Payne Lake fishing

Fishing at Payne Lake has Walleye and Tiger Muskie on the stocking report. It is stocked about 1.5 times a year since 2011, most often in May and September. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night as the active times.

Last stocked

May 1, 2025

Plants on record

22

Since 2011

Species recorded

2

Average size

4.4 in

Elevation

344 ft

Access and facts

Nearest town
Theresa
Boat ramp
Yes

Hard-surface ramp (10 hp limit) on Payne Lake Road, reached from Route 26 in Theresa, 20-car and trailer lot.

Sources: access , shore_notes , nearest_town , fishing_notes , watch_outs

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How Payne Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of May. In 2025 it was May 1, 2025, about when it usually is.

Lake of the Woods (4.6 mi) was stocked more recently.

Fish at Payne Lake

Fishing Payne Lake is most likely to be for Walleye. Walleye accounts for 12 of 22 plants on record, ahead of Tiger Muskie.

Walleye 12 plants
Plants
12 of 22
Last stocked
May 1, 2025
Average length
0.7 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Tiger Muskie 10 plants
Plants
10 of 22
Last stocked
August 1, 2023
Average length
9.3 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Tiger Muskie guide.

Fishing Payne Lake

Payne Lake is home to various fish species including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, tiger muskie, bluegill, and black crappie. Anglers can access the lake using a state owned hard surface ramp located west of Oxbow, New York.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

What to watch for

Anglers should note there is a 10-horsepower limit on the lake.

Fish stocked per year

  • 4,0002011
  • 4,3002012
  • 4,3002013
  • 8002014
  • 8002015
  • 8002016
  • 462,0002017
  • 462,8002018
  • 462,8002019
  • 563,8902020
  • 462,0002021
  • 462,0002022
  • 462,8002023
  • 462,0002024
  • 462,0002025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 22 plants Showing 22 plants

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 1, 2025 Walleye 462,000 0.3 in report
April 1, 2024 Walleye 462,000 0.3 in report
August 1, 2023 Tiger Muskie 800 8.6 in report
April 1, 2023 Walleye 462,000 0.3 in report
April 1, 2022 Walleye 462,000 0.5 in report
April 1, 2021 Walleye 462,000 0.3 in report
September 1, 2020 Tiger Muskie 800 9.9 in report
May 1, 2020 Walleye 563,090 0.3 in report
September 1, 2019 Tiger Muskie 800 8.8 in report
May 1, 2019 Walleye 462,000 0.5 in report
September 1, 2018 Tiger Muskie 800 9 in report
May 1, 2018 Walleye 462,000 0.3 in report
May 1, 2017 Walleye 462,000 0.3 in report
September 1, 2016 Tiger Muskie 800 – report
September 1, 2015 Tiger Muskie 800 9.4 in report
September 1, 2014 Tiger Muskie 800 8.2 in report
September 1, 2013 Tiger Muskie 800 8.9 in report
June 1, 2013 Walleye 3,500 1.6 in report
September 1, 2012 Tiger Muskie 800 10.4 in report
June 1, 2012 Walleye 3,500 1.4 in report
September 1, 2011 Tiger Muskie 500 10.5 in report
June 1, 2011 Walleye 3,500 1.7 in report
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Species stocked here

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

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