The Otselic River begins in Madison County and then meanders 54 miles into Chenango, Cortland, and Broome Counties where it eventually flows through the Whitney Point Reservoir before its confluence with the Tioughnioga River. Whitney Point Reservoir is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Flood Control project that was created by the damming of the Otselic River.
There are 22 miles of Public Fishing Rights (PFR) along this large-sized, mostly open river.
Public Access
There are 22 miles of PFR along the Otselic River with eight official PFR parking areas and numerous unofficial pull-offs used by anglers along Route 26, which parallels a large portion of the stream.
Parking Areas
- Otselic Center: Off County Route 16 on south side of river.
- Seventh Day Hollow: Two miles north of Hamlet of South Otselic on State Highway 26.
- South Otselic: Off State Highway 26 just south of the South Otselic Fish Hatchery.
- Ufford Corners: Off Route 26 by intersection of Old Joe Road.
- North Pitcher: Off Mill Road on north side of river.
- Foulds Road: 1.8 miles north of Hamlet of Pitcher on Route 26 to Foulds Road.
- Pitcher: Off County Route 12 on north side river.
- Taylor: Off State Route 26 just south of Cortland and Chenango County boundary.
DECinfo Locator- Interactive Trout Stream Fishing Map (Decinfo Locator is best viewed on a desktop computer).
Trout Stream Fishing Map User Guide ("How to" instructions for using the fishing map on Decinfo Locator.)
For more information on boat launches including Google Maps driving directions, visit the Boat Launch Sites for Cortland County page.
Fish Species
Brown trout, brook trout, smallmouth bass, walleye, rock bass, white sucker, and common carp.
General Fishing Information
Both stocked and wild brown trout are present in the river along with some wild brook trout. Smallmouth bass and walleye can also be found in the lower section of river below Cincinatus. The most suitable trout habitat in the river is between Otselic and Cincinatus. A major portion of the fishing pressure takes place in this area during spring and early-summer shortly after the trout are stocked.
When fishing during the cold water periods of winter and early spring, concentrate on the deeper holes, fish slowly, and keep your lures and flies near bottom. Sometimes fishing during the midday period after things have had a chance to warm up a little also helps.
Regulations
Special Fishing Regulations Apply.
Fisheries Management
The Stocked reach from the Route 23 bridge in Cincinnatus upstream to Route 80 is stocked annually with around 8,115 one year-old brown trout (9") and 875 two year-old brown trout (14").
