Large steelhead are one of the main fishing attractions of the Niagara River region of western New York.

Few destinations offer the quality and variety of fall fishing options as does the Niagara Falls-Buffalo area of western New York.

Within a 20-mile radius, anglers can enjoy world-class smallmouth bass action, as well as a tasty cake iced with opportunities for king salmon, steelhead, muskie, walleye and largemouth bass.

"Smallmouth bass will be relating to the steeper breaks along the humps at this time," said guide Terry Jones (www.1stclass-bass.com) in describing brown bass locations on the offshore areas of eastern Lake Erie near Buffalo. Jones said places like Myers Point, Seneca Shoal, Windmill Point and Point Avenue will be productive.

He said to expect a 3- to 3Z\x-pound average during eastern Lake Erie's fall smallie bite, but anglers also have a chance to land fish up to 7 pounds as well.

While the best shot at the real bruiser bass might be offshore, good smallmouth fishing can be found close to Buffalo. Buffalo Harbor, a protected haven formed by an extensive system of breakwalls, holds some smallmouth bass all year.

Guide Tim Braun (www.braunsoutdoors.com) said the wind influences bass location in relation to the walls. Braun favors fishing the corners, starting inside the protected lee area, then working around the corner into the wind.

Outside the harbor, Braun said the edges of the Emerald Channel, where the lake necks down as it transitions into the upper Niagara River, attracts big numbers of bass now.

"It has everything," said Braun. "Weeds, sand patches, rocks, current — the bass really gang up there in the fall."

The upper Niagara River harbors a strong muskie population. Jones said the most productive areas are the slower backwaters found between the Peace and International bridges. Muskies also migrate into Buffalo Harbor during the late fall, triggering a peak of activity among trollers before the season closes at the end of November.

The many side channels and boat basins of the upper Niagara furnish excellent largemouth bass habitat. While bigger fish exist, expect the average green bass to be a 2-pound chunk.

Despite its close geographic proximity, the lower Niagara furnishes a different fishery. The coldwater resource of Lake Ontario feeds the lower river with a salmon run that heats up soon after Labor Day.

"Typically, our king salmon run is rolling by mid-September, and begins to taper down by mid-October," said guide Frank Campbell (www.niagaracharter.com). "About the time the salmon run dies down, the steelhead run starts. Steelhead will stay in the lower river throughout the winter."

Campbell said a quality experience awaits anglers who catch the very first portion of the king run. Though fewer fish are in the river, there also are far fewer boats on hot spots like Devil's Hole.

The lower river holds some obese muskies in the low current eddy areas, fish that fatten up on a high-protein trout diet.

Niagara Bar, a shoal formed in Lake Ontario at the mouth of the river, is a staging area for king salmon, providing some of the biggest fish of the year. It also holds a good smallmouth bass and walleye fishery.

Visit the New York Department of Environmental Conservation's website at www.dec.ny.gov for licensing details.

Since the river international border water, it's wise to buy a Ontario license as well. For details see www.mnr.gov.on.ca.

Visit www.niagara-usa.com for a wealth of useful information when planning your trip.

Jeff Knapp is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle.