Smallmouth Bass
Where: boulder runs, bridge shade, pool tails, creek-mouth rock, and lower-river current breaks on Genesee River.
Move: tubes, Ned rigs, small jerkbaits, poppers, and crayfish-colored streamers.
Species guide →Genesee River
Excellent
About Genesee River
The Genesee River drains 2,480 square miles of Western New York from the PA line at Wellsville to Lake Ontario at Rochester, the largest and most regulated of the NY Lake Ontario steelhead rivers. Mt. Morris Dam controls flows through the lower river; the Lower Falls in downtown Rochester is the iconic steelhead destination, with both Letchworth-State-Park-upstream wadable water and bigger-water boat access below.
September through April with peaks at the fall (October-December) and spring (March-May). Mt. Morris managed releases sustain 7,000-9,500 cfs through steelhead season. Lower Falls + Rochester reaches fish year-round. The optimal fishing flow on Genesee River is 7,000–9,500 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 1,099 CFS, computed from the last several years of USGS gauge readings.
Current conditions (live, updated every 15 minutes): flow 1,560 CFS, water 69.4°F, clarity clear. Steelhead Addiction's Guide's Report rates the river EXCELLENT as of this reading.
STORM RECOVERING
moderate
Storm ended: 2 days ago
Storm ended 52h ago; peak was 1,690 cfs; now at 146% of baseline.
Flow Rate
1,560
CFS
Gauge Height
12.93
ft
Water Temp
69.4
°F
Air Temp
71.7
°F
Clarity
Clear
Wind
🌬 Calm
≤5 mph
Last updated: 13 minutes ago (3:30 PM EDT)
Conditions today: Excellent. Trending: improving. Storm recovering.
Flow
Pressure
Air temp, scaled
Rain per hour
Storm pulse window
Hourly flow pending
Confidence: 0.36
Over the last three days, 0.56" of rain landed and the Genesee River answered. Flow climbed from 1,066 to 1,690 CFS over 33.0 hours, then started its drop-back. Water temp shifted rose by 0.2°F — that's the storm's footprint. Quiet sky on the way. Conditions should hold. Storm lifecycle says RECOVERING. Storm ended 52h ago; peak was 1,690 cfs; now at 146% of baseline. The useful window is the drop-back, not the peak.
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
Over the last three days, 0.56" of rain landed and the Genesee River answered. Flow climbed from 1,066 to 1,690 CFS over 33.0 hours, then started its drop-back. Water temp shifted dropped by 3.3°F — that's the storm's footprint. Quiet sky on the way. Conditions should hold. Storm lifecycle says RECOVERING. Storm ended 52h ago; peak was 1,690 cfs; now at 146% of baseline. The useful window is the drop-back, not the peak.
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.
| Gauge | Flow (CFS) | Height (ft) | Water Temp | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genesee River at Ford St Bridge, Rochester (primary) | 1,560 | 12.93 | 69.4°F | 13 minutes ago 3:30 PM EDT |
| Genesee River at Ballantyne Bridge, Mortimer | 1,360 | 12.03 | - | 13 minutes ago 3:30 PM EDT |
| Genesee River at Avon | 1,180 | - | - | 13 minutes ago 3:30 PM EDT |
| Genesee River near Mount Morris | 1,110 | 3.95 | - | 13 minutes ago 3:30 PM EDT |
| Honeoye Creek at Honeoye Falls | 58 | 2.80 | - | 13 minutes ago 3:30 PM EDT |
| Oatka Creek at Garbutt | 107 | 2.69 | - | 13 minutes ago 3:30 PM EDT |
| Black Creek at Churchville | 159 | 2.36 | - | 13 minutes ago 3:30 PM EDT |
Guide's Report
Based on current conditions as of Fri, Sep 11 at 3:30 PM EDT (13 minutes ago)
Recovering nicely at 1,560 CFS, water is clear, 69°F — prime summer feeding temp. Drop everything. Conditions don't get better than this. Storm pulse is fading. Watch the edges and the clarity. Side Effects: Joy, Frostbite, Divorce.
Genesee River
Today's Weather: Fair
72° NW 7mph
Coming up: Mostly Clear
Flow Rate
0
CFS
·
12.93
ft
74th percentile · Typical
Summer mode - summer fishable
24h trend
↗
+52.1%
Summer fishability window
1,065–3,338 CFS
Current-month middle flow band for warm-water fishing
72h movement
sharp rise (+84.2%)
Status
summer fishable · 12.93ft
Low water — projection flat
Clear
· 72°F
· W 5mph
30.03" →
Guide says:
Recovering nicely at 1,560 CFS, water is clear, 69°F — prime summer feeding temp. Drop everything. Conditions don't get better than this. Storm pulse is fading. Watch the edges and the clarity. Side Effects: Joy, Frostbite, Divorce.
"The Alarm Says 4 AM. The River Says Now."
Recovering from recent storm pulse. Flow is dropping back after the peak; verify clarity before calling it prime.
Clear water — ideal for visual hunters like smallmouth. Long leaders, natural colors, and finesse presentations like drop-shots will produce. Recent storm pulse - sediment may still be settling; check on-water before committing.
Water at 69°F — prime summer pattern. Smallmouth Bass are highly active and aggressive across all techniques.
How to Fish It
Technique
This is tube and drop-shot weather. Drag tubes or drop-shots over rocky structures, reefs, and current seams. Active retrieve will trigger strikes.
Fly/Lure Selection
Clear water demands finesse. 6-8lb fluoro, natural colored tubes (watermelon, green pumpkin), 3-inch drop-shot worms, or small swimbaits.
Where to Fish
Work the transition zones where fast water meets slow eddies. Smallmouth hold on the edges of currents to intercept forage.
