Favorite Fishing Honey Holes Beyond the Falls

Lower Niagara River

The Lower Niagara River is among the best places to go fishing in the area, with anglers reeling in salmon, steelhead, brown and lake trout, walleye, smallmouth bass, muskellunge and more throughout the year. From Lewiston to Youngstown, you'll find plenty of marinas, launches, shore-access points and charter options to set you out on the water to find your own honey hole.

NYPA Fishing Platform

Located across from the Niagara Power Vista, the NYPA Fishing Platform is a popular, universally accessible spot for anglers targeting trout, salmon, and bass, just for starters. A dedicated parking area, fish-cleaning station, and restrooms make it an easy place to cast a line from spring through late fall.

Devil’s Hole

For fishing enthusiasts who don't mind a little adventure, Devil's Hole offers access to the Lower Niagara River and is one of the best places to go fishing for salmon and steelhead during fall and winter. The gorge setting is spectacular, but strong currents, slippery rocks and changing water levels mean anglers should use extra caution along the shoreline.

Stella Nature Preserve

With more than a quarter-mile of shoreline along the Niagara River, Stella Nature Preserve is a beautiful spot to cast a line and enjoy some quiet time outdoors. Anglers can take advantage of the productive waters of the “Stella Drift,” while the preserve’s gradual shoreline provides rare natural access to the river.

Village of Lewiston Marina & Launch Ramp

Located at 145 North 4th Street, the Village of Lewiston Marina & Launch Ramp puts anglers right on the Lower Niagara River. It's an especially convenient jumping-off point for boaters and charter guests looking to explore the river from Lewiston toward Lake Ontario.

Joseph Davis State Park

Joseph Davis State Park gives anglers two ways to wet a line: largemouth bass in the pond near the entrance or game fish from the fishing dock on the Lower Niagara. The park's serene ambiance makes it one of the best places to go fishing in the area, and accessible facilities make it an easy addition to a day spent exploring the riverfront.

Youngstown Harbor

At the northern end of the Lower Niagara River, Youngstown Harbor offers another convenient place for fishing near Niagara Falls USA. Located at 555 Water Street, the harbor puts the start of your adventure close to the river's meeting point with Lake Ontario and the many charter options operating from the area.

Lake Ontario

If you're after big Lake Ontario fish, you're in the right place, with chinook and coho salmon among the species anglers are able to find here. From Wilson to Olcott, marinas and charter captains make it easy to get on the water, while the Niagara Bar and surrounding waters are famous for producing trophy catches.

Wilson Boatyard Marina

Located in the heart of Wilson Harbor, Wilson Boatyard Marina is a convenient home base for Lake Ontario anglers, offering transient and seasonal docking along with fishing charters. Its charter captains target trout and salmon from spring through early fall, including king and coho salmon, brown trout and steelhead.

Wilson-Tuscarora State Park

Wilson-Tuscarora State Park combines lush, green woods with the ability to chase Lake Ontario fish from both shore and boat. Panfish and game fish are popular targets, and the park's marina and boat launch make it easy to spend a full day on the water.

Town of Newfane Marina

Once named the “Ultimate Fishing Town” by the World Fishing Network, the Town of Newfane Marina is located at the mouth of 18-Mile Creek in Olcott and offers a deep-water port and safe harbor. With more than 70 slips, boat services and a fish-cleaning station, it's a fantastic launch point for anglers chasing the area's famous sportfishing catches.

Erie Canal

The famous Erie Canal may be best known for its history and scenic boating, but it's also a laid-back place to cast a line for warm-water species such as northern pike, bass, carp and panfish. From North Tonawanda to Lockport, you'll find marinas, launches and fishing access where you can trade the crowds for a quieter day on the water.

Widewaters Marina & Launch

Located at 768 Market Street in Lockport, Widewaters Marina & Launch provides access to the Erie Canal and is a handy starting point for boaters exploring the waterway. It's also close to Lockport's other canalside attractions, making pairing a little fishing with a day of sightseeing as easy as a day on the water.

West Canal & Marina

West Canal Marina & Park stretches across more than 27 acres along the Erie Canal and offers boat launches, seasonal facilities and a fishing pier. The options to cast from the canal or launch your boat for a laid-back day on the water, with plenty of space to enjoy the outdoors before heading back into town, makes this one of the best places to go fishing in the area.

Streams & Creeks in Niagara County

Excellent fishing near Niagara Falls USA doesn’t require a large body of water. You can also find plenty of action in the small streams that crisscross the surrounding area. Of particular interest to trout fishing enthusiasts are the tributaries that flow into the lake, where anglers can find a variety of Lake Ontario fish. 18-Mile Creek just south of Olcott at Burt Dam is especially popular because of regular stocking by the state.

Twelve-Mile Creek is another Lake Ontario tributary stocked annually with steelhead, as is East Branch. Look for marked areas where public fishing rights (PFR) have been secured by the state, allowing public access to private land for anglers. This stream is split into two branches by Wilson-Tuscarora State Park, with the best access by kayak or canoe.

Fish Niagara

We’ve hooked you, haven’t we, with dreams of taking to the fertile waters of Niagara County? If you’re looking for more fishing near Niagara Falls USA and would like to meet local experts and rub shoulders with thousands of Niagara USA fishing fans, make plans to attend February’s Greater Niagara Fishing & Outdoor Expo.

Another excellent way to experience angling fever in Niagara County is by booking a charter trip, where seasoned fishermen can help you cruise the water and cast like a pro. Pack your gear and make a trek to the Niagara Falls area, where charter captains are waiting to take you for your most memorable ride yet.