During the 40-mile journey from its headwaters west of Machias down to its junction with Oil Creek in Hinsdale, Ischua Creek exhibits ever-changing characteristics: When some sections are low and clear, nearby sections might be deep and silt-laden; when most reaches are far too warm by early summer for trout survival, a few small sections might be cool enough to harbor trout well into summer—or longer.  

Three factors contribute to much of Ischua Creek's character. The first is the fact that this is a bottomland stream, which accounts for its sinuosity, its numerous deep outside bends, and the high levels of silt in some sections. The second is the lack of any tributaries with a significant year-round volume of flowing water, with the marginal exceptions of small streams such as Rock Spring Brook, Johnson Creek (the outflow from Case Lake), and Carpenter Brook (the outflow from Harwood Lake), which indicates that Ischua Creek is not getting much of its volume from its tribs. The water in this stream comes from surface runoff and groundwater, including springs. The third is the fact that approximately half of Ischua Creek flows through DEC-regulated wetlands. (See DEC Wetland Mapper under Links. Be sure to check the box labeled "State Regulated Freshwater Wetlands" on the left and then zoom in on the map.) Wetlands can impact a stream's water temperature in two ways: they can either warm the water or, if cold springs are present (and, yes, there are warm-water springs), significantly cool the water. In the case of Ischua Creek, both impacts occur. The presence of cold springs in the middle section of Ischua Creek and warm wetlands in the upper and lower sections explains why the best trout fishing is found in the middle of the stream. I've encountered several springs in the middle section of this stream, all of which are within areas mapped as regulated wetlands. At one spring, the volume of cold water entering the stream was sufficient to substantially change the stream's flow. 

Ischua Creek is certainly one of the better trout streams in western New York if you're pursuing stocked trout. This stream is heavily stocked in late March with rainbow trout and brown trout. Until late spring/early summer, nearly the entire stocked section, which extends from the Franklinville/Farmersville town line down to the junction with Oil Creek, offers fine fishing for trout, often in rustic, uncrowded settings. A few of these stocked fish occasionally manage to hang on for a year or more, bulking up on insects, small fish, and crayfish, but carryover trout are very uncommon in this stream due to high water temperatures during the summer.

Also uncommon are wild trout. A smattering of wild brown trout can be found throughout most of the stream, but the majority are encountered upstream of Cadiz (essentially the intersection of Routes 16 and 98). The DEC has never documented reproduction of wild trout in Ischua Creek itself, so the wild browns found in the stream must drop down from one or more of Ischua's six small tributaries known to support wild brown trout. In the summer, some of these wild fish might retreat back into the tribs if water temperatures are too high and they can't find a thermal refuge in Ischua Creek. It is important to note that the vast majority of Ischua Creek upstream of the mouth of Johnson Creek and downstream of Cadiz is unsuitable for trout—stocked or wild—by early summer.

To further clarify what is known—and unknown—about wild trout in this stream, I've included the following comment, which was provided by the DEC's top trout specialist, Scott Cornett. My clarifications are in parentheses. "We have not done a population estimate there (Ischua Creek in the Franklinville area) since 2008 as we have focused on our other better streams, and that is a very hard one to sample effectively at anything other than drought flow. So, the value listed (on the PFR brochure) at 104 wild trout/mile was from 2008. The 500 wild trout/mile was from 1997. The value has bounced around but appeared to be declining from the three surveys we had there; 2004 was 424 wild trout/mile. The higher estimates were likely the result of excellent reproduction years of YOY in Carpenter Brook, Johnson Creek, and Rock Spring Brook before the beaver went crazy in the latter two streams. So, I can’t say what the abundance really is now in that section."

Much of the upper end of Ischua Creek, from the headwaters above Machias to just downstream of Reynolds Road, flows through wetlands, and as shown in the following graphs, some of the highest temperatures recorded in this stream occur in this section. (Note that these temperature readings date to 2002, and it's likely that, if taken today, the readings would be even higher due to climate change, which is affecting many of our trout streams.) By early summer, the water temperatures in the upper section of Ischua Creek are generally unsuitable for trout. In addition, trout are no longer stocked upstream of the Franklinville/Farmersville town line. The DEC's Scott Cornett told me that you might find a few trout upstream of the mouth of Johnson Creek, which feeds into Ischua Creek near the crossing of Route 16, but that is about the upper limit for finding meaningful numbers of trout in this stream. 

By the time Ischua Creek reaches the crossing at Route 16, it has widened out to about 25 feet. The bottom consists mostly of gravel and sand, with silt increasing as you approach Franklinville. Much of the riparian corridor is intact, helping to keep the water cool, except for where the stream flows through pastures and other agricultural properties and the Ischua Valley Country Club. Downstream of the country club, the riparian corridor is largely intact until the stream approaches Coal Chutes Road.

Perhaps the best trout fishing in Ischua Creek is found in and near the village of Franklinville; not surprisingly, this is also where you'll find some of the coldest water in the stream. The good fishing continues down to about Cooney Road, and this section is also where you'll find some of the best fishing for big trout. The two factors make this section especially productive for big trout—the presence of several deep pools fed by cold springs, and large numbers of chubs and other bait fish. While the water in Ischua Creek usually exhibits temperatures in the mid- to high 60s by early to mid-summer, a few short sections are as much as 5 to 8 degrees cooler. The cool pools and abundant food found in this section enable some of the trout to put on some weight. 

