Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
40 mi west · Fish and Wildlife Service
Our namesake comes from the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) Confederacy, a powerful and enduring alliance that has thrived in the northeast for centuries.
Outdoors
Fishing near Rochester
Lakes, rivers and recreation areas near Rochester where fishing is allowed, closest first.
21places to fish
40 mito the closest
Good to know: Anyone 16 or older generally needs a state fishing license; seasons, limits and special rules vary by water. New York license information ↗
Closest picks
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
46 mi east · Fish and Wildlife Service
Establishing the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in 1938 was the first step of many to restore the area back to its historic expanse of marshes—an area thriving with wildlife, once used by indigenous people for hunting and fishing.
Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests
61 mi southeast · USDA Forest Service
Map of all 21 places
Map of 21 places loads as you scroll.
30 to 75 miles (4)
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
Our namesake comes from the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) Confederacy, a powerful and enduring alliance that has thrived in the northeast for centuries.
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Ice Fishing
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
Establishing the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in 1938 was the first step of many to restore the area back to its historic expanse of marshes—an area thriving with wildlife, once used by indigenous people for hunting and fishing.
- Birding
- Boating
- Cross Country Skiing
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests
- Biking
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Potomac Group Campground
Potomac Group Campground and Day Use Area provides a primitive camping experience for groups of 8-40 people. It is an excellent site for family events and youth group activities.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
75 miles and farther (17)
Cowanesque Lake
This Corps project located near the New York state line in North Central Pennsylvania provides a 1,085-acre lake with 17 miles of shoreline for use by campers and day trippers.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
South Shore Recreation Area
South Shore Recreation Area is located on the south side of the Cowanesque Lake along State Route 49, just five miles west of Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Tompkins
Tompkins Campground is on the north shore of Cowanesque Lake in the northern tier of Pennsylvania, less than one mile from the New York state border.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Lawrence Recreation Area
Lawrence Recreation Area is a day-use facility on the south side of Cowanesque Lake. It is conveniently located on State Route 49 approximately 4 miles west of Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Ives Run
Ives Run Campground sits on the eastern shore of Hammond Lake in north-central Pennsylvania.
- Boating
- Camping
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
Tioga-Hammond Lakes
Twin lakes in north central Pennsylvania with overnight and dayuse facilities in a scenic environment, southwest of Tioga, PA and north of Wellsboro on PA Route 287, which is acessable from U.S. Route 15 northeast of Tioga and U.S.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Willow Bay
Willow Bay is located within the Allegheny National Recreation Area, about 16 miles from Bradford, in northwestern Pennsylvania.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Ranger programs
- Swimming
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Tracy Ridge
Tracy Ridge Campground is located within the Allegheny National Recreation Area, approximately 15 miles from Bradford, Pennsylvania. Allegheny Reservoir is just minutes away.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Water sports
Dewdrop
Dewdrop Campground sits on the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir in northwest Pennsylvania, offering a popular getaway for boaters and families. Recreation Water activities abound, including lake fishing, boating, and water skiing.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Mountain Biking
- Swimming
- Water sports
Kiasutha
Kiasutha Campground sits on the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir in northwest Pennsylvania, offering countless water activities. Recreation Visitors enjoy the large, grassy beach for swimming and relaxing.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
Red Bridge (Pa)
Red Bridge Campground sits on the eastern shore of the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir in northwest Pennsylvania, offering a peaceful getaway for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Allegheny Reservoir
Totally surrounded by forest, Kinzua Dam and Allegheny Reservoir are the heart of one of the largest and most popular outdoor recreation complexes in the northeastern United States.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
East Branch Campground
East Branch Campground is located at East Branch Lake in Northeastern Elk County. East Branch Lake offers an excellent freshwater fishery as well as other recreational opportunities from hiking, boating, and picnicking.
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Water Activities
- Wildlife viewing
Twin Lakes (Pa)
Rec.gov campsite availability grid is not reflective of availability. For more information on reservations, please visit http://fotlanf.org/ Twin Lakes Campground is located near a small, spring-fed, trout-stocked lake, popular with…
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
Buckaloons
Buckaloons Campground sits at the confluence of the Allegheny River, Brokenstraw Creek and Irvine Run in northwestern Pennsylvania.
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Kayaking
Farnsworth Cabin
Farnsworth Cabin is tucked away in the northwest portion of Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest. Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the stone cabin is conveniently located 8.5 miles northwest of Sheffield.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
East Sidney Lake
The recreation area is lease to the Town of Sidney, NY. Facilities include camping, picnic area, boat launch and beach.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Rochester. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
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More outdoors near Rochester
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Questions
Where is the closest place for fishing near Rochester?
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (Fish and Wildlife Service), about 40 miles west of Rochester as the crow flies. Next are Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (46 mi) and Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests (61 mi).
Do I need a fishing license near Rochester?
Yes, anglers 16 and older generally need a New York fishing license from the state wildlife agency. Rules, seasons and limits vary by water.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including USDA Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.