Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Observations from 09/08/2025 – 09/14/2025
Here’s our latest Buffalo NY fishing report: Hi, folks! I don’t think I’ve ever started off a report like this, but – thank you very much for taking time out of your day to read this. People stop me at various boat ramps around WNY and thank me for putting these out – I’m always surprised I have readers beyond a handful of my clients. I appreciate the support! I spent a lot of time on the water this past week, but it didn’t feel like it. Every session was laid back, compliments of stable, windless, and cool weather. Walleye and bass were the targets.
Days on the water: 5
Who we fished with: friends/clients
Where we fished: Lake Erie, Lower Niagara River
What we caught: walleye, smallmouth bass
Tactics: bottom bouncing worm harnesses, trolling divers and planer boards with harnesses and spoons, drifting live bait
Detailed Reporting/Daily Observations
09/08/2025 – Recon Work
Fished the lower Niagara and upper Niagara with Jimmy, in town from Alabama to visit his son. Well, his son had a last-minute work commitment pop up that kept him from fishing. However, Jimmy was keen to get out and explore – so that’s what we did. One important detail – Jimmy beat kidney cancer back in December, so he didn’t feel like he’d have the energy to spend a long time on the water. He just wanted to bend a rod if possible, enjoy some quality conversation, and take in the sites.
We covered a ton of water on the Lower Niagara and had a mediocre bite. Frustrated with the lack of action, but having a blast hanging out with Jimmy, I asked him if he’d be willing to check out the upper Niagara. He obliged.
We poked around the north end of the island casting swimbaits and crankbaits. We caught fish, but I left my phone in the truck and ended up taking all the photos on Jimmy’s phone. No biggies to brag about – just some nice fish, great conversation, and lots of site seeing. Fun day.
09/09/2025 – Day Off
It was a gorgeous day but I wasn’t booked. So, I decided to take my boat over to Streamline Designs to get some wrap repair work done. A gym session, laundry, and my daughter’s tennis match filled up the rest of the day.
09/10/2025 – Recon work with Trippy
Fished Lake Erie for walleyes out of Sturgeon Point with Mike Trifiletti, owner of Riverborn Fishing Company. We did the same thing last week – except from his boat this time since mine was still at Streamline Designs. Both of us had walleye trips coming up and wanted to stay in touch with what was going on. They moved a little deeper and a little further west than the week prior. No other changes.
I picked up my boat at the end of the day – as per usual, the folks at Streamline Designs did an awesome job making the Warrior look brand new.
09/11/2025 – Maintenance Day
Another gorgeous day – but I wasn’t booked. So, I stayed off the water and took my boat over the Collins Marine to get the oil changed.
09/12/2025 – Back to Hanover
Fished the Lake Erie for walleyes out of Hanover, NY with Dave and Fred. We went straight out of the Catt and when we hit around 60’ of water, I started marking ridiculous numbers of fish. So, we put 4 lines in the water and followed the wind – hammering the whole way.
Most of the fish were tight to the bottom at first. However, as the sun came up, they started leaving the bottom to feed on all those young-of-the-year perch that are swimming around seemingly everywhere.
No giants – just plenty of eaters, which is exactly what we wanted. 
09/13/2025 – Lower Niagara Education
Fished a half day trip on the Lower Niagara with Ed, Jesse, and Dominic – new anglers and their first time on a charter. All these gentlemen work in education – advisors, counselors, and teachers. It was a slowish day, but the conversation didn’t stop. We should’ve recorded it – we had a handful of solutions to some of the world’s problems lol. A handful of walleyes and bass came to hand. 
09/14/2025 – Another Lower Grind Sesh
Fished a half day trip on the Lower Niagara with Rick, Brian, and Dan. It was a gorgeous day – temps touching 80, sunny, and windless. Unfortunately, the bite was grindy again. Not sure what’s going on down there, but it’s gotta improve at some point soon…right? The bass bite on the bar was OK. The walleye bite was non-existent. We only tried for an hour so… 
Seasonal Assessment/General Observations
As you likely noticed from the play-by-play above, I kinda coasted all week. The weather was gorgeous, bookings were light, and I have to admit, I’ve been thinking a lot of my upcoming vacation to ND. Here are some quick notes:
- Lake Erie walleye fishing is still awesome – just not out of Buffalo. You can likely get a limit, maybe 2 out of Buffalo, NY if you fish structure. However, if you’re looking to catch MANY – from Sturgeon Point to the PA line there are huge schools hanging out in 60-90+ feet of water. Have fun.
- It was glassy all week, so I didn’t spend any time on the lake targeting smallmouth bass. The river isn’t super stacked with them anywhere…but it’s early.
- Some king salmon are staging, others are in the rivers/creeks. I’m not saying you’re going to hammer them anywhere. But if you put in work, matures will happen.
Fall is getting close, my friends. It’s only a matter of time before the insanity begins.
Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Forecast for 09/15/2025 – 09/21/2025
Forecast Commentary
It looks like stability will endure throughout all of next week. Lots of sunny, calm, and near windless days. I’ll be in North Dakota all week – fishing walleyes and hunting upland birds and cranes. Stand by for that trip report – it’s sure to be a good one. So, I won’t be putting a fishing report out next week.
When I return, it’s game on – I’m booked daily until December. This little vacation is happening at the perfect time.
Stay healthy my friends – mentally and physically,
Ryan