New York
Cattaraugus Creek
Location Snapshot
Cattaraugus Creek is a Lake Erie tributary whose lower fishery combines migratory salmonid runs with resident warmwater opportunity. The principal supported target is rainbow trout, with brown trout and smallmouth bass providing additional species variety within the same fishery.
Current River Rating
Fair · 51
Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Consider
Recommended Window
Tuesday, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Why
- Air temperature is comfortable for a river trout trip.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: High
Current Readings
- Flow
- 163 CFS
- Gage Height
- 1.31 ft
- Water Temperature
- 48.2 °F
- Observation Time
- Oct 20, 2026, 9:15 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 04213500 · 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
43°F
Feels like
37°F
Wind
6 mph SE
Wind gust
6 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 5:45 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
Tue 6 AM
Clear
Temp 43°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Tue 10 AM
Clear
Temp 53°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Tue 2 PM
Clear
Temp 66°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Tue 6 PM
Clear
Temp 60°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Tue 10 PM
Clear
Temp 45°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Wed 2 AM
Clear
Temp 41°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Clear
High 66°F / Low 43°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 14 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Clear
High 62°F / Low 36°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 11 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Partly cloudy
High 60°F / Low 41°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 9 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Partly cloudy
High 60°F / Low 39°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 15 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
Cattaraugus Creek is a Lake Erie tributary, from the Aldrich Street Extension bridge in Gowanda upstream to Springville Dam.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Cattaraugus Creek.
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
Target species
Steelhead
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Canonical species: Rainbow Trout
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: NYSDEC
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Source: NYSDEC
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Source: NYSDEC
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- Yes
- Flow regime
- Mixed flow regime
Best seasons
- Spring
- Fall
- Winter
Common techniques
- Drift fishing
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Regulation sections
Legal regulations are summarized below for convenience. Official linked rules control. This app does not determine whether you are physically within a regulation reach.
Cattaraugus Creek Lake Erie Seasonal Tributary Rules.
From the Aldrich Street Extension Bridge in Gowanda upstream to the Springville Dam.
Lake Erie tributary seasonal gear and hours restrictions apply September 1–March 31.
- Upstream
- Springville Dam.
- Downstream
- Aldrich Street Extension Bridge in Gowanda.
- Season
- September 1–March 31: fishing only from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset (night fishing prohibited).
- Methods
- Seasonal gear rules: hook gap cannot exceed 1/2 inch; hooks on lures must be free-swinging except artificial flies or jigs. See current Great Lakes tributaries page for full detail.
Official sources
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerConservative overlap streamer family. Not an insect Hatch claim.
- Parachute-style dryOne general surface family appropriate to mixed fisheries — not a Hatch report.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphOne general subsurface family. Not destination entomology.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Cattaraugus, 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
Cattaraugus
DEC Region
9
Management Category
Great Lakes tributary
Regulation Scope
Cattaraugus Creek / Lake Erie tributary reaches.
Regulation Summary
Great Lakes tributary and Region 9 special regulations may apply on Cattaraugus Creek.
Target Species
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Steelhead, Smallmouth Bass
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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