Species

One of the things I like best about fishing in Western New York is there are many fish species. Depending on the time of year, you can find king salmon, brown trout, trophy trout, lake trout, walleye, steelhead, smallmouth bass, and so much more swimming around in the waters of Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, and the Niagara River.

Where To Fish For Each Species:

WNY Fish Species:

King Salmon: Although they aren’t native to the Great Lakes, king salmon, which are also commonly referred to as Chinook salmon, have flourished in the waters of Lake Ontario and the Niagara River. They are typically either dark blue or greenish grey and have elongated shapes that make them stand out.

Brown Trout: First introduced in Western New York more than 100 years ago, brown trout have adapted to their surroundings in Lake Ontario and the Niagara River and are now growing to be bigger than ever before.

Lake Trout: As one of the rarer types of trout, it’s not often that you’ll pull one of these out of the water. They have a grayish green color along with white blotches that are located all over their bodies. They usually position themselves very deep in the water, which can make them difficult to catch.

Walleye: Walleye are very long fish that tend to be either olive green or brown with yellowish flecks on their bodies. They often have large mouths and large teeth.

Steelhead: Also called rainbow trout, these fish tend to be very colorful. Although they don’t often grow to be more than 8 or 10 pounds, their distinct looks appeal to those who fish for them.

Smallmouth Bass: The smallmouth bass population in Western New York has really skyrocketed in recent years. While they don’t often grow to be too big, they’re known for putting up a fight and will prove to be a welcomed challenge for those who fish for them.

Are you ready to get out on the water and start your search for these Western New York fish species?

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