Place to Fish

Red House Lake

Red House Lake is a 110 acre man-made lake located within Allegany State Park. It was created in 1929 by the damming of Red House Brook. The bottom is primarily mud with some areas of gravel. The shoreline is virtually undeveloped and consists primarily of mowed fields with some wooded areas. Roads and a bike path encircle the entire lake.

Physical Features:

Elevation: 1,400 feet
Area: 110 acres
Shoreline Length: 1.8 miles
Max Depth: 20 feet
Mean Depth: 7 feet
County and Town: Cattaraugus County, Town of Red House

Access:

Fishing access is nearly unlimited with shoreline fishing allowed around the entire lake, except within the swimming area. There is a launch for small trailered and cartop boats off ASP Route 1 at the northern tip of the lake. Rowboats and canoes can also be rented from the park for use on the lake.

For more information on this launch including Google Maps driving directions, visit the Boat Launch Sites for Cattaraugus County page.

Fishing Species:

Brown trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, brown bullhead, black crappie, rock bass.

Fishing:

Trout: Red House Lake is stocked each spring with yearling brown trout. The lake also receives a stocking of larger, hatchery breeder trout in the fall of most years. The trout fishery is essentially a put-and-take fishery, as there is little holdover of trout. Ice fishing for trout is permitted.

Largemouth Bass: Largemouth bass are abundant in Red House Lake and have average growth rates. There are good numbers of bass in the 12-15 inch size range, and the fish habitat is provided mainly by a moderate level of aquatic vegetation beds. Bass anglers have success with spinner baits, surface plugs, plastic worms, and crank baits, as well as live crayfish or worms.

Panfish: Bluegill and pumpkinseed are the dominant panfish, with moderate numbers of yellow perch and brown bullhead, and occasional black crappie and rock bass. Growth rates are average, and ice fishing for panfish is more popular than open-water summer fishing. Live baits such as worms and minnows work well, as do small spinners and jigs.