25 things to do under $25—Fishing in Niagara County

August 07, 2012 at 12:35 PM

Niagara Countyis a fishing hotspot providing access to Lake Ontario and its tributaries, the Niagara River, and the Erie Canal among other fishable waters. Whether you’re vacationing in Niagara County or just want to try your hand at fishing, New York State’s one-day fishing license allows anglers to discover the region’s tremendous fishing opportunities for a bargain.

A one-day license is only $5 for New York State residents and $15 for non-residents. All anglers age 16 and over need a license to fish NYS waters. Or, if you plan accordingly, each year the state offers free fishing days the last full weekend in June. During these days, anyone can fish NYS waters and a license is not required.

With a one-day license, anglers can sample the numerous fishing opportunities that are available throughout the region. “If you have your own boat, there’s plenty of launch ramps. If you have your own rod and reel, you can fish any place along the shore line. And some of the state parks offer unique shore fishing access locations, like Artpark for instance,” said Bill Hilts, Jr., outdoor sports specialist at Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation.

The opportunities are endless inNiagara Countythroughout the four seasons. “Wilson and Olcott have piers where anglers can fish year-round, and the harbors of Wilson and Olcott are very good locations throughout the year,” said Hilts who added, “You can even walk out on the Wilson Harbor when it freezes in the winter and fish for trout and pike.”

What are the overall best spots in the county? “The two most prolific locations are 18-Mile Creek (Burt Dam)—where tens of thousands of people flock each fall because of salmon and trout fishing—and the Lower Niagara River,” Hilts said.

Not only is fishing popular and cost effective, but fun for the entire family. Some good spots for fishing with kids are along the Erie Canal or at Bond Lake Park (2571 Lower Mountain Rd., Ransomville, NY14131). There are also small inland lakes and ponds that receive stocking from DEC every year. Check ou tHyde Park Lake in the city of Niagara Falls or Oppenheim Park Pond in Wheatfield.

The New York Power Authority Reservoir also provides good fishing for families. The Power Authority even has a fishing platform located in the Niagara Gorge attached to the power plant which is a great destination for fishing from April to November, according to Hilts. To access the platform, use the Power Authority Access Road that starts off of Route 31.

Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or have lived in the area all your life, fishing Niagara County is an affordable and family-oriented activity that allows people of all ages to explore the region’s remarkable natural resources. 

“If you’re coming into the area and you’re a fisherman or fisherwoman, you have an excellent opportunity to catch some nice fish here for a relatively little amount of money. You don’t need to buy bait; you can get away with fishing artificial lures. For the cost of a fishing license and by bringing your own fishing rod you can fish in a world-class destination,” Hilts said.