Lebanon Reservoir
Lebanon Reservoir is a small remote water body located in Madison County near the Village of Hamilton. It is one of the numerous area reservoirs that was built to supply water to the Erie Canal.
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Physical Features
Elevation: 1,300 feet
Area: 96 acres
Length: 0.79 miles
Maximum Depth: 45 feet
Plant Life
Lebanon Reservoir has rooted aquatic plant growth around most of the lake shore out to about 15 feet of water. The areas around the boat launch and the northern arm have significant aquatic plant growth.
Public Access Sites
On Reservoir Road, about 4 miles west of the Village of Hamilton. Concrete ramp. Parking for 14 cars and trailers.
General Fishing Information
Largemouth bass and rainbow trout are the main gamefish in the reservoir. Panfish such as yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish and brown bullhead are also found in the reservoir. For the largemouth bass, try fishing spinnerbaits or weed less topwater baits over the vegetation and rubber worms or live minnows along the weed edges. Trout can be caught on worms or minnows fished under bobbers or by trolling with small spoons or spinners. The panfish can be caught on small jigs, minnows or worms fished under a bobber along the shoreline and weed edges.
Fisheries Management
Lebanon Reservoir is stocked each spring by the NYSDEC with approximately 2,000 year-old rainbow trout. The Lebanon Reservoir Lake Association has been stocking walleye fingerlings into the reservoir in an attempt to reduce the number of panfish. The hope is that with fewer panfish the number of aquatic invertebrates that feed on the exotic invasive plant, Eurasian watermilfoil, should increase thus helping to control the watermilfoil in the lake naturally.
Special Fishing Regulations
Special fishing regulations exist for trout in all waters in Madison County. Please review your fishing regulations guide for details.
