Fishing Whitney Point Reservoir
Whitney Point Reservoir, located on the Otselic River in Broome County, is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control project. Besides being used for flood control Whitney Point Reservoir offers great recreational opportunities. Currently a 1,200 acre "recreation" pool is maintained from May through November while a 900 acre "conservation" pool (a 7 foot draw-down) is maintained through the winter months. However, a change in water level management is planned for 2009 in which the 1,200 acre pool will be maintained all year except during periods of summer drought. When summer flow in the Chenango or Susquehanna River drops below a predetermined level water will be released from the reservoir to provide additional flow downstream. Under this new management regime a summer draw-down of up to 2 feet is expected to occur every other year; a draw-down of up to 4 feet is anticipated to occur once every 10 years; a drawdown of up to 6 feet in expected one out of 20 years; and the maximum allowable draw-down of 8 feet is expected to occur once every 50-100 years. There are two Broome County Parks on the reservoir, Dorchester Park, located at the southeast end, and Upper Lisle Park, located on the northwest end of the reservoir.
Physical Features
Elevation: 1,010 feet
Area: 1,200 acres
Length: 5.8 miles
Maximum Width: 1.1 miles
Maximum Depth: 20 feet
Plant Life
Very little rooted aquatic vegetation is currently found in the reservoir but this may change in response to the new water level management regime.
Public Access Sites
Dorchester Park - off Route 26, one mile north of the Whitney Point Reservoir Dam in Dorchester Park. Hard surface launch ramp. Parking for 40 cars and trailers.
25 hp motor restrictions, 10 mph speed restrictions.
Town of Triangle - county Route 13 at the Upper Lisle bridge. Gravel surface ramp. Parking for ten cars and trailers. 25 hp motor restrictions, 10 mph speed restrictions.
Keible Rd-shore access and car top boats.
General Fishing Information
Whitney point Reservoir is a very popular fishing location for white crappie and walleye. In years when ice thickness permits, the Whitney Point Sportsman's Association holds their "Almost Annual" ice fishing derby for crappie. To catch crappie through the ice, try fishing the old river channel with minnows and small jigs tipped with spikes. Crappies often suspend and can be found from a few feet under the ice to just off bottom. Crappie fishing is often very good after dark. Walleye can also be caught through the ice using tip-ups baited with minnows and by jigging with spoons and swimming jigs.
Open water fishing can also be excellent depending on the time of year. During the spring crappie can be caught around near shore structure on minnows and small jigs. Walleye fishing is best during spring and late summer/fall months for anglers fishing in the old river channel with jigs and worm harnesses. For bass try spinnerbaits, topwater baits and crankbaits along the shoreline and around any woody structure. Channel catfish and carp can be caught throughout the reservoir. For catfish try dead minnow, cut-bait and night crawlers. For carp try baits like corn, worms, and dough balls.
For current fishing information visit the Region 7 Fishing Hotline online or by calling (607) 753-1551.
Fisheries Management
Gamefish present include walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and pickerel. Panfish include white crappie, black crappie, pumpkinseed sunfish, bluegill sunfish, yellow perch, rock bass and bullhead. Carp and channel catfish are also found in the reservoir. Main forage fish are golden shiners, young yellow perch, and young crappie.
Habitat Improvement
With the lack of cover in the Reservoir a cooperative effort between local sportsmen and the DEC led to the installation of numerous brush-piles and root-wad clusters along the shore. This cover provides habitat for both juvenile and adult fish.
Regulations
Statewide angling regulations apply to all fish species, except for walleye. Walleye must have a minimum length of 18", and the daily limit is 3. There is a 25 hp motor restriction and a 10 mph speed restrictions on the reservoir.
