Smallmouth Bass
Where: boulder runs, bridge shade, pool tails, creek-mouth rock, and lower-river current breaks on Buffalo Creek.
Move: tubes, Ned rigs, small jerkbaits, poppers, and crayfish-colored streamers.
Species guide →Buffalo Creek
Good
About Buffalo Creek
Buffalo Creek drains 142 square miles of WNY hill country into the Buffalo River and Lake Erie, the smaller and more obviously tributary half of the system that also includes Cazenovia Creek. The creek is wadeable through most reaches, runs heavily wooded, and produces well in fall and spring when steelhead push up from the Buffalo River. Access is best below the Mt. Vernon dam removal sites.
Best October through April with peak runs late October through early December and again mid-March through April. Wadeable most flows; runs muddy after heavy rain. The optimal fishing flow on Buffalo Creek is 150–300 CFS — flows above this range are typically too high and stained, flows below run low and clear. The river's long-term median flow is approximately 44 CFS, computed from the last several years of USGS gauge readings.
Current conditions (live, updated every 15 minutes): flow 56 CFS, clarity clear. Steelhead Addiction's Guide's Report rates the river GOOD as of this reading.
Flow Rate
56
CFS
Gauge Height
0.80
ft
Water Temp
-
°F
Air Temp
72.3
°F
Clarity
Clear
Wind
🌬 7 mph
N
Onshore — mouth mud likely
Last updated: 13 minutes ago (3:30 PM EDT)
Conditions today: Good. Trending: rough.
Flow
Pressure
Air temp, scaled
Rain per hour
Storm pulse window
Hourly flow pending
Confidence: 0.6
No rain in the window, but flow climbed from 31 to 63 CFS — that's upstream release, snowmelt, or a tributary feeding in. Water temp shifted held steady. Clarity went Clear. The bite-implication of a clean-water rise without rain is one of fishing's better mysteries. Quiet sky on the way. Conditions should hold.
Lookback window Sep 8, 3 pm to Sep 11, 3 pm ET.
Data refresh every 15 min. This is a pattern read, not proof of causation; fish reserve the right to embarrass the spreadsheet.
Flow
Pressure
Air temp, scaled
Rain per hour
Storm pulse window
Hourly flow pending
Three days of nothing. 84 CFS held within 540%, water sat at 0°F, barometer barely moved. These are the days where the lake just shrugs at us. If the bite is on, no obvious reason. If it's off, also no obvious reason. Quiet sky on the way. Conditions should hold.
Lookback window Sep 4, 3 pm to Sep 11, 3 pm ET.
Data refresh every 15 min. This is a pattern read, not proof of causation; fish reserve the right to embarrass the spreadsheet.
Guide's Report
Based on current conditions as of Fri, Sep 11 at 3:30 PM EDT (13 minutes ago)
Dropping nicely at 56 CFS, water is clear. A good day if you read the water right. Flow is coming down — the sweet spot is approaching. Come for the Conditions. Stay for the Skunking..
Buffalo Creek
Today's Weather: Fair
72° NW 7mph
Coming up: Mostly Clear
Flow Rate
0
CFS
·
0.80
ft
61th percentile · Typical
Summer mode - summer fishable
24h trend
↘
-57.2%
Summer fishability window
36–100 CFS
Current-month middle flow band for warm-water fishing
72h movement
sharp rise (+86.1%)
Status
summer fishable · 0.80ft
Low water — projection flat
Clear
· 72°F
· N 7mph
30.03" ↘
Guide says:
Dropping nicely at 56 CFS, water is clear. A good day if you read the water right. Flow is coming down — the sweet spot is approaching. Come for the Conditions. Stay for the Skunking..
"The Tug Is the Drug"
Flow is on the drop and in the zone — this is the window steelhead guides dream about.
Clear water — steelhead can see everything, including you. Long leaders, lighter tippet (6lb fluoro), natural colors. Stay low and approach from downstream.
How to Fish It
Fly Selection
Clear water demands subtlety. Natural egg colors (Oregon cheese, pale peach), small stonefly nymphs (#12-#14), and pheasant tails. 6lb fluorocarbon tippet max.
