Fishing probably isn’t the first activity you think of when considering a trip to Niagara Falls. The waterfall is, after all, the area’s main attraction. However, the Niagara River is a vastly underrated fishery, offering fantastic fishing throughout the year. Different seasons offer different fish, so the Niagara fishing experience will never grow old.

Where to Fish

The 36-mile Niagara River connects Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, while forming the border between Canada and the United States. It’s an enormous river, as evidenced by the Falls. And while the fishing is good throughout the entire river, we’ll focus on the fishing in the river below Niagara Falls. Locals call this the “Lower Niagara,” and it offers great access for both do-it-yourself anglers and folks embarking on guided trips.

If you’re the type who likes a challenge and wants to fish without a guide, the river is well-posted with access areas throughout the Lower Niagara section. Guides, on the other hand, can help out-of-town anglers locate the best spots based on their skill level and goals. They usually run about $350 per person for a full day on the water, depending on how many other anglers you’re fishing with.

Popular access areas on the Lower Niagara include Whirlpool State Park, Devil's Hole State Park, the New York Power Authority Bridge, Peggy’s Eddy and Constitution Park.

What You'll Catch

The 36-mile Niagara River connects Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, while forming the border between Canada and the United States. It’s an enormous river, as evidenced by the Falls. And while the fishing is good throughout the entire river, we’ll focus on the fishing in the river below Niagara Falls. Locals call this the “Lower Niagara,” and it offers great access for both do-it-yourself anglers and folks embarking on guided trips.

What you’ll catch, though, largely depends on when you visit the river.

Spring

The spring season starts in March and lasts through May. If you’re a fan of catching big trout, this is one of the best times to visit the Niagara River. Anglers often catch brown and lake trout exceeding 20 pounds. You’ll also find king and coho salmon in the river this time of year, along with steelhead.

Summer

June, July and August make up the summer season on the Niagara River, and this is when some of the most popular warm water fish species in America are most likely to end up in your net. Smallmouth bass fishing is excellent this time of year, along with walleye and muskie. The muskie fishing in the Lower Niagara can be particularly excellent, offering fish over 45 inches long — a trophy not usually found outside remote lakes in Canada.

Fall

September through November is the fall season on the Niagara River, and it offers the best chance to catch a wide variety of fish. King salmon come back to the river to spawn, and some of them weigh up to 40 pounds. Brown trout show up to spawn, too. All the spawning fish in the river create a feeding frenzy, including from big steelhead. Some of the fastest, most intense fishing of the year happens during the fall.

Regardless of when you visit, your chances of netting a trophy fish are high. Few fisheries offer the diversity and large fish that Niagara boasts.

More Than Fishing

The other upside to fishing in the Niagara area is that it offers something for just about anyone with whom you travel. If your significant other isn’t into fishing, they’ll have a great time hiking, birdwatching or visiting the museums and cultural sites throughout the Niagara area while you’re on the water. Once you’re done fishing for the day, the area offers some wonderful dining options, including what might be the area’s most long-lasting culinary contribution — Buffalo wings. Buffalo wings were invented at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, which is right next to Niagara Falls.

When you visit the Niagara River, you'll find more than just another fishery. This area offers the chance to fish in a breathtakingly gorgeous location, with a wild, untamed edge. Throw in all the wonderful amenities nearby and it’s easy to see why the Niagara River might become your new yearly fishing retreat. Nothing limits how many fish you catch except your own time and stamina. After catching all those trophy fish, you're sure to need a break!