Fishing

Fishing is great on the Three Lakes.  Our annual fishing reports are found in each newsletter. You can also find maps of the bottom contours of our lakes on the maps page.  Visit our fish page to see the fish species that live in our lakes.

The anglers of the Three Lakes have formed an electronic “fish net”.  You can also help us keep track of what’s happening in the lakes by filling out a creel study.  Here’s the form:  Creel Study.  Please return the information to Ron Tetelman or send it to the Three Lakes Council at PO Box 241, South Salem.

Fishing Regulations.  Fishing is regulated by NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.  See the the NYSDEC fishing page for the current freshwater fishing guide.

License Required.  Fishing licenses are required for anyone 16 or older and can be obtained from the Lewisboro Town Clerk.  See the NYSDEC Fishing Site for more information.

Guidelines

SPECIES SEASON SIZE DAILY LIMIT
Bass (largemouth, smallmouth) 6/21–11/30 12 inches

5
Trout (brook, brown rainbow trout) 4/1 – 10/15 Any size

5
Pickerel 5/3 – 3/15 15 inches 5
Crappie All year 9 inches

25
Perch / Sunfish All year Any size

50
Carp / suckers All year Any size

None

 

Anglers, please remember that you can help prevent the spread of unwanted aquatic plant and animal species by following these guidelines:

  • Remove all mud and aquatic plants from all gear, boats and motors. Check, clean, and dry.
  • Do not transport fish from one body of water to another.
  • Do not release unused bait into a body of water.
  • Do not dispose of fish carcasses or by-products in any body of water.

Fish stocking

We’ve stocked fish over the years. Here’s the stocking history that we have found to date:

Year Stocked Waccabuc Oscaleta Rippowam
2023 Brown Trout 210 90
2021 Brown Trout 180 60
2018 Brown Trout 350 120
2017 Brown Trout 350 150
2016 Brown Trout 350 150
2015 Brown Trout 350 150
2014 Brown Trout 350 150
2013 Brown Trout 250 250
2012 Brown Trout 350 150
2010 Brown Trout 300 200
2009 Brown Trout 200 300
2008 Brown Trout 350
2006 Brown Trout 425 225
2004 Brown Trout 400 250
2003 Brown Trout 350 150
2001 Brown Trout 300 120
2000 500 trout ? ?
1999 Brown Trout 800 200
1998 Smallmouth Bass 250 250
1994 Brown Trout ? ?
1979 Brown Trout 200 200

 

Our data record has gaps, but we also know that in 1973, Union Carbide stocked 2100 salmonids in Waccabuc, consisting of  1500 rainbow trout, 300 brown trout, and 300 brook trout.

We also have reports of unauthorized stocking of 400 white perch in Oscaleta in the spring of 2018, and an unknown number of hybrid bass in Waccabuc at some point in the past.  And alewives and American eels are estuary fish so at some time they were introduced to our lakes.  The DEC now requires licenses and inspections to stock to help avoid spreading invasive species and fish viruses.