The East Branch of Owego Creek is located in Cortland and Tioga counties. This small partially open stream begins in Cortland County just south of Dryden and then flows for 27 miles to its confluence with the West Branch of Owego Creek near Flemingville. The East and West Branch then combine to form Owego Creek.
Public Access
There are 5.3 miles of Public Fishing Rights (PFR) along the stream and three official PFR parking areas.
Parking Area
- Michigan Hill State Forest From Dryden take Route 38 south 9 miles to Michigan Hill State Forest. Parking area access road is on left side.
- Route 38 From Michigan Hill State Forest parking area continue south on Route 38 for 1.5 miles to parking area on left.
- Route 79 From Route 38 parking area continue south on Route 38 for 1.2 miles and turn left onto Route 79. Parking area is .2 miles.
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.)
Fish Species
Brown trout, brook trout, white sucker, and fallfish.
General Fishing Information
The main gamefish found in the stream are stocked brown trout and the occasional wild brook trout. Most of the fishing pressure takes place on the stream during early spring 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 baits near bottom. Sometimes fishing during the mid-day period when things have had a chance to warm up also helps.
Regulations
Statewide Fishing Regulations Apply.
Fisheries Management
Stocked reach from West Creek Road bridge in Flemingville upstream to the upstream end of Trout Ponds Park in Newark Valley is stocked annually with around 1,170 one year-old brown trout (9") and 130 two year-old brown trout (14"). Stocked reach from Route 38 bridge at Payne Marsh Road upstream to the Michigan Hill State Forest Fishing Access Site off Route 38 is stocked with 1,890 one year-old and 210 two year-old brown trout.
