Steelhead Stocked · 14 plants · last April 2025 Last stocked April 2025 · avg 5.7 in · 14 plants
Steelhead species guideBuffalo River fishing
Buffalo River fishing is stocked with Rainbow Trout and Steelhead on a river section. Also recorded: Largemouth Bass, Bluegill/Pumpkinseed, Bullhead, and Suckers. It is stocked about 1.4 times a year since 2011, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.
- Last stocked
- April 2025
- Steelhead
- Plants on record
- 21
- Since 2011
- Species stocked
- 2 (+4 also recorded)
- Average size
- 6.8 in
- Elevation
- 573 ft
Fish at Buffalo River
Steelhead Stocked · 14 plants · last April 2025 
Rainbow Trout Stocked · 7 plants · last April 2017 Best: dawn, dusk 
Largemouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Largemouth Bass species guide Bluegill/Pumpkinseed Confirmed present
Bullhead Confirmed present
Suckers Confirmed present
How Buffalo River is stocked
No plants recorded in 2019.
Fish stocked in 2011
15,560
Fish stocked in 2012
14,000
Fish stocked in 2013
14,000
Fish stocked in 2014
13,160
Fish stocked in 2015
9,000
Fish stocked in 2016
14,000
Fish stocked in 2017
14,000
Fish stocked in 2018
10,000
Fish stocked in 2020
5,000
Fish stocked in 2021
5,000
Fish stocked in 2022
7,500
Fish stocked in 2023
7,500
Fish stocked in 2024
7,500
Fish stocked in 2025
7,500
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2025 | Steelhead | 7,500 | 5.8 in | report |
| April 2024 | Steelhead | 7,500 | 5.6 in | report |
| April 2023 | Steelhead | 7,500 | 6.4 in | report |
| April 2022 | Steelhead | 7,500 | 6 in | report |
| April 2021 | Steelhead | 5,000 | 6.4 in | report |
| March 2020 | Steelhead | 5,000 | 5.9 in | report |
| May 2018 | Steelhead | 10,000 | 5.6 in | report |
| May 2017 | Steelhead | 10,000 | 5.1 in | report |
| April 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 8.7 in | report |
| May 2016 | Steelhead | 10,000 | 5.7 in | report |
| April 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 9 in | report |
| May 2015 | Steelhead | 5,000 | 5.7 in | report |
| April 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 8.5 in | report |
| May 2014 | Steelhead | 10,000 | 4.6 in | report |
| April 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 3,160 | 9.2 in | report |
| May 2013 | Steelhead | 10,000 | 5.9 in | report |
| April 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 9.3 in | report |
| April 2012 | Steelhead | 10,000 | 5.5 in | report |
| March 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 8.8 in | report |
| May 2011 | Steelhead | 11,560 | 5.2 in | report |
| April 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | 9.1 in | report |
Access and facts
- Water type
- river section
- Nearest town
- Buffalo
- Shore access
- Yes
- ADA accessible
- Yes
Two DEC hand launches, no motorboat ramp: off Ohio Street in Buffalo (15 cars) and DEC's Harlem Road Fishing Access Site in West Seneca (40 cars), which has an ADA-accessible fishing pier, path, and paddle launch. Erie County also lists the Bailey Avenue Peninsula as a shore-fishing site.
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation before you go.
About Buffalo River
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Buffalo River?
Fishing Buffalo River usually means Steelhead: Steelhead accounts for 14 of 21 plants on record, ahead of Rainbow Trout. Steelhead was last stocked April 2025, averaging 5.7 in. Rainbow Trout was last stocked April 2017, averaging 8.9 in. Largemouth Bass, Bluegill/Pumpkinseed, Bullhead, and Suckers are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Buffalo River stocked?
Last stocked April 2025. It is stocked about 1.4 times a year since 2011, most often in April and May. No plants recorded in 2019.
How big are the fish stocked at Buffalo River?
Stocked fish average 6.8 in. Steelhead average 5.7 in. Rainbow Trout average 8.9 in.
How do you get on Buffalo River?
Shore fishing is available and it is ADA accessible. The nearest town is Buffalo. Two DEC hand launches, no motorboat ramp: off Ohio Street in Buffalo (15 cars) and DEC's Harlem Road Fishing Access Site in West Seneca (40 cars), which has an ADA-accessible fishing pier, path, and paddle launch. Erie County also lists the Bailey Avenue Peninsula as a shore-fishing site.