Lake Erie Year-Round Catch-and-Release Regulations for Chautauqua and Eighteenmile Creeks
Catch and release only for trout and salmon in creek sections described below
Only artificial flies or artificial lures can be used in catch-and-release sections
Seasonal regulations regarding hooks, leaders, and weights apply (see below)
Water
County
Section
Chautauqua Creek
Chautauqua
From bridge on South Gale Street upstream 1.3 miles to the upper Village of Westfield water intake dam
Eighteenmile Creek
Erie
Main branch of creek (excluding South Branch) contained within Eighteenmile Creek County Park
Portions of Lake Erie Tributaries Subject to Seasonal (September 1 through March 31) Regulations
The following tributary sections are subject to Lake Erie tributary seasonal fishing regulations during the period September 1 through March 31:
Lake Erie Tributaries with Seasonal Regulations
Water
County
Portion of Tributary Subject to Seasonal Regulations
Cattaraugus Creek
Erie & Cattaraugus
From the Aldrich Street Extension Bridge in Gowanda upstream to Springville Dam
Buffalo River and its tributaries
Erie
From the I-90 (NYS Thruway) bridge upstream to first barrier impassable by fish
All others
Erie, Chautauqua
From the bridge closest to the mouth upstream to first barrier impassable by fish
Lake Erie Tributary Seasonal Fishing Regulations
Fishing Hours
Fishing only permitted one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset (fishing at night is prohibited).
Hook, Leader and Weight Regulations
The distance between a hook's shaft and point cannot exceed one-half inch.
Hooks attached to any lure must be freeswinging, except on an artificial fly.
Use of hooks with added weight is prohibited, except for artificial flies and jigs weighing no more than one-eighth ounce are permitted.
The distance between the hook, artificial fly or lure and any weight attached to the line or leader, whether fixed or sliding, shall not exceed four feet.
