Niagara River fishing in Niagara Falls and Queenston

Big-water drifts for steelhead, brown trout and lake trout below the falls, in Fisheries Management Zone 20.

Enormous, oxygen-rich cold river holding steelhead, big browns and lake trout. Peaks late fall through spring; deep and fishable but slower in high summer.

What fish are in the Niagara River?

This section holds Steelhead, Brown trout and Lake trout. The table shows when each is most active through the year, from Muddy York Fishing's species model. It shows the fish, not the law, so check the open season below too.

● peak · ◐ good · ○ fair

Can I fish the Niagara River right now?

Ontario sets the season by stretch. Here are the official rules for this section (Fisheries Management Zone 20), from the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary:

Below the Falls (Whirlpool, Devil's Hole)

The Niagara River downstream of the falls is in Zone 20.

• Rainbow trout: open all year (limits S-2 and C-1)
• Brown trout: open all year (limits S-5 and C-2)
• Lake trout: January 1 to September 30 and December 1 to December 31 (limits S-3 and C-1)

All Zone 20 fishing regulations →

How the Niagara River fishes

These cold, spring-fed headwaters run clear and cool. Trout hold in shade, undercut banks and pocket water. Approach quietly, use light tippet, and fish small dries, dry-droppers and nymphs.

Tactics by species

• Steelhead: drift eggs, stoneflies and nymphs through runs and tailouts under a float or on a tight line, and swing streamers when the water is stained.
• Brown trout: nymph the seams in cool water, run a dry-dropper in prime temperatures, and swing or strip streamers at dawn and dusk for bigger fish.
• Lake trout: work deep, slow streamers and jigs off the main current in the cold months.

The Niagara River through the year

Spring

Spring is steelhead season on the Niagara River. Fish that came in over the winter spawn from March into April, then drop back to the lake. Rain and snowmelt keep the water high and cold, so fish slow and deep in the softer edges. In most of Zones 16 and 17 the trout season opens on the fourth Saturday in April; check the stretch rules above.

Summer

Cold water released from the dam keeps the Niagara River fishable when other rivers warm up. Expect hatches in the evenings, and fish dries and dry-droppers over the riffles and pool tails.

Fall

Steelhead start to move up from the lake with the first cold rains of October, and fishing improves through November.

Winter

Part of the Niagara River is open all year, and steelhead hold in the slow, deep pools through winter. Mild days after a thaw are best. Fish slow and small, and watch for shelf ice on the banks.

Flies and lures for the Niagara River

• Steelhead: on the fly rod, egg patterns (Nuke Eggs, Sucker Spawn), stonefly and Pheasant Tail nymphs, and Woolly Buggers or Intruder style streamers. On spinning gear, roe bags or soft beads under a float, plus small spinners and spoons in stained water.
• Brown trout: on the fly rod, Pheasant Tail and Hare's Ear nymphs, Elk Hair Caddis and mayfly dries, and sculpin or Woolly Bugger streamers at dawn and dusk. On spinning gear, small inline spinners and minnow imitating plugs cast tight to cover.
• Lake trout: on the fly rod, deep, slow streamers. On spinning gear, jigs and spoons worked near bottom.

Gear and bait rules can differ by stretch, so match what you tie on to the rules for your water above. Muddy York Fishing picks the technique and fly for the day from live water temperature and clarity.

Reading the water

On a tailwater, the release from the dam sets the day. Steady releases keep fish in their usual lies: the seams beside fast water, the heads of pools and the tails just before a riffle. A big change in release can turn the fish off for a few hours, so check the flow before you go.

Before a trip, check the river's flow on the Water Survey of Canada real-time gauges and any flood or safety messages from the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, which manages the Niagara River watershed and publishes maps of its conservation areas and trails.

Where to fish the Niagara River

Public places along this section include Niagara Glen, Whirlpool and Devil's Hole. Park in public lots, follow posted signs, and never cross private land without permission. Muddy York Fishing members get parking and walk-in routes for each section, and exact spots are never shared publicly.

Before you go

• Carry your Outdoors Card and fishing licence.
• Check which stretch you'll fish and its official season above. Rules often change at a bridge or road.
• Look at the water temperature. Above about 20°C, trout and salmon struggle, so fish early or rest them.
• After heavy rain the Niagara River can be high and dangerous. Never wade water you can't read, and wear a wading belt.
• Pack out everything you bring, including line and bait containers.

Frequently asked

Nearby rivers

Fishing spots in Niagara Falls and St. Catharines → · All 26 river guides →