Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Niagara River & Falls

The Niagara River offers some of the best “cool” and coldwater fishing in the United States. Check out this article to learn the best times and months to fish in this famed river.

Salmon: Best time to fish is in fall (September-October) when salmon migrate upstream to spawn on the Niagara River.

Steelhead: Prime fishing seasons are spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) for steelhead on the Niagara River.

Walleye: The best time to catch walleye is during the spring and early summer months, particularly in April-June, on the Niagara River.

Trout: Trout fishing is excellent year-round, but the best times are typically during the spring (April-June) and fall (September-November) seasons on the Niagara River.

Month	Niagara River Fishing Target
January	Devil’s Hole State Park – This section of the Niagara River offers great fishing opportunities for trout and salmon during the colder winter months.
February	Whirlpool State Park – Known for its deep pools, this location is ideal for targeting lake trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout.
March	Lewiston-Queenston Bridge – A popular spot for early spring fishing, where anglers can catch steelhead trout and occasional lake trout.
April	Upper Niagara River – As the weather warms up, this section becomes a hotspot for smallmouth bass and walleye fishing.
May	Artpark State Park – The shallow flats and rocky areas of Artpark are great for catching smallmouth bass and walleye as they become more active.
June	Fort Niagara State Park – This location offers excellent fishing for smallmouth bass, walleye, and northern pike during the early summer months.
July	Niagara Bar – Anglers can target bass, walleye, and muskie at the Niagara Bar, a popular fishing spot known for its diverse fish population.
August	Whirlpool State Park – As the water cools down, this section becomes a prime spot for trout fishing, including lake, brown, and rainbow trout.
September	Devil’s Hole State Park – As fall arrives, salmon and trout migrate through this area, offering exciting fishing opportunities.
October	Niagara Falls – Known for its spectacular views, this location also attracts anglers looking to catch salmon, trout, and bass during the fall run.
November	Whirlpool State Park – As the water cools down, this section becomes a prime spot for trout fishing, including lake trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout.
December	Lower Niagara River – Anglers can target steelhead trout and occasional lake trout in the lower section of the river as the year comes to a close.

This article will discuss the best times and seasons to fish on the Niagara River. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.

Best Sections of Creeks/Rivers to Fish on the Niagara River

Devil’s Hole State Park: Best months for fishing: October and November; Targeted fish: Chinook and Coho salmon.

Whirlpool State Park: Best months for fishing: September and October; Targeted fish: Lake trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout.

Artpark State Park: Best months for fishing: September to November; Targeted fish: Smallmouth bass, walleye, and muskie.

Fort Niagara State Park: Best months for fishing: October and November; Targeted fish: Smallmouth bass, walleye, and northern pike.

Lewiston Landing: Best months for fishing: September and October; Targeted fish: Chinook and Coho salmon, trout species.

Gratwick Riverside Park: Best months for fishing: September to November; Targeted fish: Walleye, bass, and muskie.

Joseph Davis State Park: Best months for fishing: October and November; Targeted fish: Salmon and trout.

Fishermen’s Park: Best months for fishing: September to November; Targeted fish: Smallmouth bass and walleye.

Niagara Falls: Best months for fishing: September to November; Targeted fish: Salmon, trout, and bass.

Four Mile Creek State Park: Best months for fishing: October and November; Targeted fish: Salmon, trout, and bass.

Lower Niagara River: Best months for fishing: Year-round; Targeted fish: Trout, salmon, bass, walleye, and muskie.

Upper Niagara River: Best months for fishing: Year-round; Targeted fish: Bass, walleye, and muskie.

Niagara Bar: Best months for fishing: April to October; Targeted fish: Bass, walleye, and muskie.

Niagara Escarpment: Best months for fishing: Year-round; Targeted fish: Trout, bass, walleye, and muskie.

Whirlpool Rapids: Best months for fishing: September to November; Targeted fish: Trout and salmon.

Devil’s Hole Rapids: Best months for fishing: September and October; Targeted fish: Salmon and trout.

Queenston Heights: Best months for fishing: September and October; Targeted fish: Salmon and trout.

Lewiston-Queenston Bridge: Best months for fishing: September and October; Targeted fish: Salmon and trout.

Niagara Glen: Best months for fishing: September to November; Targeted fish: Trout and salmon.

Niagara-on-the-Lake: Best months for fishing: September to November; Targeted fish: Trout and salmon.

Niagara Whirlpool: Best months for fishing: September and October; Targeted fish: Trout and salmon.

Niagara River Delta: Best months for fishing: Year-round; Targeted fish: Bass, walleye, and muskie.

Lake Ontario: Best months for fishing: Year-round; Targeted fish: Salmon, trout, and bass.

Lower Niagara Bar: Best months for fishing: April to October; Targeted fish: Bass, walleye, and muskie.

Wilson Harbor: Best months for fishing: April to October; Targeted fish: Bass, walleye, and muskie.

Olcott Harbor: Best months for fishing: April to October; Targeted fish: Bass, walleye, and muskie.

Golden Hill State Park: Best months for fishing: April to October; Targeted fish: Bass, walleye, and muskie.

