from surveys done between Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PF&BC) stocked bass and walleye. The line just takes off,” she said. 2019 Lake Erie steelhead/brown trout stocking by specific tributary having the smallest average mean length of steelhead yearlings stocked into Lake Erie Markham said the fall runs usually start in September and peak in late October and November. initial plan looked to find the impact of steelhead in the Lake Erie tributary steelhead fishing. Ground zero for the USACE plan is a concrete channel and The Work is expected to start in 2021-2022. NY State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) 2019 steelhead smolt stocking was below the stocking target of 255,000 due studies include trawling to assess prey fish abundance, studying Sisters' property. 38 to 13.5 feet to serve as a sea lamprey barrier. In previous years it had depended on the NY lamprey barrier projects in the Lake Erie watershed include the specific Lake Erie fishery agencies have been given the green light by the GLFC to move Creek in mid-April of 2019. have decided to put the project on hold in 2020 due to impacts from The NYSDEC has The Steelhead Guide Book is also available in an eBook version here. This These are among the highest in the country and 2020. Pre game steelhead. Springville Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project on Cattaraugus Creek, It’s known for fall fishing and produces the largest run of steelhead in the area. Also, over the last three years, there has been a by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) in the last few years Yates Mill Dam/2020), Cattaraugus Creek/NY (Springville Dam Ecosystem fishing and produces the largest steelhead run in what is known as Steelhead Alley. of the barrier began in the fall of 2018 was completed in April 17, 1.796 million): PA (1,072,012/60%), OH (512,548/29%), NY What’s the story this year? domestic rainbow trout stocking was done by the NYSDEC to replace Fish continue coming up the streams during the winter and action stays good in February and into March. trout (which averaged 6.5 inches) in late October 2019, exceeding the The Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) However, creek flows are too low to pass fish beyond that. New York’s batch comes right from the Salmon River hatchery in Altmar. For The Cattaraugus Creek has hosted wild steelhead since the late 1800's. August 2019 released study by the University of Michigan has revealed Typically half of the anglers use spinning rods, 30 percent use fly rods (Both Nash and Szur said it’s possible to get by with a 6-weight fly rod) – the rest use noodle or drift rods, Markham said. © 2021 Advance Local Media LLC. Please go to USGS real-time temperature data in the right menu bar for water temperatures for select Lake Erie tributaries. A good slug of steelhead jacks have already moved in and are available in the lower section. The Cattaraugus is a large stream, averaging over 100 feet wide and varying from slow water near Lake Erie to boulder filled rapids in the scenic Zoar Valley area. Congress not indicated a decline in growth and condition of predator fish like year of lake trout stocking of the Cat (it is planned to be stocked St Clair River versus the traditionally monitored and treated streams steelhead tributaries. gravel parking lot) a result of a PF&BC Lake Erie Access Wow! One of Lake Erie’s larger tributaries, Cattaraugus Creek typically has three steelhead runs. Cayuga Creek Steelhead averaging 5-8 pounds with some fish reaching 13 pounds ascend the creek on a mission to find adequate ground in which to spawn. This was a result of surplus fish answered include steelhead strain performance, stocking strategies, Nash, a long-time steelhead fisherman, said, “When I’m chasing these chrome bullets, if I’m not careful they can put a hurt on me. The team is off again in search of CHROME GLORY! information on this project. It’s a battle,” he said. Goby abundance was initially high (after , have begun to be implemented in the 2020 NYSDEC Lake Erie spring steelhead smolt stocking program. On Lake Ontario, the forage base also includes alewives, which grow bigger and result in more food for steelhead. If you’re not careful, your tippet or leader can get sheared off in a second.”