Spring 2026 · first stocking
Second week of April
This spring's stocking is finished. DEC publishes next spring's plan in mid-March, and this page updates automatically.
At a glance
- Trout planned
- 20,030
- Species
- Brown Trout, Brook Trout
- Stockings planned
- 25
- Towns
- Jay, North Elba, Wilmington
- Bag limit
- Streams: 5 trout a day, no more than 2 longer than 12 in (April 1 to Oct 15)
Spring 2026 stocking plan
| When | Species | Number | Size | Town |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second week of April | Brown Trout | 80 | 12-15 in | Jay |
| Second week of April | Brown Trout | 700 | 9-10 in | Jay |
| Second week of April | Brown Trout | 420 | 12-15 in | North Elba |
| Second week of April | Brown Trout | 3,260 | 9-10 in | North Elba |
| Third week of April | Brown Trout | 310 | 12-15 in | Wilmington |
| Third week of April | Brown Trout | 2,250 | 9-10 in | Wilmington |
| Fourth week of April | Brown Trout | 80 | 12-15 in | Jay |
| Fourth week of April | Brown Trout | 700 | 9-10 in | Jay |
| Fourth week of April | Brown Trout | 100 | 12-15 in | North Elba |
| Fourth week of April | Brown Trout | 640 | 9-10 in | North Elba |
| First week of May | Brown Trout | 310 | 12-15 in | Wilmington |
| First week of May | Brown Trout | 2,250 | 9-10 in | Wilmington |
| Second week of May | Brown Trout | 80 | 12-15 in | Jay |
| Second week of May | Brown Trout | 700 | 9-10 in | Jay |
| Second week of May | Brook Trout | 770 | 9-10 in | North Elba |
| Second week of May | Brown Trout | 100 | 12-15 in | North Elba |
| Second week of May | Brown Trout | 640 | 9-10 in | North Elba |
| Third week of May | Brown Trout | 310 | 12-15 in | Wilmington |
| Third week of May | Brown Trout | 2,250 | 9-10 in | Wilmington |
| Fourth week of May | Brown Trout | 80 | 12-15 in | Jay |
| Fourth week of May | Brown Trout | 700 | 9-10 in | Jay |
| Fourth week of May | Brown Trout | 100 | 12-15 in | North Elba |
| Fourth week of May | Brown Trout | 640 | 9-10 in | North Elba |
| First week of June | Brown Trout | 310 | 12-15 in | Wilmington |
| First week of June | Brown Trout | 2,250 | 9-10 in | Wilmington |
From New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's spring stocking data, last checked 2026-11-03. Planned numbers and timing; actual stockings can differ.
Other stocked waters in Essex County
- Ausable River East BranchSecond week of April
- Balfour LakeSpring (week not set)
- Big Sherman PondSpring (week not set)
- Boquet RiverFourth week of April
- Boreas RiverFirst week of May
- Cheney PondSpring (week not set)
Tips for freshly stocked trout
- Go within a few days of a stocking. Stocked trout are easiest to catch before the crowds thin them out.
- Light line (4–6 lb) and small spinners work almost everywhere. Where bait is allowed, corn, salmon eggs or dough bait are simple and effective.
- DEC stocks most streams just before and after the April 1 harvest opener, so early April is prime time on stocked streams.
- Bring a valid New York fishing license unless you're exempt, and check the rules for this water before you keep fish.