Otisco Lake fishing

Otisco Lake fishing has Brown Trout, Walleye, and Tiger Muskie on the stocking report. Also recorded: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, and 10 more. It is stocked about 3.1 times a year since 2011, most often in June and September. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch, dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye, Rock Bass, and Black Crappie, and dawn and dusk for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Common Carp.

Otisco Lake
Photo: Phmalo at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Last stocked
June 2025
Walleye
Plants on record
47
Since 2011
Species stocked
3 (+16 also recorded)
Average size
7.7 in
Elevation
788 ft

Fish at Otisco Lake

3 stocked · 16 confirmed present

Tiger Muskie Stocked · 17 plants · last August 2024

Last stocked August 2024 · avg 9.7 in · 17 plants

Tiger Muskie species guide
Walleye Stocked · 16 plants · last June 2025 Best: dawn, dusk, night

Last stocked June 2025 · avg 1.6 in · 16 plants

Best: dawn, dusk, night

Walleye species guide
Brown Trout Stocked · 14 plants · last May 2022 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked May 2022 · avg 12.5 in · 14 plants

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Brown Trout species guide

How Otisco Lake is stocked

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Fall Brook (3.8 mi) was stocked more recently.

Fish stocked in 2011

53,100

Fish stocked in 2012

57,234

Fish stocked in 2013

57,615

Fish stocked in 2014

13,400

Fish stocked in 2015

56,620

Fish stocked in 2016

12,440

Fish stocked in 2017

55,519

Fish stocked in 2018

111,132

Fish stocked in 2019

92,996

Fish stocked in 2020

37,500

Fish stocked in 2021

41,996

Fish stocked in 2022

12,200

Fish stocked in 2023

89,143

Fish stocked in 2024

11,850

Fish stocked in 2025

40,414

Stocking history

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
June 2025Walleye40,4141.5 inreport
August 2024Tiger Muskie6,3509.4 inreport
August 2024Tiger Muskie5,5008.9 inreport
September 2023Tiger Muskie5,50010.7 inreport
August 2023Tiger Muskie5,5009 inreport
June 2023Walleye28,1431.5 inreport
June 2023Walleye6,0001.5 inreport
June 2023Walleye44,0001.4 inreport
September 2022Tiger Muskie11,00010.5 inreport
May 2022Brown Trout1,20012.5 inreport
September 2021Tiger Muskie6,40011.2 inreport
August 2021Tiger Muskie4,5969.2 inreport
June 2021Walleye30,4001.8 inreport
April 2021Brown Trout60012 inreport
September 2020Tiger Muskie11,0009.9 inreport
June 2020Walleye25,8001.5 inreport
April 2020Brown Trout7008.3 inreport
September 2019Tiger Muskie11,0008.3 inreport
June 2019Walleye54,0001.3 inreport
June 2019Walleye26,8961 inreport
May 2019Brown Trout1,10012.7 inreport
September 2018Tiger Muskie11,0009.5 inreport
June 2018Walleye32,7942 inreport
June 2018Walleye32,7942 inreport
June 2018Walleye32,7942 inreport
May 2018Brown Trout1,75012.6 inreport
September 2017Tiger Muskie11,00010 inreport
June 2017Walleye42,4691.5 inreport
May 2017Brown Trout2,05012.7 inreport
September 2016Tiger Muskie11,000–report
May 2016Brown Trout1,44013 inreport
September 2015Tiger Muskie11,0009.4 inreport
June 2015Walleye44,0001.4 inreport
May 2015Brown Trout1,62013 inreport
September 2014Tiger Muskie11,0008.2 inreport
May 2014Brown Trout2,40012.3 inreport
September 2013Tiger Muskie11,0009.6 inreport
June 2013Walleye44,0001.6 inreport
May 2013Brown Trout94512.9 inreport
May 2013Brown Trout1,67012.9 inreport
September 2012Tiger Muskie11,00010.5 inreport
June 2012Walleye44,0001.5 inreport
May 2012Brown Trout2,23413.7 inreport
September 2011Tiger Muskie6,60010.5 inreport
June 2011Walleye44,0001.8 inreport
May 2011Brown Trout1,25013.3 inreport
May 2011Brown Trout1,25013.3 inreport

Access and facts

Nearest town
Otisco
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes

DEC's West Valley Road site in Spafford has a concrete ramp with parking for 13 cars and trailers. The causeway near the south end gives shore fishing and hand launching. An Onondaga County park by Turtle Bay on the east shore allows shore and ice fishing and car-top boats.

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

View larger map · Open in Google Maps · Directions

Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation before you go.

About Otisco Lake

Boaters and anglers should be aware that the lake is experiencing severe problems caused by zebra mussels, which were introduced into the lake water by boaters. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

Photo of Otisco Lake
Phmalo at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

Nearest lakes

Spafford Creek 2.7 mi last stocked March 2025 Bear Swamp Creek 3.8 mi last stocked June 2017 Fall Brook 3.8 mi last stocked November 2025 Skaneateles Lake 4 mi last stocked May 2025 West Branch Onondaga Creek 6.8 mi last stocked April 2017

Common questions

What fish are at Otisco Lake?

Fishing Otisco Lake usually means Tiger Muskie: Tiger Muskie accounts for 17 of 47 plants on record, ahead of Walleye and one more. Tiger Muskie was last stocked August 2024, averaging 9.7 in. Walleye was last stocked June 2025, averaging 1.6 in. Brown Trout was last stocked May 2022, averaging 12.5 in. Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, and Pumpkinseed, plus 12 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Otisco Lake stocked?

Last stocked June 2025. It is stocked about 3.1 times a year since 2011, most often in June and September.

How big are the fish stocked at Otisco Lake?

Stocked fish average 7.7 in. Tiger Muskie average 9.7 in. Walleye average 1.6 in. Brown Trout average 12.5 in.

How do you get on Otisco Lake?

Shore fishing is available and there is a boat ramp. The nearest town is Otisco. DEC's West Valley Road site in Spafford has a concrete ramp with parking for 13 cars and trailers. The causeway near the south end gives shore fishing and hand launching. An Onondaga County park by Turtle Bay on the east shore allows shore and ice fishing and car-top boats.

Which lakes near Otisco Lake were stocked more recently?

Fall Brook (3.8 mi) was stocked more recently.

Sources (6) +