The Town of Newfane has announced that public access to the fishing grounds along Eighteen Mile Creek below the Burt Dam has been permanently protected through a public access easement recorded in the Niagara County Clerk’s Office.
The Burt Dam is widely regarded as one of the premier fishing destinations on the Lake Ontario tributary system, drawing anglers from across Western New York and well beyond for the fall salmon run and for steelhead and brown trout through the cooler months. That activity supports local businesses throughout Newfane, Burt, and Olcott, and has long been a point of pride for the town, officials said.
Access to the pathway had been called into question in 2025, after posted signs appeared along the trail, creating uncertainty for anglers about whether they were welcome. The town’s review of the property records identified the record owner — who had not posted the signs — and the town proceeded to work directly with her on an amicable resolution.
Ultimately, a Permanent Public Access Easement Agreement between the town and the owner was approved by the Newfane Town Board on July 22 and recorded in the Niagara County Clerk’s Office on Aug. 13. The easement secures a permanent rite of passage across the existing pathway on the east side of Eighteen Mile Creek, ensuring that the pathway anglers have used for decades will remain open to the public.
The town extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to the property owner, whose cooperation and interest in preserving public access made it possible to keep this stretch of the creek open to the anglers, families, and visitors who love it.