Canal Fall fishing

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Fall Fishing Program. More Water. More Fish.

Important News for WNY Property Owners on Lake Ontario Tributaries!

ACE Program Public Info Session

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Public Info Session Recording

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The New York State Canal Corporation releases water from the Erie Canal into Lake Ontario Tributaries in Western New York for an extended period each fall to create a longer season and even better angling conditions.

A calendar of releases is posted below. Rleases may change due to weather and other conditions.

Check back for any updates.

Between mid-Sep and mid-Dec
- Increased flow releases on Eighteenmile Creek (Niagara County), Oak Orchard Creek (Orleans County), and Sandy Creek (Monroe and Orleans counties).
- This entices more brown trout and steelhead to enter and remain in these waterways, improving fish spawning conditions and expanding angling opportunities.
- Additional flow releases also scheduled to further boost increased flows.
For 10 days in Nov and another 10 days in Dec
- Increased flow releases on Johnson Creek to expand angling opportunities.

Current Conditions

USGS gage data (click on Waterway name to access USGS site):

Waterway	County	Flow (CFS)	Last Reading
Eighteen Mile Creek	Niagara
Oak Orchard River	Orleans
Sandy Creek	Monroe & Orleans
Johnson Creek	Niagara & Orleans

Calendar 2021 – Updates for 2022 Expected Late Summer

Releases subject to change due to natural and water management conditions.

Waterway	County	Increased Flow Releases	Additional Flow Releases
Eighteen Mile Creek	Niagara	Sep 16 - Dec 13	Sep 16 - 30
Oak Orchard River	Orleans	Sep 16 - Dec 13	Oct 1 - 14
Sandy Creek	Monroe & Orleans	Sep 16 - Dec 13	Oct 15 - 29
Johnson Creek	Niagara & Orleans	Nov 4 - 15 & Dec 6 - 13	Not scheduled for 2021

Holidays
Oct 10 - Indigenous Peoples Day, Columbus Day
Nov 11 - Veterans' Day
Nov 24 - Thanksgiving
Dec 25 - Christmas

Free Fishing Days - No License Required
Seb 19,20 – Free Fishing Weekend
Sep 24 – National Hunting and Fishing Day
Nov 11 – Veterans Day

Public Fishing Locations

Eighteenmile Creek(Niagara County)

Oak Orchard Creek (Orleans County)

Sandy Creek(Orleans & Monroe counties)

Johnson Creek(Niagara and Orleans County)

Learn About the Fall Fishing Program

Fall Fishing Guidelines

Image of fishing The Erie Canal in Western New York is an entirely man-made channel while in other regions the Canal generally follows a natural river course. Lake Ontario Tributaries serve as an outlet for the Canal’s water management gates which can be opened or closed to maintain Canal water levels, provide supplemental tributary flows, and to drain the Canal following navigation season.

Historically, at the end of the navigation season the Canal is emptied over the course of a week, raising water levels on these tributaries. The Canal Corporation schedules water releases, when available and appropriate, in the fall during navigation season and during the Canal draining process providing a longer season for anglers and improved wildlife habitat.

The Canal and tributary waters are monitored for quantity and quality to help ensure the program maintains the health of the fishery.

As part of New York State’s Reimagine the Canals initiative, NYPA and the Canal Corporation are expanding fishing opportunities to promote outdoor recreation and local businesses.