New York
Oak Orchard 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
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
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
- Water temperature is unfavorable for trout fishing.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 1070 CFS
- Gage Height
- 17.64 ft
- Water Temperature
- 72.9 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:30 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 0422018610 · 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
66°F
Feels like
67°F
Wind
6 mph NE
Wind gust
10 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
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Clear
Temp 65°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Sat 8 AM
Clear
Temp 66°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 12 PM
Clear
Temp 69°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 4 PM
Clear
Temp 71°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 8 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 67°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sun 12 AM
Overcast
Temp 68°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 71°F / Low 64°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 14 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 69°F / Low 56°F
Chance 8%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 18 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 74°F / Low 54°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 6 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 80°F / Low 58°F
Chance 8%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 13 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
Lake Ontario tributary in Orleans County. The Bridges USGS gauge represents the lower fishing reach; Great Lakes tributary special regulations apply.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Oak Orchard 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
Lower Lake Ontario tributary fishery associated with the Bridges gauge and DEC-regulated reach, with migratory steelhead, Chinook and Coho salmon, and brown trout. Upper agricultural drainage reaches are not treated as equivalent fisheries.
Target species
Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
DEC documents Chinook salmon runs on lower Oak Orchard River / Marsh Creek Lake Ontario tributary reaches associated with the Bridges gauge context.
Source: NYSDEC
Steelhead
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Canonical species: Rainbow Trout
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
DEC Oak Orchard PFR materials list rainbow trout (steelhead) for the lower Lake Ontario tributary fishery. Recorded as rainbow-trout with fishery_label Steelhead only; no duplicate resident rainbow occurrence.
Source: NYSDEC
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
DEC lists brown trout among Oak Orchard River coldwater migratory species. Profile applies to the lower tributary fishery, not upper agricultural drainage reaches.
Source: NYSDEC
Coho Salmon
Oncorhynchus kisutch
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
DEC lists coho salmon among Oak Orchard River coldwater migratory species.
Source: NYSDEC
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- Yes
- Flow regime
- Regulated flow
Lower Oak Orchard River / Marsh Creek coldwater tributary habitat below Waterport Dam toward Lake Ontario at Point Breeze. Waterport Dam marks the upstream extent of the listed seasonal tributary regulation reach.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Fall
- Winter
Common techniques
- Drift fishing
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public Fishing Rights and related shore access are mapped on selected lower Oak Orchard River and Marsh Creek reaches; confirm current DEC PFR brochure / DECinfo Locator coverage. Do not assume access on upper drainage reaches.
Public Fishing Rights easements exist on selected lower Oak Orchard River and Marsh Creek mapped reaches and do not cover the entire creek system.
Stocking information
DEC Great Lakes stocking programs support migratory rainbow trout (steelhead), Chinook salmon, and Coho salmon in the lower Oak Orchard system. Year-specific quantities are not hard-coded here.
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.
Oak Orchard Creek Lake Ontario Seasonal Tributary Rules
From the first power lines that are 1.9 miles upstream (south) of the Route 18 bridge upstream to Waterport Dam
Lake Ontario tributary seasonal gear and hours restrictions apply September 1–March 31 on this lower regulated reach.
- Upstream
- Waterport Dam
- Downstream
- First power lines 1.9 miles upstream (south) of the Route 18 bridge
- Season
- September 1–March 31: fishing from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise is prohibited.
- Methods
- Seasonal gear rules including single-hook and gap restrictions, free-swinging hooks, and related leader/weight rules as listed on the Great Lakes tributaries page.
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 streamerGeneral anadromous streamer family. Not a salmonfly Hatch calendar.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for fly-presented salmon/steelhead water.
- Soft hackleGeneral swing-style family. Not an insect emergence claim.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Orleans, 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
Orleans
DEC Region
8
Management Category
Great Lakes tributary
Regulation Scope
Oak Orchard Creek / Lake Ontario tributary reaches
Regulation Summary
Great Lakes and tributaries special regulations apply on Oak Orchard Creek.
Target Species
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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