Where to Fish
The drop is the best time. Fish are spread out and actively feeding. Hit the soft water on the inside seams, tailouts of runs, and the edges where fast meets slow. They're moving and eating.
What's Coming
The river is just getting good on the drop, but more heavy rain is forecast. Fish this drop hard — it may be brief before the next rise.
Conditions
Bright skies — fish will hunker in deeper water and shaded lies. Focus on undercut banks, bridge shadows, and deeper runs.
Rigs to consider right now
Match the current report to a setup
Centerpin Sucker Spawn Rig
Presents small egg patterns naturally through clear, pressured water where drift quality matters.
Advanced
Indicator Nymphing Rig
Suspends nymphs at a repeatable depth while giving you a visible take signal.
Intermediate
River Float Rig
Keeps a natural offering drifting at the same pace as the current instead of dragging behind your line.
Beginner
Spey & Swing Rig
Covers water efficiently when fish are willing to move for a broadside fly.
Intermediate
Fall river plan
Buffalo Creek summer fishing targets
Use the current flow, clarity, and sky conditions to choose the target. Summer fish usually reward shade, structure, and low-light timing.
Walleye
Where: lake mouths, harbor edges, deeper summer basin water, and low-light shoreline structure on Buffalo Creek.
Move: crawler harnesses, crankbaits, jigs, and evening presentations near moving water.
Species guide →Panfish
Where: docks, weed edges, ponds, marina slips, brush, and shaded shoreline structure on Buffalo Creek.
Move: small jigs, waxworms, micro poppers, and slip floats for kids or fast action.
Species guide →Northern Pike
Where: cooler weed edges, connected backwaters, tributary mouths, and ambush lanes on Buffalo Creek.
Move: spinnerbaits, spoons, jerkbaits, and quick releases when water warms.
Species guide →Current read
Clarity is clear. Overall rating: Good for steelhead. Use the graph below to time falling or stabilizing flows before committing a trip.
Summer FAQ
What can I fish for on Buffalo Creek in summer?
Focus on the warm-water species shown above, then use the live flow, clarity, and temperature read to choose shade, rock, current breaks, creek mouths, lakefront structure, and low-light windows.
Steelhead care
Should I target steelhead on Buffalo Creek in summer?
Usually no. When water is warm, shift to smallmouth, walleye, panfish, pike, or another summer target instead of pressuring stressed trout.
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7-Day Flow & Temperature
Flow distribution
1095-day history · n=2,092 · 84% confidence
Now vs history
94 CFS below optimal
Optimal window
150–300 CFS
Per-river researched optimal range
Typical range
23–67 CFS
25th–75th percentile
Seasonal context:
Current flow is typical for September.
September median on this river: 63 CFS
(n=247 hourly samples).
Clarity vs flow ranges
Steelhead Green
likely now
23–62 CFS typical
Stained
331–442 CFS typical
Sweet spot:
Historically the productive zone.
Sample quantiles
|
Theoretical line
Good fit (83%)
Points on the dashed line mean the river's flow distribution is log-normal. Bows at the tails suggest multiple flow regimes (snowmelt vs rain events) or sensor artifacts. The math for this river uses log-space statistics, so a poor fit here is a reason to squint at the optimal zone.
Recent Angler Reports
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Near Buffalo Creek
Local Fly Shops & Guides
Featured
The Hairy Trout Fly & Tackle
West Seneca, NY · 2 mi
Combined barbershop and fly/tackle shop specializing in steelhead and Great Lakes gear. Houses 716 Fly Fishing guide service.
Buffalo Fly Co
Buffalo, NY · 7 mi
Buffalo's premier fly fishing guide service. Lake-run steelhead, brown trout, and salmon. Beginner-friendly, all gear provided.
Water Wizard Tackle Co
Hamburg, NY · 9 mi
Full-service tackle shop since 1983. Handmade jigs, rod and reel repair near Eighteen Mile Creek.
