New York
Cattaraugus Creek
Current River Rating
Poor · 29
Conditions are unfavorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Do Not Go
Avoid This Period
Saturday, 6:00 AM–9:00 AM
This is an informational evaluation period, not a recommended fishing window. These seasonal suggestions should not be interpreted as a recommendation to enter
Why
- Water temperature is unfavorable for trout fishing.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Air temperature is comfortable for a river trout trip.
Blocking Factors
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 490 CFS
- Gage Height
- 2.07 ft
- Water Temperature
- 70 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:15 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
Mostly clear
Temperature
67°F
Feels like
72°F
Wind
2 mph S
Wind gust
2 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 1:15 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.02 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Partly cloudy
Temp 65°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 8 AM
Clear
Temp 65°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 12 PM
Clear
Temp 73°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 4 PM
Clear
Temp 74°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Sat 8 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 66°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sun 12 AM
Clear
Temp 61°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 74°F / Low 62°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 13 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 74°F / Low 54°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 15 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 74°F / Low 51°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 15 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 78°F / Low 55°F
Chance 5%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 24 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
Western New York Lake Erie tributary monitored at Gowanda. Great Lakes tributary and Region 9 special regulations may apply; confirm current NYSDEC guidance.
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
Fishery overview
Lake Erie tributary steelhead and trout fishery with seasonal Great Lakes tributary gear and hours restrictions on the Gowanda-to-Springville Dam reach. Brown trout and smallmouth bass also occur.
Target species
Steelhead
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Canonical species: Rainbow Trout
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Lake Erie tributary steelhead fishery. DEC Great Lakes tributary regulations list rainbow trout including steelhead for Lake Erie and tributaries. Recorded as rainbow-trout with fishery_label Steelhead only (not a separate species).
Source: NYSDEC
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
DEC Lake Erie tributary seasons and limits include brown trout with rainbow trout/steelhead and Pacific salmon. Upstream inland Stocked-Extended reaches also exist on Cattaraugus Creek per inland trout stream regulations.
Source: NYSDEC
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Lake Erie and tributaries regulations include black bass seasons and limits applicable to Cattaraugus Creek; smallmouth bass are a common warmwater species in this Lake Erie tributary system.
Source: NYSDEC
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- Yes
- Flow regime
- Mixed flow regime
Western New York Lake Erie tributary. Migratory steelhead and trout use the lower system; inland Stocked-Extended reaches exist farther upstream.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Fall
- Winter
Common techniques
- Drift fishing
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public access points and Public Fishing Rights exist on selected mapped reaches; confirm current DEC / DECinfo Locator maps. Great Lakes tributary special regulations apply on designated sections.
Public Fishing Rights easements exist on selected mapped reaches; confirm current DEC maps.
Stocking information
Lake Erie tributary trout and salmon fisheries are supported by DEC Great Lakes stocking programs. Upstream inland Stocked-Extended reaches are listed separately under inland trout stream regulations.
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
Regulations can change. Always verify current rules on the official NYSDEC page before fishing; linked official regulations control.
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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