Payne Lake Fish Stocking
Lewis County, New York · 2011–2025 on record
According to New York fish & wildlife agency, Payne Lake was last stocked May 2025 with Walleye. Payne Lake has 33 stocking records on file, spanning 2011–2025, with about 4,282,830 fish stocked over that period.
When Payne Lake is stocked
Payne Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 15 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Payne Lake
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Lewis County, New York.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Payne 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 Payne Lake 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 Payne 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.
Bass & Panfish Approach
Target visible structure such as docks, weed lines, and fallen trees. Small 1/32 to 1/16 oz jig heads with soft plastic grubs or live worms under a float work well for crappie and bluegill; soft plastic worms or spinnerbaits work well for bass.
Walleye Profile Tips
Highly regarded as table fare; typically targeted with jigs, live bait rigs, or trolled crankbaits, often after dark.
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 Payne 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.
Gary Yamamoto 5-inch Custom Senko Stickbaits
The heavy salt-impregnated plastic produces a unique horizontal shimmy on the fall around weed beds, docks, and submerged timber.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Payne Lake, freshest activity first.
Sandy Creek
7 miMonroe County · 5 species · 96 records
Last stocked May 2026
Sunday Creek
9 miHerkimer County · 1 species · 13 records
Last stocked May 2026
Moose River
13 miLewis County · 1 species · 50 records
Last stocked May 2026
Cleveland Lake
0 miLewis County · 1 species · 14 records
Last stocked September 2025
Sunday Pond
10 miFranklin County · 1 species · 14 records
Last stocked September 2025
Moose Pond
12 miFranklin County · 3 species · 108 records
Last stocked September 2025
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Walleye | 462,000 | 0.3" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2024 | Brook Trout | 550 | 9.3" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2024 | Walleye | 462,000 | 0.3" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| August 2023 | Tiger Trout | 800 | 8.6" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2023 | Brook Trout | 500 | 9.1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2023 | Walleye | 462,000 | 0.3" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2022 | Brook Trout | 500 | 8.5" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2022 | Walleye | 462,000 | 0.5" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
Show 25 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2021 | Walleye | 462,000 | 0.3" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2020 | Tiger Trout | 800 | 9.9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2020 | Walleye | 563,090 | 0.3" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2020 | Brook Trout | 350 | 7.9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2019 | Tiger Trout | 800 | 8.8" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2019 | Brook Trout | 500 | 7.8" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2019 | Walleye | 462,000 | 0.5" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2018 | Tiger Trout | 800 | 9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2018 | Walleye | 462,000 | 0.3" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2018 | Brook Trout | 500 | 8" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2017 | Brook Trout | 500 | 9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2017 | Walleye | 462,000 | 0.3" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2016 | Tiger Trout | 800 | 0" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2015 | Tiger Trout | 800 | 9.4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2015 | Brook Trout | 440 | 9.1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2014 | Tiger Trout | 800 | 8.2" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2014 | Brook Trout | 500 | 9.6" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2013 | Tiger Trout | 800 | 8.9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2013 | Walleye | 3,500 | 1.6" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2013 | Brook Trout | 500 | 9.3" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2012 | Tiger Trout | 800 | 10.4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2012 | Walleye | 3,500 | 1.4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2011 | Brook Trout | 700 | 4.5" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| September 2011 | Tiger Trout | 500 | 10.5" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2011 | Walleye | 3,500 | 1.7" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
Frequently asked
When was Payne Lake last stocked?
According to New York fish & wildlife agency, Payne Lake was last stocked May 2025 with Walleye.
What fish species are stocked in Payne Lake?
Payne Lake is stocked with Walleye, Brook Trout, and Tiger Trout.
What time of year is Payne Lake stocked?
Payne Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.
How often is Payne Lake stocked?
Payne Lake has been stocked about 2 times a year — 33 recorded stockings between 2011 and 2025.
How many fish have been stocked in Payne Lake?
About 4,282,830 fish have been stocked in Payne Lake across 33 recorded events since 2011, per New York fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Payne Lake?
Fish stocked in Payne Lake average about 5.6 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Payne 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 Payne Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Payne 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.