West Branch Tioughnioga River fishing

Fishing at West Branch Tioughnioga River is on a river section, stocked with Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, and Chain Pickerel. It is stocked about 3.1 times a year since 2011, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout and Brook Trout and dawn and dusk for Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass.

Last stocked

April 1, 2025

Plants on record

46

Since 2011

Species recorded

2

Average size

10 in

Elevation

1,088 ft

Access and facts

Water type
river section
Shore access
Yes

About one mile of Public Fishing Rights along the west branch; no official PFR parking area, anglers use unofficial pulloffs. Runs through mostly agricultural land past Durkee Memorial Park in Cortland.

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

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How West Branch Tioughnioga River is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of April. In 2025 it was April 1, 2025, about when it usually is.

Fish at West Branch Tioughnioga River

Fishing West Branch Tioughnioga River is most likely to be for Brown Trout. Brown Trout accounts for 44 of 46 plants on record, ahead of Brook Trout.

Brown Trout 44 plants
Plants
44 of 46
Last stocked
April 1, 2025
Average length
10.2 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Brown Trout guide.

Brook Trout 2 plants
Plants
2 of 46
Last stocked
March 1, 2020
Average length
6.9 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Brook Trout guide.

Fishing West Branch Tioughnioga River

The West Branch Tioughnioga River offers opportunities to catch stocked and wild brown and brook trout. Anglers may also find warmwater fish such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rock bass, and chain pickerel. Wild brook trout can be found in the upper section from Tully Lake to Goodale Lake, while wild brown trout become more common downstream from Little York Lake.

Sources: dec.ny.gov

What to watch for

Anglers should note that there are no official public fishing rights parking areas along the stream. Instead, anglers typically utilize unofficial pulloffs and other parking spots.

Fish stocked per year

  • 4,6832011
  • 4,5202012
  • 3,8702013
  • 4,3302014
  • 4,3002015
  • 4,3202016
  • 4,1602017
  • 4,7602018
  • 4,9302019
  • 14,7602020
  • 11,2902021
  • 3,1602022
  • 3,1602023
  • 2,1002024
  • 2,1802025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 46 plants Showing 46 plants

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
April 1, 2025 Brown Trout 1,970 9 in report
April 1, 2025 Brown Trout 210 14.1 in report
April 1, 2024 Brown Trout 220 – report
April 1, 2024 Brown Trout 1,880 9.4 in report
April 1, 2023 Brown Trout 320 13.8 in report
April 1, 2023 Brown Trout 2,840 9.1 in report
April 1, 2022 Brown Trout 320 13.5 in report
April 1, 2022 Brown Trout 2,840 10 in report
November 1, 2021 Brown Trout 8,130 6.7 in report
April 1, 2021 Brown Trout 2,840 8 in report
April 1, 2021 Brown Trout 320 12.6 in report
November 1, 2020 Brown Trout 7,000 6.1 in report
March 1, 2020 Brown Trout 640 11.7 in report
March 1, 2020 Brook Trout 5,760 6.9 in report
March 1, 2020 Brook Trout 1,360 6.9 in report
May 1, 2019 Brown Trout 500 13.2 in report
May 1, 2019 Brown Trout 750 7.8 in report
April 1, 2019 Brown Trout 490 13.7 in report
April 1, 2019 Brown Trout 3,190 7.6 in report
May 1, 2018 Brown Trout 400 13.7 in report
May 1, 2018 Brown Trout 490 13.2 in report
April 1, 2018 Brown Trout 740 8 in report
April 1, 2018 Brown Trout 3,130 7.9 in report
May 1, 2017 Brown Trout 490 13 in report
May 1, 2017 Brown Trout 700 8 in report
April 1, 2017 Brown Trout 2,970 8 in report
May 1, 2016 Brown Trout 490 13 in report
May 1, 2016 Brown Trout 730 8.1 in report
April 1, 2016 Brown Trout 3,100 8 in report
May 1, 2015 Brown Trout 490 13.2 in report
May 1, 2015 Brown Trout 730 8.1 in report
April 1, 2015 Brown Trout 3,080 7.9 in report
May 1, 2014 Brown Trout 740 8.3 in report
April 1, 2014 Brown Trout 490 13.3 in report
April 1, 2014 Brown Trout 3,100 8 in report
June 1, 2013 Brown Trout 150 13.1 in report
May 1, 2013 Brown Trout 620 7.9 in report
April 1, 2013 Brown Trout 480 13.3 in report
April 1, 2013 Brown Trout 2,620 7.5 in report
May 1, 2012 Brown Trout 580 12.7 in report
May 1, 2012 Brown Trout 3,190 8 in report
May 1, 2012 Brown Trout 750 8 in report
June 1, 2011 Brown Trout 333 13.5 in report
May 1, 2011 Brown Trout 580 13.3 in report
May 1, 2011 Brown Trout 3,050 7.2 in report
May 1, 2011 Brown Trout 720 7.2 in report
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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