Buffalo River fishing

Fishing at Buffalo River is on a river section, stocked with Rainbow Trout and Steelhead. 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 1, 2025

Plants on record

21

Since 2011

Species recorded

2

Average size

6.8 in

Elevation

573 ft

Access and facts

Water type
river section
Nearest town
Buffalo
Boat ramp
Yes

Two hand-launch sites in Erie County: off Ohio Street in the City of Buffalo, and off Harlem Road in West Seneca (40-car lot).

Sources: access , shore_notes , nearest_town , water_type

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How Buffalo River is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of April. In 2025 it was April 1, 2025, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 2019.

Fish at Buffalo River

Fishing Buffalo River is most likely to be for Steelhead. Steelhead accounts for 14 of 21 plants on record, ahead of Rainbow Trout.

Steelhead 14 plants
Plants
14 of 21
Last stocked
April 1, 2025
Average length
5.7 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Steelhead guide.

Rainbow Trout 7 plants
Plants
7 of 21
Last stocked
April 1, 2017
Average length
8.9 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 15,5602011
  • 14,0002012
  • 14,0002013
  • 13,1602014
  • 9,0002015
  • 14,0002016
  • 14,0002017
  • 10,0002018
  • 5,0002020
  • 5,0002021
  • 7,5002022
  • 7,5002023
  • 7,5002024
  • 7,5002025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 21 plants Showing 21 plants

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
April 1, 2025 Steelhead 7,500 5.8 in report
April 1, 2024 Steelhead 7,500 5.6 in report
April 1, 2023 Steelhead 7,500 6.4 in report
April 1, 2022 Steelhead 7,500 6 in report
April 1, 2021 Steelhead 5,000 6.4 in report
March 1, 2020 Steelhead 5,000 5.9 in report
May 1, 2018 Steelhead 10,000 5.6 in report
May 1, 2017 Steelhead 10,000 5.1 in report
April 1, 2017 Rainbow Trout 4,000 8.7 in report
May 1, 2016 Steelhead 10,000 5.7 in report
April 1, 2016 Rainbow Trout 4,000 9 in report
May 1, 2015 Steelhead 5,000 5.7 in report
April 1, 2015 Rainbow Trout 4,000 8.5 in report
May 1, 2014 Steelhead 10,000 4.6 in report
April 1, 2014 Rainbow Trout 3,160 9.2 in report
May 1, 2013 Steelhead 10,000 5.9 in report
April 1, 2013 Rainbow Trout 4,000 9.3 in report
April 1, 2012 Steelhead 10,000 5.5 in report
March 1, 2012 Rainbow Trout 4,000 8.8 in report
May 1, 2011 Steelhead 11,560 5.2 in report
April 1, 2011 Rainbow Trout 4,000 9.1 in report
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Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

Nearest lakes