Brown Trout Stocked · 18 plants · last April 2025 Best: dawn, day, dusk West Branch Reservoir fishing
West Branch Reservoir fishing is stocked with Brown Trout and Atlantic Salmon on a reservoir. Also recorded: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Walleye, Chain Pickerel, Yellow Perch, and 6 more. It is stocked about 2.3 times a year since 2011, most often in March and May. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout, Chain Pickerel, and Yellow Perch, dawn and dusk for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Common Carp, and dawn, dusk, and night for Rock Bass and Walleye.
- Last stocked
- May 2025
- Atlantic Salmon
- Plants on record
- 35
- Since 2011
- Species stocked
- 2 (+12 also recorded)
- Average size
- 7.6 in
- Elevation
- 502 ft
Fish at West Branch Reservoir
Brown Trout Stocked · 18 plants · last April 2025 Best: dawn, day, dusk 
Atlantic Salmon Stocked · 17 plants · last May 2025 Last stocked May 2025 · avg 7.2 in · 17 plants
Atlantic Salmon species guide
Largemouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Largemouth Bass species guide
Smallmouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Smallmouth Bass species guide
Rock Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
Rock Bass species guide
Walleye Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
Walleye species guide
Chain Pickerel Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Chain Pickerel species guide
Yellow Perch Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Yellow Perch species guide
White Perch Confirmed present 
Bluegill Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Bluegill species guide
Redbreast Sunfish Confirmed present 
Pumpkinseed Confirmed present Best: dusk Best: dusk
Pumpkinseed species guide
Common Carp Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Common Carp species guide Bullhead Confirmed present
How West Branch Reservoir is stocked
Fish stocked in 2011
5,720
Fish stocked in 2012
5,930
Fish stocked in 2013
5,140
Fish stocked in 2014
5,890
Fish stocked in 2015
5,780
Fish stocked in 2016
10,120
Fish stocked in 2017
1,500
Fish stocked in 2018
5,850
Fish stocked in 2019
5,690
Fish stocked in 2020
35,180
Fish stocked in 2021
11,150
Fish stocked in 2022
1,410
Fish stocked in 2023
9,590
Fish stocked in 2024
6,050
Fish stocked in 2025
6,010
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Atlantic Salmon | 1,550 | 6.9 in | report |
| April 2025 | Brown Trout | 4,460 | 7 in | report |
| May 2024 | Atlantic Salmon | 1,500 | 7.3 in | report |
| April 2024 | Brown Trout | 4,550 | 8.2 in | report |
| October 2023 | Atlantic Salmon | 4,000 | 5 in | report |
| May 2023 | Atlantic Salmon | 1,340 | 6.8 in | report |
| April 2023 | Brown Trout | 4,250 | 8.9 in | report |
| May 2022 | Atlantic Salmon | 1,410 | 6.5 in | report |
| November 2021 | Brown Trout | 5,000 | 7.3 in | report |
| May 2021 | Atlantic Salmon | 1,500 | 6.7 in | report |
| April 2021 | Brown Trout | 4,650 | 8.9 in | report |
| November 2020 | Brown Trout | 10,000 | 6.7 in | report |
| November 2020 | Brown Trout | 10,000 | 6.7 in | report |
| May 2020 | Atlantic Salmon | 1,500 | 7 in | report |
| May 2020 | Brown Trout | 10,000 | 1.8 in | report |
| March 2020 | Brown Trout | 3,680 | 8.9 in | report |
| May 2019 | Atlantic Salmon | 840 | 13 in | report |
| May 2019 | Atlantic Salmon | 420 | 8.1 in | report |
| April 2019 | Brown Trout | 4,430 | 9.1 in | report |
| May 2018 | Atlantic Salmon | 1,500 | 7.1 in | report |
| March 2018 | Brown Trout | 4,350 | 9.2 in | report |
| May 2017 | Atlantic Salmon | 1,500 | 6.8 in | report |
| December 2016 | Brown Trout | 4,310 | – | report |
| May 2016 | Atlantic Salmon | 1,500 | 7.2 in | report |
| March 2016 | Brown Trout | 4,310 | 9.1 in | report |
| June 2015 | Atlantic Salmon | 1,500 | 7.5 in | report |
| March 2015 | Brown Trout | 4,280 | 8.8 in | report |
| May 2014 | Atlantic Salmon | 1,500 | 6.7 in | report |
| March 2014 | Brown Trout | 4,390 | 9 in | report |
| May 2013 | Atlantic Salmon | 1,500 | 6.9 in | report |
| March 2013 | Brown Trout | 3,640 | 8.8 in | report |
| May 2012 | Atlantic Salmon | 1,500 | 6.2 in | report |
| March 2012 | Brown Trout | 4,430 | 8.8 in | report |
| June 2011 | Atlantic Salmon | 1,500 | 6.1 in | report |
| April 2011 | Brown Trout | 4,220 | 8.8 in | report |
Access and facts
- Water type
- reservoir
- Nearest town
- Carmel, NY
- Shore access
- Yes
- Fee required
- No
A 1,061-acre NYC DEP water-supply reservoir in Carmel, split into two basins by the State Route 301 causeway. DEP manages access and opens it to fishing from shore and from boats; DEC says shore anglers take trout and salmon on Rapalas and spoons.
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.
About West Branch Reservoir
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at West Branch Reservoir?
Fishing West Branch Reservoir usually means Brown Trout: Brown Trout accounts for 18 of 35 plants on record, ahead of Atlantic Salmon. Brown Trout was last stocked April 2025, averaging 8 in. Atlantic Salmon was last stocked May 2025, averaging 7.2 in. Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, and Walleye, plus 8 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is West Branch Reservoir stocked?
Last stocked May 2025. It is stocked about 2.3 times a year since 2011, most often in March and May.
How big are the fish stocked at West Branch Reservoir?
Stocked fish average 7.6 in. Brown Trout average 8 in. Atlantic Salmon average 7.2 in.
How do you get on West Branch Reservoir?
Shore fishing is available and no fee is required. The nearest town is Carmel, NY. A 1,061-acre NYC DEP water-supply reservoir in Carmel, split into two basins by the State Route 301 causeway. DEP manages access and opens it to fishing from shore and from boats; DEC says shore anglers take trout and salmon on Rapalas and spoons.