West Branch Sacandaga River

West Branch Sacandaga River fishing

Fishing at West Branch Sacandaga River is on a river section, stocked with Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. 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 1, 2025

Plants on record

27

Since 2011

Species recorded

2

Average size

9.3 in

Elevation

938 ft

Access and facts

Water type
river section
Nearest town
Wells

A Hamilton County river beginning northwest of Benson, flowing west then north then east before joining the Sacandaga River south of Wells.

Sources: water_type , shore_notes , fishing_notes

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How West Branch Sacandaga River 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.

No plants recorded in 2016.

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.

Fish at West Branch Sacandaga River

Fishing West Branch Sacandaga River is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout accounts for 17 of 27 plants on record, ahead of Brown Trout.

Rainbow Trout 17 plants
Plants
17 of 27
Last stocked
May 1, 2025
Average length
9.3 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Brown Trout 10 plants
Plants
10 of 27
Last stocked
May 1, 2021
Average length
9.3 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Brown Trout guide.

Fishing West Branch Sacandaga River

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.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Fish stocked per year

  • 1,5702011
  • 1,6002012
  • 1,4702013
  • 7402014
  • 7302015
  • 1,5502017
  • 1,4802018
  • 1,6002019
  • 2,5602020
  • 1,4602021
  • 1,3302022
  • 1,3402023
  • 1,1802024
  • 1,2302025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 27 plants Showing 27 plants

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 1, 2025 Rainbow Trout 120 12.2 in report
May 1, 2025 Rainbow Trout 1,110 9 in report
May 1, 2024 Rainbow Trout 1,060 9.4 in report
May 1, 2024 Rainbow Trout 120 12.1 in report
May 1, 2023 Rainbow Trout 1,200 10 in report
May 1, 2023 Rainbow Trout 140 12.1 in report
May 1, 2022 Rainbow Trout 1,330 10 in report
May 1, 2021 Rainbow Trout 1,200 9.3 in report
May 1, 2021 Brown Trout 130 12.8 in report
May 1, 2021 Brown Trout 130 12.8 in report
October 1, 2020 Rainbow Trout 1,280 6.2 in report
April 1, 2020 Rainbow Trout 640 8.7 in report
April 1, 2020 Rainbow Trout 640 8.7 in report
May 1, 2019 Rainbow Trout 850 8.1 in report
May 1, 2019 Brown Trout 750 7.7 in report
May 1, 2018 Rainbow Trout 740 9.3 in report
May 1, 2018 Brown Trout 740 8.1 in report
June 1, 2017 Rainbow Trout 850 9 in report
June 1, 2017 Brown Trout 700 8 in report
June 1, 2015 Brown Trout 730 8.1 in report
May 1, 2014 Brown Trout 740 8.2 in report
May 1, 2013 Brown Trout 620 8.7 in report
April 1, 2013 Rainbow Trout 850 8 in report
May 1, 2012 Rainbow Trout 850 8.3 in report
May 1, 2012 Brown Trout 750 9.6 in report
June 1, 2011 Rainbow Trout 850 7.8 in report
June 1, 2011 Brown Trout 720 8.8 in report
Show 12 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