Case Lake is a man-made lake located outside of Franklinville in east central Cattaraugus County. It was built in 1970 by impounding Gates Creek for flood control, as a part of the Ischua Creek Watershed Protection. The shoreline is undeveloped and consists primarily of mowed fields, scrub and some wooded areas.
Physical Features:
Elevation: 1,560 feet
Area: 71 acres
Shoreline Length: 2.0 miles
Max Depth: 40 feet
Mean Depth: 15 feet
County and Town: Cattaraugus County, Town of Franklinville
Access:
Fishing access is unlimited with shoreline fishing allowed around the entire lake. There is a hand launch for small boats and canoes, located 1.5 miles east of Village of Franklinville off County Route 24. Parking lot has 35 car capacity.
For more information on this launch including Google Maps driving directions, visit the Boat Launch Sites for Cattaraugus County page.
Fish Species:
Brook trout, brown trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, black crappie, brown bullhead.
Fishing:
Trout: Case Lake is stocked each spring with yearling brook trout and brown trout, and two-year-old brown trout. Surplus hatchery breeders are stocked in the fall in most years. The trout fishery is essentially a put and take fishery, as there is little holdover of trout. Fishing for trout is permitted all year. Case Lake is a popular spot in the spring if local streams are swollen with snow melt or rainwater in April.
Largemouth Bass: Largemouth bass are abundant with good growth rates. There are good numbers of bass in the 12-15 inch size range, and the fish habitat is found in the form of extensive weed beds mainly around the inlet, on the eastern shore and somewhat on the north western shore. Bass anglers have success with spinner baits, surface plugs, plastic worms, crank baits as well as live crayfish or worms.
Panfish: Bluegill and pumpkinseed are the dominant panfish and there are also good numbers of yellow perch. Less abundant are black crappie and brown bullhead. Kids can be kept busy with a bobber and a worm, but don't expect large fish of any of these species.
Ice Fishing:
Ice fishing is permitted on Case Lake.
Regulations:
Special Fishing Regulations Apply.
Electric motors only.
