Trout Fishing in Region 6
Trout Streams
Although some trout streams are found in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties, the majority are located in Herkimer, Oneida and Lewis counties and can be divided into three categories: stocked streams, prime streams (wild trout populations but fairly accessible), and remote wild streams (streams with a "wilderness" setting). Some stream sections are "catch and release" fishing only, and a few of the stocked reaches receive large trout.
A separate listing of waters for each category can be found on the following pages. These lists provide information on trout species present, stream location and available public access. A separate pamphlet is available on salmon and steelhead fishing in Jefferson County's Lake Ontario tributaries.
When fishing for trout, anglers will find that the most productive baits and techniques vary from season to season. Generally, when trout season opens in April, the largest catches are taken with natural bait such as worms and salted minnows. For best results, fish pools and slow riffles during the warmest part of the day. While fishing with worms remains good throughout the season, fly fishing picks up in early May and continues through the summer. With the heat of summer, it is best to fish early in the morning and late in the evening especially after a rain. Anglers should also try small spinners or spinners tipped with worms. Fly fishermen generally use streamers, nymphs or flies. Fish the streams in the fall as you would in the spring.
St. Lawrence County - Stocked with both brown and brook trout, the Oswegatchie River below the dam at Cranberry Lake is one of the more popular trout streams. Other area streams include the St. Regis River, which is stocked with brown trout and rainbow trout, and Plumb Brook, a tributary of the Grass River which is stocked with brown trout. In addition, the uppermost section of the Grass River provides native brook trout populations. St. Lawrence County also has over 30 miles of catch and release fishing available on wild brown and brook trout streams.
Jefferson County - Felts Mills and Jacobs Creeks offer good fishing for both wild and stocked brook trout, usually beginning in mid April. Black Creek, located on and below the Fort Drum Military Reservation, also provides excellent angling opportunities for stocked brown trout but a special permit from the Fish and Wildlife Program Manager at (315) 772-9636 is required to fish there.
Lewis County - A variety of trout species are stocked in numerous creeks throughout the county including Black, Alder, Crystal and Point Rock creeks, as well as the upper portions of some of the major rivers. Anglers looking for native brook trout should try the numerous tributaries of East Branch of Fish Creek , upper Mad River and Otter Creek and the Sugar River. Numerous wild brook and brown trout streams can be found on the eastern side of the Black River.
Herkimer County - Herkimer County has a variety of trout streams with both stocked and native fish populations. The Moose and upper Black rivers are stocked with brook trout. Spruce and West Canada creeks are stocked with both brown and brook trout. The South Branch Moose River maintains a moderate native brook trout population. Access is fairly easy on many of these streams. The South and Middle branches of the Moose River have public land along the banks, as does the Black River. Spruce and West Canada creeks have public fishing rights with the West Canada also having several fishermen parking areas.
Oneida County - As in Herkimer County, there is an abundance of trout streams in Oneida County. Brown trout are stocked in numerous creeks including: Big, Canada, Cincinnati, Fish, Ninemile, Oriskany, Sauquoit, Sconondoa and West Canada creeks. Stocked with brook, brown and rainbow trout, the Black River provides great fishing opportunities, especially in the area near Boonville. Oriskany, Woodhull and the upper Mohawk and Mad rivers sustain native brown and brook trout populations. Public fishing rights are located along most of these streams.
Trout Ponds
Most of the region's trout ponds are located in Herkimer, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties and are stocked with brook trout. They can be accessed by road and several others in remote locations of Herkimer and St. Lawrence counties require extensive walking. Another group of lakes is stocked with brown rainbow and lake trout and are called two-story waters. Bass, northern pike, perch, and sunfish are also caught here. Generally, the best time to fish trout ponds is soon after ice-out and until July. Interested anglers should check the regional stocking list.
Note: Although the general season for trout is from April 1 - October 15, some streams in Oneida, Herkimer, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties are open April 1 through November 30, or longer. For details, please check the regulations guide that you receive with your license.