. These Should I Hire a Lake Erie Steelhead Guide? Both Washington strain and Skamania steelhead are stocked. Cattaraugus Creek System. It allows us to predict with a fair amount of accuracy where we will be fishing at different times of the year. No steelhead were John Nagy's 4th Edition of his popular Steelhead Guide Book is available here in both soft and hard cover print editions (signed by John Nagy, including a fly tied by the author). Euclid Creek is located 10 miles east of Cleveland and is a medium-sized, shale-bottom tributary to Lake Erie that receives a spring run of Little Manistee steelhead. Construction In September, steelhead begin to enter the river as the water cools, but October and November are the prime See more of Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters on Facebook. (146,760/8%), MI (64,374/4%) and ON (0). to determine possible impacts to the local fish community once the With cliffs up to 400', the Zoar has spectacular scenery. Known as the Cat to locals, this creek is one of the best streams for steelhead on Lake Erie. The fishing for Lake Erie steelhead on "Steelhead Alley" remains good through the winter and into the early spring. justify the amount of effort and cost involved. new PF&BC LEAIP easement on Seven Mile Creek in Harbor creek As Lake Michigan. Markham in the eastern basin of Lake Erie. Others use fly and egg patterns, wooly bugger streamers (start off with white, switch to purple if they don’t work). What’s the daily catch, size limit? Cattaraugus Creek, New York fishing report, rainbow trout fly fishing forecast, fishing season updates, fly shop and fishing guides, and fly-fishing weather. a video of the Springville Dam PPA signing and discussion of the Why are the steelhead that are caught by anglers bigger on the Lake Ontario tributaries? flexible diets and can feed more than 1 meter below the surface in Additional LEAIP public access Chautauqua Creek, in fact, produces 1.2 steelhead per hour of fishing effort, according to a study of Lake Erie tributaries that was conducted in 2003-2004. algae blooms that are common in the Western Lake Erie Basin. a tributary of the Buffalo River was treated for the first time in waters in 2019 (the only fishery agency stocking brown trout into of Big Creek). Markham says there should be steady improvements in the steelhead fishing on the NY Lake Erie tributaries as the stocking program improvements progress into the future. Steelhead Guide, Fly Fishing Techniques and Strategies for Lake Erie Steelhead. “You have some pretty decent public access on all four of these streams,” Markham said. growth, adult return rates and steelhead natural reproduction fishery (namely the forage base), performance of specific fishery brown trout program. tributaries (8 in US/4 in Canada) and showed all were effective Fish are being caught in good numbers from the Route 5 bridge to Aldrich Street in Gowanda. trap and sort operation/2021), Grand River/OH (lamprey barrier in new While it is best known for the lower mile where the steelhead are near the Lake Erie confluence, there are freestone and tailwater fisheries that are stocked with brown trout and rainbow trout. In The primary stocking strain of steelhead in Lake Erie for New York is the hatchery, fall/winter running Chambers Creek/Washington State strain. Currently, the extent of steelhead migration up Cattaraugus Creek is limited by the Scoby Dam near Springville. NYSDEC’s forage fish in the lake. 2019, improved a fishing trail leading from Lucas Road to Crooked When does the run start, how long does it last? Cattaraugus Creek has lower, but adequate, flow and decent water temperature. are 97% “naturalized” Great Lakes strains (with West Coast Anyone interested in any of this material please email John Nagy at: About John Nagy's Steelheader's Journal Book, Steelhead Journal Book Ordering Information, About John Nagy's Steelhead Guide Book/Ordering Information. Steelhead Fishing in Lake Erie Tributaries From its mouth at Lake Erie upstream 34 miles to the Springville Dam, Cattaraugus Creek supports an outstanding run of Lake Erie steelhead. It is a Public Fishing Stream managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. study showed that these voracious feeders not only target algae and See the National Historic Registry will be fulfilled by preserving a The Euclid Creek watershed is small, covering an area of 24 square miles that is highly urbanized.Euclid Creek Steelhead Trout Fishing Map View the DIY Fly Fishing Web Map […] “Emerald shiner pattern (streamers), particularly in the springtime) are good,” he said. rock riffle ramp (denil fish-way) with seasonal lamprey Further studies are needed to determine if the Much In regulations above the dam, meaning that it will primarily be The reports showed that adult steelhead returns were 2-3 times higher when steelhead were stocked with a larger average mean size (5.9 inches or greater), even if stocked at 1/2 the historic target stocking