Last stocked
July 1, 2025
Plants on record
122
Since 2011
Species recorded
6
Average size
4.7 in
Elevation
244 ft
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.
Sources: access , shore_notes , nearest_town , water_type , photos , speciesFound , fishing_notes , angler_notes
How Niagara 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.
Fish at Niagara River
Fishing Niagara River is most likely to be for Steelhead. Steelhead accounts for 35 of 122 plants on record, ahead of Brown Trout and 4 more.
Steelhead 35 plants
- Plants
- 35 of 122
- Last stocked
- May 1, 2025
- Average length
- 5.1 in
Brown Trout 33 plants
- Plants
- 33 of 122
- Last stocked
- July 1, 2025
- Average length
- 7.5 in
Chinook Salmon 28 plants
- Plants
- 28 of 122
- Last stocked
- May 1, 2025
- Average length
- 3.5 in
Walleye 16 plants
- Plants
- 16 of 122
- Last stocked
- May 1, 2024
- Average length
- 1.2 in
Coho Salmon 9 plants
- Plants
- 9 of 122
- Last stocked
- October 1, 2020
- Average length
- 3.2 in
Rainbow Trout 1 plant
- Plants
- 1 of 122
- Last stocked
- November 1, 2011
- Average length
- 6.2 in
Fishing Niagara River
The Lower Niagara River provides fishing opportunities year-round, extending from the Whirlpool north to the mouth of Lake Ontario. This 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.
Sources: dec.ny.gov
What anglers say
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!"
Fish stocked per year
- 331,2202011
- 239,6402012
- 302,3402013
- 390,5002014
- 282,8802015
- 487,4902016
- 249,8602017
- 252,7802018
- 200,8202019
- 256,9002020
- 279,2992021
- 198,5802022
- 215,9142023
- 313,8002024
- 246,7282025
Stocking history
Showing 15 of 122 plants Showing 122 plants
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2025 | Brown Trout | 39,140 | 3.4 in | report |
| June 1, 2025 | Brown Trout | 38,500 | 8.3 in | report |
| May 1, 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 25,000 | 3.2 in | report |
| May 1, 2025 | Steelhead | 25,000 | 6.2 in | report |
| May 1, 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 90,000 | 3.9 in | report |
| April 1, 2025 | Steelhead | 29,088 | 5.27 in | report |
| July 1, 2024 | Brown Trout | 48,000 | 3.7 in | report |
| July 1, 2024 | Brown Trout | 49,770 | 3.6 in | report |
| May 1, 2024 | Chinook Salmon | 90,000 | 3.7 in | report |
| May 1, 2024 | Steelhead | 15,000 | 5.4 in | report |
| May 1, 2024 | Walleye | 23,200 | 1.2 in | report |
| April 1, 2024 | Brown Trout | 37,450 | 8.7 in | report |
| April 1, 2024 | Steelhead | 50,380 | 4.6 in | report |
| June 1, 2023 | Walleye | 23,200 | 1 in | report |
| June 1, 2023 | Brown Trout | 35,000 | 8.9 in | report |
| May 1, 2023 | Steelhead | 15,000 | 5.8 in | report |
| May 1, 2023 | Chinook Salmon | 89,930 | 4 in | report |
| April 1, 2023 | Chinook Salmon | 27,810 | 3.1 in | report |
| April 1, 2023 | Steelhead | 24,974 | 4.9 in | report |
| June 1, 2022 | Walleye | 23,200 | 1.5 in | report |
| May 1, 2022 | Steelhead | 15,000 | 5.5 in | report |
| May 1, 2022 | Chinook Salmon | 75,000 | 4 in | report |
