Steelhead Stocked · 35 plants · last May 2025 Last stocked May 2025 · avg 5.1 in · 35 plants
Steelhead species guideNiagara River fishing
Niagara River fishing is stocked with Brown Trout, Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Walleye, Coho Salmon, and Rainbow Trout on a river section. Also recorded: Lake Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Muskellunge, Yellow Perch, Smelt, and 1 more. It is stocked about 8.1 times a year since 2011, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout and Yellow Perch, dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye, and dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, and Largemouth Bass.
- Last stocked
- July 2025
- Brown Trout
- Plants on record
- 122
- Since 2011
- Species stocked
- 6 (+7 also recorded)
- Average size
- 4.7 in
- Elevation
- 244 ft
Fish at Niagara River
Steelhead Stocked · 35 plants · last May 2025 
Brown Trout Stocked · 33 plants · last July 2025 Best: dawn, day, dusk 
Chinook Salmon Stocked · 28 plants · last May 2025 Last stocked May 2025 · avg 3.5 in · 28 plants
Chinook Salmon species guide
Walleye Stocked · 16 plants · last May 2024 Best: dawn, dusk, night 
Coho Salmon Stocked · 9 plants · last October 2020 Last stocked October 2020 · avg 3.2 in · 9 plants
Coho Salmon species guide
Rainbow Trout Stocked · 1 plant · last November 2011 Best: dawn, dusk 
Lake Trout Confirmed present Best: dawn Best: dawn
Lake Trout species guide
Smallmouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Smallmouth Bass species guide
Largemouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Largemouth Bass species guide
Muskellunge Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Muskellunge species guide
Yellow Perch Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Yellow Perch species guide
Smelt Confirmed present Best: night Best: night
Smelt species guide
Carp Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Carp species guideThis river is known for its Chinook salmon, steelhead (rainbow trout), and walleye fishing, supporting many charter fishing boat trips. Anglers can also find lake trout, brown trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, muskellunge, yellow perch, and smelt at various times of the year. (dec.ny.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
How Niagara River is stocked
Fish stocked in 2011
331,220
Fish stocked in 2012
239,640
Fish stocked in 2013
302,340
Fish stocked in 2014
390,500
Fish stocked in 2015
282,880
Fish stocked in 2016
487,490
Fish stocked in 2017
249,860
Fish stocked in 2018
252,780
Fish stocked in 2019
200,820
Fish stocked in 2020
256,900
Fish stocked in 2021
279,299
Fish stocked in 2022
198,580
Fish stocked in 2023
215,914
Fish stocked in 2024
313,800
Fish stocked in 2025
246,728
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 2025 | Brown Trout | 39,140 | 3.4 in | report |
| June 2025 | Brown Trout | 38,500 | 8.3 in | report |
| May 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 25,000 | 3.2 in | report |
| May 2025 | Steelhead | 25,000 | 6.2 in | report |
| May 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 90,000 | 3.9 in | report |
| April 2025 | Steelhead | 29,088 | 5.27 in | report |
| July 2024 | Brown Trout | 48,000 | 3.7 in | report |
| July 2024 | Brown Trout | 49,770 | 3.6 in | report |
| May 2024 | Chinook Salmon | 90,000 | 3.7 in | report |
| May 2024 | Steelhead | 15,000 | 5.4 in | report |
| May 2024 | Walleye | 23,200 | 1.2 in | report |
| April 2024 | Brown Trout | 37,450 | 8.7 in | report |
| April 2024 | Steelhead | 50,380 | 4.6 in | report |
| June 2023 | Walleye | 23,200 | 1 in | report |
| June 2023 | Brown Trout | 35,000 | 8.9 in | report |
| May 2023 | Steelhead | 15,000 | 5.8 in | report |
| May 2023 | Chinook Salmon | 89,930 | 4 in | report |
| April 2023 | Chinook Salmon | 27,810 | 3.1 in | report |
| April 2023 | Steelhead | 24,974 | 4.9 in | report |
| June 2022 | Walleye | 23,200 | 1.5 in | report |