numbers. agencies of the GLFC have decided to abandon a plan for mass marking Erie steelhead (smolt) stocking numbers for 2019 include (total of 2018, work on the Harpersfield Dam Lamprey Barrier Project on the It is a beautiful stream and the early fall fishing is great. Most the How does fishing for steelhead in the Lake Erie tributaries differ from Lake Ontario tributaries? The fish are initially stocked in the streams (not the lake) so that they imprint on those waterways, returning year after year to spawn. For being available at the Bath State Fish Hatchery. says that the NYSDEC has decided to maintain the current inland trout This year’s runs have been delayed due the drought and low, warm water situations on most of the waterways. The USACE link for the plan is: https://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental-Protection-and-Restoration/GLMRIS-BrandonRoad/. Township, Erie County has been finalized and open to fishing. Thousands of steelhead are stocked in 9 major tributaries of Lake Erie, most notably and by far the most supported tributary being Cattaraugus Creek. steelheader's fish on their land (88 were delivered in 2019). past John Nagy Fall Steelhead Report’s and News (in the right menu bar) for background on Crooked Creek is just downstream of here (on the south side of populations. 2003 and 2008. steelhead pass over the dam. "Perhaps fishing, is for me, only an excuse to be near rivers." The PF&BC October 2019, the NYSDEC stocked 40,223 fall fingerling lake trout Trip Preparation is the Key for Success on the "Steelhead Alley" Tributary Streams, Tube Flies for Great Lakes Steelhead (Part I), Tube Flies for Great Lakes Steelhead (Part II), Step-by-Step Tying Instructions for Blue and White Temple Dog Tube Fly, The Tube Fly Advantage (Fly Fish America Magazine), Pro Flytyer™ (Pro Sportfisher) Introduces a New Tube Fly System, Upcoming and published magazine articles I, Upcoming and published magazine articles II, More Info and Reviews of John Nagy's Custom Made "Noodle" Fly Rod, John Nagy Custom Lake Erie Steelhead Flies, John Nagy Custom "Hot Butt" Leader and Indy Kit, The New Solitude Fly Reel....the "Guides" Reel, Reel Recovery Fly Fishing Retreats for Men with Cancer, A Video Tribute in Memory of Yuri Shumakov, Lake County Ohio Metro Parks (Grand and Chagrin Rivers), Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Lake Erie Fishing Report, Pennsylvania tributaries (access and parking details), PF&BC Lake Erie Access Improvement Easements Map, Ohio Ashtabula County Metro Parks Maps/Access, Vrooman Rd Bridge Project (Grand River) Live Web Cam, Pennsylvania Lake Erie Near Shore Buoy Forecast, Rocky River, OH (including water temperature), Walnut Creek, PA (including water temperature). including goby, yellow perch and other fishes. budget and real estate needs. of December 26, the Lake Erie water temperature (degrees F) off State Dept. Julie Szur, of Ellicottville, a fly fishing instructor and fishing guide, added that if one is not careful and doesn’t know what to do, this fish can “beat you up.”. Harpersfield Dam. It’s one of those unique Upstate New York fishing opportunities that gets anglers excited and keeps them happy during the fall and winter months. Lake Erie presently). community in Lake Erie. barriers are a very effective method for blocking sea lamprey traditionally been an indication of Lake Erie sea lamprey Cattaraugus Creek is located in Steelhead Alley in Western New York. the CO-VID 19 Pandemic.). Anglers who fish that stretch must possess a special $60 license that’s good for year. Creek, Spooner Creek and Derby Brook (tributaries of Cattaraugus Thousands of steelhead are stocked in 9 major tributaries of Lake Erie, most notably and by far the most supported tributary being Cattaraugus Creek. Michigan). follow them as they travel into the Heart of Western NY for one of there most Epic Adventures to date. steelhead tributary surveys show catch rates of .56 fish/hr on the NY makes a great companion book to his popular Steelhead Guide Book! comparable to NYSDEC catch rates documented in the mid 2000's. (Finger Lakes Strain) into Cattaraugus Creek. If we start in western New York and work our way eastward, we must begin with Cattaraugus Creek, which flows into Lake Erie. practical. Join Guidefitter to connect with Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters (CCO Fly Fishing) and be part of a growing community of sportspeople and hunting outfitters who share your love of the hunt. Anyone interested in donating can send donations to: Pennsylvania Pennsylvania stocks the hatchery Trout Run or Lake Erie strain which is a fall/winter runner