FISHING AT WEST POINT

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Get your fishing permit here on WestPoint.iSportsman.net. First create an iSportsman account to be approved by a site administrator. Then complete the annual, mandatory West Point Safety & Regulatory Brief (most users) or Long Pond Safety & Regulatory Brief (for General Public only). Finally, purchase a West Point fishing permit on iSportsman via credit card. In-person sales of installation-wide permits at West Point have been discontinued.

 

ELIGIBILITY

 

West Point controls and vets prospective users in order to prevent interference with the military mission, to ensure safety and sustainability, and to prevent an overexploitation of natural resources. As such, West Point only permits users to fish who meet specific criteria to qualifty under one of a number of different eligible customer types. For information on customer types and definitions, new users should see the New Users page HERE. prior to creating an account. 

 

ACCESS

 

1. REGISTER YOUR ACCOUNT - New users register accounts HERE and await vetting and approval, which gives the user a Background validation. For most users will expire after a few years and require reapproval.

 

2. REVIEW SAFETY BRIEF - Once approved, a user will log in and take a mandatory safety and regulatory brief (an annual requirement) giving the user a one year validation. General Public users take the Long Pond brief. All others, the West Point brief.

 

3. PURCHASE YOUR PERMIT - A user in good standing with both a Background and Safety Brief validation may purchase a permit if that user does not already have an active copy of. Users attempting to buy fishing permits should select correct permit. (see below)

 

PERMITS

 

The following four permit types are available to non-General Public users and non-Guests only. For information on Guests and General Public see respective sections further below.

 

1. ANNUAL FISHING PERMIT: This one year fishing permit for West Point good for 365 days from date of purchase.  With this permit, the permitee may fish only. 

 

2. ANNUAL SPORTSMAN PERMIT​: This one year hunting/fishing permit for West Point good for 365 days from date of purchase.  With this permit, permitees may hunt big game, small game, upland bird, and waterfowl as well as fish.

 

3. ANNUAL LONG POND FISHING PERMIT​: This one year, no-fee fishing permit for Long Pond fishing ONLY is good for 365 days from date of purchase.  With this permit, the permitee may fish ONLY at Long Pond.  

 

4. DAILY HUNT/FISH PERMIT​: one day hunting/fishing permit for West Point good only on the date of purchase. With this permit, permitees may hunt big game, small game, upland bird, and waterfowl as well as fish.

 

NOTE: All permitees must have proper New York licenses and harvest tags. All federal, state, and local West Point regulations regarding season dates, bag limits, harvest report, and all other restrictions apply. 

 

See West Point Regulation 215-5 and annual Fishing Notice for local West Point rules and regulations. See NYSDEC website for state rules and regulations

 

GUESTS & WALKERS

 

GUEST ANGLERS

 

GUEST - a guest is an individual in good standing that can accompany a sponsor and participate in the same activity as the sponsor. A guest angler must have a valid NYS fishing license and the sponsor must have both a valid NYS fishing license, West Point permit, and West Point guest pass. Guests must be checked in/out with sponsor remain in the same fishing area as sponsor.

 

Authorized hunters in good standing may sponsor a guest to accompany and participate in the same activity via the purchase of a guest pass. West Point offers two guest passes

 

1. ANNUAL GUEST PASS: one-year guest pass for West Point good for 365 days from date of purchase. With this pass, a sponsor’s guest may participate in same activity as sponsor. 

 

2. DAILY GUEST PASS​: one-day guest pass for West Point good only on the day of purchase.  With this pass, a sponsor’s guest may participate in same activity as sponsor. 

 

A guest pass is issued to guest sponsor (permitee), not the guest. A sponsor can bring two guests or one guest and one walker. Guests may not bring their own guests or walkers.

 

A guest pass is considered invalid if the primary fishing permit of the guest sponsor expires. Guest passes will be considered valid again if sponsor purchases new permit.

 

NON-FISHING WALKERS

 

WALKER - is an unarmed, unpermitted individual in good standing that can accompany a sponsor and does not participate in the same activity as the sponsor. A walker may not fish. Walkers do not need NYS licenses. Sponsors do not need guest pass. Walkers must be checked in/out with sponsor and must remain within five meters of the sponsor at all times.

