What's the best river for steelhead fishing in New York?
Live ratings · New York
Updated every 15 minutes. Open the New York forecast →
| River | Rating | Flow | Temp | Clarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eighteenmile Creek (Niagara) | Excellent | 178 CFS | 71.6°F | Clear |
| Genesee River | Good | 840 CFS | 71.1°F | Clear |
| Sandy Creek (Hamlin) | Excellent | 73 CFS | 71.1°F | Clear |
| Irondequoit Creek | Excellent | 85 CFS | 67.1°F | Clear |
| Johnson Creek | Excellent | 61 CFS | 72°F | Clear |
| Cattaraugus Creek | Good | 130 CFS | 70°F | Clear |
| Chautauqua Creek | Good | 11 CFS | — | Clear |
| Cazenovia Creek | Good | 27 CFS | — | Clear |
| Salmon River | Good | 256 CFS | — | Clear |
| Oak Orchard Creek | Fair | 760 CFS | 72.5°F | Clear |
| Black River (Watertown) | Good | 1,230 CFS | — | Clear |
| Eighteen Mile Creek | Fair | 7 CFS | — | Clear |
| Canadaway Creek | Fair | 5 CFS | — | Clear |
| Silver Creek | Fair | 2 CFS | — | Clear |
| Buffalo Creek | Fair | 15 CFS | — | Clear |
| Sandy Creek (Adams) | Fair | 30 CFS | — | Clear |
Related
FAQ
What's the best river for steelhead fishing in New York?
Right now, the highest-rated steelhead river in New York is the Eighteenmile Creek (Niagara) — currently rated EXCELLENT with 178 CFS, water at 71.6°F, clarity clear. Best-rated river varies day-to-day with flow and weather, so check live conditions before driving out. Steelhead Addiction tracks all 16 New York tribs and re-rates them every 15 minutes. There's no permanent "best" river — fishability depends on flow, water temperature, clarity, and weather, all of which change hourly. The most popular New York tribs are Eighteenmile Creek (Niagara), Genesee River, Sandy Creek (Hamlin), Irondequoit Creek, and Johnson Creek. The live New York forecast page shows current ratings for every river plus a regional Guide's Report.