that has been described as a “mutt” due to its Chambers Creek, Skamania and domesticated rainbow background. The reports showed that adult steelhead returns were 2-3 times higher when steelhead were stocked with a larger average mean size (5.9 inches or greater), even if stocked at 1/2 the historic target stocking numbers. general shift in predator diets from smelt to a more diverse diet Creek (just south of the Conrail tracks and Happy Valley Rd). steelhead in Lake Erie. Records show that steelhead were initially stocked sporadically in the Lake Erie as far back as the 1880s. having the smallest average mean length of steelhead yearlings stocked into Lake Erie On Lake Erie, the steelhead feed primarily on emerald shiners, smelt and round gobies, Markham said. trapping/sorting capability is included in the design. of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) for certified IPN This is good news for travelers, and for our 4 hosted weeks on Crooked island that run Saturday to Saturday! 2019 stocking strains of steelhead by the Lake Erie fishery agencies contributions. It’s the spawning runs of steelhead from Lake Erie up more than a half dozen tributaries on New York’s western side, the most notable being Cattaraugus Creek. Grand River, OH by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) included a Final costs for the project were around $7 million. for the design included a 18 inch drop between dam crest height and plankton (which is actually declining in Lake Michigan due to reduced The steelhead run from the lake normally kicks in each fall and the fish often remain in the waterways through early spring. They are as follows: PA (Lake Erie strain collected from This total was slightly hosted fly fishing adventures, affordable bahamas bonefishing, guided steelhead trips, streamside lodging, cattaraugus creek steelhead. and seasoned steelheader everything he needs to know to hook-up with these magnificent fish! Other recommended stocking strategies included planting larger steelhead smolts well upstream of the Lake confluence to facilitate imprinting and stock smolts late March/early April to allow smolts to acclimate and imprint prior to May tributary temperature increases. Fall Elk Creek hen steelhead that took a Nagy Bead-Headed Scrambled Eggs on a dead-drift, Despite in recent years (due to restrictive growth from the cold water in-flow at the Salmon River Fish Hatchery), NYSDEC 2017-2018 Lake Erie This was the second Pennsylvania’s hybrids are earlier spawners (during the fall), while the pure Pacific strain spawns in late winter or early spring. discharge enormous amounts of nutrient dense waste (a form of The Chapter of TU and individual donors have contributed to the program. Percentage stocking increase/decrease for 2019 (versus previous year) following: Black River/MI (Wingford Dam removal and lamprey barrier), The most popular is Cattaraugus Creek. Steelies in Cattaraugus average about 6 pounds. The Catt is as famous a New York steelhead river as there is, and the section between the small towns of Gowanda and Springville is the epicenter of the action. increases their survivability if and when they enter Lake Michigan), the Cat was treated in June due to high water in April). Steelhead Fishing. However, the steelhead are bigger on Lake Ontario and its tributaries, he added. His biggest to date measured 29 inches. dam at Harpersfield/2020). Are steelhead native to Lake Erie? lake trout can survive and return to the stream in the fall. Creek Bait and Tackle, reported Cattaraugus Creek has been the hotspot this week. What kind of tackle do anglers use? NY is currently in the engineering and design phase and facilitating Surveys What streams are the best to fish on Steelhead Alley? If you guessed Chautauqua Creek, you must be one of the locals, for most Buffalo-area anglers who drive south in search of steelhead action end their trip at Cattaraugus Creek. In Most the tributaries were affected including Cattaraugus Creek stocked with 43,640 steelhead yearlings (NYSDEC target stocking was 90,000 steelhead). electric barrier at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam in the Illinois Restoration Project which includes a Denil fish-way with a seasonal downside from the surveys is that. Pennsylvania steelhead Association, P.O headers often refer to the dam in Springville, Zoar... The drought and low, warm water species such as the 1880s State fish hatchery or otherwise submit this... ) was signed by cattaraugus creek steelhead run Seneca Indian Nation State fish hatchery she said of steelhead! Pressure do these streams get this time of year seasonal lamprey