Indian Lake Fish Stocking
Hamilton County, New York · 2011–2026 on record
According to New York fish & wildlife agency, Indian Lake was last stocked 2026 with Brown Trout. Indian Lake has 75 stocking records on file, spanning 2011–2026, with about 458,062 fish stocked over that period.
When Indian Lake is stocked
Indian Lake is typically stocked year-round, most often in October — 17 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Indian Lake
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Hamilton County, New York.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Indian Lake, 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 Indian Lake was last stocked 2026, 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 Indian Lake:
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.
Brook Trout Profile Tips
A favorite of high-country and small-stream anglers; often more willing to strike than brown or rainbow trout in the same water.
Recommended Tackle for Indian Lake
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 Indian Lake, freshest activity first.
Webatuck Creek
10 miDutchess County · 1 species · 73 records
Last stocked March 2026
Swamp River
14 miDutchess County · 1 species · 31 records
Last stocked March 2026
Quaker Lake
22 miCattaraugus County · 3 species · 126 records
Last stocked March 2026
Shaver Pond
14 miRensselaer County · 3 species · 30 records
Last stocked June 2025
Taylor Pond
11 miClinton County · 2 species · 32 records
Last stocked May 2025
Mill Brook
7 miUlster County · 1 species · 63 records
Last stocked April 2025
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Brown Trout | 7,070 | 8" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2025 | Brook Trout | 600 | 4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2025 | Brook Trout | 5,000 | 2.9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2025 | Lake Trout | 5,700 | 7" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2025 | Brown Trout | 7,010 | 8.3" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2024 | Brook Trout | 16,500 | 4.3" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2024 | Brook Trout | 2,250 | 4.3" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2024 | Brook Trout | 600 | 4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | Brook Trout | 9,500 | 2.7" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2024 | Brown Trout | 7,140 | 9.4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2024 | Lake Trout | 5,570 | 6.8" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2023 | Brook Trout | 20,000 | 4.2" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2023 | Brook Trout | 2,250 | 4.1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2023 | Brook Trout | 600 | 4.1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2023 | Brown Trout | 6,670 | 9.7" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2023 | Lake Trout | 5,460 | 7.2" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| November 2022 | Brook Trout | 20,000 | 6.5" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2022 | Brook Trout | 13,507 | 0.5" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2022 | Brook Trout | 600 | 4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2022 | Brook Trout | 2,250 | 4.5" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2022 | Brown Trout | 6,670 | 9.5" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2022 | Landlocked Salmon | 20,160 | 3" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2021 | Brook Trout | 700 | 4.1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2021 | Brook Trout | 2,250 | 4.4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2021 | Lake Trout | 6,400 | 6.4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2021 | Brown Trout | 7,300 | 8.5" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2020 | Brook Trout | 2,250 | 4.2" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2020 | Lake Trout | 2,000 | 5.4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2020 | Brook Trout | 450 | 4.7" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2020 | Landlocked Salmon | 40,000 | 1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2020 | Lake Trout | 1,200 | 6.7" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2020 | Brown Trout | 5,770 | 0.8" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2020 | Lake Trout | 6,400 | 6.7" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2019 | Brook Trout | 840 | 4.3" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2019 | Brook Trout | 2,250 | 3.8" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2019 | Brown Trout | 6,960 | 7.6" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2019 | Lake Trout | 6,000 | 6.6" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2018 | Brook Trout | 2,000 | 4.4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2018 | Brook Trout | 560 | 4.6" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2018 | Brown Trout | 6,830 | 8.1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2018 | Lake Trout | 6,400 | 6.8" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2017 | Brook Trout | 2,000 | 4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2017 | Brook Trout | 700 | 5" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2017 | Brook Trout | 11,930 | 4.2" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2017 | Landlocked Salmon | 1,500 | 7" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2017 | Brown Trout | 6,480 | 8" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2017 | Lake Trout | 6,400 | 6.5" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2016 | Lake Trout | 3,600 | 6.7" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2015 | Brook Trout | 8,000 | 4.2" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2015 | Brook Trout | 3,600 | 3.8" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 75 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Indian Lake last stocked?
According to New York fish & wildlife agency, Indian Lake was last stocked 2026 with Brown Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Indian Lake?
Indian Lake is stocked with Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Lake Trout, and Landlocked Salmon.
What time of year is Indian Lake stocked?
Indian Lake is typically stocked year-round, most often in October.
How often is Indian Lake stocked?
Indian Lake has been stocked about 5 times a year — 75 recorded stockings between 2011 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Indian Lake?
About 458,062 fish have been stocked in Indian Lake across 75 recorded events since 2011, per New York fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Indian Lake?
Fish stocked in Indian Lake average about 5.5 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Indian Lake?
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 Indian Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Indian Lake 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.