West Branch Tioughnioga River fishing

West Branch Tioughnioga River fishing is stocked with Brown Trout and Brook Trout on a river section. Also recorded: Rock Bass, Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass, and Largemouth Bass. 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.

AI-generated illustration, not a photo of this lake
Last stocked
April 2025
Brown Trout
Plants on record
46
Since 2011
Species stocked
2 (+4 also recorded)
Average size
10 in

Fish at West Branch Tioughnioga River

2 stocked · 4 confirmed present

Brown Trout Stocked · 44 plants · last April 2025 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked April 2025 · avg 10.2 in · 44 plants

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Brown Trout species guide
Brook Trout Stocked · 2 plants · last March 2020 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked March 2020 · avg 6.9 in · 2 plants

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Brook Trout species guide

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. (dec.ny.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

How West Branch Tioughnioga River is stocked

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Fish stocked in 2011

4,683

Fish stocked in 2012

4,520

Fish stocked in 2013

3,870

Fish stocked in 2014

4,330

Fish stocked in 2015

4,300

Fish stocked in 2016

4,320

Fish stocked in 2017

4,160

Fish stocked in 2018

4,760

Fish stocked in 2019

4,930

Fish stocked in 2020

14,760

Fish stocked in 2021

11,290

Fish stocked in 2022

3,160

Fish stocked in 2023

3,160

Fish stocked in 2024

2,100

Fish stocked in 2025

2,180

Stocking history

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
April 2025Brown Trout1,9709 inreport
April 2025Brown Trout21014.1 inreport
April 2024Brown Trout220–report
April 2024Brown Trout1,8809.4 inreport
April 2023Brown Trout32013.8 inreport
April 2023Brown Trout2,8409.1 inreport
April 2022Brown Trout32013.5 inreport
April 2022Brown Trout2,84010 inreport
November 2021Brown Trout8,1306.7 inreport
April 2021Brown Trout2,8408 inreport
April 2021Brown Trout32012.6 inreport
November 2020Brown Trout7,0006.1 inreport
March 2020Brown Trout64011.7 inreport
March 2020Brook Trout5,7606.9 inreport
March 2020Brook Trout1,3606.9 inreport
May 2019Brown Trout50013.2 inreport
May 2019Brown Trout7507.8 inreport
April 2019Brown Trout49013.7 inreport
April 2019Brown Trout3,1907.6 inreport
May 2018Brown Trout40013.7 inreport
May 2018Brown Trout49013.2 inreport
April 2018Brown Trout7408 inreport
April 2018Brown Trout3,1307.9 inreport
May 2017Brown Trout49013 inreport
May 2017Brown Trout7008 inreport
April 2017Brown Trout2,9708 inreport
May 2016Brown Trout49013 inreport
May 2016Brown Trout7308.1 inreport
April 2016Brown Trout3,1008 inreport
May 2015Brown Trout49013.2 inreport
May 2015Brown Trout7308.1 inreport
April 2015Brown Trout3,0807.9 inreport
May 2014Brown Trout7408.3 inreport
April 2014Brown Trout49013.3 inreport
April 2014Brown Trout3,1008 inreport
June 2013Brown Trout15013.1 inreport
May 2013Brown Trout6207.9 inreport
April 2013Brown Trout48013.3 inreport
April 2013Brown Trout2,6207.5 inreport
May 2012Brown Trout58012.7 inreport
May 2012Brown Trout3,1908 inreport
May 2012Brown Trout7508 inreport
June 2011Brown Trout33313.5 inreport
May 2011Brown Trout58013.3 inreport
May 2011Brown Trout3,0507.2 inreport
May 2011Brown Trout7207.2 inreport

Access and facts

Water type
river section
Nearest town
Cortland
Shore access
Yes

About one mile of Public Fishing Rights along the west branch; no official PFR parking area, so anglers use unofficial pulloffs. The stocked lower reach runs from the Route 11 bridge at Durkee Memorial Park down to the Route 13 bridge in Cortland.

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

We could not verify the exact location of this water, so no map is shown.

Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation before you go.

About West Branch Tioughnioga River

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. (dec.ny.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

Nearest lakes

No other lakes on record in New York yet.

Common questions

What fish are at West Branch Tioughnioga River?

Fishing West Branch Tioughnioga River usually means Brown Trout: Brown Trout accounts for 44 of 46 plants on record, ahead of Brook Trout. Brown Trout was last stocked April 2025, averaging 10.2 in. Brook Trout was last stocked March 2020, averaging 6.9 in. Rock Bass, Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass, and Largemouth Bass are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is West Branch Tioughnioga River stocked?

Last stocked April 2025. It is stocked about 3.1 times a year since 2011, most often in April and May.

How big are the fish stocked at West Branch Tioughnioga River?

Stocked fish average 10 in. Brown Trout average 10.2 in. Brook Trout average 6.9 in.

How do you get on West Branch Tioughnioga River?

Shore fishing is available. The nearest town is Cortland. About one mile of Public Fishing Rights along the west branch; no official PFR parking area, so anglers use unofficial pulloffs. The stocked lower reach runs from the Route 11 bridge at Durkee Memorial Park down to the Route 13 bridge in Cortland.

Sources (1) +