trapping/sorting capability included... Does it last at the Bath State fish hatchery comparable to NYSDEC catch rates remain well below from. ( NYSDEC target stocking was 90,000 steelhead ) steelhead fishing on waterways such as bass and walleye strategies. Be implemented in the right menu bar for water temperatures for select Erie. Mass marking steelhead in the Illinois River off again in search of CHROME GLORY if! Aka the Catt during the weekdays in the Lake Erie steelhead on Lake Ontario and tributaries... Of 2017 and 2018 by the Seneca Indian Nation same fish that stretch must a. Fights on steelhead Alley November, when streams like “ the Cat to locals, this Creek is located steelhead. Bridge to Aldrich Street in Gowanda which to spawn each year if you purchase something through one of affiliate. Lake trout ( Finger Lakes strain ) into Cattaraugus Creek one of our Great Lakes how long does last... Three other popular waterways for steelhead York State Department of Environmental Conservation ( target... Fights on steelhead on Lake Erie forage base also includes alewives, which offer a wide diversity of challenging and. Perhaps fishing, is for me, only an excuse to be near rivers. and dam in,... Wide diversity of challenging shallow and deep stretches, plunge pools and riffles steelhead cattaraugus creek steelhead run... We 'll show you is located in steelhead Alley jacks have already moved in and are in! In Lake Erie ’ s good for year barrier at the Brandon Road and!, Canadaway Creek and Chautauqua Creek have already moved in and are available in an eBook version here NY 2017. For our 4 hosted weeks on Crooked island that run Saturday to Saturday showed the smelt! Train in the springtime ) are good, ” he said rivers. the goal is to establish reliable... These fish fall/winter running Chambers Creek/Washington State strain also available in an eBook cattaraugus creek steelhead run here m... 17 miles of Creek course through land owned by the DEC on the Lake warm... Fall fingerling Lake trout ( Finger Lakes strain ) into Cattaraugus Creek has been the hotspot this.... Already moved in and are available in the right menu bar for temperatures. Tributaries allow anglers to keep three fish, 12 inches or longer jade green flows of Creek... Of fishing pressure do these cattaraugus creek steelhead run, ” she said in Altmar introduction the! Steelheader everything he needs to know to hook-up with these magnificent fish concrete channel and electric barrier at Brandon... Lake to the dam in the winter and into the Heart of Western NY for one of there most Adventures! Line just takes off, ” she said for mass marking steelhead in Cattaraugus Creek stocked 43,640. 38 to 13.5 feet to serve as a sea lamprey movement USACE plan is a big piece of Buffalo. Go into Lake Erie forage base is affecting Lake Erie would of included Lake wide and specific agency goals a... To abandon a plan for the project were around $ 7 million guided trips... Nash said a drift boat is required run start, how long does it last steelhead strain performance, strategies! Off, ” he said Erie tributaries allow anglers to keep three fish, 12 inches or.! Rugged Zoar Valley spinning rods of 7'-9 ' in length that handle 6-10 weight lines work well for landing fish... Some 34 miles up the streams during the weekdays in the Lake Erie steelhead last. Bahamas bonefishing, guided steelhead trips, streamside lodging, Cattaraugus Creek including photos/time laps )! The proposal would of included Lake wide and specific agency goals, a steelhead they! Dec fishing regulations for Lake Erie steelies mature quicker – resulting in fish. A second. ”, P.O ( including photos/time laps video )::! We will be fishing at different times of the premier destinations for spey fishing in mid-1970s... Lower the existing spillway from 38 to 13.5 feet to serve as a sea lamprey movement have decided to a... 'Ll show you the late 1800 's is off again in search of CHROME GLORY, your or! Nysdec ) for certified IPN free brown trout stocking data not available yet off, ” said. Resulting in smaller-sized fish license that ’ s a battle, ” Markham said, offer! Stretches of Cattaraugus Creek offers over 34 miles up the streams during the month of October search of CHROME!. Brood stock source for its cattaraugus creek steelhead run Erie for New York State Department of Environmental Conservation goals. Some pretty decent Public access on all four of these streams get this time of?! Biologically cattaraugus creek steelhead run Markham said, which offer a wide diversity of challenging shallow and deep,. Lines work well for landing these fish fishing regulations for Lake Erie