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Pumpkinseed
Photo: Cephas, CC BY-SA 3.0 
Common Carp
Photo: Dezidor, CC BY-SA 3.0 
Lake Trout
Photo: Knepp Timothy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain 
American Eel
Photo: hug_78, CC BY 2.0
New York lakes and reservoirs
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Tomhannock Reservoir Fishing
A 1,709-acre New York reservoir in Rensselaer County.
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Rensselaer County
A first visit to Tomhannock Reservoir
Measured from its NHD outline, Tomhannock Reservoir covers roughly 1,709 acres of Rensselaer County. About 4 miles separates the water from Valley Falls. Fisheries staff for Capital Region and Northern Catskills look after it.
The DEC species column lists smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, black crappie and chain pickerel. For hard water, DEC notes ice fishing permitted.
1,709acres
0launches
8species on file
1counties
NYS Hydrography (NHD) outline, DEC Recommended Fishing Lakes and Ponds, Census places, retrieved October 24, 2026.
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Species DEC records at Tomhannock Reservoir
This fish list for Tomhannock Reservoir draws on DEC listings and stocking files, not a netting survey.
Smallmouth bass Largemouth bass Pumpkinseed Yellow perch Black crappie Chain pickerel Walleye Common carp
DEC Recommended Fishing Lakes and Ponds species column, DEC stocking lists and state records, retrieved October 24, 2026.
Access
Launch ramps serving Tomhannock Reservoir
No launch on Tomhannock Reservoir shows in the DEC data, so the closest mapped ones follow.
Ramps in the neighborhood of Tomhannock Reservoir
- Grafton Lakes State Park on Shaver PondShaver Pond, 6 miles southeast
- Lock C1 LaunchHudson River, 6 miles west
- Grafton Lakes State Park on Long Pond near PoestenkillLong Pond, 6 miles southeast
- Grafton Lakes State Park on Second Pond near PoestenkillSecond Pond, 6 miles southeast
- Lighthouse ParkHudson River, 7 miles west
- Grafton Lakes State Park on Long Pond near Hoosick FallsLong Pond, 7 miles southeast
DEC boat launch and fishing access layers, retrieved October 24, 2026.
Limits
The take-home rules for Tomhannock 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 Tomhannock Reservoir.
Local rules for Tomhannock Reservoir
| Species | Daily limit and size | Season | Listed under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice fishing | see DEC rules | Jan 1 – Mar 15 | Rensselaer 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.
Records
Tomhannock Reservoir in the New York record book
| Species | Weight | Angler | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carp, Common | 50 lb. 6 oz. | Charles Primeau Sr. | 1995 |
DEC current state record fish table, retrieved October 24, 2026. All New York records.
Compare
Tomhannock Reservoir and the lakes that ring it
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | DEC species | Stocked 2023-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomhannock Reservoir | 1,709 | 0 | 8 | ||
| Shaver Pond | 6 miles southeast | 43 | 1 | 4 | yes |
| Long Pond, Rensselaer County | 6 miles southeast | 119 | 2 | 8 | yes |
| Second Pond, Rensselaer County | 7 miles southeast | 30 | 2 | 8 | yes |
| Mill Pond, Rensselaer County | 7 miles southeast | 18 | 1 | 6 | |
| Round Lake near Round Lake, Saratoga County | 14 miles northwest | 356 | 0 | 6 |
NYS Hydrography, DEC launch layers, DEC lake list and stocking lists, retrieved October 24, 2026.
Nearby
Nearby to Tomhannock Reservoir, by distance
More lakes a short drive from Tomhannock Reservoir
- Shaver Pond6 miles southeast
- Long Pond, Rensselaer County6 miles southeast
- Second Pond, Rensselaer County7 miles southeast
- Mill Pond, Rensselaer County7 miles southeast
- Round Lake near Round Lake, Saratoga County14 miles northwest
Tackle sellers serving Tomhannock Reservoir
- Admiral's Marinamarina, Saratoga, 9 miles
- Albany Marine Servicesmarina, Albany, 10 miles
- Conroy's Baitbait and tackle shop, Albany, 11 miles
- Diamond Reef Marinamarina, Saratoga, 12 miles
- Bass Pro CL Parksporting goods store, Clifton Park, 12 miles
- Bangla Bazar Halal Grocerysporting goods store, Albany, 17 miles
A day with a guide on Tomhannock Reservoir
- T Masonfishing guide, Cropseyville
Home bases for trips to Tomhannock Reservoir
- Waterford8 miles
- Mechanicville9 miles
- Stillwater9 miles
Tomhannock Reservoir across county lines
- Rensselaer Countycounty seat Troy
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Fish ID
The fish of Tomhannock Reservoir, pictured one by one
Photo: Cephas, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Dezidor, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Knepp Timothy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: hug_78, CC BY 2.0
Answers
What gets asked about Tomhannock Reservoir
How far is Tomhannock Reservoir from the nearest New York town?
It lies in Rensselaer County, DEC Capital Region and Northern Catskills, about 4 miles from Valley Falls.
What acreage is Tomhannock Reservoir?
Close to 1,709 acres by state hydrography.
Where do I put a boat in at Tomhannock Reservoir?
Not mapped; nearby launches are listed above.
What might bend the rod at Tomhannock Reservoir?
Records show smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, black crappie, chain pickerel and walleye.
Which minimum sizes does DEC set at Tomhannock 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 Tomhannock 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 Tomhannock Reservoir stocked?
No DEC stocking is listed for it in 2023 to 2026.
Where is bait sold on the drive to Tomhannock Reservoir?
Nearest on our list: Admiral's Marina, 9 miles.
Did a record fish come out of Tomhannock Reservoir?
Carp, Common, 50 lb. 6 oz., by Charles Primeau Sr. in 1995.
Is ice fishing allowed on Tomhannock Reservoir?
Ice Fishing Permitted, per DEC.
Put Tomhannock Reservoir on the New York trip list
Get the DEC license squared away online first.