Fishing access at Harwood Lake in Cattaraugus County will remain limited due to low water levels, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The agency stated that “limited fishing access will continue at Harwood Lake, located off State Route 98 in Farmersville, Cattaraugus County, due to low water levels. As a result, Harwood Lake will not be included in Randolph State Fish Hatchery’s fall stocking of broodstock trout this year.”
The lake’s water level was lowered during the summer for a dam rehabilitation project. Although the project is nearly finished, the lake is still about four feet below its normal level. Ongoing dry conditions across much of New York have prevented the lake from refilling in time for fall trout stocking.
Trout that were originally intended for Harwood Lake will now be stocked in other regional lakes, such as Case, New Albion, Red House, Quaker, and Allen lakes. Anglers can find information about fishing locations and broodstock trout stocking on the DEC’s Lake Erie and Western New York Fishing Hotline webpage.
Broodstock trout range from 13 to 30 inches. The increased supply of fish from Randolph Hatchery is expected to provide good fishing opportunities at these alternate locations this fall. Trout stocking at Harwood Lake is planned to resume in spring 2026.
Additional details about Harwood Lake are available on the DEC’s website.
