Walleye Stocked · 12 plants · last May 2025 Best: dawn, dusk, night Payne Lake fishing
Payne Lake fishing has Walleye and Tiger Muskie on the stocking report. Also recorded: Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Brown Bullhead, and Yellow Perch. It is stocked about 1.5 times a year since 2011, most often in May and September. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye and Black Crappie, dawn and dusk for Largemouth Bass, and dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch.
- Last stocked
- May 2025
- Walleye
- Plants on record
- 22
- Since 2011
- Species stocked
- 2 (+6 also recorded)
- Average size
- 4.4 in
- Elevation
- 344 ft
Fish at Payne Lake
Walleye Stocked · 12 plants · last May 2025 Best: dawn, dusk, night 
Tiger Muskie Stocked · 10 plants · last August 2023 Last stocked August 2023 · avg 9.3 in · 10 plants
Tiger Muskie species guide
Largemouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Largemouth Bass species guide
Northern Pike Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Northern Pike species guide
Black Crappie Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
Black Crappie species guide
Bluegill Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Bluegill species guide
Brown Bullhead Confirmed present Best: dusk, night Best: dusk, night
Brown Bullhead species guide
Yellow Perch Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Yellow Perch species guideHow Payne Lake is stocked
Lake of the Woods (4.6 mi) was stocked more recently.
Fish stocked in 2011
4,000
Fish stocked in 2012
4,300
Fish stocked in 2013
4,300
Fish stocked in 2014
800
Fish stocked in 2015
800
Fish stocked in 2016
800
Fish stocked in 2017
462,000
Fish stocked in 2018
462,800
Fish stocked in 2019
462,800
Fish stocked in 2020
563,890
Fish stocked in 2021
462,000
Fish stocked in 2022
462,000
Fish stocked in 2023
462,800
Fish stocked in 2024
462,000
Fish stocked in 2025
462,000
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Walleye | 462,000 | 0.3 in | report |
| April 2024 | Walleye | 462,000 | 0.3 in | report |
| August 2023 | Tiger Muskie | 800 | 8.6 in | report |
| April 2023 | Walleye | 462,000 | 0.3 in | report |
| April 2022 | Walleye | 462,000 | 0.5 in | report |
| April 2021 | Walleye | 462,000 | 0.3 in | report |
| September 2020 | Tiger Muskie | 800 | 9.9 in | report |
| May 2020 | Walleye | 563,090 | 0.3 in | report |
| September 2019 | Tiger Muskie | 800 | 8.8 in | report |
| May 2019 | Walleye | 462,000 | 0.5 in | report |
| September 2018 | Tiger Muskie | 800 | 9 in | report |
| May 2018 | Walleye | 462,000 | 0.3 in | report |
| May 2017 | Walleye | 462,000 | 0.3 in | report |
| September 2016 | Tiger Muskie | 800 | – | report |
| September 2015 | Tiger Muskie | 800 | 9.4 in | report |
| September 2014 | Tiger Muskie | 800 | 8.2 in | report |
| September 2013 | Tiger Muskie | 800 | 8.9 in | report |
| June 2013 | Walleye | 3,500 | 1.6 in | report |
| September 2012 | Tiger Muskie | 800 | 10.4 in | report |
| June 2012 | Walleye | 3,500 | 1.4 in | report |
| September 2011 | Tiger Muskie | 500 | 10.5 in | report |
| June 2011 | Walleye | 3,500 | 1.7 in | report |
Access and facts
- Nearest town
- Oxbow
- Boat ramp
- Yes
- ADA accessible
- No
DEC hard-surface ramp beside Theresa-Oxbow Road, about 1 mile west of the hamlet of Oxbow, with a lot for 20 cars and trailers. The west shore borders Pulpit Rock State Forest. The lake is shallow, 15 feet at its deepest point.
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation before you go.
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Payne Lake?
Fishing Payne Lake usually means Walleye: Walleye accounts for 12 of 22 plants on record, ahead of Tiger Muskie. Walleye was last stocked May 2025, averaging 0.7 in. Tiger Muskie was last stocked August 2023, averaging 9.3 in. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, and Bluegill, plus 2 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Payne Lake stocked?
Last stocked May 2025. It is stocked about 1.5 times a year since 2011, most often in May and September.
How big are the fish stocked at Payne Lake?
Stocked fish average 4.4 in. Walleye average 0.7 in. Tiger Muskie average 9.3 in.
How do you get on Payne Lake?
There is a boat ramp and it is not ADA accessible. The nearest town is Oxbow. DEC hard-surface ramp beside Theresa-Oxbow Road, about 1 mile west of the hamlet of Oxbow, with a lot for 20 cars and trailers. The west shore borders Pulpit Rock State Forest. The lake is shallow, 15 feet at its deepest point.
Which lakes near Payne Lake were stocked more recently?
Lake of the Woods (4.6 mi) was stocked more recently.