 

A sponsored permitee may bring, at most, one walker while hunting. If a sponsor has a valid guest pass he may also bring at most one guest in addition to the walker.

 

GENERAL PUBLIC FISHING

 

Users that do not fit in to any of the other Customer Types available at West Point may qualify to fish only at Long Pond as one of two General Public user types. See Customer Type definitions on New User Page HERE for more information. 

 

ACCOUNTS: The new General Public Long Pond Angler user type is approved at any time of year. The older General Public Sportsmen (formerly just General Public) user type is approved only in October. Do not create multiple accounts.   

 

GENERAL PUBLIC LONG POND FISHING PERMIT​ – This one year, no-fee fishing permit for Long Pond fishing ONLY is good for 365 days from date of purchase.  With this permit, the permitee may fish only at Long Pond. Check-in is required.

 

GENERAL PUBLIC & GUESTS/WALKERS – General Public permitees may bring at most two guest participants (Guest Anglers) OR one participant guest and one participant walker for fishing ONLY. No Guest Pass is required at Long Pond, but permitees must check in/out all companions on iSportsman.  Return guests are encouraged to get their own account.

 

CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT

 

As of 2019, anglers accessing certain water bodies must check-in when going out to fish and come back when checking out of fishing. See the table below to find out if angler must check-in/check-out when looking to fish.

 

LAKES & PONDS

 

	Is it a Training Area?	Check In to Fish?	Check In to Ice Fish?
Beaver Pond	Yes	Yes	Yes
Brooks Hollow	Yes	Yes	Yes
Bull Pond	No	No	Yes
Cragston Lakes	No	No	Yes
Cranberry Pond	Yes	Yes	Yes
Lake Frederick	No	No	Yes
Lake Georgina	No	Yes	Yes
Long Pond	No	Yes	Yes
Lusk Reservoir	No	No	No ice fishing.
Mine Lake	Yes	Yes	Yes
Popolopen Lake	Yes	Yes	Yes
Round Pond	No	No	Yes
Stilwell Lake	Yes	Yes	Yes
Weyants Pond	Yes	Yes	Yes
Wilkins Pond	No	No	Yes

 

RIVERS & STREAMS

 

	Is it a Training Area?	Check In to Fish?
Highland Brook	Training Area - Z1	Yes
Hudson River	Non-Training Area	No
Mineral Springs Brook	Training Area - L	Yes
Popolopen Brook (upstream)	Non-Training Area	Yes
Popolopen Brook (downstream)	Non-Training Area	Yes
Queensboro Brook	Training Area - CS	Yes
Trout Brook	Training Area - L	Yes

 

 

FOR ALL FISHING AT REQUIRED LOCATIONS

 

• Check-In on iSportsman Before Entering Area: All permitees and guests/walkers will check in on iSportsman prior to entering Training Area. Users must be in the field within one hour of checking in or must otherwise check out on iSportsman.

 

• Check-Out, Check-In on iSportsman when Changing Areas:  All permitees changing from one training area to another must first check out of the area they are exiting on iSportsman and then check in to the new area they are entering. 

 

• Check-Out on iSportsman After Exiting Area: All permitees and guests/walkers will check out on iSportsman when exiting Training Area. Users must be checked out within one hour of exiting the area. 

 

* All anglers and their guests and walkers doing any fishing related activities from walking, scouting to the actual fishing must check in and check out on iSportsman at required locations.

 

Check-In at Non-Required Locations: It is possible for users to check-in even at non-required locations and this is encouraged. Checking in allows Natural Resource Branch to better understand area usage and lets users report harvest. Understanding usage and harvest better allows Natural Resources to manage the fishing program for the sake of anglers and natural resources alike. 

 

TYPES OF FISHING AVAILABLE

 

Anglers can pursue a wide variety of fish on the West Point Military Reservation. 

