What are the best steelhead rivers in New York right now?
Right now the top New York steelhead rivers ranked by SHA's live conditions are Cattaraugus Creek, Genesee River, Oak Orchard Creek, Sandy Creek (Hamlin), and Irondequoit Creek. Rankings update every 5 minutes based on flow, water temperature, clarity, and weather.
New York's steelhead waters span two major drainage basins: Lake Erie (Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Eighteen Mile) and Lake Ontario (Salmon, Oak Orchard, Genesee). SHA's rating engine scores them on identical axes (flow, temp, clarity, weather). Cattaraugus and Salmon remain the perennial regional favorites.
Live ratings · New York
Updated every 5 minutes. Open the NY Lake Erie forecast → Open the NY Lake Ontario forecast →
| River | Rating | Score | Flow | Temp | Clarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cattaraugus Creek | Excellent | 91/100 | 288 CFS | 68.5°F | Clear |
| Genesee River | Excellent | 82/100 | 1,560 CFS | 70.2°F | Clear |
| Oak Orchard Creek | Good | 64/100 | 747 CFS | 71.2°F | Clear |
| Sandy Creek (Hamlin) | Good | 64/100 | 82 CFS | 70.7°F | Clear |
| Irondequoit Creek | Good | 64/100 | 82 CFS | 65.5°F | Clear |
Related
FAQ
What's THE single best New York river?
See /answers/best-river-for-steelhead-in-new-york for the singular pick.
Why does this list include both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario rivers?
Both fisheries are New York and both fish for steelhead; SHA's rating engine treats them on the same axes. If you want to split, check the per-river pages.
Are NY rivers stocked or wild?
Both. NY DEC stocks heavily across Lake Erie tribs and the Salmon River. Some smaller tribs have naturally-reproducing populations alongside stocked fish.
