Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Observations from 09/29/2025 – 10/05/2025
Here’s our latest Buffalo NY fishing report: I fished another 7 straight days and covered A TON of water in the process. Now that I think about it, I managed to boat 6 species of game fish in the process. Highlights included an excellent walleye bite out of Buffalo, a successful “trifecta program” catching multiple species out of Dunkirk, and a proud moment when a new angler caught king salmon. Despite variable conditions, a couple days of big NE winds, and a climb in the thermocline, the fishing remained productive. After 14 straight days on the water, I’m ready for more!
Days on the water: 7
Who we fished with: friends/clients
Where we fished: Lake Erie, Upper Niagara, Lower Niagara River
What we caught: king salmon, lake trout, steelhead, walleye, smallmouth bass, yellow perch
Tactics: bottom bouncing worm harnesses, trolling divers and planer boards with harnesses and spoons, drifting live bait, casting deep diving crankbaits
Detailed Reporting/Daily Observations
09/29/2025 – Lake Erie Gold Still Dominates
Fished Lake Erie for walleyes out of Buffalo, NY with Kevin, Kellie, and Mike. Going off a report I got from my buddy Chris from the day prior, I decided to target walleyes out of Buffalo. It was a gorgeous day – sunny skies and dead calm – perfect for scouting/covering ground to find fish. It didn’t take long. It wasn’t a “fire” bite – but it was very consistent. Nothing huge – lots of perfect “eaters.” We followed up our limit with a little bit of bassing – that was lackluster. 
09/30/2025 – The “Trifecta” Program
Fished Lake Erie for lake trout, steelhead, and walleyes out of Dunkirk, NY with the Whisperer. For weeks, my friend and colleague, Hans Mann, has been telling me about what he calls the “trifecta program” that he’s been running out of Dunkirk. That program involves running out into deep water and fishing for lakers down low and for ‘eyes up high. That’s my kind of trip – covering a lot of water and catching multiple species.
I’ve been apprehensive about taking clients out to execute this program because I don’t like to gamble big with other people’s money. However, I had a last minute cancellation the day prior so I called the Whisperer, who I knew would love to give it a shot. I’m glad he did. Trifecta accomplished – thank you Hans! I just scratched the surface on the possibilities of this program. More to come. 
10/01/2025 – Day 1 of the Charity for Children Tournament
Fished the Lower Niagara with Stan, Stan Jr., and Ryan as part of the Gary’s Charity for Children fishing tournament. We battled a strong NNE wind all day, but the bass were happy. Not many big ones, but a consistent bite all day.
10/02/2025 – Day 2 of the Charity for Children Tournament
Fished the Lower Niagara with Stan, Stan Jr., and Ryan as part of the Gary’s Charity for Children fishing tournament. It was a gorgeous day – sunny skies and a light breeze out of the SSW. Once again, we had consistent action throughout the day, with a couple of bigger fish in the mix. 
10/03/2025 – Proud Moment for Dad and Captain
Fished the Lower Niagara with Erin and her father, John. This past summer, Erin and a couple of her friends fished with me for walleyes out of Buffalo, NY. None of them had very much fishing experience, but all were excellent students and executed very well – each bringing home their limit of walleyes. Erin had so much fun that after the trip, she booked another day with me for the fall – this time with her dad.
It was another beautiful day – bluebird skies and a light breeze out of the west. We started early and after a brief casting lesson, we ventured into Devils Hole to see if we could get some salmon or walleyes to blast a deep diving crankbait. Casting instruction continued throughout our first couple of drifts as I watched their skills and confidence improve. Then, after a perfect cast, BANG! A king salmon smoked Erin’s crankbait. The fight was wild and Erin did very well keeping the fish under her control (and buttoned up).
After landing that king and taking a few photos, we moved on to some bass fishing. It was a grind – likely due to 2 days of tournament pressure. Oh yeah, we saved the larger of the 2 bass in the photos below from the jaws of one of the biggest muskies I’ve ever laid eyes on. 
10/04/2025 – COUNT – ME – OUT!
Fished Lake Erie for walleyes out of Buffalo, NY with Chris, his son Tino, Nick, and his son Cameron. Chris and Nick are regulars – I’ve fished with them MANY times since my first year of guiding. In fact, when we started fishing together, their sons weren’t born yet.
Anyway – the last time Nick and Chris fished with me, they wanted to know what I thought about taking a couple of 5-year-old boys out for their first charter experience. Of course, I said yes – making memories with kids is what I love most about my profession. I was a little apprehensive about fishing 4 anglers – but the guys assured me the day was for the boys and they’d help keeping them focused.
In short – we hammered walleyes. It was a very consistent bite. However, despite some encouragement (and threats), the boys weren’t keen to hold any fish. In fact, Cameron said, “Count me out,” numerous times. It became the running joke of the morning. Good times! 
10/05/2025 – Going for it
Fished the Lower Niagara with Owen and Jim. Owen has been fishing with me for years – multiple times per year. He and Jim had a banner session with me earlier this summer out of Sturgeon Point where they went home with limits of walleyes. For this session, Owen wanted to give the Lower Niagara a shot. We’ve fished there many times together and he’s had some good luck with kings. Plus, like most folks who fish down there this time of year, he loves the scenery. So, we decided to go for it.
Well, the kings didn’t want to play – we only managed a nice walleye after a couple hours of casting sticks. We finished the day targeting bass. The bite was lackluster, but we got into a handful of good ones. 
Seasonal Assessment/General Observations
I’ve been at it for 14 days straight, folks. Feelin’ good physically – the mind is blown out a bit from being in the zone. In other words, I’m ready for another 2 weeks straight, but my capacity for getting deep is minimal. Here are some notes.
Smallmouth Bass
Per my notes from last week, I’ve stopped trying to figure out what’s going on with the smalljaws. They’re being stubborn and I’m over getting stressed out about it. The bite in the river has been OK – but that’s about it. All of my colleagues who executed bass trips this past week had the same observation.
Walleyes
After couple of days of NE winds earlier in the week, our basin saw yet another upwelling of cold water. The thermocline didn’t flip – but cold water moved close to shore, setting up the line between water in the mid-60 degree range and water in the mid-40 degree range at about 60′ down. That’s changing rapidly though. By the time most of you read this, it’ll be as if that event didn’t take place.
After giving walleyes a break for a few days during that cold water “upwelling event,” I was pleased to discover that the water in front of Buffalo got loaded up with ‘eyes. As you should’ve noticed from my 10/4/2025 notes, there were many around – in shallower water than you might think.
This is crazy, folks – it’s October and there are ridiculous numbers of walleyes within easy reach of western NY anglers. I don’t see any reason that’ll change in the next week or so.
Salmon/Trout
Kings are getting caught in the tributaries and in the Niagara. As per usual, there aren’t many around, but if you put in work, you’ve got a good shot at catching a couple. Lake trout, brown trout, and steelhead aren’t that far off. I’m confident I’ll boat a lake trout or 2 in the next couple of weeks. I’ve already seen a few lakers and browns breaking the surface here and there on the lower.
Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Forecast for 10/06/2025 – 10/12/2025
Forecast Commentary
The forecast for this upcoming week is very similar to what we just experienced – just breezier, wetter, and a little chillier. Tuesday – Thursday might be problematic, but not prohibitive. Bottom line – every day will be fishable so long as you treat the river as an option on those windy days.
I’m booked daily but I bet I’m going to get at least one day off due to the conditions. Bass, walleyes, and king salmon will all be targets throughout the week. Stay tuned for what I’m sure will be another wild ride.
Stay healthy my friends – mentally and physically,
Ryan