Oak Orchard Creek: Best months for fishing: September to November; Targeted fish: Trout and salmon.

Eighteen Mile Creek: Best months for fishing: September and October; Targeted fish: Trout and salmon.

Johnson Creek: Best months for fishing: September and October; Targeted fish: Trout and salmon.

Recommended Fishing Guides in the Niagara River

These Niagara River-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
Niagara River Guide Service	Buffalo, NY
Niagara River Guide Service	Lewiston, NY
Niagara Falls Fishing (NRGS)	Niagara Falls, NY
North Emerald Charters	Niagara Falls, NY

Species Seasonal Breakdown

Chinook (King) Salmon

King salmon fishing on the Niagara River is most productive during fall. September and October offer good opportunities for catching king salmon. Early morning and late afternoon are the most productive times to target them. Some of the best locations on the Niagara River for king salmon fishing include Whirlpool State Park, Devil’s Hole State Park, the Upper Niagara River, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, and the mouth near Lake Ontario.

Coho Salmon

Coho salmon fishing on the Niagara River is most productive during fall. September and October offer good opportunities for catching coho salmon. Early morning and late afternoon are the most productive times to target them. Some of the best locations on the Niagara River for coho salmon fishing include Whirlpool State Park, Devil’s Hole State Park, the Upper Niagara River, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, and the mouth near Lake Ontario.

Atlantic Salmon

Atlantic salmon fishing on the Niagara River is most productive during fall. September and October offer good opportunities for catching Atlantic salmon. Early morning and late afternoon are the most productive times to target them. Some of the best locations on the Niagara River for Atlantic salmon fishing include Whirlpool State Park, Devil’s Hole State Park, the Upper Niagara River, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, and the mouth near Lake Ontario.

Steelhead (Lake-Run Rainbow Trout)

Spring and fall are the best times to fish for steelhead on the Niagara River. March, April, September, and October offer good opportunities for steelhead fishing. Early morning and late afternoon are the most productive times to catch steelhead. Some of the best locations on the Niagara River for steelhead fishing include Whirlpool State Park, Devil’s Hole State Park, the Upper Niagara River, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, and Joseph Davis State Park.

Lake Trout

Spring and fall are the best times to fish for lake trout on the Niagara River. April, May, September, and October offer good opportunities for lake trout fishing. Early morning and late afternoon are the most productive times of the day to catch lake trout. Some of the best locations on the Niagara River for lake trout fishing include Whirlpool State Park, Devil’s Hole State Park, the Upper Niagara River, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, and Joseph Davis State Park.

Brown Trout

Spring and fall are the best times to fish for brown trout on the Niagara River. April, May, September, and October offer good opportunities for brown trout fishing. Early morning and late afternoon are the most productive times to catch brown trout. Some of the best locations on the Niagara River for brown trout fishing include Whirlpool State Park, Devil’s Hole State Park, the Upper Niagara River, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, and Joseph Davis State Park.

Rainbow Trout

Spring and fall are the best times to fish for rainbow trout on the Niagara River. April, May, September, and October offer good opportunities for rainbow trout fishing. Early morning and late afternoon are the most productive times to catch rainbow trout. Some of the best locations on the Niagara River for rainbow trout fishing include Whirlpool State Park, Devil’s Hole State Park, the Upper Niagara River, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, and Joseph Davis State Park.

Smallmouth Bass

The best times to fish for smallmouth bass on the Niagara River are spring, summer, and early fall. May to October offer good opportunities for smallmouth bass fishing. Early morning and late afternoon are the most productive times to catch smallmouth bass. Some of the best locations on the Niagara River for smallmouth bass fishing include Devil’s Hole State Park, Whirlpool State Park, Artpark State Park, the Upper Niagara River, and Fort Niagara State Park.

Carp

Spring, summer, and fall are the best times to fish for carp on the Niagara River. April to October offer good opportunities for carp fishing. Carp are more active during the early morning and late afternoon. Some of the best locations on the Niagara River for carp fishing include the Upper Niagara River, Beaver Island State Park, the Black Rock Canal, Buffalo Harbor, and Strawberry Island.

Yellow Perch

Spring and fall are the best times to fish for yellow perch on the Niagara River. April, May, September, and October offer good opportunities for perch fishing. Early morning and late afternoon are the most productive times to catch perch. Some of the best locations on the Niagara River for perch fishing include Strawberry Island, Beaver Island State Park, Buffalo Harbor, the Upper Niagara River, and the Black Rock Canal.

Catfish

The best times to fish for catfish on the Niagara River are typically during the summer and early fall. June, July, August, and September offer good opportunities for catfish fishing. Nighttime and early morning are the most productive times to target catfish. Some of the best locations on the Niagara River for catfish fishing include the Lower Niagara River near the mouth, the Upper Niagara River, Devil’s Hole State Park, Beaver Island State Park, and the Black Rock Canal.

Crappie

Crappie fishing on the Niagara River is most productive in spring and fall. April, May, September, and October are the best months for crappie fishing. Early morning and late afternoon tend to be the optimal times of the day. Some of the best locations on the Niagara River for crappie fishing include Strawberry Island, the Upper Niagara River, Beaver Island State Park, Buffalo Harbor, and the Black Rock Canal.

