New York
Ausable River near Au Sable Forks
Current River Rating
Poor · 37
Conditions are unfavorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Low confidence
Should I Go?
Wait
Limited opportunity
Timing Outlook
No reliable fishing window is recommended while current river conditions remain Poor.
Why
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
- Water temperature is unavailable.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Cautions
- Recent observed air temperature suggests unfavorable river water temperature for trout. Verify with a stream thermometer; this is not a measured water temperature.
Timing Evidence
Dawn low light is favorable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 194 CFS
- Gage Height
- 1.21 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:15 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 04275500 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
60°F
Feels like
59°F
Wind
4 mph SW
Wind gust
8 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 3:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Clear
Temp 60°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 8 AM
Clear
Temp 61°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 12 PM
Overcast
Temp 67°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 4 PM
Partly cloudy
Temp 69°F
Chance 8%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 8 PM
Drizzle
Temp 64°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sun 12 AM
Overcast
Temp 59°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Drizzle
High 70°F / Low 58°F
Chance 11%
Precip 0.02 in
Max gust 17 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 69°F / Low 53°F
Chance 9%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 15 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 77°F / Low 52°F
Chance 5%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 22 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Drizzle
High 70°F / Low 54°F
Chance 9%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 16 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Main-stem Ausable River near Au Sable Forks after the East and West Branch confluence. Separate East Branch and West Branch Ausable records cover the upstream branches.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Ausable River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Main-stem Ausable River near Au Sable Forks after the East and West Branch confluence. This record represents the confluence trout fishery and does not duplicate East Branch or West Branch profiles or regulations. DEC documents a separate landlocked salmon fishery primarily on the lower Ausable toward Lake Champlain (Route 9 bridge to the mouth / Rainbow Falls area), downstream of this confluence identity.
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Main-stem Ausable near Au Sable Forks continues the Adirondack trout fishery below the East and West Branch confluence. Branch stocking and inland trout management support brown trout as a primary target; this record is distinct from separately regulated East and West Branch reaches.
Source: NYSDEC
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Rainbow trout occur in the Ausable system including stocked branch reaches; treated as common on the main-stem confluence fishery without duplicating branch-specific regulation summaries.
Source: NYSDEC
Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Brook trout are present in the Ausable Adirondack system; more typical of wilder upper and tributary habitat than the main-stem confluence.
Source: NYSDEC
Landlocked Salmon
Salmo salar
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
DEC documents landlocked salmon runs primarily on the lower Ausable toward Lake Champlain (Route 9 bridge to mouth / Rainbow Falls area). This is downstream of the Au Sable Forks confluence record and does not imply identical regulations near the forks.
Source: NYSDEC
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Adirondack main-stem freestone water below the East/West Branch confluence. Migratory landlocked salmon habitat described by DEC is concentrated on the lower Champlain-tributary reach near Route 9 and Ausable Point, not as a substitute description of forks-area trout water.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Confirm current DEC / DECinfo Locator access for the Au Sable Forks main-stem area. Lower-river landlocked salmon access near Lake Champlain (including Ausable Point and the Peru launch context) is separate and often limited by private ownership upstream of Route 9.
Stocking information
Branch stocking and Adirondack inland trout management support trout in the Ausable system. Landlocked salmon management is associated with the Lake Champlain tributary fishery farther downstream.
- Stocked
Brown Trout
Stocked · NYSDEC
- Stocked
Rainbow Trout
Stocked · NYSDEC
Official sources
Regulations can change. Always verify current rules on the official NYSDEC page before fishing; linked official regulations control. East Branch and West Branch Ausable have separate special-regulation profiles. Lower Ausable landlocked salmon fishing toward Lake Champlain follows Lake Champlain and tributaries (border waters) rules and should not be assumed to apply identically near Au Sable Forks.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
- Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Essex, New York
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Essex
DEC Region
5
Management Category
Adirondack trout river
Regulation Scope
Main-stem Ausable below Au Sable Forks confluence
Regulation Summary
Region 5 special regulations may apply on designated Ausable reaches.
Target Species
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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