The Enchanted Mountains offers anglers plenty of fishing opportunities from 41 access points between 8 public lakes and 22 rivers/streams!
The start of trout season begins with excitement each year in the spring, April 1st. You can also wait for the warm days of summer to cast your line in a quiet, peaceful stream and watch the clouds float along. For the hardier sportsperson, try ice fishing on our lakes during one of those sunny, brilliant wintry days.
One of our most popular is Cattaraugus Creek, which borders our county on the north, and has been listed in the top 10 Steelhead Fishing sites by fishing magazines. Other creeks that offer great trout fishing include Clear Creek, Ischua Creek, and Mansfield Creek.
A listing is available of the streams in Cattaraugus County that are stocked with trout.
Map and Guide for Steelhead Fishing in Cattaraugus Creek. Or read more about this topic with the Guide to Steelhead Fishing in WNY.
The Top Inland Trout Streams in Cattaraugus County.
Fishing in the lakes of Cattaraugus County can offer year round fun. We have 8 public lakes to choose from!
Fishing Guide for Small Lakes in Cattaraugus County.
Statewide Freshwater Fishing Seasons and Catch Limits.
Our lakes, streams and creeks (over 45 sites!) are stocked with fish raised at the Randolph Fish Hatchery, a division of NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.
Find the Hatchery's Stocking Schedule on NYS Dept of Conservation's site.
You may need the following fishing licenses before going out fishing on public waters: a New York State Fishing License and/or a Seneca Nation of Indians Fishing License.
Information on NYS Fishing Licenses:
The DEC allows you to purchase online or via phone call.
| City | Business Name | Street | Zip | Telephone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegany | Town of ALLEGANY | 52 W Main St | 14706 | (716) 373-0120 |
| Cattaraugus | Town of NEW ALBION | 14 Main St | 14719 | (716) 257-5677 |
| Conewango Valley | Town of LEON | 12195 Leon New Albion Rd | 14726 | (716) 296-8132 |
| Delevan | Town of YORKSHIRE | 82 Main St | 14042 | (716) 492-1640 |
| East Otto | Town of EAST OTTO | 9134 Bowen Rd | 14729 | (716) 801-5382 |
| Franklinville | Town of FARMERSVILLE | 8963 Lake Ave | 14737 | (716) 676-3030 |
| Franklinville | Town of FRANKLINVILLE | 11 Park Square | 14737 | (716) 676-3077 |
| Frewsburg | Town of SOUTH VALLEY | 569 W Perimeter Rd | 14738 | (716) 354-2015 |
| Great Valley | Town of GREAT VALLEY | 4808 Rt 219, PO Box 427 | 14741 | (716) 945-4200 |
| Great Valley | Town of HUMPHREY | 4875 Humphrey Rd | 14741 | (716) 945-4008 |
| Gowanda | Town of PERSIA | 8 W Main | 14070 | (716) 532-4042 |
| Hinsdale | Town of HINSDALE | 4129 Rte 16 N | 14743 | (716) 557-2478 |
| Limestone | Town of CARROLLTON | 640 Main St Ste 1 | 14753 | (716) 925-8842 |
| Little Valley | Town of MANSFIELD | 7691 Toad Hollow Rd | 14755 | (716) 257-9288 |
| Little Valley | Town of NAPOLI | 4672 Allegany Rd | 14755 | (716) 938-6836 |
| Little Valley | Town of LITTLE VALLEY | 201 Third St | 14755 | (716) 938-6441 |
| Machias | Machias Outdoors | 9703 McKinstry Rd | 14101 | (716) 353-8700 |
| Machias | Town of MACHIAS | 3483 Roszyk Hill Rd | 14101 | (716) 353-8207 |
| Olean | CITY OF OLEAN | 101 E State St | 14760 | (716) 376-5604 |
| Olean | WAL-MART STORES INC. | 1869 Plaza Drive | 14760 | (716) 373-2781 |
| Olean | WHITETAIL LLC | 1102 W State St | 14760 | (716) 373-2144 |
| Otto | Town of OTTO | 9139 Cemetery Hill | 14766 | (716) 257-3111 |
| Perrysburg | Town of PERRYSBURG | 10460 Peckhill Rd | 14129 | (716) 532-4090 |
| Portville | Town of PORTVILLE | 1102 Portville-Olean Rd | 14770 | (716) 933-6658 |
| Randolph | Town of RANDOLPH | 72 Main St | 14772 | (716) 358-9701 |
| Salamanca | Salamanca City Clerk Office | 225 Wildwood Ave, Ste 3 | 14779 | (716) 945-3890 |
| Sandusky | Town of FREEDOM | 1188 Eagle St | 14133 | (716) 492-0961 |
| Steamburg | Town of COLDSPRING | 2604 Lebanon Rd | 14783 | (716) 354-5752 |
| West Valley | Town of ASHFORD | 9377 Rte 240 | 14171 | (716) 942-6016 |
Information on Seneca Nation of Indians Fishing Licenses.
Note: If you are fishing on a Seneca Nation of Indians Reservation you need a SNI Fishing license but you do not need a NYS Fishing License.
Allegany State Park also offers hunting and fishing licenses at the Red House Rental Office located at the Admin Building. Cash or check payments only.
Find other Special Fishing Regulations for Cattaraugus County, including size, daily limits and methods.
There is at least one place to take the family fishing without a license and you pay admission.
Adventure Bound onthefly offers guided fishing trips, can provide equipment, and offers clinics as well.
Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters for steelhead fishing, learning to fly fish or trout fishing.
Take the places to fish with you using the Cattaraugus County Outdoor Map website.
Main Photo is a fish caught from the Cattaraugus Creek. Photo Credit: Sean Carr Photography.
Fly Fish in one of our most popular creeks; the Cattaraugus Creek has been listed in the Top 10 Steelhead Fishing sites.
It's spring in the Enchanted Mountains, which means... our days get longer, flowers are blooming, and the warmer weather allows us to spend more time enjoying the outdoors! Here's a list of ways you can be active and enjoy spring in the Enchanted Mountains.
It's spring in the Enchanted Mountains, which means... our days get longer, flowers are blooming, and the warmer weather allows us to spend more time enjoying the outdoors! Here's a list of ways you can be active and enjoy spring in the Enchanted Mountains.
Western New York has a number of streams that offer high duality lake-run steelhead fishing from November through March.
The NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation is hosting a FREE fishing day on November 11th. There’s no fishing license required on those days for the fresh or marine waters of New York State, making it the opportune time for people of all ages to learn and enjoy the day. We especially encourage those with more experience to bring along the young people in your life to show them the value of patience, the anticipation of the bite and the exhilaration of the catch!