| May 2022 | Steelhead | 15,000 | 5.5 in | report |
| May 2022 | Chinook Salmon | 75,000 | 4 in | report |
| May 2022 | Brown Trout | 35,000 | 9 in | report |
| April 2022 | Steelhead | 50,380 | 4.5 in | report |
| June 2021 | Brown Trout | 72,660 | 4.1 in | report |
| June 2021 | Brown Trout | 13,400 | 8.6 in | report |
| June 2021 | Walleye | 440 | 1.2 in | report |
| June 2021 | Walleye | 23,200 | 1.2 in | report |
| May 2021 | Steelhead | 12,000 | 5.4 in | report |
| May 2021 | Chinook Salmon | 50,000 | 3.6 in | report |
| May 2021 | Steelhead | 19,219 | 4.5 in | report |
| April 2021 | Brown Trout | 17,500 | 7.6 in | report |
| April 2021 | Brown Trout | 17,500 | 7.8 in | report |
| April 2021 | Steelhead | 53,380 | 4.7 in | report |
| October 2020 | Coho Salmon | 18,000 | 2.2 in | report |
| June 2020 | Walleye | 23,200 | 1.5 in | report |
| May 2020 | Steelhead | 15,000 | 6.4 in | report |
| May 2020 | Chinook Salmon | 50,000 | 3.4 in | report |
| May 2020 | Chinook Salmon | 61,500 | 3.2 in | report |
| April 2020 | Brown Trout | 19,370 | 7.7 in | report |
| April 2020 | Steelhead | 5,620 | 4.8 in | report |
| April 2020 | Steelhead | 32,000 | 4.8 in | report |
| April 2020 | Brown Trout | 4,290 | 7.7 in | report |
| March 2020 | Brown Trout | 27,920 | 7.9 in | report |
| November 2019 | Coho Salmon | 25,000 | 2.3 in | report |
| October 2019 | Brown Trout | 7,600 | 5.3 in | report |
| June 2019 | Chinook Salmon | 80,000 | 3.8 in | report |
| June 2019 | Walleye | 23,500 | 1.3 in | report |
| May 2019 | Steelhead | 10,000 | 6.1 in | report |
| May 2019 | Brown Trout | 4,430 | 8.2 in | report |
| April 2019 | Brown Trout | 13,290 | 8.5 in | report |
| April 2019 | Steelhead | 37,000 | 5.1 in | report |
| October 2018 | Coho Salmon | 11,750 | 2.4 in | report |
| June 2018 | Walleye | 23,200 | 1.2 in | report |
| May 2018 | Steelhead | 10,000 | 5.2 in | report |
| May 2018 | Chinook Salmon | 75,000 | 3.1 in | report |
| May 2018 | Chinook Salmon | 62,290 | 3.5 in | report |
| April 2018 | Brown Trout | 13,050 | 9.1 in | report |
| April 2018 | Steelhead | 16,140 | 4.4 in | report |
| April 2018 | Steelhead | 37,000 | 4.4 in | report |
| April 2018 | Brown Trout | 4,350 | 9 in | report |
| June 2017 | Walleye | 23,200 | 1.3 in | report |
| June 2017 | Brown Trout | 10,000 | 7.3 in | report |
| May 2017 | Steelhead | 10,000 | 4 in | report |
| May 2017 | Chinook Salmon | 75,000 | 3.2 in | report |
| May 2017 | Steelhead | 37,000 | 4 in | report |
| May 2017 | Steelhead | 3,600 | 4 in | report |
| May 2017 | Chinook Salmon | 3,000 | 3.2 in | report |
| May 2017 | Chinook Salmon | 68,930 | 3.2 in | report |
| April 2017 | Brown Trout | 6,530 | 9.3 in | report |
| April 2017 | Brown Trout | 8,470 | 7.7 in | report |
| April 2017 | Brown Trout | 4,130 | 9.3 in | report |
| November 2016 | Brown Trout | 5,900 | – | report |
| November 2016 | Coho Salmon | 25,640 | 4.96 in | report |
| July 2016 | Brown Trout | 10,900 | – | report |
| June 2016 | Walleye | 23,200 | 1.1 in | report |
| May 2016 | Steelhead | 10,000 | 5.8 in | report |
| May 2016 | Chinook Salmon | 75,000 | 3.6 in | report |
| May 2016 | Coho Salmon | 33,520 | 3.3 in | report |
| May 2016 | Coho Salmon | 33,520 | 1.5 in | report |
| May 2016 | Chinook Salmon | 128,500 | 3.2 in | report |
| May 2016 | Chinook Salmon | 100,000 | 3.2 in | report |
| April 2016 | Steelhead | 37,000 | 4.9 in | report |
| April 2016 | Brown Trout | 4,310 | 8.9 in | report |
| October 2015 | Coho Salmon | 18,580 | 4.4 in | report |
| June 2015 | Walleye | 23,200 | 1.3 in | report |
| May 2015 | Steelhead | 7,090 | 6.2 in | report |
| May 2015 | Chinook Salmon | 75,000 | 3.9 in | report |
| May 2015 | Steelhead | 26,230 | 4.9 in | report |
| May 2015 | Chinook Salmon | 128,500 | 3.1 in | report |
| May 2015 | Brown Trout | 4,280 | 8.5 in | report |
| July 2014 | Brown Trout | 40,500 | 3.5 in | report |
| June 2014 | Walleye | 23,200 | 1.3 in | report |
