Rushford Lake

Rushford Lake fishing

Fishing at Rushford Lake is on a reservoir, stocked with Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Brook Trout. It is stocked about 2.1 times a year since 2011, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout and dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout and Brook Trout.

Last stocked

May 1, 2025

Plants on record

32

Since 2011

Species recorded

3

Average size

8.8 in

Elevation

1,412 ft

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir

Sources: water_type , photos , fishing_notes , watch_outs

How Rushford 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.

East Koy Creek (10.4 mi) and Ischua Creek (17.7 mi) were stocked more recently. East Koy Creek is also stocked with Brown Trout and Ischua Creek is also stocked with Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Rainbow Trout.

Fish at Rushford Lake

Fishing Rushford Lake is most likely to be for Brown Trout. Brown Trout accounts for 16 of 32 plants on record, ahead of Rainbow Trout and one more.

Brown Trout 16 plants
Plants
16 of 32
Last stocked
May 1, 2025
Average length
8.6 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Brown Trout guide.

Rainbow Trout 15 plants
Plants
15 of 32
Last stocked
May 1, 2025
Average length
9.4 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Brook Trout 1 plant
Plants
1 of 32
Last stocked
June 1, 2021
Average length
3.7 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Brook Trout guide.

Fishing Rushford Lake

Rushford Lake is stocked annually with brown and rainbow trout in the spring by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The fishery also includes bass, crappie, carp, perch, suckers, bullhead, and sunfish. Anglers have access at two points: the Balcom Beach area offers shore fishing and a free trailered boat launch for fishing boats, while an area off Dam Road provides shore fishing. Ice fishing is permitted.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

What to watch for

The lake is drawn down 40 feet each winter.

Fish stocked per year

  • 7,3002011
  • 5,4002012
  • 5,1102013
  • 4,5502014
  • 5,3402015
  • 5,3502016
  • 7,4002017
  • 6,4502018
  • 5,3902019
  • 32,8502020
  • 19,9802021
  • 5,3302022
  • 5,3302023
  • 5,6302024
  • 5,6002025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 32 plants Showing 32 plants

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 1, 2025 Rainbow Trout 3,990 11.3 in report
May 1, 2025 Brown Trout 1,610 8.3 in report
May 1, 2024 Brown Trout 1,640 9.2 in report
May 1, 2024 Rainbow Trout 3,990 10 in report
May 1, 2023 Rainbow Trout 3,800 9.5 in report
May 1, 2023 Brown Trout 1,530 9.2 in report
May 1, 2022 Rainbow Trout 3,800 9 in report
May 1, 2022 Brown Trout 1,530 9.5 in report
June 1, 2021 Brook Trout 15,000 3.7 in report
May 1, 2021 Rainbow Trout 3,310 10 in report
May 1, 2021 Brown Trout 1,670 10 in report
June 1, 2020 Brown Trout 30,000 3.2 in report
April 1, 2020 Rainbow Trout 2,850 8.3 in report
May 1, 2019 Brown Trout 1,590 9 in report
April 1, 2019 Rainbow Trout 3,800 9 in report
May 1, 2018 Brown Trout 1,570 9.2 in report
May 1, 2018 Brown Trout 1,570 9 in report
April 1, 2018 Rainbow Trout 3,310 9.3 in report
November 1, 2017 Brown Trout 3,600 5.7 in report
May 1, 2017 Rainbow Trout 3,800 9.3 in report
May 1, 2016 Rainbow Trout 3,800 9.5 in report
May 1, 2016 Brown Trout 1,550 9.6 in report
May 1, 2015 Rainbow Trout 3,800 9.5 in report
May 1, 2015 Brown Trout 1,540 9.4 in report
May 1, 2014 Rainbow Trout 3,000 9.3 in report
May 1, 2014 Brown Trout 1,550 9.2 in report
May 1, 2013 Rainbow Trout 3,800 8.5 in report
May 1, 2013 Brown Trout 1,310 9 in report
May 1, 2012 Brown Trout 1,600 8.9 in report
April 1, 2012 Rainbow Trout 3,800 9 in report
May 1, 2011 Brown Trout 3,500 9.6 in report
April 1, 2011 Rainbow Trout 3,800 9.2 in report
Show 17 more plants Show less

Species stocked here

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

Nearest lakes