Stocked Trout Streams
This listing contains only the more important stocked streams.
| Water | Section | Public Access | Species | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Canada Creek | Dolgeville to Stratford | 2.8 mi PFR | BT | 9.0 |
| Fulmer Creek | 0.8 mi below Edicks | BT,RT | 3.5 | |
| Moose River | McKeever area | 2.0 mi Public Land | ST | 2 |
| Otsquago Creek | Co line to Fish Hatchery | BT,RT | 5.3 | |
| Spruce Creek | Mouth to Rt 29 | 0.2 mi PFR | BT | 7.1 |
| Unadilla River | Co line to Chepachet Pond | BT | 5.6 | |
| West Canada Creek** | Mouth to Hamilton Co line | 2.5 mi FWMA, 12 miles of Public land, 11.6 miles PFR |
BT,ST | 44.8 |
| Water | Section | Public Access | Species | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Creek | Philadelphia through Ft. Drum | BT | 4.8 | |
| Black River** | City of Watertown | 1.5 mi FWMA | BT | 8 |
| Felts Mills Creek | Route 3 up 2.8 mi | 2.6 mi PFR | ST | 2.8 |
| Jacobs Creek | Burrville upstream to Rt 12 | 5.4 mi PFR | ST | 6.0 |
| Sandy Creek** | Adams to North Branch | 0.7 mi PFR | BT | 6.0 |
| Townsend (Mill) Creek | Upstream of mouth | 2.7 mi PFR | ST | 3.0 |
| Water | Section | Public Access | Species | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alder Creek | Mouth to Michigan Mills Rd | 4.9 mi PFR | BT | 5.2 |
| Black Creek | Mouth up 6.0 Miles | ST | 8.3 | |
| Black River** | Lyons Falls to Co line | 9.5 mi PFR | BT,RT | 8.5 |
| Crystal Creek** | New Bremen dam downstream | BT | 1.0 | |
| Deer River West Branch | 1.5 mi above mouth and up | 3.0 mi Public land | ST | 4.0 |
| Fish Creek East Branch | Oneida Co line to Alder Creek | 13.9 mi PFR | BT,RT | 15.0 |
| Indian River | Natural Bridge to Indian River Village | 1.5 mi Public Land | BT,ST | 5.5 |
| Moose River | Along Moose River Rd | 1.0 mi Public Land | ST | 4.5 |
| Oswegatchie River - West Branch | Kimball Mills to Round Pond | 17.5 mi PFR | ST,BT | 18.0 |
| Otter Creek** | Mouth to Partridgeville | 6.5 mi Public Land | BT | 6.8 |
| Point Rock Creek | Co. line to Osceola Rd | 8.4 mi PFR | BT | 8.4 |
| Whetstone Creek | Rt 12 to Glendale Rd. | BT | 1.0 |
| Water | Section | Public Access | Species | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Creek | Mouth to Waterville | 3.6 mi PFR | BT | 6.0 |
| Black River** | Lewis Co. line to Enos | 9.6 mi PFR | BT,RT,ST | 15.6 |
| Canada Creek | Oswego Rd to 1 mi below Lee Center | BT | 3.0 | |
| Cincinnati Creek | Mouth to Remsen | 0.5 mi PFR | BT | 4.5 |
| Fish Creek East Br | Rt 69 to Lewis Co line | 7.3 mi PFR | BT | 7.1 |
| Fish Creek | McConnellsville to Gifford Lake | 16.4 mi PFR | BT | 12.7 |
| Lansingkill | Mouth to Pixley Falls | 2.5 mi PFR, 1.8 mi Public Land | BT | 6.0 |
| Mad River | Mouth to dam below River Rd | 1.7 mi PFR, 1.6 mi Public Land | BT | 5.5 |
| Mohawk River East Br | West Leyden down (dam) | 3.0 mi | BT | 3.0 |
| Mohawk River ** | Barge Canal to West Branch | 1.7 mi PFR | BT,RT | 15.7 |
| Ninemile Creek | Richie Rd to canal feeder | 8.9 mi PFR | BT | 8.0 |
| Oneida Creek | Madison Co. line to Oneida Castle | BT | 8.0 | |
| Oriskany Creek** | Clark Mills to Deansboro | 8.8 mi PFR | BT | 10.5 |
| Point Rock Creek | Mouth to Co. line | 3.0 mi PFR | BT | 3.2 |
| Sauquoit Creek** | NY Mills to Cassville | 5.6 mi PFR | BT | 12.6 |
| Sconondoa Creek | Vernon Center to Skinner Rd | 5.9 mi PFR | BT | 7.5 |
| West Canada Creek | Poland to Hinkley Reservoir | 1.5 mi PFR | BT | 8.9 |
| Wood Creek | Rt 69 to Jarvis Rd | BT | 4.1 |
| Water | Section | Public Access | Species | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bog River | Vicinity of Lows dam | 14.0 mi Public Land | ST | 1.5 |
| Grass River | Russell to Donnerville SF | 9.9 mi PFR, 1.0 mi Public Land | BT | 3.0 |
| Grass River South Br (Lower) | Degrasse down 1.0 mi | 2.0 mi Public Land | BT | 1.0 |
| Little River | Mouth to 2.5 mi above Aldrich | 0.4 mi Public Land, 4.7 mi PFR | BT | 9.0 |
| Little River (upper) | Pierrepont-Canton Rd to Van Rensselaer Creek | 0.1 mi PFR | BT | 13.0 |
| Oswegatchie River | 3.0 mi below Cranberry Lake to Inlet | 1.0 mi Public Land | BT,ST | 13.5 |
| Plumb Brook | Whippoorwill Corners to Irish Hill Rd | 3.2 mi PFR, 3.6 mi Public Land | BT | 13.0 |
| St. Regis River | Ft. Jackson to Co line | 3.7 mi PFR | BT,RT | 3.0 |
| Trout Brook | Regan Rd. to Rt 11B | County Forest | BT | 5.0 |
| Van Rensselaer Creek | Mouth to Plains Rd | 0.3 mi PFR | BT | 3.0 |
Legend
Species: BT - Brown trout, RT - Rainbow trout, ST - Brook trout
PFR: Public Fishing Rights - Public rights-of-way through otherwise private land. Please be considerate of the landowners and their property. Yellow "Public Fishing Area" signs are posted at 300-foot intervals along the stream banks to designate exact locations.
