Tonawanda Creek fishing

Fishing at Tonawanda Creek is on a river section, stocked with Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Bluegill, and 6 more. It is stocked about 2.7 times a year since 2011, most often in March and May. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout, Brook Trout, and Bluegill, dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, and Smallmouth Bass, and dawn, dusk, and night for Crappie.

Last stocked

March 1, 2024

Plants on record

38

Since 2011

Species recorded

3

Average size

10.5 in

Elevation

564 ft

Access and facts

Water type
river section
Nearest town
Tonawanda
Shore access
Yes

Erie County-maintained shore fishing access on this Barge Canal (Tonawanda Creek) reach at Veterans Canal Park, West Canal Park, and Mayors Park.

Sources: water_type , nearest_town , access.shore , shore_notes , speciesFound , fishing_notes

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How Tonawanda Creek is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of March. In 2024 it was March 1, 2024, about when it usually is.

Ellicott Creek (0.3 mi), Buffalo River (10 mi), Buffalo Creek (11.6 mi), and Cayuga Creek (11.7 mi) were stocked more recently. Ellicott Creek is also stocked with Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout, Buffalo River is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Buffalo Creek is also stocked with Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout, and Cayuga Creek is also stocked with Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout.

Fish at Tonawanda Creek

Fishing Tonawanda Creek is most likely to be for Brown Trout. Brown Trout accounts for 28 of 38 plants on record, ahead of Rainbow Trout and one more.

Brown Trout 28 plants
Plants
28 of 38
Last stocked
March 1, 2024
Average length
11.1 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Brown Trout guide.

Rainbow Trout 6 plants
Plants
6 of 38
Last stocked
March 1, 2024
Average length
8.9 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Brook Trout 4 plants
Plants
4 of 38
Last stocked
March 1, 2014
Average length
9 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Brook Trout guide.

Fishing Tonawanda Creek

Tonawanda Creek, specifically within the Barge Canal sections, provides opportunities for shore fishing. Anglers can target Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Bluegill/Pumpkinseed. Other species found here include Carp, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, and Crappie. These fish are accessible from locations such as Veterans Canal Park, West Canal Park, Botanical Gardens Park, and Mayors Park.

Sources: www3.erie.gov

Fish stocked per year

  • 2,0802011
  • 2,1502012
  • 2,0502013
  • 2,1702014
  • 2,0002015
  • 2,0102016
  • 1,9302017
  • 2,0202018
  • 2,0602019
  • 1,7602020
  • 1,3302021
  • 1,3302022
  • 1,3302023
  • 1,3402024

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 38 plants Showing 38 plants

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
March 1, 2024 Brown Trout 140 13.7 in report
March 1, 2024 Rainbow Trout 1,200 9.8 in report
March 1, 2023 Rainbow Trout 1,200 9 in report
March 1, 2023 Brown Trout 130 13.8 in report
March 1, 2022 Rainbow Trout 1,200 9 in report
March 1, 2022 Brown Trout 130 14 in report
March 1, 2021 Brown Trout 130 13.3 in report
March 1, 2021 Rainbow Trout 1,200 9.2 in report
March 1, 2020 Rainbow Trout 660 8.1 in report
March 1, 2020 Rainbow Trout 900 8.1 in report
March 1, 2020 Brown Trout 200 13.1 in report
May 1, 2019 Brown Trout 800 9 in report
March 1, 2019 Brown Trout 200 13 in report
March 1, 2019 Brown Trout 1,060 8.6 in report
May 1, 2018 Brown Trout 780 9 in report
March 1, 2018 Brown Trout 200 12.9 in report
March 1, 2018 Brown Trout 1,040 8.7 in report
May 1, 2017 Brown Trout 740 9.2 in report
March 1, 2017 Brown Trout 200 13.2 in report
March 1, 2017 Brown Trout 990 9 in report
May 1, 2016 Brown Trout 780 9.4 in report
March 1, 2016 Brown Trout 200 13.6 in report
March 1, 2016 Brown Trout 1,030 8.4 in report
May 1, 2015 Brown Trout 770 9.2 in report
March 1, 2015 Brown Trout 200 12.9 in report
March 1, 2015 Brown Trout 1,030 8.5 in report
May 1, 2014 Brown Trout 770 9.2 in report
March 1, 2014 Brown Trout 200 13.8 in report
March 1, 2014 Brook Trout 1,200 9.2 in report
May 1, 2013 Brown Trout 650 8.9 in report
March 1, 2013 Brown Trout 200 13.3 in report
March 1, 2013 Brook Trout 1,200 8.2 in report
May 1, 2012 Brown Trout 800 8.7 in report
March 1, 2012 Brown Trout 200 13.4 in report
March 1, 2012 Brook Trout 1,150 8.7 in report
May 1, 2011 Brook Trout 1,120 9.9 in report
March 1, 2011 Brown Trout 200 12.8 in report
March 1, 2011 Brown Trout 760 8.2 in report
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Species found here

Confirmed present independent of the stocking records above, not from a stocking event.

Species stocked here

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

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