West Caroga Lake fishing

Fishing at West Caroga Lake has Splake, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish on the stocking report. It is stocked about 1.1 times a year since 2012, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout and Smallmouth Bass and dawn, day, and dusk for Yellow Perch.

Last stocked

April 1, 2025

Plants on record

16

Since 2012

Species recorded

2

Average size

8.1 in

Elevation

1,451 ft

Access and facts

Boat ramp
Yes

A 321-acre Fulton County lake with an unimproved trailer launch; ice fishing is permitted.

Sources: shore_notes , access

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How West Caroga Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of May. In 2025 it was April 1, 2025, earlier than usual.

East Caroga Lake (1 mi), Canada Lake (2.5 mi), Prairie Lake (3.1 mi), Stewart Lake (3.5 mi), and Otter Lake (3.6 mi) were stocked more recently. East Caroga Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout and Canada Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.

Fish at West Caroga Lake

Fishing West Caroga Lake is most likely to be for Splake. Splake accounts for 15 of 16 plants on record, ahead of Rainbow Trout.

Splake 15 plants
Plants
15 of 16
Last stocked
April 1, 2025
Average length
8 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Splake guide.

Rainbow Trout 1 plant
Plants
1 of 16
Last stocked
May 1, 2016
Average length
8.6 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 4,1002012
  • 5,2002013
  • 5,2002014
  • 4,7302015
  • 4,3802016
  • 3,6902017
  • 4,6302018
  • 5,2002019
  • 5,2002020
  • 2,3002021
  • 5,2002022
  • 4,8402023
  • 6,7402024
  • 6,2702025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 16 plants Showing 16 plants

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
April 1, 2025 Splake 6,270 7.7 in report
October 1, 2024 Splake 1,500 5.6 in report
April 1, 2024 Splake 5,240 8.3 in report
April 1, 2023 Splake 4,840 8.4 in report
April 1, 2022 Splake 5,200 8 in report
April 1, 2021 Splake 2,300 8.3 in report
April 1, 2020 Splake 5,200 7.7 in report
April 1, 2019 Splake 5,200 8 in report
May 1, 2018 Splake 4,630 8.2 in report
May 1, 2017 Splake 3,690 8.7 in report
May 1, 2016 Splake 4,100 8.5 in report
May 1, 2016 Rainbow Trout 280 8.6 in report
May 1, 2015 Splake 4,730 8.2 in report
May 1, 2014 Splake 5,200 8.4 in report
May 1, 2013 Splake 5,200 7.7 in report
May 1, 2012 Splake 4,100 8.9 in report
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Species found here

Confirmed present independent of the stocking records above, not from a stocking event.

  • Smallmouth Bass : Listed among the species present by NY DEC's Recommended Fishing Lakes and Ponds dataset. (source)
  • Sunfish : Listed among the species present by NY DEC's Recommended Fishing Lakes and Ponds dataset. (source)
  • Yellow Perch : Listed among the species present by NY DEC's Recommended Fishing Lakes and Ponds dataset. (source)

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