Allegheny Reservoir Fishing
A 12,222-acre New York reservoir in Cattaraugus County, shared with Pennsylvania.
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Allegheny Reservoir in brief
NYS Hydrography outlines give Allegheny Reservoir about 12,222 acres of open water in Cattaraugus County. Ownership on the DEC lake list reads OPRHP (State Parks). Stock up in Frewsburg, roughly 12 miles away. It forms part of the border with Pennsylvania. DEC groups it under Western New York.
DEC names smallmouth bass, yellow perch, muskell salmonunge, northern pike, walleye and common carp among its fish. Boaters can use 3 mapped launches. DEC calls the launch trailer improved.
NYS Hydrography (NHD) outline, DEC Recommended Fishing Lakes and Ponds, Census places, retrieved October 24, 2026.
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Each chip for Allegheny Reservoir traces back to the DEC lake list, a state record or a DEC stocking entry.
DEC Recommended Fishing Lakes and Ponds species column, DEC stocking lists and state records, retrieved October 24, 2026.
DEC launches at Allegheny Reservoir
- Allegany State Park on Allegheny Reservoirhard surface ramp, parking: 35 spaces (dec park field); managed by OPRHP
- Onoville Marinahard surface ramp, parking: 150 spaces (dec park field); managed by Municipal
- Allegany State Park on Quaker Lakeunpaved trailer launch, parking: 10 spaces (dec park field); managed by OPRHP
DEC and local launches near Allegheny Reservoir
- Allegany State Park on Red House LakeRed House Lake, 14 miles northeast
DEC boat launch and fishing access layers, retrieved October 24, 2026.
Carrying fish home from Allegheny Reservoir
| Species | Daily limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Lake trout | 3; minimum 21" | Apr 1 – Oct 15 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass (Jun 15 to Nov 30) | 5; minimum 12" | Jun 15 – Nov 30 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass (Dec 1 to Jun 14) | No harvest; Catch and release only | Dec 1 – Jun 14 |
| Muskellunge | 1; minimum 40" | Jun 1 – Nov 30 |
| Tiger muskellunge | 1; minimum 30" | May 1 – Mar 15 |
| Northern pike | 5; minimum 18" | May 1 – Mar 15 |
| Chain pickerel | 5; minimum 15" | May 1 – Mar 15 |
| Walleye | 5; minimum 15" | May 1 – Mar 15 |
| Black and white crappie | 25; minimum 10" | All year |
| Yellow perch | 50 | All year |
| Sunfish | 25 | All year |
| American eel | 25; minimum 9" | All year |
Unless a special listing below says otherwise, Allegheny Reservoir follows the statewide freshwater rules.
A New York license covers the New York side; whether it also counts across the line depends on DEC border-water agreements, so check before crossing. Residents pay $25.00 a year and nonresidents $50.00.
2026 DEC freshwater fishing regulations (statewide table effective April 1, 2026); county special regulations from the DEC region pages; retrieved October 24, 2026, figures checked against the DEC pages October 25, 2026.
Allegheny Reservoir versus the lakes close by
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | DEC species | Stocked 2023-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegheny Reservoir | 12,222 | 3 | 6 | ||
| Red House Lake | 14 miles northeast | 109 | 1 | 5 | yes |
| Chautauqua Lake | 29 miles northwest | 13,304 | 6 | 8 | yes |
| Cassadaga Lakes | 33 miles northwest | 241 | 1 | 9 | |
| Bear Lake, Chautauqua County | 35 miles northwest | 137 | 1 | 8 | yes |
| Cuba Lake | 39 miles northeast | 464 | 0 | 8 |
NYS Hydrography, DEC launch layers, DEC lake list and stocking lists, retrieved October 24, 2026.
Places bordering Allegheny Reservoir
Lakes to combine with a Allegheny Reservoir trip
- Red House Lake14 miles northeast
- Chautauqua Lake29 miles northwest
- Cassadaga Lakes33 miles northwest
- Bear Lake, Chautauqua County35 miles northwest
- Cuba Lake39 miles northeast
Where to grab bait before Allegheny Reservoir
- Onoville Marina Parkmarina, Cattaraugus, 5 miles
- Smith Boys Marinamarina, Chautauqua, 23 miles
- Chautauqua Reel Outdoors Guide & Tackle Llcbait and tackle shop, Ashville, 24 miles
Places to sleep within reach of Allegheny Reservoir
- Salamanca17 miles
- Falconer17 miles
- Jamestown18 miles
County guides sharing Allegheny Reservoir
- Cattaraugus Countycounty seat Little Valley
Reels and pliers from Piscifun for Allegheny Reservoir trips
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Camera views of lakes and streams around Allegheny Reservoir
Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Allegheny Reservoir in a handful of answers
Under which DEC region does Allegheny Reservoir fall?
Cattaraugus County, DEC Western New York, about 12 miles from Frewsburg.
How large does Allegheny Reservoir measure?
Roughly 12,222 acres.
Is a public launch mapped beside Allegheny Reservoir?
DEC data show 3 mapped launches, such as Allegany State Park on Allegheny Reservoir.
Which species appear on the DEC list for Allegheny Reservoir?
The DEC roster names smallmouth bass, yellow perch, muskell salmonunge, northern pike, walleye and common carp.
Which daily limits apply at Allegheny Reservoir?
Largemouth and smallmouth bass (Jun 15 to Nov 30): 5; minimum 12"; Jun 15 – Nov 30.
May an out-of-towner wet a line at Allegheny Reservoir?
A New York license covers the New York side; whether it also counts across the line depends on DEC border-water agreements, so check before crossing. Residents pay $25.00 a year and nonresidents $50.00.
Is Allegheny Reservoir on the DEC stocking lists?
It is not on the 2023 to 2026 DEC stocking lists.
Is there a bait store near Allegheny Reservoir?
Onoville Marina Park is roughly 5 miles away.
Pencil in a day on Allegheny Reservoir
Read the limits above, then choose a launch.