The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced temporary impacts to fishing due to lowered water levels at New Albion Lake in town of New Albion, Cattaraugus County. 

Beginning Nov. 13, water levels in New Albion Lake will be temporarily reduced by 2 to 4 feet to accommodate routine maintenance work on the lake’s spillway. Spillway work is anticipated to take one week to complete, after which the lake will gradually begin to refill. Depending upon precipitation amounts and water levels in the lake's feeder creek, it may take some time for New Albion Lake to return to previous water levels.   

During the period of reduced water levels, fishing at New Albion Lake may be temporarily impacted. A list of alternative fishing access sites can be found on DEC's website. Due to planned spillway maintenance, New Albion Lake was not included this year in Randolph Fish Hatchery’s fall stocking of broodstock trout. The lake will again be stocked with broodstock trout in fall of 2024. For a list of other lakes and creeks stocked with broodstock trout, visit the Lake Erie and WNY Fishing Hotline on DEC’s website.