Otsego Lake fishing

Otsego Lake fishing is stocked with Brown Trout, Lake Trout, and Atlantic Salmon on a natural lake. Also recorded: Cisco, Rainbow Smelt, Chain Pickerel, Common Carp, Cutlip Minnow, Golden Shiner, and 32 more. It is stocked about 1.4 times a year since 2011, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout, Chain Pickerel, and Bluegill, dawn for Lake Trout, and night for Rainbow Smelt.

Otsego Lake
Photo: George Roger Gilbert, CC BY 2.0
Last stocked
April 2025
Lake Trout
Plants on record
21
Since 2011
Species stocked
3 (+38 also recorded)
Average size
8.3 in
Elevation
1,195 ft

Fish at Otsego Lake

3 stocked · 38 confirmed present

Lake Trout Stocked · 16 plants · last April 2025 Best: dawn

Last stocked April 2025 · avg 8.4 in · 16 plants

Best: dawn

Lake Trout species guide
Brown Trout Stocked · 3 plants · last May 2012 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked May 2012 · avg 8.9 in · 3 plants

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Brown Trout species guide

Otsego Lake, a 4,046-acre lake, is used for sporting activities like fishing. There is limited rooted aquatic vegetation along its shoreline and in its bays. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)(dec.ny.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)

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

How Otsego Lake is stocked

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Canadarago Lake (6.6 mi) and Arnold Lake (11.8 mi) were stocked more recently. Arnold Lake is also stocked with Brown Trout.

Fish stocked in 2011

16,740

Fish stocked in 2012

15,380

Fish stocked in 2013

2,500

Fish stocked in 2014

2,500

Fish stocked in 2015

2,500

Fish stocked in 2016

2,500

Fish stocked in 2017

2,500

Fish stocked in 2018

2,500

Fish stocked in 2019

2,500

Fish stocked in 2020

2,390

Fish stocked in 2021

2,630

Fish stocked in 2022

2,500

Fish stocked in 2023

2,410

Fish stocked in 2024

1,950

Fish stocked in 2025

4,540

Stocking history

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
April 2025Lake Trout2,2707.5 inreport
April 2025Lake Trout2,2707.5 inreport
May 2024Lake Trout1,9507.6 inreport
May 2023Lake Trout2,4108.3 inreport
May 2022Lake Trout2,5008 inreport
April 2021Lake Trout2,6308.5 inreport
April 2020Lake Trout2,3908.8 inreport
May 2019Lake Trout2,5008.3 inreport
May 2018Lake Trout2,5009.2 inreport
May 2017Lake Trout2,5009.1 inreport
May 2016Lake Trout2,5009.2 inreport
May 2015Lake Trout2,5009.1 inreport
May 2014Lake Trout2,5008.9 inreport
May 2013Lake Trout2,5008.8 inreport
May 2012Atlantic Salmon5,5006.5 inreport
May 2012Lake Trout5,0008 inreport
May 2012Brown Trout4,8808.8 inreport
June 2011Brown Trout1,6008.9 inreport
May 2011Atlantic Salmon5,5005.6 inreport
May 2011Lake Trout5,0007.9 inreport
May 2011Brown Trout4,6408.9 inreport

Access and facts

Water type
natural lake
Nearest town
Cooperstown
Boat ramp
Yes
Facilities
camping

DEC lists a state boat launch with a ramp off Lake Street in Cooperstown, at the south end. Glimmerglass State Park on the northeast shore has a car-top launch near the main campground, including an ADA-accessible kayak launch.

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 Otsego Lake

Anglers should be aware that Sunken Island, a submerged sandy plot, is located near the western shore and is marked with four buoys to prevent boats from running aground. Additionally, Otsego Lake has limited rooted aquatic vegetation along its shoreline and bays. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)(dec.ny.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Lake Trout are the most sought after species, with Walleye and Perch also popular. They also state that Otsego Lake supports an underfished exceptional smallmouth bass fishery. (dec.ny.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)

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

Photo of Otsego Lake
George Roger Gilbert, CC BY 2.0
Photo of Otsego Lake
Ted Fischer, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo of Otsego Lake
420Traveler, CC BY-SA 4.0

Nearest lakes

Canadarago Lake 6.6 mi last stocked July 2025 Oaks Creek 7.4 mi last stocked April 2020 Arnold Lake 11.8 mi last stocked June 2025 Butternut Creek 14.1 mi last stocked May 2011 Elk Creek 15.3 mi last stocked April 2025

Common questions

What fish are at Otsego Lake?

Fishing Otsego Lake usually means Lake Trout: Lake Trout accounts for 16 of 21 plants on record, ahead of Brown Trout and one more. Lake Trout was last stocked April 2025, averaging 8.4 in. Brown Trout was last stocked May 2012, averaging 8.9 in. Atlantic Salmon was last stocked May 2012, averaging 6.1 in. Cisco, Rainbow Smelt, Chain Pickerel, and Common Carp, plus 34 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Otsego Lake stocked?

Last stocked April 2025. It is stocked about 1.4 times a year since 2011, most often in April and May.

How big are the fish stocked at Otsego Lake?

Stocked fish average 8.3 in. Lake Trout average 8.4 in. Brown Trout average 8.9 in. Atlantic Salmon average 6.1 in.

How do you get on Otsego Lake?

There is a boat ramp. The nearest town is Cooperstown. Facilities include camping. DEC lists a state boat launch with a ramp off Lake Street in Cooperstown, at the south end. Glimmerglass State Park on the northeast shore has a car-top launch near the main campground, including an ADA-accessible kayak launch.

Which lakes near Otsego Lake were stocked more recently?

Canadarago Lake (6.6 mi) and Arnold Lake (11.8 mi) were stocked more recently. Arnold Lake is also stocked with Brown Trout.

Sources (8) +