Walleye

Spring and fall are the best times to fish for walleye on the Niagara River. In spring, April and May are prime for walleye fishing, while in the fall, September and October offer excellent opportunities.

Early morning and late afternoon tend to be the most productive times of day for walleye fishing. Some of the best locations on the Niagara River for walleye fishing include Devil’s Hole State Park, Artpark State Park, Whirlpool State Park, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, and the Lower Niagara River near the mouth.

Northern Pike

Spring and early summer are the best times to fish for pike on the Niagara River. April, May, and June offer great opportunities for pike fishing. Early morning and late afternoon are the most productive times to catch pike. Some of the best locations on the Niagara River for pike fishing include Fort Niagara State Park, Strawberry Island, Beaver Island State Park, the Upper Niagara River, and the Niagara Bar.

Muskie

The best times to fish for muskie on the Niagara River are late spring, summer, and early fall. May, June, September, and October offer prime opportunities for muskie fishing. Early morning and evening are the most productive times for targeting muskie. Some of the best locations on the Niagara River for muskie fishing include the Upper Niagara River, Devil’s Hole State Park, Niagara Bar, Buffalo Harbor, and the Lower Niagara River near the mouth.

Best Fishing in the Niagara River on a Seasonal Basis

Winter

Devil’s Hole State Park: Best in December to February for catching lake trout and occasional steelhead trout.
Whirlpool State Park: Ideal in January and February for targeting lake trout, brown trout, and occasional steelhead trout.
Artpark State Park: Great from December to February for fishing walleye and occasional steelhead trout.
Fort Niagara State Park: Excellent in January and February for catching walleye and occasional northern pike.
Lewiston Landing: Best in January and February for targeting steelhead trout and occasional lake trout.
Gratwick Riverside Park: Ideal from December to February for fishing walleye and occasional steelhead trout.
Joseph Davis State Park: Great in January and February for catching steelhead trout and occasional lake trout.
Fishermen’s Park: Best in December to February for targeting walleye and occasional steelhead trout.
Niagara Falls: Excellent from December to February for a variety of fish including steelhead trout, lake trout, and occasional walleye.
Four Mile Creek State Park: Ideal in December to February for catching steelhead trout and occasional lake trout.

Spring

Devil’s Hole State Park: Best in April and May for catching Chinook and Coho salmon.
Whirlpool State Park: Ideal in April and May for targeting lake trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout.
Artpark State Park: Great from April to June for fishing smallmouth bass, walleye, and muskie.
Fort Niagara State Park: Excellent in April and May for catching smallmouth bass, walleye, and northern pike.
Lewiston Landing: Best in April and May for targeting Chinook and Coho salmon, as well as trout species.
Gratwick Riverside Park: Ideal from April to June for fishing walleye, bass, and muskie.
Joseph Davis State Park: Great in April and May for catching salmon and trout.
Fishermen’s Park: Best from April to June for targeting smallmouth bass and walleye.
Niagara Falls: Excellent from April to June for a variety of salmon, trout, and bass.
Four Mile Creek State Park: Ideal in April and May for catching salmon, trout, and bass.

Summer

Devil’s Hole State Park: Best in July and August for catching Chinook and Coho salmon.
Whirlpool State Park: Ideal in June and July for targeting lake trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout.
Artpark State Park: Great from June to August for fishing smallmouth bass, walleye, and muskie.
Fort Niagara State Park: Excellent in June and July for catching smallmouth bass, walleye, and northern pike.
Lewiston Landing: Best in June and July for targeting Chinook and Coho salmon, as well as trout species.
Gratwick Riverside Park: Ideal from June to August for fishing walleye, bass, and muskie.
Joseph Davis State Park: Great in July and August for catching salmon and trout.
Fishermen’s Park: Best from June to August for targeting smallmouth bass and walleye.
Niagara Falls: Excellent from June to August for a variety of salmon, trout, and bass.
Four Mile Creek State Park: Ideal in July and August for catching salmon, trout, and bass.

Fall

Devil’s Hole State Park: Best in October and November for catching Chinook and Coho salmon.
Whirlpool State Park: Ideal in September and October for targeting lake trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout.
Artpark State Park: Great from September to November for fishing smallmouth bass, walleye, and muskie.
Fort Niagara State Park: Excellent in October and November for catching smallmouth bass, walleye, and northern pike.
Lewiston Landing: Best in September and October for targeting Chinook and Coho salmon, as well as trout species.
Gratwick Riverside Park: Ideal from September to November for fishing walleye, bass, and muskie.
Joseph Davis State Park: Great in October and November for catching salmon and trout.
Fishermen’s Park: Best from September to November for targeting smallmouth bass and walleye.
Niagara Falls: Excellent from September to November for a variety of salmon, trout, and bass.
Four Mile Creek State Park: Ideal in October and November for catching salmon, trout, and bass.

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in New York, check out this guide. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Ontario. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Lake Erie. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Lake Ontario.