Otsego Lake fishing

Name: Otsego Lake stocking history
Creator: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Fishing at Otsego Lake has Brown Trout, Lake Trout, Atlantic Salmon, Cisco, Lake Whitefish, and Fathead Minnow, and 35 more on the stocking report. 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, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch, dawn for Lake Trout, and dawn and dusk for Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass.

Last stocked

April 1, 2025

Plants on record

Since 2011

Species recorded

Average size

8.3 in

Elevation

1,195 ft

Access and facts

Nearest town: Springfield
Boat ramp: Yes
ADA accessible: No

DEC-listed public hand launch on Otsego Lake in Springfield. Parking for 10 cars.

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

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How Otsego Lake is stocked

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

Allen Lake (5.4 mi), Canadarago Lake (6.6 mi), and Arnold Lake (11.8 mi) were stocked more recently. Allen Lake is also stocked with Brown Trout and Arnold Lake is also stocked with Brown Trout.

Fish at Otsego Lake

Fishing Otsego Lake is most likely to be for Lake Trout. Lake Trout accounts for 16 of 21 plants on record, ahead of Brown Trout and one more.

Lake Trout 16 plants

Plants: 16 of 21
Last stocked: April 1, 2025
Average length: 8.4 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Lake Trout guide.

Brown Trout 3 plants

Plants: 3 of 21
Last stocked: May 1, 2012
Average length: 8.9 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Brown Trout guide.

Atlantic Salmon 2 plants

Plants: 2 of 21
Last stocked: May 1, 2012
Average length: 6.1 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Atlantic Salmon guide.

Fishing Otsego Lake

Otsego Lake, a 4,046-acre lake, is used for sporting activities like fishing. It hosts a variety of fish species, including Lake Trout, Walleye, Perch, and Smallmouth Bass. There is limited rooted aquatic vegetation along its shoreline and in its bays.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org , dec.ny.gov

What to watch for

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.

What anglers say

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.

Fish stocked per year

16,7402011
15,3802012
2,5002013
2,5002014
2,5002015
2,5002016
2,5002017
2,5002018
2,5002019
2,3902020
2,6302021
2,5002022
2,4102023
1,9502024
4,5402025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 21 plants Showing 21 plants

All species Brown Trout Lake Trout Atlantic Salmon

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Date	Species	Quantity	Avg. length	Source
April 1, 2025	Lake Trout	2,270	7.5 in	report
April 1, 2025	Lake Trout	2,270	7.5 in	report
May 1, 2024	Lake Trout	1,950	7.6 in	report
May 1, 2023	Lake Trout	2,410	8.3 in	report
May 1, 2022	Lake Trout	2,500	8 in	report
April 1, 2021	Lake Trout	2,630	8.5 in	report
April 1, 2020	Lake Trout	2,390	8.8 in	report
May 1, 2019	Lake Trout	2,500	8.3 in	report
May 1, 2018	Lake Trout	2,500	9.2 in	report
May 1, 2017	Lake Trout	2,500	9.1 in	report
May 1, 2016	Lake Trout	2,500	9.2 in	report
May 1, 2015	Lake Trout	2,500	9.1 in	report
May 1, 2014	Lake Trout	2,500	8.9 in	report
May 1, 2013	Lake Trout	2,500	8.8 in	report
May 1, 2012	Atlantic Salmon	5,500	6.5 in	report
May 1, 2012	Lake Trout	5,000	8 in	report
May 1, 2012	Brown Trout	4,880	8.8 in	report
June 1, 2011	Brown Trout	1,600	8.9 in	report
May 1, 2011	Atlantic Salmon	5,500	5.6 in	report
May 1, 2011	Lake Trout	5,000	7.9 in	report
May 1, 2011	Brown Trout	4,640	8.9 in	report

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Species found here

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

Cisco (source)
Lake Whitefish (source)
Rainbow Smelt (source)
Chain Pickerel (source)
Common Carp (source)
Cutlip Minnow (source)
Golden Shiner (source)
Comely Shiner (source)
Satinfin Shiner (source)
Emerald Shiner (source)
Bridle Shiner (source)
Common Shiner (source)
Blackchin Shiner (source)
Spottail Shiner (source)
Spotfin Shiner (source)
Bluntnose Minnow (source)
Fathead Minnow (source)
Eastern Blacknose Dace (source)
Rudd (source)
Creek Chub (source)
White Sucker (source)
Creek Chubsucker (source)
Northern Hog Sucker (source)
Yellow Bullhead (source)
Brown Bullhead (source)
Margined Madtom (source)
Banded Killifish (source)
Rock Bass (source)
Redbreast Sunfish (source)
Pumpkinseed (source)
Bluegill (source)
Smallmouth Bass (source)
Largemouth Bass (source)
Black Crappie (source)
Tessellated Darter (source)
Yellow Perch (source)
Mottled Sculpin (source)
Slimy Sculpin (source)

Species stocked here

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