Niagara Falls FAQ: Fishing in the Niagara Region

Yes, quite a few of them do.

The rapids above the falls are full of oxygen and nutrients, which is a big draw to fish. Although they are built for swimming in turbulent waters, the rapids above the falls do cause a bit of disorientation. Fish will plummet frequently, most of the time without harm. They may hit rocks along the way or smash into a boulder in the plunge pool, but for the most part they slip right into foamy waters at the base of the falls. Of course at the American Falls the plunge pool is past a gauntlet of deadly boulders. Although it’s less likely for fish to survive this plunge compared to the Horseshoe Falls, the sheer difference in volume of flow ensures that most fish take a dive over the “safer” falls.

Fish have evolved to handle strong pressure from water. Freshwater fish especially are better adapted to getting knocked around streams and rocks. They are very resilient animals. It’s estimated that 90% of the fish that go over Niagara Falls, survive. Still, being stunned from the fall may leave the fish open to predation from the various birds that make the Niagara Gorge below the falls their hunting grounds.

Once they make it down they may be stunned and further disoriented; some even float at the surface for several minutes. This is where the real danger is. The gulls and terns that inhabit the cliffs of the Niagara Gorge have an easy snack if they seize the opportunity.

Once the fish regain their bearings, they head downstream through more rapids and eventually make it to calmer waters. That is if they survive the gauntlet of fishermen at the various parks along the way.

Niagara Falls acts as a natural barrier that prevents fish from downstream ecosystems from easily making it upstream. So the variety of species upstream from the falls is different from downstream. Of course the construction of canals, migration of boats, and human stocking efforts have offset this quite a bit.

Above the Falls you’ll find healthy populations of Lake Erie fish:

• Yellow Perch
• Smallmouth bass
• Largemouth bass
• Walleye
• Muskellunge
• Northern pike

Below the Falls there are usually Lake Ontario species:

• Lake trout
• Rainbow trout
• Chinook (King) salmon
• Coho Salmon
• Brown trout
• Muskellunge
• Walleye
• Smallmouth bass
• Channel catfish
• White bass
• Northern pike
• Yellow perch

Carp can be found within the power plant reservoir downstream from the Falls. Numerous other species can be found throughout the length of the river, but numbers may be insignificant.

The Niagara River is considered one of the best Rainbow Trout fisheries in the nation.

The best spot to fish the Niagara is by boat, but there are plenty of options for fishing from land. Here are some options close to the Falls and Whirlpool Rapids.

On the New York side:

• Griffon Park, between Cayuga Island and the Love Canal, is a small city park along what is called, the “Little Niagara River.” Map

• Buckhorn Island State Park, on the northern end of Grand Island, is an undeveloped state park preserve consisting mostly of wetland habitat. Map

• Niagara Falls State Park features a walkway along the rapids upstream from the falls. Caution is urged when fishing near these dangerous rapids. Map

• Whirlpool State Park allows for fishing from the rocky shore across from the Whirlpool. A stairway leads from the parking lot to a path along the river.  Map

• Devil’s Hole State Park allows for fishing from the rocky shore along the lower Whirlpool Rapids. A stairway leads from the parking lot to a path along the river, or follow the path north from Whirlpool State Park.  Map

• New York State Power Authority Reservoir, is 1,900 acres of water trapped behind the Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant in Lewiston is an excellent carp and smallmouth bass fishery. Map

• Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park, in Lewiston, has two designated fishing access points and a mile of accessible shoreline running south. Map

• Joseph Davis State Park, north of Lewiston, hugs a calmer section of the river. Map

On the Ontario side:

• Dufferin Islands Nature Area, just upstream from the Falls, are 10-acres of protected land along the river. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed here. Map

• The Niagara River Parkway and Recreational Trail runs from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario along the Niagara River. Along the way there are numerous parking areas with fishing access .  Map

• The Niagara Glen is a nature reserve surrounding the Whirlpool. It is open to fishing along the scenic rocky shore.  Map

On the New York side

The regulations for the Upper Niagara and Lower Niagara River are different.  Be sure to obtain the appropriate license.

On the Ontario side

 Click here for information on fishing seasons and catch limits for Zones 19 (Lake Erie) and 20 (Lake Ontario). Regulation summaries can be found here.  Be sure to obtain the appropriate license (click here for non-resident licenses).

Lower Niagara Species Availability

🐟 = Species present  🚫 = Species present, but month closed (or partially closed)