By the time Ischua Creek reaches the crossing at Coal Chutes Road it has already begun to take on the look of a warm-water stream—many deep reaches, slow-moving, and often silty. Northern pike can be found throughout much of the stream below Franklinville, and species such as muskellunge (rare), largemouth bass, suckers, and carp begin to turn up in increasing numbers the closer you get to the lower end of the stream. Justin Brewer, a warm-water fisheries specialist for DEC Region 9, related the following information about northern pike in this stream: "There’s been several reports of large pike (some up to 40 inches) caught in that section (he's referring to the reach near 5 Mile Road) and in fact all the way up to the golf course in Franklinville. I’d assume many of the pike reports relate to spring spawning migrations and into summer, but I also think pike reside in the creek year-round. I’m not sure to what extent, there's limited sampling that would target pike in the creek, so mostly speculating on that. Regardless, it’s safe to say that Ischua holds potential for catching pike, likely with better overall odds in the lower and middle sections, and particularly in the long, slower sections."

To ensure public access, the DEC has purchased 17.2 miles of public fishing right easements along the stream. (The map pin is located on the DEC parking area at the end of Cooney Road.) Don't limit yourself to these areas, though, for a polite request will often result in permission to fish some very productive sections of the stream.

If you're looking for another relaxing way to enjoy the water, Ischua Creek has become a popular destination for paddlers. Numerous sites along the creek provide ample parking and ease of launching and loading boats. Popular access and egress points are on 5 Mile Road (west of Route 16), Farwell Road (follow the road behind the old schoolhouse), behind the town barn on Mill Street, and the kayak drop-off area in Gile Hollow Park, off Gile Hollow Road. See Boat Launch Sites (at right) for links to these locations.

The following article provides first-hand impressions of Ischua Creek as seen through the eyes of two members of Trout Unlimited. Note that, while still largely accurate, this is a legacy article written more than 20 years ago. I've kept it more for its tackle and technique information than for its description of the stream, as many of our streams are changing due to climate change.

Ischua Creek

by Gordon Deitrick and Bob Janiga

This stream follows State Route 16 through the townships of Ischua, Franklin, and Machias, starting west of the village of Machias and flowing south to the village of Hinsdale, where it joins with Oil Creek and becomes Olean Creek. Listed among the state's top 50 trout streams, it is a large stream and carries a good amount of water year-round. It is heavily stocked from its mouth at Hinsdale to Franklinville. In addition to the stocking, there is a fair amount of natural reproduction. This stream averages about 25 feet in width, and in the upper stretches runs over gravel and sand, but from Franklinville south the bottom is mostly silt and rock. There is some pollution in the Franklinville area, but it doesn't seem to affect the fishing.

This is a fly-fishing stream, with good hatches of mayflies in late May and June. Nymph and spin fishing are good all season, especially when the stream is rising. Bait fishing is hectic in June, July, and August, as the stream is loaded with chubs. For something different, try fly fishing at night with muddler minnows and dark streamers.

The Upper Ischua

To reach this section of the Ischua, take Route 16 south, go through Machias, and about 2 to 3 miles further south you'll pass under a railroad viaduct (almost at the junction with Route 98). That's the spot, though access is also possible from Brown Road and Fox Road south of Machias.

The immediate area near the Route 16 bridge is abundant with stocked trout. Upstream areas are spotty, some good, some poor, but though the trout are fewer in number they tend to be larger than average. The stream is of medium width, has a gentle flow over gravel, and is lined with lush foliage, but it is not overgrown. Fly fishing is certainly possible, for there are abundant fly hatches in the early season; the fly fishing should be good prior to the 4th of July.

I like to fish the stream with ultra-light spinning gear, using 1/16- to 1/8-ounce spinners (Panther Martins are especially productive). You can fish upstream all the way to Brown Road, but the fishing gets poor upstream of Brown Road. There are some nice deep holes in this section, and a beaver dam with its pond between the two Route 16 bridges, which holds bass. The pond is too deep to wade through and skirting it is difficult, but possible.

This section of the Ischua is especially good after a rainstorm when its waters are rising; spinners and nymphs will both work well. The bait fisherman, however, will find that the Ischua is also one of the best chub streams in western New York.

Ischua Creek Below Franklinville

This stretch of stream varies from 20 to 40 feet wide. It gets a very heavy runoff in early spring and is used by canoeists. The stream bottom is silty gravel and clay. Bait and spin fishing are favored in April and May, for this stream is usually silty until about mid-June, especially the section from the town of Cadiz to Olean. Fly fishing is effective from June to September.

There is good access in Cadiz at Route 98 and Cooney Road. The water between Cooney Road to Pierce Hill is very slow, deep, and silty. There is some excellent fishing around the town of Ischua, with access at Baxter Mill Road or Dutch Hill Road. Here you will find several fallen trees in the water, which usually shelter some big browns or bass. Unfortunately, the carp population in this section is also large.

In early July, I have seen several good stonefly hatches, mostly giant golden, from the town of Ischua downstream to Hinsdale. The stream's best hatches are usually the Grey Fox, Green Drake, Grey Caddis, Tan Caddis, Trico, and Golden Stone. The Green Drake hatches late here, sometimes even after the sun goes down (hint).

Near Hinsdale there is access at Phillips Road near the Olean airport. This section, since it flows through pastureland, has some open area. You will notice a long (huge!) pool from the bridge upstream. This deep pool definitely has trout in it (I guarantee it), so watch for rises. Please return Floyd, the large trout who lives under a tree lying in the water on the left side near the head of the pool. If he's too smart for you, there is plenty of pretty water downstream for a couple of miles.

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A link to an associated resource (Olean Creek) will be added soon.