Oatka Creek
Oatka Creek History
The lower Oatka, from Leroy through Scottsville, was one of the first waters in America to hold brown trout. The brown trout that first inhabited Oatka escaped from Seth Green’s fish hatchery on Spring Creek, a major tributary of Oatka Creek. The Seth Green hatchery is still in operation today, distinguished as the oldest hatchery in the Western Hemisphere.
Sections of Oatka Creek
Oatka’s fishery is composed of three primary sections. Two DEC designated Stock-Extended sections sandwich a premier section of the stream in Oatka Creek Park.
The section from the Leroy area to the confluence with Spring Creek in Mumford is a Stock-Extended stream under NYS DEC regulations. This portion of the stream receives stocking and has water quality and temperature that support trout year-round. Wild brown trout also inhabit this section of the stream.
Another portion of the stream, about 3 miles downstream of the Spring Creek confluence, has similar characteristics. From Bowerman Road until Oatka empties into the Genesee River also holds wild and stocked brown trout. It is not uncommon to find smallmouth bass in this portion as well.
The premier section of Oatka Creek is the 3 miles below its confluence with the chilly waters of Spring Creek. Here wild brown trout abound. This section of the creek is catch and release only. Historically this area has supported a substantial wild trout population. Recent studies have indicated that population decline may be due to merganser predation. Seth Green TU completed a habitat improvement project in 2019 in hopes that increased cover will allow wild trout to evade predation. From the confluence with Spring Creek downstream to Bowerman Road, Oatka Creek is classified by the DEC as Wild-Quality section, indicating that it has a healthy wild trout population and good public access. There is an ongoing effort by Seth Green Trout Unlimited, NYS DEC and other conservation organizations to help restore the abundant trout population that historically existed in this section.
Bug Life of Oatka Creek
Oatka Creek still maintains good hatches of Spring mayfly and caddis. Spring is a great time to fish Oatka Creek, especially if you prefer dry fly fishing. As summer heat increases and water levels drop Oatka can become a technical fishery. It is also important to pay attention to water temperatures on Oatka as many days in the summer water temperatures will exceed 68 degrees. In the summer, Oatka is best fished in the morning and evening. As waters cool in the fall, fishing tends to pick up and can be productive through the winter when water temperatures cooperate.
Oatka Creek Access
Public access on Oatka is plentiful. Conawaugus Park in Scottsville offers easy access. Oatka Creek Park between Scottsville and Mumford offers over a mile of access on both banks. Most of this section is readily accessible via trail. Upstream of Mumford there is plenty of Public Fishing Rights (PFR).
Oatka Creek Temperature Guage
After completing the habitat installation, the Oatka Creek Park project planned to monitor key indicators including electrofishing and monitoring temperature and conductivity. We have now completed the installation of the Mayfly system and water temperature and conductivity can be viewed directly from a link on the Seth Green Chapter page. Special thanks to Dale Lagon, Kyle Poag, Ken Smith, Greg Rappleye and Dave Curtice for making the installation happen.
Oatka Creek News & Projects
Fishing Oatka Creek
Fishing Oatka Creek in the Spring
Spring is prime season for fishing Oatka Creek. As temperatures get milder, trout become more active. Various locations along Oatka Creek are stocked in the spring. Oatka Creek Park is not stocked and it the best location to catch a wild fish.
Fishing Oatka Creek in the Summer
Summer heat can put a damper on fishing Oatka. If you fish in the summer, shoot for the early morning or the late afternoon. Always carry a thermometer and ensure that temperatures are 68 degrees or less. Areas closer to springs will be more fishable during the warmer weather.
Fishing Oatka Creek in the Fall
Fishing Oatka in the fall can be fun and rewarding on multiple levels. The foliage starts to turn, and temperatures cool. As the hatches are more infrequent and the fish slow down, try your hand a swinging a streamer or drifting a nymph.
Fishing Oatka Creek in the Winter
Oatka is Spring fed, so it can be fished into the winter. Fish will be hunkered down, so go down deep with nymphs if you want feel the tug during the shorter winter days.
