DEC Fish Stocking
Each year DEC releases approximately 900,000 pounds of fish into more than 1,200 public streams, rivers, lakes and ponds across the state.
Fish Stocking Information
Anticipated Trout Stocking for Current Year
Review a list of waters (by county) anticipated to be stocked with yearling and older trout for the spring fishing season beginning April 1 each year.
Actual Stocking Lists From Previous Years
Review a list of waters that were stocked during previous years.
Why DEC Stocks Fish
- to enhance recreational fishing
- to restore native species to waters they formerly occupied
Raising Fish for Stocking
Breeding and rearing fish is a large task that requires precise methods and specialized equipment and facilities. There are 12 DEC Fish Hatcheries statewide, each specializing in raising one or more species of fish, including: brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, lake trout, steelhead, chinook salmon, coho salmon, landlocked salmon, walleye, muskellunge, and tiger muskellunge.
Managing Stocking and Fisheries
Walleye Egg Take
Walk through a step-by-step process on how DEC breeds and rears walleye to a stockable size.
Fisheries Management Surveys and Reports
Review DEC survey reports generated by Fisheries biologists statewide. The surveys help biologists make informed decisions on the numbers and types of species to be stocked to maintain sustainable fish populations and support recreational fisheries.
Private Pond Stocking
Private Fish Stocking
Find details on licenses and requirements when privately stocking ponds, lakes, and streams. The information on this page is for landowners and groups/organizations wishing to stock their waters usually for recreational fishing purposes or for controlling nuisance aquatic species.
More about DEC Fish Stocking:
- Spring Trout Stocking (2023) - A list of waters and the trout species and their numbers that DEC anticipates stocking in Spring 2023; organized by county.
- Fish Stocking Lists (Actual) - Data on the total numbers and species of fish stocked by DEC hatcheries during previous years.
