Vernooy Kill Fish Stocking
Ulster County, New York · 2011–2026 on record
According to New York fish & wildlife agency, Vernooy Kill was last stocked April 2026 with Brown Trout. Vernooy Kill has 51 stocking records on file, spanning 2011–2026, with about 27,190 fish stocked over that period.
When Vernooy Kill is stocked
Vernooy Kill is typically stocked in spring, most often in April — 32 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Vernooy Kill
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Ulster County, New York.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Vernooy Kill, 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 Vernooy Kill was last stocked April 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 Vernooy Kill:
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.
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 Vernooy Kill
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.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Vernooy Kill, freshest activity first.
Rondout Reservoir
8 miUlster County · 2 species · 18 records
Last stocked June 2026
Sandburg Creek
2 miUlster County · 1 species · 136 records
Last stocked April 2026
Beer Kill
3 miUlster County · 1 species · 41 records
Last stocked April 2026
Shawangunk Kill
10 miOrange County · 2 species · 72 records
Last stocked March 2026
Cranberry Lake
8 miSt Lawrence County · 1 species · 24 records
Last stocked October 2025
Lyon Lake
2 miHerkimer County · 1 species · 13 records
Last stocked September 2025
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Brown Trout | 30 | 12" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2026 | Brown Trout | 230 | 9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2025 | Brown Trout | 230 | 7.1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2025 | Brown Trout | 30 | 12.1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2024 | Brown Trout | 30 | 11.2" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2024 | Brown Trout | 220 | 8.2" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2023 | Brown Trout | 220 | 8.9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2023 | Brown Trout | 20 | 13.1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2022 | Brown Trout | 20 | 13.5" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2022 | Brown Trout | 220 | 9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2021 | Brown Trout | 220 | 8.9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2021 | Brown Trout | 20 | 13.7" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2021 | Brook Trout | 1,450 | 8.9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2020 | Brown Trout | 110 | 8.4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2020 | Brook Trout | 550 | 8.2" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2020 | Brown Trout | 180 | 8.9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2020 | Brook Trout | 1,800 | 8.2" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2019 | Brown Trout | 130 | 9.1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2019 | Brook Trout | 570 | 7.4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2019 | Brown Trout | 220 | 8.7" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2019 | Brook Trout | 1,830 | 7.4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2018 | Brown Trout | 130 | 9.1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2018 | Brook Trout | 570 | 8.4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2018 | Brown Trout | 220 | 9.2" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2018 | Brook Trout | 1,830 | 8.4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2017 | Brook Trout | 780 | 9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2017 | Brown Trout | 120 | 9.1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2017 | Brown Trout | 210 | 8.9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2017 | Brook Trout | 1,830 | 9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2016 | Brown Trout | 130 | 8.7" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2016 | Brook Trout | 450 | 8.2" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2016 | Brown Trout | 220 | 9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2016 | Brook Trout | 1,450 | 8.2" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2015 | Brown Trout | 130 | 8.9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2015 | Brook Trout | 520 | 8" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2015 | Brown Trout | 210 | 8.3" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2015 | Brook Trout | 1,640 | 8" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2014 | Brown Trout | 130 | 9.1" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2014 | Brook Trout | 570 | 8.4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2014 | Brown Trout | 220 | 8.4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2014 | Brook Trout | 1,830 | 8.4" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2013 | Brown Trout | 110 | 9.2" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2013 | Brook Trout | 570 | 8.9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2013 | Brown Trout | 180 | 8.7" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2013 | Brook Trout | 1,830 | 8.9" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2012 | Brown Trout | 130 | 9.2" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2012 | Brook Trout | 540 | 8.6" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2012 | Brown Trout | 220 | 8.7" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2012 | Brook Trout | 1,750 | 8.6" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2011 | Brown Trout | 130 | 8.6" | New York fish & wildlife agency |
Showing 50 of 51 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Vernooy Kill last stocked?
According to New York fish & wildlife agency, Vernooy Kill was last stocked April 2026 with Brown Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Vernooy Kill?
Vernooy Kill is stocked with Brown Trout and Brook Trout.
What time of year is Vernooy Kill stocked?
Vernooy Kill is typically stocked in spring, most often in April.
How often is Vernooy Kill stocked?
Vernooy Kill has been stocked about 3 times a year — 51 recorded stockings between 2011 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Vernooy Kill?
About 27,190 fish have been stocked in Vernooy Kill across 51 recorded events since 2011, per New York fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Vernooy Kill?
Fish stocked in Vernooy Kill average about 9.1 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Vernooy Kill?
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 Vernooy Kill?
Freshly stocked trout in Vernooy Kill 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.