FWMA: Fish Wildlife Management Act - Cooperative areas with private landowners allowing Public fishing, usually with special regulations.
**Streams stocked with larger trout (14 inches) at several locations
Prime Trout Streams
For anglers not seeking a true wilderness fishing trip, but desiring wild fish.
| Water | Section | Public Access | Species | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Brook | Salisbury | 2.9 mi PFR, 0.9 mi Public Land | ST | 3.6 |
| Ohisa Creek | Van Hornesville | BT | 5.5 | |
| Steele Creek | Ilion, Millers Mill | RT | 8.9 | |
| Trammel Creek | Stratford, Salisbury | 0.5 mi PFR | ST | 2.4 |
| Unadilla River | Millers Mill | ST | 5.0 |
| Water | Section | Public Access | Species | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raystone Creek | Boylston Center, Worth Center | 4.0 mi Public Land | ST | 11.0 |
| Water | Section | Public Access | Species | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Creek | Lowville, Crystal Dale | 9.9 mi PFR | BT,ST | 10.7 |
| Fall Brook | Port Leyden, McKeever | 0.2 mi PFR, 3 mi Public Land | BT,ST | 12.6 |
| Fish Creek | Brantingham | 5.4 mi PFR | BT | 6.8 |
| Miller Brook | Port Leyden, McKeever | 0.2 mi PFR | BT,ST | 6.9 |
| Salmon River East Br | North Osceola, High Market | 1.0 mi PFR | BT,ST | 2.7 |
| Sugar River | Above Constableville | ST |
| Water | Section | Public Access | Species | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Woodhull Creek | Forestport, N. Wilmurt | ST | 13.8 | |
| Mad River (upper) | Westdale | 2.1 mi Public Land | BT,ST | 10.0 |
| Mohawk River | Westernville | 1.7 mi PFR | BT | 1.8 |
| Oriskany Creek | Oriskany Falls | 8.8 mi PFR | BT | 5.7 |
| Woodhull Creek (lower) | Forestport | 3.4 mi PFR | BT | 5.7 |
| Water | Section | Public Access | Species | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big (Jenny) Creek | Fine, Harrisville | BT,ST | 12.0 | |
| Cold Brook | Stark | 1.2 mi FWMA | BT,ST | 1.2 |
| Dan Wright Brook | Parishville, Nicholville | ST | 6.4 | |
| Grass River South. Branch (lower) | DeGrasse, Tooley Pond, Brothers Pond | 16 mi easement | BT,ST | 16.0 |
| Little River | Oswegatchie | 4.7 mi PFR | ST,BT | 10.6 |
| Trout (Barton) Brook | N. Lawrence, Brasher Falls | 1.0 mi Public Land | BT,ST | 22.0 |
Legend
Species: BT - Brown trout, RT - Rainbow trout, ST - Brook trout
PFR: Public Fishing Rights - Public rights-of-way through otherwise private land. Please be considerate of the landowners and their property. Yellow "Public Fishing Area" signs are posted at 300-foot intervals along the stream banks to designate exact locations.
FWMA: Fish Wildlife Management Act - Cooperative areas with private landowners allowing Public fishing, usually with special regulations.
