Buffalo NY Fishing Report – 11/08/2026

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Observations from 11/02 – 11/08/2026

Here’s our latest Buffalo NY fishing report:  This past week was a true test of adaptability, marked by a weather-packed mix of brutally clear water, high winds, rain, and a much-needed late-week weather day that finally brought some stain back into the system. Fishing across both the Upper and Lower Niagara—and leaning heavily on the Lake Ontario bar when conditions allowed—meant grinding through plenty of slow stretches, but it also delivered some fantastic late-day flurries and unexpected bass action with returning clients and new faces alike. While Mother Nature kept us on our toes and forced a few tough calls, the week served as a great reminder of why I guide: it’s never just about mindless catching, but rather creating a memorable, well-rounded experience complete with a little adversity, exploration, and a strong finish.

Days on the water: 5

Who we fished with: friends/clients

Where we fished: Upper Niagara, Lower Niagara, Lake Ontario

What we caught:  smallmouth bass, walleye, lake trout, steelhead

Tactics:  casting finesse baits; drifting live bait and beads

Detailed Reporting/Daily Observations

11/02/2026 – Lower to Upper Combo

Fished the Lower and Upper Niagara with Jim and Seth. It was a gorgeous day—warm temperatures, sunny skies, and almost no wind. Wonderful weather to be on the water, but not ideal fishing conditions with water clarity exceeding 20 feet of visibility. We spent a few hours pursuing trout with marginal results.

We followed that up with some bass fishing downstream, which was also a grind. So, I pulled the boat and made the move to the Upper Niagara, where we hit a couple of honey holes and finished the day in a flurry. That worked out well.

11/03/2026 – Upper Niagara 360 Program

Fished the Upper Niagara with longtime clients Fritz, Mike, and Tom, who were back in town for a few days after a two-year hiatus. I was happy to see this trio again, but Mother Nature wasn’t particularly interested in cooperating for the reunion. Ridiculously clear water and less-than-ideal winds from a couple of directions proved to be significant obstacles to productivity.

We executed the 360 program around Grand Island and found flurries of action throughout the day, but nothing consistent.

11/04/2026 – Lower Niagara and the Bar

Fished the Lower Niagara and the Lake Ontario bar with Fritz, Mike, and Tom. We started the day upriver, targeting anything that would bite, with the hope that a few walleyes would be part of the mix. We got a couple of waldos, but what really surprised me was the bass bite. It was excellent, and I must admit I’ve never spent much time targeting them up there this time of year. It was a lot of fun, and we landed some quality fish.

After a couple of hours drifting bait, we pushed downstream in pursuit of trout. That bite was, once again, a grind. So, we headed even farther downstream to target bass. We made a few connections, but the action was inconsistent at best.

11/05/2026 – Lower Niagara and the Bar   

Fished the Lower Niagara and the Lake Ontario bar with Fritz, Mike, and Tom. Facing STIFF SW winds, we really had no other option than to fish the Lower again. However, with gusts approaching 30 mph, it would prove to be a much tougher day than the one prior.

We started off trout fishing and picked up two fish and dropped another during the first two drifts. After that, the grind ensued. Like me, the guys prefer action over seemingly mindless perseverance, so we spent some time experimenting with other options throughout the river. We picked up fish here and there, but nothing noteworthy—until we made it out to the bar.

It took a couple of drifts to dial things in, but once we did, we got into a healthy dose of bass action. The waves were big out there (the way I like them), and the fish were stacked up in a narrow zone. So, we built a bracket around that area and hit it repeatedly until the end of the day.

11/06/2026 – Weather Day

Facing NW winds and consistent rain throughout the day, I opted to reschedule my trip.  I was happy to have the day off after another long stretch of days.  I spent the day running a lot of errands and checked out the water after the prior day’s wind.  I was happy to see that it picked up some stain.  FINALLY—an end to ridiculously clear water.   

