Rochester-area creeks hold cool, fishable water as fall settles in
Three USGS gauges around the Rochester area read water temperatures of 57 to 60°F this morning, a comfortable range for trout and a clear sign that fall has set in. Gauge 04218700 shows 60°F on just 19.3 cfs, gauge 04232050 reads 57°F on 5.77 cfs, and gauge 04231600 reads 58°F on a much larger 729 cfs. Our readings put the small-water gauges at low flow, which usually means clear, spooky water where light tippet and quiet wading matter. Wired 2 Fish notes that Great Lakes tributaries are a prime place to work for brown trout, and cooling water is typically what pulls fish toward them this time of year. Wired 2 Fish also describes fall crappie turning aggressive after the first cool front, though that report comes from Louisiana, so treat it as a seasonal pattern rather than a local result.
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With a new moon today, expect low-light feeding windows to be the best plan: first and last light on the creeks, when fish feel safest in skinny water. The gauge with 729 cfs is carrying far more water than the other two, so it should be the best bet if the small creeks fish too clear and low.
If temperatures keep sliding through the 50s, trout should feed more freely through midday. A rain bump would push flow up and could draw browns out of the lake and into the tributaries, so watch the gauges before you go. MidCurrent's Tying Tuesday lineup points to low-light, high-contrast patterns such as a beaded purple nymph for overcast days, and a pine squirrel jig streamer that bounces the bottom without hanging up.
Context
Mid-October is typically the transition period in Western NY, when summer water cools and tributary trout fishing starts to improve. Water in the upper 50s is on schedule for the season, neither early nor late. Low flow on small creeks is common after a dry stretch, and fish tend to bunch up in deeper pools and runs until rain arrives. Check state regulations for seasons and limits on any tributary before you fish it.
Synthesized from real-time NOAA buoy data, USGS stream gauges, and current reports across regional fishing blogs, captain updates, and angler forums. Check local regulations before keeping fish. Never trust a single source for a trip decision.
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