West Branch Reservoir fishing

Fishing at West Branch Reservoir is on a reservoir, stocked with Brown Trout and Atlantic Salmon. It is stocked about 2.3 times a year since 2011, most often in March and May. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk as the active times.

Last stocked

May 1, 2025

Plants on record

35

Since 2011

Species recorded

2

Average size

7.6 in

Elevation

502 ft

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Nearest town
Carmel, NY
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
No

NYC DEP water-supply reservoir; open to shore and boat fishing with a free DEP Access Permit (boats also need a DEP boat tag and steam-cleaning). New York State fishing license and watershed rules still apply.

Sources: water_type , access , access , nearest_town , fishing_notes , fishing_notes , fishing_notes , watch_outs

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How West Branch Reservoir is stocked

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

Fish at West Branch Reservoir

Fishing West Branch Reservoir is most likely to be for Brown Trout. Brown Trout accounts for 18 of 35 plants on record, ahead of Atlantic Salmon.

Brown Trout 18 plants
Plants
18 of 35
Last stocked
April 1, 2025
Average length
8 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Brown Trout guide.

Atlantic Salmon 17 plants
Plants
17 of 35
Last stocked
May 1, 2025
Average length
7.2 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Atlantic Salmon guide.

Fishing West Branch Reservoir

West Branch Reservoir is one of the City-owned reservoirs in the New York City water supply system that are open for fishing from shore and boats. Boating for the purposes of fishing is allowed, but anglers must have a New York State fishing license. Additionally, a free DEP Access Permit is required, and all boats, oars, and paddles must be steam cleaned by a DEP-Certified Steam Cleaning Vendor.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org , nyc.gov , nyc.gov

What to watch for

During the colder months, there are reservoir specific rules for when anglers can take boats out. Anglers should download the Reservoir Ice and Angler Boating Fact Sheet for more information.

Fish stocked per year

  • 5,7202011
  • 5,9302012
  • 5,1402013
  • 5,8902014
  • 5,7802015
  • 10,1202016
  • 1,5002017
  • 5,8502018
  • 5,6902019
  • 35,1802020
  • 11,1502021
  • 1,4102022
  • 9,5902023
  • 6,0502024
  • 6,0102025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 35 plants Showing 35 plants

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 1, 2025 Atlantic Salmon 1,550 6.9 in report
April 1, 2025 Brown Trout 4,460 7 in report
May 1, 2024 Atlantic Salmon 1,500 7.3 in report
April 1, 2024 Brown Trout 4,550 8.2 in report
October 1, 2023 Atlantic Salmon 4,000 5 in report
May 1, 2023 Atlantic Salmon 1,340 6.8 in report
April 1, 2023 Brown Trout 4,250 8.9 in report
May 1, 2022 Atlantic Salmon 1,410 6.5 in report
November 1, 2021 Brown Trout 5,000 7.3 in report
May 1, 2021 Atlantic Salmon 1,500 6.7 in report
April 1, 2021 Brown Trout 4,650 8.9 in report
November 1, 2020 Brown Trout 10,000 6.7 in report
November 1, 2020 Brown Trout 10,000 6.7 in report
May 1, 2020 Atlantic Salmon 1,500 7 in report
May 1, 2020 Brown Trout 10,000 1.8 in report
March 1, 2020 Brown Trout 3,680 8.9 in report
May 1, 2019 Atlantic Salmon 840 13 in report
May 1, 2019 Atlantic Salmon 420 8.1 in report
April 1, 2019 Brown Trout 4,430 9.1 in report
May 1, 2018 Atlantic Salmon 1,500 7.1 in report
March 1, 2018 Brown Trout 4,350 9.2 in report
May 1, 2017 Atlantic Salmon 1,500 6.8 in report
December 1, 2016 Brown Trout 4,310 – report
May 1, 2016 Atlantic Salmon 1,500 7.2 in report
March 1, 2016 Brown Trout 4,310 9.1 in report
June 1, 2015 Atlantic Salmon 1,500 7.5 in report
March 1, 2015 Brown Trout 4,280 8.8 in report
May 1, 2014 Atlantic Salmon 1,500 6.7 in report
March 1, 2014 Brown Trout 4,390 9 in report
May 1, 2013 Atlantic Salmon 1,500 6.9 in report
March 1, 2013 Brown Trout 3,640 8.8 in report
May 1, 2012 Atlantic Salmon 1,500 6.2 in report
March 1, 2012 Brown Trout 4,430 8.8 in report
June 1, 2011 Atlantic Salmon 1,500 6.1 in report
April 1, 2011 Brown Trout 4,220 8.8 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.

Nearest lakes