Fishing Allegheny Reservoir

AKA: Allegheny Lake

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Allegheny Reservoir Fishing Video
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Allegheny Reservoir, NY

Popular Fish Species Allegheny Reservoir, NY

Allegheny Reservoir Popular Fish - Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Smallmouth bass are the most sought-after species at Allegheny Reservoir, with fish over 3 pounds very common. Smallmouth bass fishing is particularly good when they move to shallow water. Use shallow spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, crankbaits, tube baits and jerkbaits around any sort of rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, when the lake freezes over, consider ice fishing for smallies. Other times, focus your time on deeper structure with drop-shot rigs, small worms, jigs and spoons. Rock piles and points are prime areas for smallmouth as these areas are also home to crawfish.

Allegheny Reservoir Popular Fish - Walleye

Walleye Fishing

Allegheny Reservoir is home to a hearty population of walleye. Good fisheries management by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and plenty of forage in the lake have them growing fat and healthy. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye can be very rewarding. Use GPS to locate fishing spots you normally fish during other times of the year. Walleye have excellent vision in low light scenarios which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water anytime there are low light conditions. During May and June is the optimal time to catch them, while feeding in shallower water. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. Concentrate around structure like points, flats and ledges off the river channels. One of the proven methods for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.

Allegheny Reservoir Popular Fish - Yellow Perch

Yellow Perch Fishing

Yellow perch tend to spawn in the April to May timeframe, and the spawn has been strong for years at Allegheny Reservoir. As a result, the lake continues to maintain a very healthy population of yellow perch, which have been a mainstay in the fishery for decades. They are fun to catch in winter when ice fishing as well. Yellow perch are great table fare, and are a food source for many predator fish in the lake. Fishing for yellow perch is simple, their primary diet consists of minnows and other small fish, insects and worms. Yellow perch tend to gather in small groups and hang out on relatively deep structure, near cover and/or drop-offs. Use a small hook and sinker. Bait a small hook with minnows, worms or small jigs using 6 to 10 pound line.

Allegheny Reservoir Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for smallmouth bass, channel catfish, white crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, rock bass, white bass, white perch, yellow bass and yellow perch, muskie and northern pike at Allegheny Reservoir in New York.

A well-documented fish factory, Allegheny Reservoir is a 12,000-acre lake on the southern border of the state, with 91 miles of shoreline. Big muskies, walleye and northern pike are quite common here. This reservoir is also known for its excellent fishing for smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, catfish, trout and panfish.

Stocked rainbow, brook and brown trout ensure an excellent trout fishery, plus there is an abundant supply of bass, crappie, catfish, perch and crappie. Virtually any amenity you might seek out is located at the lake to enhance your fishing, camping and boating excursions. A marina, boat launch ramps, supplies, dining, lodging and camping are all within easy access to the lake, as well as areas of accessible shoreline for bank fishing. This fish factory is quite a popular ice fishing area during winter months, once the ice is safe.

Primary fish species residing in Allegheny Reservoir

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Allegheny Reservoir Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

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Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Friends Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off Allegany State Park Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and gravel parking.

Onoville Marina Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off W Bank Perimeter Road, this is a five-lane, concrete ramp with docks and massive, paved parking.