Oatka Creek

{
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  "name": "Oatka Creek",
  "slug": "oatka-creek",
  "type": "creek",
  "status": "minimum",
  "tier": "t1",
  "centroid": {
    "crs": {
      "type": "name",
      "properties": {
        "name": "EPSG:4326"
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    },
    "type": "Point",
    "coordinates": [
      -77.7297265,
      43.0242291
    ]
  },
  "parentId": "9f430137-3521-471f-92f4-b04987acf02a",
  "country": "United States",
  "countryCode": "US",
  "stateProvince": "NY",
  "county": "Genesee",
  "timezone": "America/New_York",
  "descriptionShort": "Oatka Creek flows through western New York's glacial landscape, offering consistent brown trout and smallmouth bass fishing on a medium-sized creek that rarely crowds despite reliable hatches and accessible public water.",
  "descriptionLong": "Oatka Creek drains the glaciated plateau of western New York, flowing roughly 99 kilometers from its headwaters near the Pennsylvania border northward into the Genesee River near Rochester. The creek's character shifts dramatically across its length: upper reaches near Pavilion run cold and clear through forested valleys at elevations above 400 meters, while the lower section flattens into a slower, more productive meadow stream as it approaches the Genesee confluence at roughly 156 meters elevation. This transition zone—where pocket water gives way to long pools and undercut banks—defines much of the fishery.\n\nBrown trout dominate the upper and middle sections, particularly in the 15-kilometer stretch between Pavilion and Scottsville where spring seeps and consistent gradient maintain year-round temperatures suitable for wild fish. The lower creek, warmer and more alkaline, shifts toward smallmouth bass and larger brown trout that feed heavily on crayfish and terrestrials. Mayfly hatches—particularly Hendricksons in April and Sulfurs in June—draw dry-fly anglers to the middle reaches, though nymphing and small streamers produce reliably throughout the season. Fall brings excellent terrestrial fishing as grasshoppers and beetles tumble into the creek.\n\nOatka remains lightly pressured despite its proximity to Rochester and Buffalo, a function partly of its modest reputation and partly of genuine access challenges. The USGS gauge at Scottsville (04230500) typically reads 2 to 4 feet during summer; flows above 5 feet make wading difficult. Public access exists at several bridge crossings and a few informal pull-offs, though much of the creek runs through private land. The creek's geology—glacial till and limestone bedrock—produces the slightly alkaline water that supports robust aquatic insect populations and consistent year-round fishing. Spring through fall offers the most reliable conditions, though winter can be productive for those willing to fish small nymphs in cold water.",
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  "verticals": [
    "fly_fishing"
  ],
  "waterCharacteristics": [],
  "searchAliases": [
    "Oatka",
    "Oatka Trout Stream",
    "Blue Ribbon Oatka"
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      "confidence": "high",
      "searchQuery": "Oatka Creek NY United States fishing"
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    "geminiReasoning": "Oatka Creek is a renowned trout stream in Western New York, popular for fly fishing.",
    "geminiConfidence": "high",
    "gnisFeatureClass": "Stream"
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  "nhdFeatureId": "42146211",
  "gnisId": "00970417",
  "gnisName": "Oatka Creek",
  "reachCode": "04130003000133",
  "hucCode": "04130003",
  "nhdPlusId": "60000700012461",
  "streamOrder": 5,
  "nhdFcode": 46006,
  "nhdFtype": 460,
  "drainageAreaSqKm": 541.12549998,
  "slopePercent": 0.00297594108695653,
  "elevationMin": 156.11,
  "elevationMax": 488,
  "lengthKm": 99.32882784,
  "areaSqKm": null,
  "nhdGaugeIds": [
    "04230380",
    "04230500"
  ],
  "noaaTideStationIds": null,
  "noaaCurrentStationIds": null,
  "censusGeoid": null,
  "censusLsadc": null,
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  "source": "seed",
  "pipelineId": 180868,
  "createdAt": "2026-06-15T17:09:10.649Z",
  "updatedAt": "2026-06-15T17:09:53.356Z",
  "destinationSpecies": [],
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      "name": "North America",
      "type": "region_global"
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      "name": "United States",
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      "slug": "new-york",
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      "type": "state"
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}