Timing
Dawn and dusk windows are prime. Get out early before the sun is high, or fish the last 90 minutes of light.
Storm Context
STORM RECOVERING
moderate
Storm ended 52h ago; peak was 1,690 cfs; now at 146% of baseline.
Storm passed 2 days ago. The river is still settling, so expect dropping flow and clearing visibility before the better window opens.
- - Wait for clarity to settle before calling it prime.
- - Look for dropping flow and soft edges.
- - Re-check this report before heading out.
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
Ned Rig
Catches fish that are willing to eat but not interested in chasing something loud.
Beginner
Neko Rig
Adds a different fall and bottom posture when Ned or wacky presentations are getting ignored.
Intermediate
Texas Rig
Gets a soft plastic through cover without turning every cast into salad.
Beginner
Drop Shot Rig
Keeps the bait in the strike zone without dragging it into every rock on the bottom.
Intermediate
Fall river plan
Genesee River summer fishing targets
Water temperature is in the active warmwater range. Expect bass and panfish to feed around current breaks, rock, and shade.
Walleye
Where: lake mouths, harbor edges, deeper summer basin water, and low-light shoreline structure on Genesee River.
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 Genesee River.
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 Genesee River.
Move: spinnerbaits, spoons, jerkbaits, and quick releases when water warms.
Species guide →Current read
Water temp 69.4°F. Clarity is clear. Overall rating: Excellent for smallmouth bass. Use the graph below to time falling or stabilizing flows before committing a trip.
Summer FAQ
What can I fish for on Genesee River 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 Genesee River in summer?
Usually no. When water is warm, shift to smallmouth, walleye, panfish, pike, or another summer target instead of pressuring stressed trout.
Email me when Genesee River drops into shape
Get a one-line note the day flow + clarity dial in. No spam, just fishable conditions.
Free. One-click unsubscribe in every email.
You're on the list.
We'll email you the moment Genesee River hits fishable flow + clarity. Tight lines.
7-Day Flow & Temperature
Flow distribution
1095-day history · n=2,092 · 84% confidence
Now vs history
5,440 CFS below optimal
Optimal window
7,000–9,500 CFS
Per-river researched optimal range
Typical range
733–1,554 CFS
25th–75th percentile
Seasonal context:
Current flow is typical for September.
September median on this river: 1,476 CFS
(n=247 hourly samples).
Clarity vs flow ranges
Steelhead Green
likely now
733–1,554 CFS typical
Sweet spot:
Historically the productive zone.
Sample quantiles
|
Theoretical line
Excellent fit (95%)
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
Join to PostBeen on the Genesee River? Share your report.
Log catches, track your season, and help other anglers dial in current conditions. Your public angler profile lives at steelheadaddiction.com/u/you.
- Always free
- All 31 Alley rivers
- 30 seconds to join
No angler reports yet for Genesee River.
Near Genesee River
Local Fly Shops & Guides
Featured
Ontario Fly Outfitters
Rochester, NY · 1 mi
NYS Licensed Guide covering the widest geographic range — Salmon River to Steelhead Alley. Lake Erie and Lake Ontario tributaries.
Genesee Waterways Center
Rochester, NY · 1 mi
Walk-up kayak and canoe rentals May-October on the Genesee River in Rochester.
High Falls & Genesee Brew House
Rochester, NY · 1 mi
96-ft urban waterfall in downtown Rochester. Rooftop pint at one of America's oldest breweries.
Colemans Fly Shop
Spencerport, NY · 9 mi
40+ years in business. Full fly shop with guiding, schools, custom fly tying, and stream reports for Oak Orchard and Genesee.
Jay Peck Guides
Spencerport, NY · 10 mi
30+ years as licensed NYS guide. Catch-and-release fly fishing on Oak Orchard, Genesee, and Lake Ontario tribs.
Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge
Albion, NY · 32 mi
Tackle shop and lodge on Oak Orchard Creek. Steelhead, brown trout, and salmon with guided trips.
Explore Genesee River and nearby
Open in Explorer
Plan your trip to Rochester
Booking.com hotels & rental cars — affiliate links support the site at no extra cost.
Finding nearby places...
Sponsored · Booking.com
Hotels & rentals near Rochester
Compare availability and prices on the same inventory you'd see going direct.
Sponsored · Booking.com
Flying in? Compare rental cars
Booking.com aggregates the major brands at nearby airports.
No results found nearby.
Places data powered by Google Maps. Results cached for 7 days.
30-Day Statistics
Min Flow
-475 CFS
Max Flow
6,210 CFS
Avg Flow
1,368 CFS
Min Temp
68.9°F
Max Temp
75.6°F
Avg Temp
71.6°F
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 — Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
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 52. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday — Angler's Report
good fishing- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
Saturday:
A slight chance of rain showers after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. South wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Saturday Night:
A slight chance of rain showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Sunday — 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
Sunday:
A chance of rain showers after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. West wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday Night:
A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
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 68. North wind around 8 mph.
Monday Night:
Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. 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 slight chance of rain showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 83.
Tuesday Night:
A slight 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. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Wednesday Night:
A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
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 showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night:
Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
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 + warmer temps — finesse tippet and natural patterns first.
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
Rio Products Fly Fishing Tippet, Fluoroflex Strong Leader, 100% Fluorocarbon for Trout, 30YD Spool
$17.99
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
OPST Strong Fluorocarbon Tippet 15lb
$14.99
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
More on Genesee River
Recent Storm Events
- September 5-7 New York (Lake Ontario) & Ohio Storm — Sep 5, 2026
- August 30 - September 1 Alley Storm — Aug 30, 2026
- August 26-29 Alley Storm — Aug 26, 2026
Species Profiles
- Steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu
- Brown Trout Salmo trutta
- Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
