Stillwater Reservoir Fishing
A 6,233-acre New York reservoir in Herkimer County.
Pick for smallmouth bassPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo of Mohawk River: Beyond My Ken, CC BY-SA 4.0
A first visit to Stillwater Reservoir
Measured from its NHD outline, Stillwater Reservoir covers roughly 6,233 acres of Herkimer County. The DEC record gives DEC as owner. About 13 miles separates the water from Eagle Bay. Fisheries staff for Western Adirondacks and Eastern Lake Ontario look after it.
The DEC species column lists smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch and splake. Launch type, per DEC: trailer improved. For hard water, DEC notes ice fishing permitted.
NYS Hydrography (NHD) outline, DEC Recommended Fishing Lakes and Ponds, Census places, retrieved October 24, 2026.
For the smallmouth bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 Species DEC records at Stillwater Reservoir
This fish list for Stillwater Reservoir draws on DEC listings and stocking files, not a netting survey.
DEC Recommended Fishing Lakes and Ponds species column, DEC stocking lists and state records, retrieved October 24, 2026.
Launch ramps serving Stillwater Reservoir
No launch on Stillwater Reservoir shows in the DEC data, so the closest mapped ones follow.
Ramps in the neighborhood of Stillwater Reservoir
- Public Launch on Moshier ReservoirMoshier Reservoir, 2 miles west
- Public Launch on Tied LakeTied Lake, 6 miles northwest
- Public Launch on Twitchell LakeTwitchell Lake, 7 miles southeast
- Independence River Wild Forest LaunchFrancis Lake, 8 miles west
- Public Launch on Long Pond near CroghanLong Pond, 10 miles northwest
- Public Launch on Rock Pond/Trout LakeRock Pond/Trout Lake, 11 miles northwest
DEC boat launch and fishing access layers, retrieved October 24, 2026.
Today’s level at Stillwater Reservoir
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Stillwater Reservoir Near Beaver River Ny | 1,666.78 ft lake elevation | Oct 26 8:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 26, 2026 9:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
The take-home rules for Stillwater 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 |
Statewide seasons and sizes set the baseline at Stillwater Reservoir.
Local rules for Stillwater Reservoir
| Species | Daily limit and size | Season | Listed under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brook Trout | 3; minimum 12" | All year | Herkimer County |
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.
Latest stocking years at Stillwater Reservoir
From 2023 through 2025, DEC logged 3 releases into Stillwater Reservoir, with splake the main fish.
| Year | Species | Type | Entries | Fish | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Splake | stocked | 1 | 1,810 | 8.2 in |
| 2024 | Splake | stocked | 1 | 1,510 | 8.2 in |
| 2023 | Splake | stocked | 1 | 1,400 | 8.2 in |
DEC Fish Stocking Lists (Actual), 2023 to 2025, and DEC Current Season Spring Trout Stocking, 2026 (data.ny.gov), retrieved October 24, 2026. New York stocking.
Stillwater Reservoir and the lakes that ring it
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | DEC species | Stocked 2023-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stillwater Reservoir | 6,233 | 0 | 4 | yes | |
| Peaked Mountain Lake | 1 mile northeast | 42 | 0 | 0 | yes |
| Evergreen Lake, Herkimer County | 1 mile north | 48 | 0 | 0 | yes |
| Hidden Lake | 2 miles northeast | 17 | 0 | 0 | yes |
| Moshier Reservoir | 4 miles west | 308 | 1 | 4 | |
| Twitchell Lake | 7 miles southeast | 143 | 1 | 2 | yes |
NYS Hydrography, DEC launch layers, DEC lake list and stocking lists, retrieved October 24, 2026.
Nearby to Stillwater Reservoir, by distance
More lakes a short drive from Stillwater Reservoir
- Peaked Mountain Lake1 mile northeast
- Evergreen Lake, Herkimer County1 mile north
- Hidden Lake2 miles northeast
- Moshier Reservoir4 miles west
- Twitchell Lake7 miles southeast
Tackle sellers serving Stillwater Reservoir
- Fourth Lake Boat Launchmarina, Hamilton, 15 miles
- Burke's Marinamarina, Raquette Lake, 21 miles
A day with a guide on Stillwater Reservoir
- Adirondack River Outfitters, Ifishing guide, Adirondack, Old Forge
- C.P.'s Guiding Servicefishing guide, Richfield Springs
- Fort Noble, Inc.fishing guide, Cold Brook
- White Dog Trail Co.fishing guide, Ilion
Home bases for trips to Stillwater Reservoir
- Lowville25 miles
- Carthage30 miles
- West Carthage31 miles
Stillwater Reservoir across county lines
- Herkimer Countycounty seat Herkimer
Piscifun kit that suits Stillwater Reservoir water
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
The fish of Stillwater Reservoir, pictured one by one
Photo: Tommy Andriollo, CC BY 4.0
Photo: USFWS Midwest Region, Public domain
Photo: Knepp Timothy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: hug_78, CC BY 2.0
What gets asked about Stillwater Reservoir
How far is Stillwater Reservoir from the nearest New York town?
It lies in Herkimer County, DEC Western Adirondacks and Eastern Lake Ontario, about 13 miles from Eagle Bay.
What acreage is Stillwater Reservoir?
Close to 6,233 acres by state hydrography.
Where do I put a boat in at Stillwater Reservoir?
Not mapped; nearby launches are listed above.
What might bend the rod at Stillwater Reservoir?
Records show smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch and splake.
Which minimum sizes does DEC set at Stillwater Reservoir?
Largemouth and smallmouth bass (Jun 15 to Nov 30): 5; minimum 12"; Jun 15 – Nov 30. County special regulations name it as well; see the table above.
Does Stillwater Reservoir need a trout stamp?
Anglers 16 and older need a DEC freshwater fishing license: $25.00 a year for residents, $50.00 for nonresidents, $5.00 for residents 70 and older, with 1-day and 7-day options.
How often is Stillwater Reservoir stocked?
DEC lists 3 stockings, the latest in 2025.
Where is bait sold on the drive to Stillwater Reservoir?
Nearest on our list: Fourth Lake Boat Launch, 15 miles.
Who measures the level of Stillwater Reservoir?
USGS report it; see above.
Is ice fishing allowed on Stillwater Reservoir?
Ice Fishing Permitted, per DEC.
Put Stillwater Reservoir on the New York trip list
Get the DEC license squared away online first.