Schoharie Reservoir fishing

Fishing at Schoharie Reservoir is on a reservoir, stocked with Brown Trout, Walleye, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Bluegill, and Smallmouth Bass, and 18 more. It is stocked about 0.9 times a year since 2011, most often in April and June. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout, Brook Trout, and Bluegill, dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye and Crappie, and dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, and Largemouth Bass.

Last stocked

June 1, 2024

Plants on record

12

Since 2011

Species recorded

2

Average size

2.3 in

Elevation

1,118 ft

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes

Managed by NYC DEP as a water-supply reservoir. A DEP access permit is required; numerous DEP-designated boat launches allow registered, DEP-inspected row boats only, no motors. Most of the shoreline is accessible via NYC DEP land.

Sources: water_type , access , shore_notes , speciesFound , fishing_notes , fishing_notes , angler_notes

How Schoharie Reservoir is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of June. In 2024 it was June 1, 2024, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023.

Batavia Kill (4.5 mi), West Kill (7.1 mi), West Kill (8.9 mi), East Kill (10.9 mi), and Colgate Lake (18.7 mi) were stocked more recently. Batavia Kill is also stocked with Brown Trout, West Kill is also stocked with Brown Trout, West Kill is also stocked with Brown Trout, East Kill is also stocked with Brown Trout, and Colgate Lake is also stocked with Brown Trout.

Fish at Schoharie Reservoir

Fishing Schoharie Reservoir is most likely to be for Walleye. Walleye accounts for 11 of 12 plants on record, ahead of Brown Trout.

Walleye 11 plants
Plants
11 of 12
Last stocked
June 1, 2024
Average length
1.7 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Brown Trout 1 plant
Plants
1 of 12
Last stocked
April 1, 2011
Average length
8.8 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Brown Trout guide.

Fishing Schoharie Reservoir

Schoharie Reservoir is a popular location for walleye fishing, and it is stocked annually with approximately 20,000 walleye 1-2 inches in length. Anglers can also find good action from the trout and abundant panfish population. Non-motorized boats, which must be steam-cleaned and have required tags, may be used during the summer, but only row boats are allowed and must be registered and inspected by NYC DEP. The majority of the shoreline is accessible through NYC DEP land.

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

What anglers say

According to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Schoharie Reservoir is most popular for its walleye fishing, but anglers should not overlook the trout and abundant panfish population that can provide some good action.

Fish stocked per year

  • 24,6702011
  • 22,9002012
  • 45,8002013
  • 22,9002014
  • 22,9002016
  • 45,8002018
  • 22,9002020
  • 16,3802022
  • 22,9002024

Stocking history

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
June 1, 2024 Walleye 22,900 1.6 in report
June 1, 2022 Walleye 16,380 2 in report
June 1, 2020 Walleye 22,900 1.5 in report
June 1, 2018 Walleye 22,900 2 in report
June 1, 2018 Walleye 22,900 1.8 in report
June 1, 2016 Walleye 22,900 report
June 1, 2014 Walleye 22,900 1.6 in report
June 1, 2013 Walleye 22,900 1.7 in report
June 1, 2013 Walleye 22,900 1.6 in report
June 1, 2012 Walleye 22,900 1.5 in report
June 1, 2011 Walleye 22,900 1.7 in report
April 1, 2011 Brown Trout 1,770 8.8 in report

Species found here

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

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