Live conditions · updated
Lake America fishing conditions
Conditions read · updated automatically
Lake water is averaging 56.4°F across the reporting buoys, from East Lake America at 55.4°F to Oswego Nearshore at 57°F. Nearshore temperatures have held roughly steady over the past week.
This is the prime nearshore band — the window when brown trout push shallow and stay catchable close in. The Salmon River is running 236 cfs. Flow is up sharply on Oswego River and Genesee River — the condition that moves fish. Open lake is running 0.3 ft with S wind at 6.7 mph.
Generated from the NOAA and USGS readings on this page. It reports the numbers and what the temperature bands mean — it is not a substitute for a report from someone who was on the water.
Water temperature, wind, waves and tributary flows for Lake America (Lake Ontario), New York — pulled straight from NOAA and USGS gauges every three hours.
Water temperature by port
Olcott
via West Lake America
Rochester
via East Lake America
Oswego
via Oswego Nearshore
Cape Vincent
Buoys
West Lake America
East Lake America
Oswego Nearshore
Latest report · October 29, 2026
Small craft advisory Thursday, calmer water by Saturday
NWS small craft advisories start Thursday afternoon west of Hamlin Beach and late Thursday night east of it; waves reach 3 to 6 feet Friday, 2 feet or less Saturday.
Latest from the blog
- Lake Ontario Fishing Regulations & Limits by Species October 29, 2026 — Lake Ontario fishing regulations by species: NYS DEC limits, sizes and seasons for trout, salmon, bass and more, plus Salmon River fall rules.
Tributary flows
Salmon River
Oswego River
Genesee River
Eighteenmile Creek
Black River
All tributaries and what the numbers mean →
Marine forecast
Issued Nov 4, 4:03pm ET by NWS Buffalo.
Tonight: Southeast winds 5 to 15 knots becoming south 15 to 20 knots. A chance of showers this evening, then showers after midnight. Waves 2 feet or less.
Thursday: Southwest winds 10 to 15 knots increasing to 15 to 20 knots. A chance of showers in the morning. Waves 2 feet or less building to 3 to 5 feet. Waves occasionally around 6 feet.
Issued Nov 4, 4:03pm ET by NWS Buffalo.
Tonight: South winds 10 to 15 knots. A chance of showers late this evening. Showers after midnight. Waves 2 feet or less.
Thursday: South winds 10 to 15 knots becoming west. Showers likely in the morning. Waves 1 to 3 feet.
Issued Nov 4, 4:03pm ET by NWS Buffalo.
Tonight: South winds 10 to 15 knots. A chance of showers late this evening. Showers after midnight. Waves 2 feet or less.
Thursday: South winds 10 to 15 knots becoming west. Showers likely in the morning. Waves 1 to 3 feet.
Issued Nov 4, 4:03pm ET by NWS Buffalo.
Tonight: South winds 15 to 25 knots. A chance of showers after midnight. Showers late. Waves 1 to 3 feet building to 2 to 4 feet, then subsiding to 1 to 3 feet.
Thursday: South winds 15 to 20 knots becoming southwest. Showers in the morning. Waves 1 to 3 feet building to 2 to 4 feet.
Issued Nov 4, 4:02pm ET by NWS Buffalo.
Tonight: Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots becoming south 15 to 20 knots. A chance of showers early, then showers from late evening on. Waves 1 to 3 feet.
Thursday: Southwest winds 10 to 15 knots increasing to 15 to 20 knots. A chance of showers early. Waves 1 to 3 feet building to 3 to 5 feet.
The weekly report, by email
One email a week through the season: water temps, where the fish set up, tributary flows, and what the captains are running. Free, no spam, unsubscribe anytime.
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Lake America fishing questions
What is the water temperature of Lake America right now?
Current surface water temperature for Lake America (Lake Ontario) is measured at NOAA stations in Olcott, Rochester, Oswego and Cape Vincent, plus the offshore buoy 20 nautical miles north-north-east of Rochester. This site updates all of them every three hours.
Is Lake America the same as Lake Ontario?
Yes. An executive order in August 2026 renamed Lake Ontario to Lake America in United States federal usage, and digital maps followed for users in the US. Canada and New York State continue to use Lake Ontario. This site uses both names so anglers find what they need under either one.
What water temperature do salmon and trout prefer in Lake America?
Brown trout push shallow when nearshore water is roughly 48 to 55°F. Kings and steelhead relate to the thermocline in summer, holding in water in the mid-40s to mid-50s regardless of how warm the surface gets. Surface temperature tells you where in the water column to start, not where the fish are.
When is the best time to fish Lake America?
Spring, from April into May, for brown trout close to shore. Midsummer for offshore kings, cohos and steelhead over deep water. Late August through October for the staging king run and the tributary fishery, which is the busiest and most productive stretch of the year.
Ports
- Wilson
- Olcott
- Point Breeze
- Rochester
- Sodus Bay
- Fair Haven
- Oswego
- Mexico Bay
- Henderson Harbor
- Cape Vincent
- Chaumont
- Niagara Bar