| May 1, 2022 | Brown Trout | 35,000 | 9 in | report |
| April 1, 2022 | Steelhead | 50,380 | 4.5 in | report |
| June 1, 2021 | Brown Trout | 72,660 | 4.1 in | report |
| June 1, 2021 | Brown Trout | 13,400 | 8.6 in | report |
| June 1, 2021 | Walleye | 440 | 1.2 in | report |
| June 1, 2021 | Walleye | 23,200 | 1.2 in | report |
| May 1, 2021 | Steelhead | 12,000 | 5.4 in | report |
| May 1, 2021 | Chinook Salmon | 50,000 | 3.6 in | report |
| May 1, 2021 | Steelhead | 19,219 | 4.5 in | report |
| April 1, 2021 | Brown Trout | 17,500 | 7.6 in | report |
| April 1, 2021 | Brown Trout | 17,500 | 7.8 in | report |
| April 1, 2021 | Steelhead | 53,380 | 4.7 in | report |
| October 1, 2020 | Coho Salmon | 18,000 | 2.2 in | report |
| June 1, 2020 | Walleye | 23,200 | 1.5 in | report |
| May 1, 2020 | Steelhead | 15,000 | 6.4 in | report |
| May 1, 2020 | Chinook Salmon | 50,000 | 3.4 in | report |
| May 1, 2020 | Chinook Salmon | 61,500 | 3.2 in | report |
| April 1, 2020 | Brown Trout | 19,370 | 7.7 in | report |
| April 1, 2020 | Steelhead | 5,620 | 4.8 in | report |
| April 1, 2020 | Steelhead | 32,000 | 4.8 in | report |
| April 1, 2020 | Brown Trout | 4,290 | 7.7 in | report |
| March 1, 2020 | Brown Trout | 27,920 | 7.9 in | report |
| November 1, 2019 | Coho Salmon | 25,000 | 2.3 in | report |
| October 1, 2019 | Brown Trout | 7,600 | 5.3 in | report |
| June 1, 2019 | Chinook Salmon | 80,000 | 3.8 in | report |
| June 1, 2019 | Walleye | 23,500 | 1.3 in | report |
| May 1, 2019 | Steelhead | 10,000 | 6.1 in | report |
| May 1, 2019 | Brown Trout | 4,430 | 8.2 in | report |
| April 1, 2019 | Brown Trout | 13,290 | 8.5 in | report |
| April 1, 2019 | Steelhead | 37,000 | 5.1 in | report |
| October 1, 2018 | Coho Salmon | 11,750 | 2.4 in | report |
| June 1, 2018 | Walleye | 23,200 | 1.2 in | report |
| May 1, 2018 | Steelhead | 10,000 | 5.2 in | report |
| May 1, 2018 | Chinook Salmon | 75,000 | 3.1 in | report |
| May 1, 2018 | Chinook Salmon | 62,290 | 3.5 in | report |
| April 1, 2018 | Brown Trout | 13,050 | 9.1 in | report |
| April 1, 2018 | Steelhead | 16,140 | 4.4 in | report |
| April 1, 2018 | Steelhead | 37,000 | 4.4 in | report |
| April 1, 2018 | Brown Trout | 4,350 | 9 in | report |
| June 1, 2017 | Walleye | 23,200 | 1.3 in | report |
| June 1, 2017 | Brown Trout | 10,000 | 7.3 in | report |
| May 1, 2017 | Steelhead | 10,000 | 4 in | report |
| May 1, 2017 | Chinook Salmon | 75,000 | 3.2 in | report |
| May 1, 2017 | Steelhead | 37,000 | 4 in | report |
| May 1, 2017 | Steelhead | 3,600 | 4 in | report |
| May 1, 2017 | Chinook Salmon | 3,000 | 3.2 in | report |
| May 1, 2017 | Chinook Salmon | 68,930 | 3.2 in | report |
| April 1, 2017 | Brown Trout | 6,530 | 9.3 in | report |
| April 1, 2017 | Brown Trout | 8,470 | 7.7 in | report |
| April 1, 2017 | Brown Trout | 4,130 | 9.3 in | report |
| November 1, 2016 | Brown Trout | 5,900 | – | report |
| November 1, 2016 | Coho Salmon | 25,640 | 4.96 in | report |
| July 1, 2016 | Brown Trout | 10,900 | – | report |
| June 1, 2016 | Walleye | 23,200 | 1.1 in | report |
