Ausable River Fish Stocking
Essex County, New York · 2011–2025 on record
According to New York fish & wildlife agency, Ausable River was last stocked May 2025 with Brown Trout. Ausable River has 98 stocking records on file, spanning 2011–2025, with about 696,430 fish stocked over that period.
When Ausable River is stocked
Ausable River is typically stocked in spring, most often in April — 40 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Ausable River
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Essex County, New York.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Ausable River, they typically congregate in schools near public access points, boat ramps, or inlets for the first 24 to 48 hours while adjusting to natural water conditions.
Since Ausable River was last stocked May 2025, anglers visiting within 1 to 2 weeks of a reported event generally experience the highest activity before fish disperse into deeper cover.
State Regulations & Licensing
- •Fishing License: A valid New York freshwater fishing license is required for anglers age 16 and older.Purchase New York license online →
- •Official Rules & Limits: Bag limits, bait restrictions, and seasonal boundaries are set by New York fish & wildlife agency.Official New York regulations guidebook →
- •Ethical Conservation: Use barbless hooks and keep fish submerged in water during unhooking.Trout Thermal Advisory: When water temperatures rise above 68°F (20°C), released trout face severe mortality from thermal exhaustion. Target warmwater species or fish early in the morning when lakes and streams warm up.
Recommended Tackle & Presentations
Techniques tailored to the species stocked in Ausable River:
Stocked Trout Tactics
Use light 4–6 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon line. Float scented dough bait (PowerBait) 12–18" off bottom using a sliding slip-sinker rig with a size 14–16 treble hook. For active casting, throw 1/16 to 1/8 oz inline spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster Tail) or small spoons (Kastmaster) along drop-offs.
Kokanee & Salmon Tactics
Troll small dodgers followed by micro-hoochies or wedding ring spinners tipped with shoepeg corn. Use downriggers or lead-core line to reach cooler thermocline depths (typically 20–50 ft in summer).
Brown Trout Profile Tips
Known for being wary and selective, brown trout are a prized target for fly anglers, especially larger, nocturnal-feeding fish.
Landlocked Salmon Profile Tips
A classic New York coldwater fishery, often trolled with streamers behind cooler water strata.
Recommended Tackle for Ausable River
Field-tested tackle and presentations matched to the species stocked here.
Berkley PowerBait Floating Trout Dough
Hatchery-raised trout are conditioned to pelleted scents; scented dough floated 12–18 inches off bottom consistently triggers strikes.
Panther Martin Classic Teardrop Inline Spinner
The heavy convex blade spins instantly upon retrieval, sending vibration through the water that triggers aggressive reaction bites along drop-offs.
Sliding Sinker & Treble Hook Rigging Kit
Sliding egg sinkers allow cautious trout to run with bait without feeling line drag, while size 14–16 treble hooks keep dough bait securely pinned.
Mack's Lure Classic Wedding Ring Spinner
A classic Western trolling lure designed to be tipped with shoepeg corn and run behind a dodger in deep thermoclines.
As an Amazon Associate, StockedWaters earns from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are chosen for hatchery-conditioned fish behavior and ethical rigging. We may receive a referral commission if you buy through these links. Read our editorial policy & standards.
Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Ausable River, freshest activity first.
Ausable River - West Branch
0 miEssex County · 2 species · 25 records
Last stocked June 2026
Saranac River
10 miFranklin County · 3 species · 326 records
Last stocked June 2026
Ausable River East Branch
0 miEssex County · 1 species · 5 records
Last stocked April 2026
Dry Mill Brook
1 miClinton County · 1 species · 22 records
Last stocked April 2026
Ausable River (Ausable Forks - Chesterfield)
0 miEssex County · 2 species · 12 records
Last stocked June 2025
Scribner Pond
13 miEssex County · 1 species · 10 records
Last stocked May 2024
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Brown Trout | 200 | 11" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2025 | Brown Trout | 300 | 11" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2025 | Landlocked Salmon | 60,000 | 1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2025 | Brown Trout | 100 | 18" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | 11" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | 11" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2024 | Landlocked Salmon | 44,750 | 1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2024 | Brown Trout | 400 | 11" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 400 | 12" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2024 | Brown Trout | 300 | 11" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | 14" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2023 | Landlocked Salmon | 42,000 | 1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2023 | Brown Trout | 500 | 14" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2023 | Brown Trout | 400 | 14" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 400 | 14" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 13" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2022 | Brown Trout | 400 | 12" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 800 | 13" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | 14" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2022 | Landlocked Salmon | 40,000 | 1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 13" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2021 | Brown Trout | 400 | 13" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2021 | Brown Trout | 500 | 13" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 400 | 13" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2020 | Brown Trout | 500 | 7" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2020 | Brown Trout | 500 | 7" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2020 | Brown Trout | 250 | 14" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2020 | Brown Trout | 250 | 14" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 12" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 800 | 13" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2020 | Landlocked Salmon | 20,290 | 6" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| March 2020 | Brown Trout | 800 | 6" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| March 2020 | Brown Trout | 600 | 14" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 400 | 16" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | 16" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2019 | Landlocked Salmon | 33,000 | 1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2019 | Brown Trout | 800 | 8" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2019 | Brown Trout | 1,000 | 8" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 400 | 16" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | 17" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2018 | Brown Trout | 500 | 12" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 800 | 13" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2018 | Brown Trout | 600 | 12" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 13" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2018 | Landlocked Salmon | 18,000 | 1.1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2018 | Landlocked Salmon | 19,620 | 5.7" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | 14" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 150 | 20" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 600 | 14" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2017 | Brown Trout | 200 | 14" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 98 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Ausable River last stocked?
According to New York fish & wildlife agency, Ausable River was last stocked May 2025 with Brown Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Ausable River?
Ausable River is stocked with Brown Trout, Landlocked Salmon, and Rainbow Trout.
What time of year is Ausable River stocked?
Ausable River is typically stocked in spring, most often in April.
How often is Ausable River stocked?
Ausable River has been stocked about 7 times a year — 98 recorded stockings between 2011 and 2025.
How many fish have been stocked in Ausable River?
About 696,430 fish have been stocked in Ausable River across 98 recorded events since 2011, per New York fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Ausable River?
Fish stocked in Ausable River average about 11.2 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Ausable River?
Yes, all anglers age 16 and older generally need a valid New York freshwater fishing license. Always review current regulations from New York fish & wildlife agency for site-specific rules, bag limits, or stamps.
How do you catch stocked trout in Ausable River?
Freshly stocked trout in Ausable River typically respond well to floating dough bait (such as PowerBait) floated 12–18 inches off bottom on light 4–6 lb leader, live nightcrawlers under a bobber, and small inline spinners or spoons retrieved along shorelines and drop-offs.