Remote Wild Trout Streams
For the purists, who desire a "wilderness" setting on their fishing trip.
| Water | Section | Public Access | Species | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Creek | Ohio | 3.3 mi Public Land | ST | 8.0 |
| Mill Creek | Ohio | 4.0 mi Public Land | ST | 11.5 |
| Mill Creek N. Branch | Ohio | 5.0 mi Public Land | ST | 10.0 |
| Moose River South Branch | Old Forge, McKeever | All on Public Land | ST | 8.0 |
| Oswegatchie River | Newton Falls, 5 Ponds, Wolf Mountain | All on Public Land | ST | 8.0 |
| Robinson River | Five Ponds | All on Public Land | ST | 6.5 |
| Spruce Creek (upper) | Salisbury, Middleville | RT,ST | 8.6 | |
| Trammel Creek | Stratford, Salisbury | 0.5 mi PFR, 3.6 mi Public Land | ST | 7.3 |
| Woodhull Creek | McKeever | 7.9 mi Public Land | ST | 8.4 |
| Water | Section | Public Access | Species | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fish Creek East Branch | Highmarket, Page | BT,ST | 14.2 | |
| Mad River (AKA N. Branch Salmon River) | Sears Pond, Worth Center | 1.8 PFR, 5.8 mi Public Land | ST | 11.2 |
| Oswegatchie River Middle Branch | Remington Corners, Oswegatchie SW | 3.0 mi Public Land | ST | 11.9 |
| Otter Creek | Brantingham, McKeever | 9.8 mi Public Land | ST | 11.2 |
| Salmon River (including East and West forks) | Florence, N. Osceola | 6.0 mi PFR, 2.6 mi Public Land | ST | 21.4 |
| Water | Section | Public Access | Species | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florence Creek | Florence | 5.0 mi Public Land | BT,ST | 8.2 |
| Water | Section | Public Access | Species | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bog River | Tupper Lake | 3.2 mi Public Land | ST | 6.0 |
| Grass River, Middle Branch | West Pierrepont, Degrasse, Albert Marsh, Tooley Pond | ST | 14.0 | |
| Grass River North Branch | Stark, Albert Marsh, West Pierrepont | ST | 22.0 | |
| Grass River South Branch | Tupper Lake, Childwold, Brother Ponds, Tooley Pond | 9.0 mi Easement, 2 canoe launches | ST | 17.5 |
| Hopkinton Brook | Sylvan Falls, Nicholville | BT,ST | 7.9 | |
| Jordan River | Childwold, Carry Falls Reservoir | 4.0 mi Public Land | ST | 12.7 |
| St. Regis River, West Branch | Carry Falls Reservoir, Augerhole Falls | BT,ST | 26.4 | |
| Sawyer Creek | Lake Bonaparte | 2.2 mi Public Land | ST | 2.6 |
| Tamarack Creek | Oswegatchie, Oswegatchie SE | 5.5 mi Public Land | ST | 6.2 |
Legend
Species: BT - Brown trout, RT - Rainbow trout, ST - Brook trout
PFR:Public Fishing Rights - Public rights-of-way through otherwise private land. Please be considerate of the landowners and their property. Yellow "Public Fishing Area" signs are posted at 300-foot intervals along the stream banks to designate exact locations.
Stocked Trout Ponds and Lakes
These ponds are easily accessible by road.
| Water | USGS QUAD Map | Public Access | Description | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beardsley Lake | Oppenheim | Reliant | Hand launch | BT |
| Fourth Lake | Big Moose | State | Launch ramp | RT,LT,LLS |
| Old Forge Pond | Old Forge | Public | RT | |
| Prospect Reservoir | Hinckley | Reliant | Launch ramp | RT,BT |
| Quiver Pond | Old Forge | State | Roadside | ST |
| Stillwater Reservoir | Big Moose | State | Launch ramp | Splake |
| Third Lake | Old Forge | State | Via Fourth Lake | RT,LT |
| Twitchell Lake | Big Moose | State | Hand launch | ST |
| Water | USGS QUAD Map | Public Access | Description | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake of the Woods | State | Launch ramp | LT,LLS | |
| Millsite Lake (not stocked) | State | Launch ramp | LT | |
| Sixberry Lake | State | Launch ramp | LT,LLS |
| Water | USGS QUAD Map | Public Access | Description | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clear Pond | Number Four | FWMA | Hand launch | ST |
| Evies Pond West | Crystal Dale | State | Hand launch | ST |
| Lake Bonaparte | Lake Bonaparte | State | Launch ramp | BT,LT |
