Rushford Lake, New York: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Allegany County, New York, is where Rushford Lake sits. Land around it is rolling bush. This is sizeable water at about 588 acres, and a boat opens up most of it. By surface area it heads our Allegany County listings. Houghton lies 4.9 miles from the water. Buffalo is the closest city, 50 miles away. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Rushford Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Allegany County records list white sucker, brown trout, fantail darter, johnny darter and smallmouth bass among the fish reported. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. The shape of Rushford Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 67°F for July and 20°F for January. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early April. Open water usually runs from early April until about mid December. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Plan around that when you fish Rushford Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. There is recorded parking some 120 yards off. This sits inside Rush Creek State Forest, so read the reserve notices first. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. For a change of water, Moss Lake is 2.7 miles distant. Check the current arrangement for Rushford Lake.