Fishing at West Point

Note to Ice Anglers:

 In accordance with AR215-5 Chapter 4; 4-2 Authorized Fishing Areas: Bull Pond and Round Pond will only be open to fishing during the NYS trout season and Lusk Reservoir will be open from 1 April through 30 November.

Anglers should be aware that ice conditions are extremely variable due to weather, currents, depth and other conditions. In general, three to four inches of good, clear ice is a minimum for safety. Milky ice is weaker and should be thicker. Ice Anglers are responsible to personally verify ice safety as the enter the lake area and where they intend on fishing. Do not rely on the presence of other fishermen or previous experience. Conditions are changeable!

USAG West Point does not monitor ice thickness and cannot guarantee participants' personal safety while on the ice. For additional information on ice safety and ice fishing regulations please see: https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7733.html 

Have fun and Be Safe!
 

New York State Fishing Licenses:

Patrons are able to purchase their New York State Hunting and Fishing Licenses either online, in person at various local locations including the offices of the Town of Highlands, Town of Cornwall, and the Town of New Windsor, or via telephone at +1 (866)933-2257. A comprehensive list of local locations is available from the New York DEC. 

Please note, fishing licenses are instantly valid. To get licenses/tags instantly, visit a license issuing agent location. Active Duty, non-New York resident personnel will still be able to purchase their discounted New York State License either online or in person at various local locations including the offices of the Town of Highlands, Town of Cornwall, and the Town of New Windsor. If you are purchasing in person, they are encouraged to fill out this form ahead of time.

More information about New York State reduced fee Sporting Licenses is available here.

(If accessing PDF from government computer, "right click, save as")

Guide Water Size/Depth:

Most of the depth maps were produced in 1974 by the Natural Resources Branch. A sounding line was used to determine depths along several transects at each area. A sonar unit was used in 1989 to update some maps. The contours on the maps are approximations and indicate depths at capacity. Consequently, depths will be different at lower water levels, but contour profiles will not change. Physical characteristics include the surface area in acres and the maximum and average depths measured in feet.

(If accessing PDF from government computer, "right click, save as")

Boat & Motor Usage: (Currently unavailable - COVID 19) 

Boats may be used in all West Point waters with the following restrictions: powerboats (internal combustion engines) may be used only on Stilwell and Popolopen lakes. Daily powerboat permits are available at the Round Pond Recreation Area office. Nonpower boats (includes boats powered by electric motors) may be used in all waters except Lusk Reservoir where ONLY boats using oars and paddles may be used. All boaters must have a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device for each passenger. If Outdoor Recreation boats are stationed at the pond, it is noted. Boat passes are available at the Round Pond Recreation Office.

 BOAT PASSES  (Currently unavailable - COVID 19) 

Passes are good for one boating season. Row boats are moored on 6 lakes/ponds. Keys are signed out at Round Pond on a 48 hr basis. Daily fees are charged for late returns.

The following codes indicate what motors can be used on boats:

• N-no motors allowed
• E-electric motors permitted
• GP- gasoline-powered motors permitted (Daily Powerboat Permit required.)

Location/Access:

The location of each area is described in relation to the West Point training map and major roadways. Access to some areas is restricted due to locked gates. The guide notes the areas and access gate numbers. Depending on the area and the training schedule, gate keys may be signed out on a daily basis from the Range Control Office, DOPS, on Route 293.

You will save yourself time if you check the Training Schedule in the Post Bulletin and call the Range Control Office +1 (845)938-3930 before driving out for a gate key.

Access for 2WD passenger-type privately owned vehicles (POVs) is described as excellent, good, fair, and poor. In most cases pickup trucks and 4WD vehicles with high ground clearance should have little difficulty in reaching the areas during dry road conditions.

Stocking:

In general the fish are not stocked if the species cannot naturally reproduce in West Point's lakes, ponds, or streams. If all habitat variables, except reproductive variables, exist in an area, the species may be stocked if prescribed in the West Point Fisheries Management Plan and funds and fish are available.

Stocking information for West Point can be found at the below link.
https://westpoint.isportsman.net

(If accessing PDF from government computer, "right click, save a

Reporting Requirements:

West Point Reg. 215-5 does not have mandatory requirements for reporting catch. Anglers are encouraged to voluntarily report the take in trout and any catch in hybrid muskellunge, grass carp, or walleye, as well as unusual conditions or indications of disease in the fishery or habitats.

• The Angler Diary Program allows anglers to record their catches (keepers and releases) throughout the season, and turn in the diary at the end of the season. Call +1 (845)938-7122 or for more information on this program.

(If accessing PDF from government computer, "right click, save as")

West Point anglers now have an active role in the management of the fisheries resources found at West Point. They can help by participating in the West Point Angler Diary Program.

What is the West Point Angler Diary Program?
The program involves participating anglers recording information on their fishing trips to West Point waters in a diary booklet provided by the Natural Resources Branch. The information an angler records for each fishing trip includes: 

• Date
• Time of day fished
• Where the angler was fishing
• What the angler was fishing for
• What method the angler was fishing (bait/lure, boat/shore, etc.)
• What fish were caught, if any, and how long each fish was.

It is also important that trip information be recorded even if no fish were caught.

Why is this information important to manage fish populations?

Well, it is important for two reasons. First, the lengths of the fish tell what each fish species population structure is like in each body of water. If a lot of small fish are being caught and very few big fish, it means that too many big fish have been kept by anglers or the big fish are dying after being released. More effort would have to be put into managing that body of water so that anglers could again have an opportunity to catch decent-sized fish.

The second reason the diary information is useful is that it can tell how successful an average angler would be fishing a body of water. For example, you have two ponds. In each pond, 80 percent of the bass likely to be caught are at least 12 inches long. In the first pond an average angler catches a bass every half-hour, while in the second pond, an average angler only catches one bass every three hours. Which pond would you prefer to fish in?

Determining the catch rate lets the manager know whether more investigation is necessary. Is something killing off the bass? Or, are not enough bass able to survive and grow bigger? Is there enough food for the bass to eat? These are all questions that may need to be answered to provide a quality fishing experience for the average angler, and, it is not just gamefish that are important. Many anglers like to catch panfish, catfish, pickerel, and other species. That is why all kinds of fish need to be recorded.

How do you sign up for this program?

1. Call the West Point fish & wildlife biologist at +1 (845)938-3857
2. By mail:
ANGLER DIARY PROGRAM
Natural Resources Branch, West Point
West Point, NY 10996-1592
3. Stop by in person at the Natural Resources Office Bldg. 733, West Point, NY.

The Angler Diary Program does not require a lot of effort on the angler's part and you will be helping to ensure that quality fishing continues in West Point's waters. All diaries will be returned to each angler after the information is recorded.

For more information, call the Fish & Wildlife Biologist at +1 (845)938-3857.

 *Bluegill, Pumpkinseed,& Redbreast Sunfish.

• WP Bass Club
• Confused WP Fish

(If accessing PDF from government computer, "right click, save as")