| Little Otter Lake | Brantingham | State | BT | |
| Long Lake | Crystal Dale | Public | Hand launch | ST |
| Long Pond | Number Four | FWMA | Hand launch | Splake |
| Payne Lake | Crystal Dale | State | Hand launch | ST |
| Pitcher Pond | Brantingham | State | ST | |
| Rock Pond | Number Four | FWMA | Hand launch | ST |
| Rome Reservoir | Point Rock | State PFR | No motors permitted | BT |
| Trout Pond | Number Four | FWMA | Hand launch | ST |
| Water | USGS QUAD Map | Public Access | Description | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boottree Pond | Tupper Lake | FWMA# | Hand launch | ST |
| Cranberry Lake | Cranberry Lake | State | Launch ramp | ST |
| Deer Pond | Tupper Lake | FWMA# | Hand launch | ST |
| Horseshoe Pond | Tupper Lake | FWMA# | Hand launch | ST |
| Lake Ozonia | Lake Ozonia | State | Hand launch | RT,Splake |
| Long Pond | Childwold | FWMA# | ST | |
| Pine Pond | Childwold | FWMA# | ST | |
| Portaferry Lake | Fine | FWMA# | Hand launch | RT |
| Round Pond | Childwold | FWMA# | ST | |
| Sylvia Lake | Gouverneur, Lake Bonaparte | FWMA# | Hand launch | RT |
| Townline Pond | Tupper lake | FWMA | ST |
Legend
Species: BT - Brown trout, ST - Brook trout, RT - Rainbow trout, LLS - Landlocked salmon
#: Closed from last week in June through last week in August.
FWMA: Fish and Wildlife Management Act (Cooperative Areas) PFR: Public Fishing Rights
Both FWMA and PFR refer to public rights-of-way through otherwise private land. Please be considerate of the landowner and his property.
Remote Stocked Trout Ponds and Lakes
These ponds are remote and access requires some walking.
| Water | USGS QUAD Map | Public Access | Miles to Road | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Otter Lake | McKeever | state trail | 4.3 | ST |
| Brewer Pond | McKeever | state trail | 1.2 | ST |
| Bubb Lake | Big Moose | state trail | 0.4 | ST |
| Buck Pond | Big Moose | state trail | 0.6 | ST |
| Cage Lake | Oswegatchie SE | state trail | 6.5 | ST |
| Middle Branch Lake | McKeever | state trail | 5.0 | ST |
| Middle Settlement Lake | McKeever | state trail | 4.0 | ST |
| Razorback Pond | Big Moose | state trail | 1.3 | ST |
| West (Sis) Lake | Big Moose | state trail | 0.5 | ST |
| Water | USGS QUAD Map | Public Access | Miles to Road | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Lake | McKeever | state trail | 3.7 | ST |
| Water | USGS QUAD Map | Public Access | Miles to Road | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandy Lake | McKeever | state trail | 0.7 | ST |
| Round Pond | McKeever | state trail | 0.3 | ST |
| Water | USGS QUAD Map | Public Access | Miles to Road | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Trout Pond | Tupper Lake | state trail | 0.8 | ST |
| Black Pond | Tupper Lake | state none | 0.9 | ST |
| Bridge Brook Pond | Tupper Lake | state trail | 2.5 | ST |
| Cat Mountain Pond | Wolf Mountain | state trail | 4.5 | ST |
| Church Pond | Stark | state trail | 1.0 | ST |
| Clear Pond | Wolf Mountain | state trail | 4.7 | ST |
| Cowhorn Pond | Wolf Mountain | state trail | 4.3 | ST |
| Curtis Pond | Cranberry Lake | state trail | 5.7 | ST |
| Darning Needle Pond | Wolf Mountain | state trail | 7.5 | ST |
| Dog Pond | Tupper Lake | state none | 1.7 | ST |
| Fishpole Pond | Wolf Mountain | state trail | 7.5 | ST |
| Glasby Pond | Five Ponds | state trail | 3.1 | ST |
| Hedgehog (Clear) Pond | Cranberry Lake | state trail | 4.0 | ST |
| Lilypad Pond | Rainbow Falls | state trail | 3.4 | ST |
| Little Trout Pond | Tupper Lake | state trail | 1.2 | ST |
| Long Pond | Rainbow Falls | state trail | 1.7 | ST |
| Olmstead Pond | Wolf Mountain | state trail | 4.0 | ST |
| Round Lake | Oswegatchie SW | state trail | 10.4 | ST |
| Simmons Pond | Wolf Mountain | state trail | 4.0 | ST |
| Spectacle Pond | Cranberry Lake | state trail | 4.0 | ST |
Legend
Species: ST - Brook trout
All information on Access from Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation.
