Cherry Creek has a reputation as being one of the better trout streams in Chautauqua County, but that is true for only a portion of the stream. Although trout are probably found throughout most of Cherry Creek, the best fishing is found from Boutwell’s Gulf downstream almost to Cherry Creek-Leon Road. The portion of the stream above Boutwell’s Gulf is either dry or too warm for trout due to a flood control impoundment on the stream, and the portion of the stream between Cherry Creek-Leon Road and the junction with Conewango Creek suffers the effects of previous efforts to channelize the flow. 

The good-quality portion of the stream averages about 15 feet in width and has a gravel bottom, and the surrounding woodlands and riparian corridor provide significant overhanging cover along much of the stream's banks. The quality of the trout fishery in Cherry Creek is due in large part to the stream's consistently cool water temperatures. Even when the daytime air temperature is near 80 degrees, the water temperature in much of this stream will be near 60 degrees due to the infusion of cold groundwater from the glacial deposits over which the stream flows. 

Cherry Creek has not been stocked since the 1980s. There is, however, sufficient natural reproduction in this stream to provide good quality brown trout fishing all season, and wild brown trout can be caught from the junction with Conewango Creek upstream (west) to Boutwell's Gulf, a distance of about 2 miles.  For the results of a biological survey of this stream, see Links.       

Unfortunately, there are no public fishing rights on this stream, and much of the adjacent property is posted. The only publicly accessible section of Cherry Creek that I’m aware of is in the village park, which is located off Main Street/Route 83. (The map pin is located on the parking area next to where the stream flows under Route 83.) Only about 1,000 feet of the stream is accessible within the park, but it’s a productive stretch. Be sure to obtain landowner permission before fishing Cherry Creek other than in the park. 

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A link to an associated resource (Conewango Creek - Drainage Ditch Section) will be added soon.