| June 2014 | Steelhead | 10,000 | 6.2 in | report |
| June 2014 | Chinook Salmon | 75,000 | 3.8 in | report |
| May 2014 | Walleye | 40,000 | 0.4 in | report |
| May 2014 | Chinook Salmon | 160,500 | 3.2 in | report |
| May 2014 | Brown Trout | 4,300 | 8.6 in | report |
| April 2014 | Steelhead | 37,000 | 4.6 in | report |
| October 2013 | Coho Salmon | 25,000 | 4 in | report |
| June 2013 | Walleye | 23,200 | 1.3 in | report |
| June 2013 | Chinook Salmon | 75,000 | 3.6 in | report |
| June 2013 | Chinook Salmon | 128,500 | 3 in | report |
| May 2013 | Steelhead | 10,000 | 6 in | report |
| April 2013 | Steelhead | 37,000 | 5.3 in | report |
| April 2013 | Brown Trout | 3,640 | 8.8 in | report |
| June 2012 | Walleye | 23,200 | 1.3 in | report |
| May 2012 | Steelhead | 10,000 | 5.1 in | report |
| May 2012 | Chinook Salmon | 75,000 | 3.9 in | report |
| May 2012 | Chinook Salmon | 90,000 | 3.4 in | report |
| April 2012 | Steelhead | 37,000 | 5.1 in | report |
| April 2012 | Brown Trout | 4,440 | 8.5 in | report |
| November 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 15,000 | 6.2 in | report |
| November 2011 | Brown Trout | 6,000 | 5.8 in | report |
| October 2011 | Coho Salmon | 25,000 | 4 in | report |
| June 2011 | Walleye | 23,160 | 1.3 in | report |
| May 2011 | Steelhead | 11,560 | 5.8 in | report |
| May 2011 | Chinook Salmon | 75,960 | 3.5 in | report |
| May 2011 | Steelhead | 10,000 | 4.7 in | report |
| May 2011 | Chinook Salmon | 127,530 | 3.2 in | report |
| April 2011 | Steelhead | 32,780 | 4.6 in | report |
| April 2011 | Brown Trout | 4,230 | 9.4 in | report |
Access and facts
- Water type
- river section
- Nearest town
- Youngstown
- Shore access
- Yes
- Boat ramp
- Yes
- ADA accessible
- Yes
- Facilities
- restrooms, cleaning station
DEC lists shore fishing at Whirlpool, Devil's Hole, Joseph Davis, and Fort Niagara State Parks along this stretch, plus a year-round boat launch at Lewiston (fee when attended) and a free launch at Youngstown. ADA-accessible platforms at the NYPA site and Joseph Davis State Park.
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 Niagara River
According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Lower Niagara River is "truly one of New York's finest trout and salmon fisheries, also offering tremendous overall fishing diversity!" (dec.ny.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Nearest lakes
Public land at Niagara River
Niagara River is 0.4 miles outside the edge of Fort Niagara State Park.
Boundaries from Public Lands DB, part of the same network.
Common questions
What fish are at Niagara River?
Fishing Niagara River usually means Steelhead: Steelhead accounts for 35 of 122 plants on record, ahead of Brown Trout and 4 more. Steelhead was last stocked May 2025, averaging 5.1 in. Brown Trout was last stocked July 2025, averaging 7.5 in. Chinook Salmon was last stocked May 2025, averaging 3.5 in. Walleye was last stocked May 2024, averaging 1.2 in. 2 more species are on the stocking report. Lake Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Muskellunge, plus 3 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Niagara River stocked?
Last stocked July 2025. It is stocked about 8.1 times a year since 2011, most often in April and May.
How big are the fish stocked at Niagara River?
Stocked fish average 4.7 in. Steelhead average 5.1 in. Brown Trout average 7.5 in. Chinook Salmon average 3.5 in. Walleye average 1.2 in.
How do you get on Niagara River?
Shore fishing is available, there is a boat ramp, and it is ADA accessible. The nearest town is Youngstown. Facilities include restrooms and cleaning station. DEC lists shore fishing at Whirlpool, Devil's Hole, Joseph Davis, and Fort Niagara State Parks along this stretch, plus a year-round boat launch at Lewiston (fee when attended) and a free launch at Youngstown. ADA-accessible platforms at the NYPA site and Joseph Davis State Park.