11/07/2026 – Upper Niagara 360 Program

Fished the Upper Niagara with Brian, Steve, and Jared. With sporadic rain, a significant drop in temperature, and a NW wind in the forecast, I gave the guys the option to reschedule. I was happy to hear they were willing to go for it. In fact, I was pretty pumped to see how the newly stained water would impact the fishing.

The day started off excellent. We landed numerous fish shortly after first light, and I was optimistic that things would continue in that fashion. Unfortunately, they didn’t. We spent much of the day grinding through areas around Grand Island. Every zone produced, but only a fish or two here and there. I could find consistent action in just a couple of places, so after spending time prospecting, we settled into those productive zones and bent rods consistently to close out the day.

ASIDE: You might be wondering why I wouldn’t just stay in those productive areas all day. There are a few reasons. 

First, it’s mindless and boring to me. When an area is on fire, I’m happy to bend rods there for a while, but before long, it starts to feel a little gluttonous.

Second, I think people who book fishing charters should get an experience, not just a day of catching fish. Spending seven hours in the same mile or less of water, especially when the scenery isn’t all that great, doesn’t make for much of an experience in my opinion. 

Finally, if you soak an area for too long, the fish get beat up and eventually shut down, especially when multiple boats are working the same water. That’s another reason I believe it’s important to keep searching for other productive zones.

Most of the time, that search turns up something awesome. At the very least, it’s always educational.

This is my personal philosophy on guiding, shaped by years of experience—not only taking people fishing but also fishing with numerous guides around the country. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what makes a day on the water worthwhile beyond the number of fish caught.

I want to explore, learn, adapt, expose clients to different water, and give each day some shape. Sometimes that means leaving fish to find more fish. Sometimes it means accepting a slower stretch because the alternative doesn’t deliver the experience I want to provide.

There are certainly legitimate arguments for the opposite approach. Some clients measure a successful charter almost entirely by numbers. Some guides specialize in putting clients on as many fish as possible, and there’s nothing inherently wrong with that. But that’s not the experience I’m trying to create.

The part that’s most important to me is the arc of the day. I want some excitement early on, followed by a little struggle or adversity, then the challenge of figuring things out, and hopefully, something memorable to finish. I’m thinking about the experience while it’s happening, not just managing rods and trying to maximize catches.

Ultimately, contemplating the experience and trying to create it is what makes me who I am as a guide. It’s what I enjoy, what challenges me, and what keeps me invested in this business. I don’t expect every guide to operate this way, and I don’t expect every client to value the same things. But after years of doing this, I’ve come to understand that this is the kind of experience I want to deliver.

11/08/2026 – Day Off

I had a trip on the docket for this day, but out of an abundance of caution, we decided to reschedule. The forecast called for WSW winds gusting into the upper 30s. That much wind severely limits your options, regardless of where you fish.

Unfortunately, the wind showed up much later in the day than forecast. In hindsight, it would have been doable. It hurts to make a bad call like this, but thankfully, my clients were able to reschedule.

Seasonal Assessment/General Observations

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Forecast for 11/09/2026 – 11/16/2026

Sure, we’re past peak foliage and there are more leaves on the ground than on the trees around here. However, Saturday was the first day of the season that truly felt like fall. My hands were cold, and tying knots got a little tough throughout the day with the reduced dexterity.

Looking at the forecast, it seems fall is here to stay. Daytime highs will occasionally break into the mid-50s, but most days will start off in the upper 30s and peak in the 40s. True to typical fall fashion, the wind is going to be an obstacle, and it looks like a lot of rain might pass through late in the week.

I’m booked daily, but I doubt I’ll fish every single day unless my clients are hardcore enough to brave the harsh conditions. Based on what I’m hearing about the Lower Niagara, though, anyone who goes for it will be rewarded. I’m also holding out hope that the forecast beyond 72 hours will be way off—like it has been all season.

If you’re on the docket for this week, be ready for some last-minute calls. Nothing in the forecast is unsafe—every day is fishable. It’s just that every day might not be entirely “enjoyable.” Then again, glory often favors the bold. I’m ready to go if you are.

Stay healthy, my friends.  Mentally and physically,

Ryan