Kensico Reservoir

Kensico Reservoir fishing

Fishing at Kensico Reservoir is on a reservoir, stocked with Brown Trout, Lake Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Panfish. It is stocked about 1.1 times a year since 2011, most often in March and April. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout, dawn for Lake Trout, and dawn and dusk for Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass.

Last stocked

April 1, 2025

Plants on record

16

Since 2011

Species recorded

2

Average size

8.4 in

Elevation

354 ft

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Nearest town
Valhalla
Fee required
No

Access requires a free NYC DEP watershed access permit; rowboats must be pre-approved and registered with DEP. Contact DEP (1-800-575-5263) before visiting. Located in Valhalla, last stop before NYC's water system.

Sources: water_type , access , shore_notes , nearest_town , speciesFound , photos , fishing_notes , angler_notes

View larger map · Open on Google Maps

How Kensico Reservoir is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of March. In 2025 it was April 1, 2025, later than usual.

No plants recorded in 2017 and 2022.

Fish at Kensico Reservoir

Fishing Kensico Reservoir is most likely to be for Brown Trout. Brown Trout accounts for 15 of 16 plants on record, ahead of Lake Trout.

Brown Trout 15 plants
Plants
15 of 16
Last stocked
April 1, 2025
Average length
8.6 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Brown Trout guide.

Lake Trout 1 plant
Plants
1 of 16
Last stocked
June 1, 2011
Average length
6 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Lake Trout guide.

Fishing Kensico Reservoir

Kensico Reservoir, located in Valhalla, is stocked with 8,440 brown trout every spring. Anglers can find Lake Trout, Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Panfish here. For trout, trolling with spoons or plugs and using sawbellies are among the best techniques. This reservoir also offers some lunker bass for great angling action.

Sources: dec.ny.gov

What anglers say

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the clear waters of this reservoir are best known for abundant numbers of trout.

Fish stocked per year

  • 9,3402011
  • 8,8702012
  • 7,2702013
  • 8,7902014
  • 8,5602015
  • 17,2402016
  • 8,7002018
  • 8,8602019
  • 7,3602020
  • 19,3002021
  • 8,5002023
  • 9,1002024
  • 8,9202025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 16 plants Showing 16 plants

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
April 1, 2025 Brown Trout 8,920 6.7 in report
April 1, 2024 Brown Trout 9,100 8.2 in report
April 1, 2023 Brown Trout 8,500 8.8 in report
November 1, 2021 Brown Trout 10,000 7.3 in report
March 1, 2021 Brown Trout 9,300 8.7 in report
March 1, 2020 Brown Trout 7,360 8.9 in report
May 1, 2019 Brown Trout 8,860 9.1 in report
March 1, 2018 Brown Trout 8,700 9.1 in report
December 1, 2016 Brown Trout 8,620 – report
March 1, 2016 Brown Trout 8,620 8.9 in report
April 1, 2015 Brown Trout 8,560 8.8 in report
March 1, 2014 Brown Trout 8,790 9 in report
March 1, 2013 Brown Trout 7,270 8.8 in report
March 1, 2012 Brown Trout 8,870 8.8 in report
June 1, 2011 Lake Trout 900 6 in report
March 1, 2011 Brown Trout 8,440 8.8 in report
Show 1 more plant Show less

Species found here

Confirmed present independent of the stocking records above, not from a stocking event.

Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

Nearest lakes