Sandy Creek is a River located in Jefferson County, NY. Starting in Copenhagen, NY the Sandy Creek flows 39 miles through Adams, NY before ending in Ellisburg, NY. The Sandy Creek rises to an elevation of 246 feet. Find maps, fishing guides, weather and recreation information at Guidesly.

About Sandy Creek, NY

Sandy Creek, which covers South Sandy Creek, North Sandy Creek as well as Little Sandy Creek, is a medium-sized stocked and natural tributary that flows to Lake Ontario by the counties of Jefferson, Lewis, Orleans, Monroe and Oswego and is situated west of Rochester in Upstate New York. The entire creek flows through Floodwood Park which is located south of Southwick Beach State Park. The creeks can be found near the state’s famous Salmon River. Sandy Creek follows the tributary rules and regulations of Lake Ontario and the Great Lakes.

The Big Battle of Sandy was fought along the banks of the lower part of the South Sandy Creek during the War of 1812. A memorial to the Americans who fought and died in that battle was established at a public parking lot on New York State Route 3. The lower end of the stream has a bottom lined with mud and rock and caters to deep, slow-flowing water. The creek also has a limestone bottom with shallow holes and several runs and riffles from Ellisburg bridge to the impassable waterfalls. Its south section enters the Lakeview Wildlife Management Area.

All About Fishing in Sandy Creek, NY

The New York State Department of Conservation annually stocks Sandy Creek with salmon and trout, making it popular among anglers who prefer to avoid the more likely crowded Salmon River. Hundreds of thousands of Chinook salmon, as well as tens of thousands of Coho salmon and rainbow trout or steelhead, are stocked in the creek every year. Lake and brown trout and Atlantic salmon can also be caught in the creek. Anglers are advised to consult the New York Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide. 

Sandy Creek is a popular fly fishing spot with South Sandy Creek being the most effective section for it. The creeks give access to special regulation fishing from September 1 through March 30. Little Sandy Creek is the best place to fish for steelhead and brown trout. Fishing in the creek is dependent on water levels following rain as fish only enter when there are periods of high levels of water. Routes 81, 11, 3, 120, and 15 give access from and off Little Sandy Creek while North Sandy Creek can be accessed from Routes 3, 75 and 193. South Sandy Creek can be reached from South Landing Road and roads leading off Route 193. Due to generally shallow waters, Sandy Creek is also fit for wading and inshore fishing.  

Fishing Seasonality

Sandy Creek is the ideal place for fall fishing. Abundant runs of Chinook salmon happen from September through November. Steelhead occur in the creek in November and stay until spawning finishes in April. A spring run of wild rainbow trout and a fall run on Chinook salmon occur in Little Sandy Creek as it’s not stocked. October is the peak season to fish at the creek for the various salmon and trout species. During the summer, there are some runs of salmon and brown trout. Winter months may find the creeks too shallow but anglers can still have a productive catch given if water levels are acceptable. Make sure to check the weather, stream and current flow conditions before venturing out.

Fishing Seasonality

Sandy Creek is the ideal place for fall fishing. Abundant runs of Chinook salmon happen from September through November. Steelhead occur in the creek in November and stay until spawning finishes in April. A spring run of wild rainbow trout and a fall run on Chinook salmon occur in Little Sandy Creek as it’s not stocked. October is the peak season to fish at the creek for the various salmon and trout species. During the summer, there are some runs of salmon and brown trout. Winter months may find the creeks too shallow but anglers can still have a productive catch given if water levels are acceptable. Make sure to check the weather, stream and current flow conditions before venturing out.

All About Fishing in Sandy Creek, NY

The New York State Department of Conservation annually stocks Sandy Creek with salmon and trout, making it popular among anglers who prefer to avoid the more likely crowded Salmon River. Hundreds of thousands of Chinook salmon, as well as tens of thousands of Coho salmon and rainbow trout or steelhead, are stocked in the creek every year. Lake and brown trout and Atlantic salmon can also be caught in the creek. Anglers are advised to consult the New York Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide. 

Sandy Creek is a popular fly fishing spot with South Sandy Creek being the most effective section for it. The creeks give access to special regulation fishing from September 1 through March 30. Little Sandy Creek is the best place to fish for steelhead and brown trout. Fishing in the creek is dependent on water levels following rain as fish only enter when there are periods of high levels of water. Routes 81, 11, 3, 120, and 15 give access from and off Little Sandy Creek while North Sandy Creek can be accessed from Routes 3, 75 and 193. South Sandy Creek can be reached from South Landing Road and roads leading off Route 193. Due to generally shallow waters, Sandy Creek is also fit for wading and inshore fishing.