New Albion Lake

Introduction

New Albion Lake is a 45-acre man-made lake located in northwest Cattaraugus County. The lake was built in 1982 for flood control as a part of the Conewango Creek Watershed Protection District by impounding Conewango Creek. New Albion Lake has a maximum depth of 14 feet and a mean depth of 6 feet. The 1.1 mile shoreline is undeveloped and consists of fields, scrub with some wooded areas.

New Albion Lake is open for fishing year round (including ice fishing) and fishing access is unlimited. Shoreline fishing is allowed around the entire lake. Mosher Hollow Road runs the length of the northeast shore. There is a hand launch access site for cartop boats and canoes. Boats are limited to the use of electric motors only.

Trout

New Albion Lake is stocked annually with yearling brook trout and brown trout and with two-year-old brown trout. Surplus hatchery breeders are stocked in the fall in most years. The trout fishery is a put and take fishery, as there is little holdover of trout. Ice fishing for trout is legal as there is no closed season.

Largemouth bass

Largemouth bass are abundant with good growth rates. There are good numbers of bass in the 12-15 inch size range. Fish habitat is found in the form of extensive weed beds mainly around the inlet, and along both shores. Bass anglers find success with spinner baits, surface plugs, plastic worms, crank baits as well as live crayfish or worms.

Panfish

Pumpkinseed and white crappie are the most abundant panfish with fair numbers of yellow perch, bluegill and brown bullhead. Kids will be kept busy with a bobber and worms, but do not expect large fish of any of these species.