Fishing Seasons

In Steuben County everything leads back to the water and such diverse waterways offer anglers a variety of fish species and methods.

While in some waterways open season for trout is all year, each type of waterway has its own fishing season as well as particular regulations with regards to species of fish that can be taken, minimum length, daily limit, and methods allowed. 

You can find basic information on fishing seasons in Steuben County below. For all DEC fishing regulations for 2022, click here.

Fishing With Summit to Stream Adventures
Summit to Stream Adventures

All Waters in Steuben County

except as listed below

Trout open season runs April 1st through October 15th. Minimum length is any size and the daily limit is 5 with no more than 2 longer than 12″.

Chemung River and tributaries upstream of Route 352 Patterson Bridge west of Corning

Black Bass open season runs June 15th through November 30th. Minimum length is 12” and the daily limit is 5 fish.

From December 1st through June 14th, catch and release only. Artificial lures only.

Chemung River, Tioga River

Muskellunge runs June 1–Nov 30. Minimum length is 40” and the daily limit is 1 of either species. Tiger Muskellunge runs May 1–Mar 15. Minimum length is 30” and the daily limit is 1 of either species. 

Cohocton River (except sections below):

Trout open season runs all year. Minimum length is any size and the daily limit is 5 with no more than 2 longer than 12″.

Cohocton River (from North Boundary of U.S. Veterans Facility upstream to Route 415 bridge and from north boundary of Avoca Village upstream to mouth of Neil Creek, see special regulations):

Trout open season runs all year. Minimum length is 12” and the daily limit is 2 fish. Artificial lures only.

Mill Creek 

Trout open season runs all year. Minimum length is any size and the daily limit is 5 with no more than 2 longer than 12″.

Measuring Up Bass Fishing
Fishing on Keuka Lake courtesy Bill Banaszewski

Keuka Lake

Open season for Northern Pike begins the 1st Saturday in May and runs through March 15th. Minimum length is 22” and the daily limit is 5 fish. Ice fishing is allowed.

Open season for Walleye begins the 1st Saturday in May and runs through March 15th. Minimum length is 18” and the daily limit is 3 fish. Ice fishing is allowed.

Open season for Black Bass runs from June 15th through March 15th. Minimum length is 12” and the daily limit is 5 fish. From March 16th through June 14th, catch and release only. Artificial lures only.

Open season for Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, and Landlocked Salmon is all year. Minimum length is 15” and the daily limit is 5 in combination. Catch shall include no more than 1 Rainbow Trout or 3 Landlocked Salmon.

For more regulations, visit the DEC.

Andrew and Adrienne Sunset Fishing from Dock courtesy of Chris Brooks
Keuka Lake Sunset Fishing courtesy Chris Brooks

All Tributaries to Keuka Lake

upstream to the first barrier impassable by fish

Open season for Lake Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Landlocked Salmon is April 1st through December 31st. Minimum length is 15” and the daily limit is 3 in combination. Catch shall include no more than 1 Rainbow Trout.

Click here for Additional Tributary Regulations including stream sections requiring those additional regulations.

For important information on minimum length allowed, daily limit, and methods allowed, please visit: http://www.eregulations.com/newyork/fishing/steuben-county/.

Summit to Stream Adventures on Waneta Lake
Summit to Stream Adventures on Waneta Lake courtesy Stu Gallagher

To learn about some local guide services, check out the services offered by Finger Lakes Adventure Center and Summit to Stream Adventures (including fly fishing on the Cohocton River and charter excursions for Smallmouth Bass on Keuka Lake, among others).