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The Genesee River is just over 150 miles long and is one of the few rivers in North America that flow from south to the north. The river gets its start near the Pennsylvania border and flows through the Letchworth State Park and eventually winds up flowing into Lake Ontario in Rochester.
The Genesee River receives runs of salmon and trout just like the other tributaries of Lake Ontario. It also provides fishing for bass, walleye, panfish and catfish. Tributaries that flow into the Genesee River include Honeoye Creek, Oatka Creek, and Black Creek.
The Genesee River is part of a lake sturgeon restoration program. The state has been releasing hatchery reared sturgeon in an attempt to restore self-sustaining wild populations which once flourished here. The river also receives steelhead and brown trout stockings each year from the DEC. Periods of high water often bring fresh runs of Lake Ontario steelhead and brown trout into the lower portions of the river.
Rainbow trout are able to survive in ponds, streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. In streams and rivers they seldom get much bigger than 5 pounds. Larger lakes and reservoirs can produce fish up to 20 pounds. The NY state record rainbow trout was broken by Rob Wilson of Tallmadge, Ohio on August 14, 2004. Rob was fishing out of Olcott, NY when he caught the fine specimen that weighed an amazing 31 lb, 3 oz and was 39 inches long. The girth of the fish was 26 inches. The fish is now the new state record, beating out the previous mark set by Gerald Szmania from Lake Ontario on May 22, 1985. Lake Ontario produces steelhead trout over 20 pounds every year and it is only a matter of time till the record is broken again.
In the Streams and rivers steelhead may be enticed to hit a variety of baits. Egg sacs or plastic imitation eggs are among the most common used. Sponge in various colors can also be very productive. Artificial flies and streamers will also entice fish to strike. Major Lake Ontario tributaries having steelhead runs include the Salmon River, Oswego River, Genesee River, Black River, Niagara River, Oak Orchard Creek and Eighteen Mile Creek.
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