| May 1, 2016 | Steelhead | 10,000 | 5.8 in | report |
| May 1, 2016 | Chinook Salmon | 75,000 | 3.6 in | report |
| May 1, 2016 | Coho Salmon | 33,520 | 3.3 in | report |
| May 1, 2016 | Coho Salmon | 33,520 | 1.5 in | report |
| May 1, 2016 | Chinook Salmon | 128,500 | 3.2 in | report |
| May 1, 2016 | Chinook Salmon | 100,000 | 3.2 in | report |
| April 1, 2016 | Steelhead | 37,000 | 4.9 in | report |
| April 1, 2016 | Brown Trout | 4,310 | 8.9 in | report |
| October 1, 2015 | Coho Salmon | 18,580 | 4.4 in | report |
| June 1, 2015 | Walleye | 23,200 | 1.3 in | report |
| May 1, 2015 | Steelhead | 7,090 | 6.2 in | report |
| May 1, 2015 | Chinook Salmon | 75,000 | 3.9 in | report |
| May 1, 2015 | Steelhead | 26,230 | 4.9 in | report |
| May 1, 2015 | Chinook Salmon | 128,500 | 3.1 in | report |
| May 1, 2015 | Brown Trout | 4,280 | 8.5 in | report |
| July 1, 2014 | Brown Trout | 40,500 | 3.5 in | report |
| June 1, 2014 | Walleye | 23,200 | 1.3 in | report |
| June 1, 2014 | Steelhead | 10,000 | 6.2 in | report |
| June 1, 2014 | Chinook Salmon | 75,000 | 3.8 in | report |
| May 1, 2014 | Walleye | 40,000 | 0.4 in | report |
| May 1, 2014 | Chinook Salmon | 160,500 | 3.2 in | report |
| May 1, 2014 | Brown Trout | 4,300 | 8.6 in | report |
| April 1, 2014 | Steelhead | 37,000 | 4.6 in | report |
| October 1, 2013 | Coho Salmon | 25,000 | 4 in | report |
| June 1, 2013 | Walleye | 23,200 | 1.3 in | report |
| June 1, 2013 | Chinook Salmon | 75,000 | 3.6 in | report |
| June 1, 2013 | Chinook Salmon | 128,500 | 3 in | report |
| May 1, 2013 | Steelhead | 10,000 | 6 in | report |
| April 1, 2013 | Steelhead | 37,000 | 5.3 in | report |
| April 1, 2013 | Brown Trout | 3,640 | 8.8 in | report |
| June 1, 2012 | Walleye | 23,200 | 1.3 in | report |
| May 1, 2012 | Steelhead | 10,000 | 5.1 in | report |
| May 1, 2012 | Chinook Salmon | 75,000 | 3.9 in | report |
| May 1, 2012 | Chinook Salmon | 90,000 | 3.4 in | report |
| April 1, 2012 | Steelhead | 37,000 | 5.1 in | report |
| April 1, 2012 | Brown Trout | 4,440 | 8.5 in | report |
| November 1, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 15,000 | 6.2 in | report |
| November 1, 2011 | Brown Trout | 6,000 | 5.8 in | report |
| October 1, 2011 | Coho Salmon | 25,000 | 4 in | report |
| June 1, 2011 | Walleye | 23,160 | 1.3 in | report |
| May 1, 2011 | Steelhead | 11,560 | 5.8 in | report |
| May 1, 2011 | Chinook Salmon | 75,960 | 3.5 in | report |
| May 1, 2011 | Steelhead | 10,000 | 4.7 in | report |
| May 1, 2011 | Chinook Salmon | 127,530 | 3.2 in | report |
| April 1, 2011 | Steelhead | 32,780 | 4.6 in | report |
| April 1, 2011 | Brown Trout | 4,230 | 9.4 in | report |
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Species found here
Confirmed present independent of the stocking records above, not from a stocking event.
- Lake Trout (source)
- Smallmouth Bass (source)
- Largemouth Bass (source)
- Muskellunge (source)
- Yellow Perch (source)
- Smelt (source)
Species stocked here
Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.