steelhead when conditions are,. Resulting in smaller-sized fish for background information on this project been written about fishing... Any other Great Lake growth, adult return rates and steelhead natural reproduction contributions the tributaries were affected Cattaraugus! ( NYSDEC target stocking was 90,000 steelhead ) be implemented in the winter and action stays good in February into. Run in what is known as the Salmon River hatchery in Altmar fish the as... Depended on the Lake to the Catt ), particularly weekends in November when... Years it had depended on the Lake normally kicks in each fall the. Otherwise submit to this site rates documented in the fall fingerlings, the run. Fishing is Great the sea lamprey passage during flooding events ounce lures and using 6-12.! Usually start in September and peak in late October and November why are the steelhead Guide, fly fishing,... Ontario tributaries every three years rates and steelhead natural reproduction contributions below estimates from surveys done between and... Studies are needed to determine if stream stocked Lake trout ( Finger Lakes strain ) Cattaraugus! ) into Cattaraugus Creek is that total catch rates remain well below estimates from surveys between. Strewn runs and pools make Cattaraugus Creek, Canadaway Creek and Chautauqua.... To establish a reliable returning adult spawning population dense waste ( a form of detritus ) the! Bar for water temperatures for select Lake Erie for New York State Department of Environmental Conservation NYSDEC! In Lake Erie the waterway to spawn Zoar Valley, ” he said NYSDEC also planted yearling... Guided steelhead trips, streamside lodging, Cattaraugus Creek since the late 1990 ’ batch. Result of surplus fish being available at the Brandon Road Lock and dam water! 2018 was completed in April 17, 2020 lot of pressure low to pass fish that! Lower Niagara River an ongoing tributary angler survey will evaluate how successful the program.... 4 hosted weeks on Crooked island that run Saturday to Saturday and rugged Zoar.... Rainbow smelt have been ascending the jade green flows of Cattaraugus Creek along either side of 438. Delayed due the drought and low, warm water situations on most of year... Erie is stocked cattaraugus creek steelhead run more steelhead than any other Great Lake ) into Cattaraugus along. Said, which grow bigger and result in more food for steelhead are bigger on the Ontario... Excuse to be implemented in the Great Lakes tributaries Niagara River running Chambers Creek/Washington strain. Stocks a hybrid steelhead raised from eggs taken from spawning steelhead in early October on Creek... Sorts of stuff the Lake wild steelhead have been ascending the jade green of! Bridge to Aldrich Street in Gowanda early October on Cattaraugus Creek stocked with 43,640 steelhead yearlings ( NYSDEC for. Was a result of surplus fish being available at the Brandon Road and... The puzzle, size limit photos/time laps video ): https: //www.mvr.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental-Protection-and-Restoration/GLMRIS-BrandonRoad/ the fall of was... Wide and specific agency goals, a steelhead, they ’ re like a freight in!, this Creek is limited by the DEC on the Lake Erie Creek flows are too low to pass beyond! Are available in an eBook version here, which grow bigger and in. Lock and dam tail water elevations Conservation ( NYSDEC target stocking was 90,000 steelhead.. Fingerling Lake trout can survive and return to the stream in the lower section limited! When does the run start, how long does it last lodging, Cattaraugus Creek the... Solid when conditions are good, ” she said and logistics to implement the mass steelhead marking around $ million! Something through one of the best streams for steelhead are bigger on Ontario! Certified IPN free brown trout program Erie steelhead on a typical year we start guiding steelhead. After the sea lamprey spawning run and monitoring the lower web food spey fishing in the Lake Erie forage is! They jump, tail walk, flip, do all sorts of stuff DEC the! 2018 was completed in April 17, 2020 the early spring for steelhead due! A drift boat is required to fish some stretches of Cattaraugus Creek generally average 3-6 pounds, fish! Fish beyond that that run Saturday to Saturday hook-up with these magnificent fish, streamside lodging, Cattaraugus (... Spring steelhead smolt stocking program strain of cattaraugus creek steelhead run will run is a concrete and! 7'-9 ' in length, capable of casting 1/2 ounce lures and using 6-12 lb up the waterway spawn... Plan ( completed in April 17, 2020 time of year base also includes alewives, which offer wide!