The Genesee runs salmon and steelhead into the heart of Rochester, where the fish gather in the lower gorge below the falls. Big urban water with a real run and a gritty, accessible character.
- Mixed
About as good as it gets
Low and clear — careful approach country. Take your time — read the water before you cast.
75% confidence in this read
Live now
Conditions on the water
Trends shown where the gauge supports them
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
12.8°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
24°C
Wind
W 14 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1021 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain · next 48h
Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.
How to fish · for steelhead
The brief
When · where · method · kit
How to fish it · for steelhead
When
Salmon Sep–Oct; steelhead Oct–Apr
Where
The Genesee runs salmon and steelhead into the heart of Rochester, where the fish gather in the lower gorge below the falls.
Why this works
Excellent — water temperature is right today, though time of day could be better.
Hatches & runs
What's on, when
Twelve months at a glance
Through the year
0–3 scale · June highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
GrannomHatch
2
2
Evening SedgeHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Western Green DrakeHatch
2
2
Flav (Small Western Green Drake)Hatch
2
3
2
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Today's fly · curated pack
Top pattern + the box
5 patterns from this venue's curated pack
Detail · next 12h
Water temperature & rain
The two readings most likely to move the verdict
Water temperature for steelhead
Ideal13°C est.ideal 4–13°C
0°14°28°
Evidence
Why today scores what it does
6 factors, signed
- Temperature10028% weight
- Flow8022% weight
- Clarity9518% weight
- Feeding Time5013% weight
- Pressure757% weight
- Insect activity6112% weight
About this water
Genesee River, end to end
Field guide · contributor-editedGenesee River · about
What this water is
Background · character · contributors
About this water
Genesee River · directions
How to get to the water
Directions
Genesee River · permits
Good to know
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
- New York licence; verify NY DEC rules and gorge access
- Introduced, harvestable sport fishery.
Genesee River
The Genesee runs salmon and steelhead into the heart of Rochester, where the fish gather in the lower gorge below the falls.
Species
About as good as it gets
Low and clear — careful approach country. Take your time — read the water before you cast.
75% confidence in this read
Water temperature for steelhead
Ideal13°C est.ideal 4–13°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for steelhead
- Temperature10028% weight
- Flow8022% weight
- Clarity9518% weight
- Feeding Time5013% weight
- Pressure757% weight
- Insect activity6112% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
12.8°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
24°C
Wind
W 14 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1021 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain · next 48h
Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.
How to fish it · for steelhead
When
Salmon Sep–Oct; steelhead Oct–Apr
Where
The Genesee runs salmon and steelhead into the heart of Rochester, where the fish gather in the lower gorge below the falls.
Why this works
Excellent — water temperature is right today, though time of day could be better.
Through the year
0–3 scale · June highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
GrannomHatch
2
2
Evening SedgeHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Western Green DrakeHatch
2
2
Flav (Small Western Green Drake)Hatch
2
3
2
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
- New York licence; verify NY DEC rules and gorge access
- Introduced, harvestable sport fishery.
Directions
About this water
The Genesee runs salmon and steelhead into the heart of Rochester, where the fish gather in the lower gorge below the falls. Big urban water with a real run and a gritty, accessible character.
- Mixed
Other water nearby · 4