Rainbow Trout Stocked · 17 plants · last May 2025 Best: dawn, dusk West Branch Sacandaga River fishing
West Branch Sacandaga River fishing is stocked with Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout on a river section. It is stocked about 1.8 times a year since 2011, most often in May and June. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout and dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout.
- Last stocked
- May 2025
- Rainbow Trout
- Plants on record
- 27
- Since 2011
- Species recorded
- 2
- Average size
- 9.3 in
- Elevation
- 938 ft
Fish at West Branch Sacandaga River
Rainbow Trout Stocked · 17 plants · last May 2025 Best: dawn, dusk 
Brown Trout Stocked · 10 plants · last May 2021 Best: dawn, day, dusk The West Branch Sacandaga River was stocked with trout in May 2021 by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. They introduced 133 12-to-15-inch-long brown trout. Additionally, 1200 12-to-15-inch-long rainbow trout were stocked into the river in the town of Wells. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
How West Branch Sacandaga River is stocked
No plants recorded in 2016.
Fish stocked in 2011
1,570
Fish stocked in 2012
1,600
Fish stocked in 2013
1,470
Fish stocked in 2014
740
Fish stocked in 2015
730
Fish stocked in 2017
1,550
Fish stocked in 2018
1,480
Fish stocked in 2019
1,600
Fish stocked in 2020
2,560
Fish stocked in 2021
1,460
Fish stocked in 2022
1,330
Fish stocked in 2023
1,340
Fish stocked in 2024
1,180
Fish stocked in 2025
1,230
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 120 | 12.2 in | report |
| May 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,110 | 9 in | report |
| May 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,060 | 9.4 in | report |
| May 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 120 | 12.1 in | report |
| May 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 1,200 | 10 in | report |
| May 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 140 | 12.1 in | report |
| May 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 1,330 | 10 in | report |
| May 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 1,200 | 9.3 in | report |
| May 2021 | Brown Trout | 130 | 12.8 in | report |
| May 2021 | Brown Trout | 130 | 12.8 in | report |
| October 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 1,280 | 6.2 in | report |
| April 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 640 | 8.7 in | report |
| April 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 640 | 8.7 in | report |
| May 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 850 | 8.1 in | report |
| May 2019 | Brown Trout | 750 | 7.7 in | report |
| May 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 740 | 9.3 in | report |
| May 2018 | Brown Trout | 740 | 8.1 in | report |
| June 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 850 | 9 in | report |
| June 2017 | Brown Trout | 700 | 8 in | report |
| June 2015 | Brown Trout | 730 | 8.1 in | report |
| May 2014 | Brown Trout | 740 | 8.2 in | report |
| May 2013 | Brown Trout | 620 | 8.7 in | report |
| April 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 850 | 8 in | report |
| May 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 850 | 8.3 in | report |
| May 2012 | Brown Trout | 750 | 9.6 in | report |
| June 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 850 | 7.8 in | report |
| June 2011 | Brown Trout | 720 | 8.8 in | report |
Access and facts
- Water type
- river section
- Nearest town
- Wells
- Facilities
- camping
This point is near the mouth south of Wells. Upstream, DEC says the river gives about 18 miles of fishing in the Silver Lake Wilderness, reached from pull-offs on West River Road and Route 10; ten primitive tent sites sit along West River Road, most on the riverbank.
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 Sacandaga River
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at West Branch Sacandaga River?
Fishing West Branch Sacandaga River usually means Rainbow Trout: Rainbow Trout accounts for 17 of 27 plants on record, ahead of Brown Trout. Rainbow Trout was last stocked May 2025, averaging 9.3 in. Brown Trout was last stocked May 2021, averaging 9.3 in.
When is West Branch Sacandaga River stocked?
Last stocked May 2025. It is stocked about 1.8 times a year since 2011, most often in May and June. No plants recorded in 2016.
How big are the fish stocked at West Branch Sacandaga River?
Stocked fish average 9.3 in. Rainbow Trout average 9.3 in. Brown Trout average 9.3 in.
How do you get on West Branch Sacandaga River?
The nearest town is Wells. Facilities include camping. This point is near the mouth south of Wells. Upstream, DEC says the river gives about 18 miles of fishing in the Silver Lake Wilderness, reached from pull-offs on West River Road and Route 10; ten primitive tent sites sit along West River Road, most on the riverbank.
Which lakes near West Branch Sacandaga River were stocked more recently?
Elbow Creek (2.9 mi), Murphy Lake (3.9 mi), and Middle Lake (4.6 mi) were stocked more recently. Elbow Creek is also stocked with Rainbow Trout and Middle Lake is also stocked with Brown Trout.