Irondequoit Creek
GoodAbout Irondequoit Creek
Irondequoit Creek is a Lake Ontario tributary in New York, draining a 151-square-mile watershed. The river is part of the Lake Ontario steelhead and salmon fishery — distinct from Steelhead Alley but sharing the same species mix. Stocking and regulations are managed by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NY DEC).
The optimal fishing flow on Irondequoit Creek is 180–400 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 269 CFS, computed from the last several years of USGS gauge readings. Steelhead enter the river from late September through early May, with peak runs typically in October–November and February–April.
Current conditions (live, updated every 15 minutes): flow 94 CFS, water 60.1°F, clarity clear. Steelhead Addiction's Guide's Report rates the river GOOD as of this reading.
Last updated: 5 seconds ago (6:15 AM EDT)
| Gauge | Flow (CFS) | Height (ft) | Water Temp | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irondequoit Creek above Blossom Rd, Rochester (primary) | 94 | 3.17 | 60.1°F | 6 seconds ago 6:15 AM EDT |
| Irondequoit Creek at Railroad Mills, Fishers | 26 | 4.32 | - | 6 seconds ago 6:15 AM EDT |
Guide's Report
Based on current conditions as of Wed, Jun 3 at 6:15 AM EDT (5 seconds ago)
Report generated 6:15:22 AM EDT
Running 94 CFS, water is clear, 60°F — active warmwater feeding. Solid window. Put in the work and you'll be rewarded. Crystal clear — long leaders and small flies. Steelhead Alley: Where 45° Is Tropical.
Flow is low — fish are stacked in the deepest pools and runs. Approach carefully, they spook easy.
Clear water — ideal for visual hunters like smallmouth. Long leaders, natural colors, and finesse presentations like drop-shots will produce.
Water at 60°F — post-spawn and early summer active zone. Bass are feeding aggressively in the shallows.
How to Fish It
This is tube and drop-shot weather. Drag tubes or drop-shots over rocky structures, reefs, and current seams. Active retrieve will trigger strikes.
Clear water demands finesse. 6-8lb fluoro, natural colored tubes (watermelon, green pumpkin), 3-inch drop-shot worms, or small swimbaits.
Target boulder runs, bedrock pools, bridge pilings, and shaded banks where river smallies find cover.
Dawn and dusk windows are prime. Get out early before the sun is high, or fish the last 90 minutes of light.
What's Coming
No rain in the forecast — flows will continue to drop. Fish deep pools and slow runs where smallmouth stack up in low water.
Water is warming through the day — afternoon bite could fire up as bass activity spikes in the warmer water.
Summer Species on Irondequoit Creek
Beyond steelhead — species actively targeted in Great Lakes tributaries right now.
Water temp 60.1°F — warm enough for active warmwater species.
Email me when Irondequoit Creek 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 Irondequoit Creek hits fishable flow + clarity. Tight lines.
7-Day Flow & Temperature
Flow distribution
1095-day history · n=2,233 · 85% confidence
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 Irondequoit Creek? 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 Irondequoit Creek.
Near Irondequoit Creek
Ontario Fly Outfitters
Rochester, NY · 5 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 · 5 mi
Walk-up kayak and canoe rentals May-October on the Genesee River in Rochester.
High Falls & Genesee Brew House
Rochester, NY · 5 mi
96-ft urban waterfall in downtown Rochester. Rooftop pint at one of America's oldest breweries.
Colemans Fly Shop
Spencerport, NY · 14 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 · 15 mi
30+ years as licensed NYS guide. Catch-and-release fly fishing on Oak Orchard, Genesee, and Lake Ontario tribs.
Plan your trip to Rochester
Booking.com hotels & rental cars — affiliate links support the site at no extra cost.
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
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: Friday — Light rain will bump flows slightly and give overcast skies — steelhead feed aggressively in these conditions.
Friday 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.
Overnight — Angler's Report
fair fishing- Dry conditions — flows should remain stable. Good day to target tailouts and runs.
NWS Forecast Detail
Wednesday — 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
Thursday — 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
Friday — 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 — 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
Sunday — 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
Monday — 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
Tuesday — 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
Forecast via NWS, updated 1 hour ago (5:04 AM EDT). Fishing ratings are estimates based on weather — always check current river conditions.
Clear water + low water + warmer temps — finesse tippet and natural patterns first.
SF Clear Fluorocarbon Tippet Line Fly Fishing Tippets Leaders Trout 75M 100M 0X 1X 2X 3X 4X 5X 6X 7X
$27.49
SF Clear Fluorocarbon Tippet Line Fly Fishing Tippets Leaders Trout 75M 100M 0X 1X 2X 3X 4X 5X 6X 7X
$16.99
RIO Products Fluoroflex Strong Tippet, 100% Fluorocarbon Fly Fishing Tippet for Trout, Abrasion Resistant, Strong, & Knot Friendly, 100yd Guide Spool
$44.99
SA Mastery Trout Fluorocarbon Freshwater Fly Fishing Tippet
$12.95
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
