1.] The Bar, Green Can, Fort Niagara and Coast Guard Drifts
2.] Jackson and Johnson Drifts
3.] Joseph Davis St. Park, Peggy's Eddy, Lower Stella Drifts
4.] Pine Drift [Canada] and Upper Stella Drift [U.S.]
5.] Queenston Drifts [3] and Artpark Drift
6.] Devils Hole Drift and NYPA Fishing Platform
7.] Best Calendar Times to Fish for Your Species       
8.] Upper Niagara River Hotspots and Techniques Map 

Lower Niagara River fishing tips for "newbies" GO HERE

Where are we Located?

 These pictures are aerial photos and the top photo is the Western New York Region Focusing on the two Great Lakes of Ontario and Erie. Connecting these two Great Lakes is the Niagara River.

The Niagara River is world famous for it's scenic beauty and it's world class fishing.

On the following pages we will attempt to show you the favorite drifts and areas that our local 
veteran fishermen and guides use most frequently. We hope visitors find this information useful.
MAPS ARE NOT FOR NAVIGATION

See close-up of the red square in the photo below

The U.S. and Canada is separated by a boundary, that for the most part runs down the center of the river. Grand Island is in the U.S.A. and the tiny Island [Navy Island]  at the northern tip of Grand Island is in Canada waters. You MUST have a Ontario Canada fishing license to fish in Canada waters and a New York license to fish in U.S. waters in the river. When fishing the Upper Niagara, make sure you know where you are at all times. There is a line of demarcation at the northern end of the Islands telling you to not cross the line because of a large, shallow, rocky shoal. And don't even think about it. You will either be arrested or go aground on the rocks or be swept over the Falls. There is no fish that is worth that risk. Great bass and some muskellunge fishing all around the big island, especially bass.

This is the Lower Niagara from the 
Lewiston Launch Ramps to Lake Ontario
You can see the bends in the river that 
create the great drifting areas. We will discuss 
these bends and drifts as we go along. 

NOTE: Drifts outlined in red are in Ontario waters.
 Blue outlines are U.S. waters. It is important to know where you are fishing at all times. It is suggested you acquire both U.S. and Ontario licenses for fishing the Niagara river

Start Here: Lower Niagara Mouth,
Coast Guard Drift, Fort Niagara Drift, 
Green Can and The "Bar"

The map on the left, is where the outflow of the Lower Niagara River empties into Lake Ontario. This is the northernmost part of the mighty Niagara and in the photo is the famous Coast Guard/Fort Niagara Drift that is a favorite fishing area especially for Walleye and Bass through the summer. In one circle you can see boats drifting the area near the mouth of the river. [The little white dots along shore.] The dots near the center of the river, they are boats that are moving about. No fishing there. At the top left of this photo, further out in the lake, is where the Famous "Bar" is located. It is near and around the "Green Can" [green circle] but the photo doesn't show the "can". When you motor out towards it you'll see it for sure. The Bar is famous for top notch Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout and Salmon fishing at different times of year.  At the bottom right of the photo is the Fort Niagara State Park Launch Ramps. Good fishing in that area too. 12-15 ft. Jigs, Crawler harness' or Kwikfish. Yellow Perch in the spring and fall will turn up around the bend at the the Coast Guard drift.

This is the Fort George Drift on the Canada side of the river. 
All Canada drifts will be marked in red
Fish the weed beds for bass here
10 to 16 ft. of water

GO HERE FOR BEST CALENDAR TIMES 
TO FISH FOR YOUR SPECIES