Brookdog Fishing Company
Tonawanda, NY · 13 mi
Year-round charters and guided wade trips for steelhead on Cattaraugus, Canadaway, and 18 Mile Creek. 10+ years experience.
Webers Bait & Tackle
Angola, NY · 19 mi
Local bait and tackle near Lake Erie and Eighteen Mile Creek steelhead water.
Around The Bend Fly Fishing
Angola, NY · 20 mi
Certified instructor and award-winning angler. Walk-and-wade steelhead trips on 18 Mile Creek and other Erie tribs.
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30-Day Statistics
Min Flow
12 CFS
Max Flow
515 CFS
Avg Flow
77 CFS
Min Temp
-
Max Temp
-
Avg Temp
-
7-Day Fishing Outlook
Multiple days of heavy rain ahead — expect significant flow increases and muddy water. Plan trips for windows between rain events or 1-2 days after.
Best day to fish: Saturday — Light rain will bump flows slightly and give overcast skies — steelhead feed aggressively in these conditions.
Monday is the day before rain moves in — barometric pressure drop often triggers aggressive feeding. Don't miss it.
Daily Fishing Forecast
Weather-based daily ratings — independent of current river flow. A "good" forecast day can still mean a blown-out river. Cross-reference with the Guide's Report above for a complete picture.
Today — Angler's Report
fair fishing- Dry conditions — flows should remain stable. Good day to target tailouts and runs.
- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
This Afternoon:
Sunny, with a high near 72. Northwest wind around 7 mph.
Tonight:
Mostly clear, with a low around 53. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday — Angler's Report
good fishing- Light rain will bump flows slightly and give overcast skies — steelhead feed aggressively in these conditions.
- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
Saturday:
A slight chance of rain showers between 2pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. South wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Saturday Night:
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Sunday — Angler's Report
good fishing- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
Sunday:
A slight chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Sunday Night:
A slight chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Northwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday — Angler's Report
good fishing- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
Monday:
A slight chance of rain showers before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night:
Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind 3 to 8 mph.
Tuesday — Angler's Report
fair fishing- Moderate rain will push flows up. Water may get stained to muddy — switch to bright flies and heavier weight.
- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
Tuesday:
A chance of rain showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday Night:
A chance of rain showers before 8pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday — Angler's Report
good fishing- Light rain will bump flows slightly and give overcast skies — steelhead feed aggressively in these conditions.
- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
Wednesday:
A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Wednesday Night:
A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Thursday — Angler's Report
fair fishing- Moderate rain will push flows up. Water may get stained to muddy — switch to bright flies and heavier weight.
- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
Thursday:
A chance of rain showers before 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Thursday Night:
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Forecast via NWS, updated 1 hour ago (2:01 PM EDT). Fishing ratings are estimates based on weather — always check current river conditions.
Recommended Gear
Clear water + dropping flow — finesse tippet and natural patterns first.
RIO Products Fluoroflex Strong Tippet, 100% Fluorocarbon Fly Fishing Tippet for Trout, Abrasion Resistant, Strong, & Knot Friendly, 100yd Guide Spool
$44.99
RIO Products Fluoroflex Freshwater Tippet - 100% Fluorocarbon, Medium-Stiff Leader for Steelhead, Salmon, Trout, and Bass - Abrasion Resistant - 25 or 30 yd Spool, 0X-20lb Sizes
$13.99
RIO Products Fluoroflex Bonefish Tapered Leader - 100% Fluorocarbon Fly Fishing Leader for Saltwater Species - Abrasion Resistant - Available in 8lb, 10lb, 12lb, 16lb, and 20lb
$16.99
2PACK- Aventik Fly Fishing Tippet Leaders Fishing Line Two-Color High Visibility European Nymph Bite Indicator 4.8LB-13.7LB 30m/Spool
$8.69
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More on Buffalo Creek
Recent Storm Events
- August 30 - September 1 Alley Storm — Aug 30, 2026
- August 26-29 Alley Storm — Aug 26, 2026
- August 8 Alley Storm — Aug 8, 2026
Species Profiles
- Steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu
