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Lower Genesee River Fishing Guide

New York

The Genesee River from Rochester's lower falls down to Lake Ontario, where brown trout, steelhead, coho, and Chinook come up from the lake in season.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Lower Genesee River for brown trout, steelhead, chinook salmon and coho salmon. In October, brown trout, steelhead, chinook salmon and coho salmon are in season, and Parachute Adams, Blue-Winged Olive and Pheasant Tail Nymph are a good place to start. There are 7 shops nearby (2 fly, 5 bait and tackle); the closest is Mitchels Bait and Tackle in Rochester. Check the live USGS flow and water temperature before you head out. Lake Ontario (Oswego) is also nearby if you want to make a trip of it.

Season at a Glance

Brown Trout
Steelhead
Chinook Salmon
Coho Salmon
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Area around a representative access point; the river runs beyond it. View Larger Map

What You'll Catch

Lower Genesee River Species

Brown Trout

Brown Trout

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Mar to May, Sep to Nov

Steelhead

Steelhead

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Oct to Apr

Chinook Salmon

Chinook Salmon

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: May to Oct

Coho Salmon

Coho Salmon

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Aug to Nov

Images: USFWS; Michael Humling, USFWS; Timothy Knepp, USFWS. Public domain.

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

14 picks for October. marks species in season in October.

  • Egg-Sucking Leech #2-6

    Fly

    Streamer · Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Steelhead

    Shop This Fly

  • Pat's Rubber Legs #4-10

    Fly

    Nymph · Steelhead, Brown Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • Intruder 2 to 4 in

    Fly

    Streamer · Chinook Salmon, Steelhead

    Shop This Fly

  • Parachute Adams #12-20

    Fly

    Dry Fly · Brown Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • Blue-Winged Olive #16-22

    Fly

    Dry Fly · Brown Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-20

    Fly

    Nymph · Brown Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • Egg Pattern #8-16

    Fly

    Nymph · Steelhead · Indicator rig.

    Shop This Fly

  • Woolly Bugger #2-10

    Fly

    Streamer · Brown Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • Sculpin Streamer #2-6

    Fly

    Streamer · Brown Trout · Low light and fall.

    Shop This Fly

  • Clouser Minnow #1/0-8

    Fly

    Streamer · Coho Salmon

    Shop This Fly

  • Inline Spinner 1/16 to 1/4 oz

    Lure

    Spinner · Coho Salmon, Steelhead, Brown Trout

    Shop This Lure

  • Casting Spoon 1/4 to 1 oz

    Lure

    Spoon · Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon

    Shop This Lure

  • Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Hard Bait · Brown Trout

    Shop This Lure

  • Cured Salmon Eggs Single or cluster

    Bait

    Natural Bait · Chinook Salmon, Steelhead · Where bait is legal.

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Brown Trout

Fly 9 ft 5 or 6 wt rod, floating line for dries and nymphs, sink-tip with 0X to 2X for streamers.

Spin / Cast 6.5 to 7 ft light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 6 to 8 lb line. Jerkbaits and inline spinners.

Steelhead

Fly 11 to 13 ft 7 or 8 wt spey or switch rod with a Skagit head and sink tips, or a 10 ft 8 wt single hand rod with an indicator rig.

Spin / Cast 8.5 to 10.5 ft medium-light rod, 3000 spinning reel, 8 to 12 lb line. Float and jig or drift rigs.

Chinook Salmon

Fly 10 ft 9 or 10 wt rod, sink-tip line, 15 to 20 lb leader.

Spin / Cast 9 to 10.5 ft medium-heavy casting rod, line-counter or levelwind reel, 20 to 30 lb line.

Coho Salmon

Fly 9 to 10 ft 8 wt rod, sink-tip line, 12 lb leader.

Spin / Cast 8.5 to 9 ft medium rod, 3000 spinning reel, 10 to 15 lb line.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Lower Genesee River

Fly Lines

Scientific Anglers Sink-Tip Fly Line

Gets streamers down to fish holding deep in current.

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Fly Rods

Echo Spey Rod

A two-handed rod for swinging flies across big steelhead and salmon runs.

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Flies

Steelhead Fly Assortment

Egg patterns, leeches, and swing flies for winter runs.

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Fly Reels

Redington Behemoth Fly Reel

A strong, sealed drag at a modest price, made in sizes from trout to saltwater.

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Leaders & Tippet

RIO Fluorocarbon Tippet

Low-visibility tippet for nymphs and wary fish in clear water.

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Waders & Boots

Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders

Durable, breathable waders that hold up to seasons of wading.

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Waders & Boots

Simms Freestone Wading Boots

Supportive boots with good grip on slick rock.

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Spinners

Mepps Aglia Inline Spinner

A classic spinner for trout, bass, and salmon in moving water.

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Nearby

Shops Near Lower Genesee River

Nearby

Guides and Charters Near Lower Genesee River

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Lakes & Reservoirs · New York · About 56 mi

Lake Ontario (Oswego)

Charter and harbor fishing for kings, lake trout, and brown trout on the eastern lake.

Chinook Salmon · Lake Trout · Brown Trout

Rivers & Streams · New York

Salmon River

The Lake Ontario tributary at Pulaski, famous for fall king salmon and winter steelhead.

Steelhead · Chinook Salmon · Coho Salmon