Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Observations from 12/23/2024 – 12/29/2024
Here’s our latest Buffalo NY fishing report: It was a great week here in the Buffalo Niagara Region. Temperatures got back above freezing – we broke into the 50s over the weekend. Almost every day was fishable – I managed to spend 4 days on the water. The bite was good, even though the crowds were tough to deal with at times. I must admit, although this year has been a blast, I can smell the barn door. Depending on the weather, I might publish one more report before calling it quits for the season. Keep reading for more details.
Days on the water: 4
Who we fished with: friends/clients
Where we fished: Lake Erie, Lower Niagara
What we caught: lake trout, brown trout, steelhead, walleye, smallmouth bass
Tactics: drifting bait; jigging bucktails, swimbaits, and blade baits
Detailed Reporting/Daily Observations
12/23/2024 – Day Off – was well below freezing anyway. I visited C&H Farms of WNY out in Akron, NY and purchased some grass-fed beef. Clayton has a budding operation going out there on an awesome stretch of land. If you’ve been reading my reports for a while or listening to our podcast, you know I’m a carnivore. This will be my new source of beef.
12/24/2024 – Christmas Eve – the day started off below freezing but temperatures finally broke into the upper 30s. I spent some time thawing out the pumps in my boat and getting rid of some residual moisture and ice. I spent the afternoon and evening with family.
12/25/2024 – Christmas Day – spent it with family.
12/26/2024 – Fished the Lower Niagara out of Lewiston, NY with Ryan, Jack, and Clayton. Other than a stiff east wind that hurt any prospects of fishing the bar effectively, we had perfect conditions. Every stretch of the river fished well. 
12/27/2024 – Fished a half day on the Lower Niagara out of Lewiston, NY with Jamar and Erol. With sunny skies, temperatures in the low 40s, and perfect water clarity, everyone with a boat that wasn’t winterized was on the water. It was a zoo. We picked away through the crowds.
12/28/2024 – Fished the Lower Niagara out of Lewiston, NY with Randy and AJ. It nearly broke 60 degrees, the wind was minimal, and the sun was out. So, it was CROWDED, but we caught fish wherever we went and had a blast. I only took one picture of a walleye, but we boated MANY. That was a pleasant surprise. 
12/29/2024 – Fished the Lower Niagara out of Lewiston, NY with Dave and Terry. These guys have been fishing with me for years and they’re no strangers to harsh weather. After cancelling a couple trips recently due to poor conditions and knowing that things weren’t going to improve much anytime soon, they decided to endure the rain and wind and go for it. I’m glad they did.
Most of the day was a grind. We started off on the bar and picked up fish here and there (not many photos taken due to the rain), but nothing consistent. So, we worked our way upriver – it was even slower up there.
I was getting ready to call it a day when the rain started to let up. It also seemed like the wind completely died, so I looked at NOAA’s weather buoy at the Niagara River Coast Guard Station (NDBC – Station YGNN6 Recent Data) to confirm. It said there was a light ENE blowing from 1-4mph. SWEET! So, we ran back down the river only to be greeted by consistent 2’ waves rolling from the east across the bar. I guess that buoy was a bit off.
I decided to drift it anyway and Terry connected right away…and the action kept up for 6-7 drifts before we called it a day. I think that the wind pushed a lot of bait in shallow and the browns were in there feasting. Whatever – I’m happy we went for it and were able to close the day strong.
Seasonal Assessment/General Observations
I was optimistic after my session on 12/26/24 that we might have a strong winter ahead of us…for at least the next couple of weeks. There were enough fish around to keep us entertained early in the week, but the pressure toward the week’s end ravaged the system. By that I mean, many folks killed/harvested fish, which reduced the number of available targets. Those fish that weren’t killed/harvested and released, were dazed and confused by their visit to the “above the surface world” and the gauntlet of hooks passing them by.
Here’s my take on how the rest of the winter will unfold:
- I have no idea where the lakers went. Sure, if you fish the river you’ll catch some drop backs/those fish that decided to stick around after the spawn, but nothing consistent. Usually, the bar is loaded with them this time of year. That hasn’t been the case lately.
- The brown trout are thick and the most reliable bite – maily on the bar. Minnows have been the most productive bait for them.
- Steelhead are around, but not in good numbers. I’m bearish that’ll change much over the winter. If you spend time drifting the zones where they hold, you’ll catch fish. However, don’t expect to get consistent action. It seems like the majority that were in the system departed with the lakers (or were harvested).
- Check out this link: Lake Erie December Temperatures Buffalo. The warm temperatures over the weekend bumped the water temps up a couple of degrees. I bet Lake Erie is fishing very well right now. I’m itching to get back out there, but I don’t know when that’ll happen.
Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Forecast for 12/30/2024 – 01/05/2025
Forecast Commentary
After a weekend of early fall-like temperatures, it looks like we’ll be returning to winter next week. The forecast is calling for winds gusting up to 60mph out of the SW tomorrow (Monday). For one, that’s too dangerous to fish through. Secondly, winds that big will almost certainly muddy up the system for a couple of days.
Later in the week, daytime highs will be back down into the 20s. Those below freezing temperatures will be accompanied by sustained 10-20mph winds out of the west. That’s fishable if you’re a glutton for punishment, but no-go criteria for me. Too many random malfunctions (bad things happen) when you fish from a boat in conditions like that. In other words, it’s doubtful I’ll get on the water at all this upcoming week.
I’m getting close to shutting down for the season. Just like last winter, I will fish until 1/15 and then cease guiding until 3/15. I’ll likely make an exception in February for the whisperer’s birthday if he wants to go, but that’s it. I REALLY want to get out on Lake Erie before shutting down. I have a couple trips on the docket between now and 1/15/25 – maybe I can convince them to go for it out there. If not, I’ll go with friends and family when the weather allows.
It’s been an awesome year folks! Thank you very much for your support. Happy New Year! I’ll see you in 2025.
Stay healthy my friends – mentally and physically,
Ryan