 

FISH SPECIES AND FISHING AREAS

 

	LMB	SMB	TRO	SUN	CAT	PIC	CRA	BUL	PER	WAL	TIG
Beaver Pond	LMB	---	---	SUN	---	PIC	---	---	---	---	---
Bull Pond	LMB	---	TRO	SUN	---	---	---	BUL	---	---	---
Cragston Lakes	LMB	---	---	---	---	---	CRA	---	---	---	---
Cranberry Pond	LMB	---	---	SUN	---	---	CRA	BUL	PER	---	---
Lake Frederick	LMB	---	---	SUN	CAT	---	---	BUL	PER	---	---
Lake Georgina	LMB	---	---	SUN	---	---	---	BUL	---	---	---
Highland Brook	---	---	TRO	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
Long Pond	LMB	---	---	SUN	---	PIC	CRA	BUL	---	---	---
Lusk Reservoir	LMB	---	TRO	SUN	---	PIC	---	---	---	---	---
Mine Lake	LMB	---	---	SUN	CAT	PIC	---	BUL	PER	---	---
Mineral Springs Brook	---	---	TRO	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
Popolopen Brook	LMB	---	TRO	SUN	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
Popolopen Lake	LMB	SMB	---	SUN	CAT	PIC	CRA	BUL	PER	WAL	TIG
Queensboro Brook	---	---	TRO	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
Round  Pond	LMB	---	TRO	SUN	CAT	PIC	CRA	BUL	YEL	---	---
Stilwell Lake	LMB	SMB	---	SUN	---	PIC	CRA	BUL	PER	WAL	TIG
Trout Brook	---	---	TRO	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
Weyants Pond	LMB	---	---	SUN	---	---	CRA	BUL	PER	---	---
Wilkins Pond	LMB	---	---	SUN	---	---	---	BUL	---	---	---

 

Key
LMB	Largemouth Bass	CRA	Black Crappie
SMB	Smallmouth Bass	BUL	Bullhead species
TRO	Trout species*	PER	Yellow Perch
SUN	Sunfish species*	WAL	Walleye (formerly stocked)
CAT	Channel Catfish	TIG	Tiger Muskellunge (stocked)
PIC	Chain Pickerel

 

BOAT & MOTOR USAGE

 

Boats may be used in all West Point waters with the following restrictions:

 

Gas Power-Boats: 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.

 

Electric Power Boats: Non-power boats, including boats powered by electric motors, may be used in all waters except Lusk Reservoir where ONLY boats using oars and paddles are allowed.

 

PFD/Life Vests: 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.

 

For information on and pricing of boat and equipment rentals please contact MWR Outdoor Recreation at (315) 774-2574.

 

LOCATION AND ACCESS

 

Availability​ - As a miltary installation, mission related activities and safety take precedence at West Point. Areas are often closed due training, range fire, and inclement weather/road conditions. To see areas status today/tomorrow, see Areas HERE or Interactive Map HERE.  

 

Gates & Keys -​ Access to some areas may be restricted due to locked gates e.g. Cranberry Pond, adjacent to areas downrange of artillery, is often closed. Range Control has discontinued its policy of lending keys to hunters/anglers. Locked gates will remain locked.

 

Roads -​ for 2WD passenger-type privately owned vehicles is described variably by road 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.

 

Stilwell Lake Shore Fishing Prohibited - Shore fishing from Stilwell Lake is not permitted due to potential interference with training and downrange artillery firing. All access to Lake Stilwell is therefore through the MWR maintained boat launch only.

 

Hudson River Fishing: Shore fishing in the Hudson River from West Point or Constitution Island is allowed and requires a West Point fishing permit. Fishing from watercraft is considered fishing off West Point and is free of this requirement. 

 

STOCKING

 

Fish are not stocked in a water body at West Poiny if species cannot naturally reproduce in that body. If all habitat variables, exist, a species may be stocked as prescribed in the West Point Fisheries Management Plan and as funds and fish are available.

 

TROUT - Brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout are annually stocked in March & April in Bull Pond, Round Pond, Lusk Reservoir, Highland Brook, Popolopen and Queensboro Brook.

 

TIGER MUSKY & WALLEYE - Hybrid Tiger Muskellunge (sterile Muskellunge x Northern Pike hybrid) were at one time annually stocked in Popolopen Lake where walleye were previously stocked. This stocking was discontinued in 2020 but both are still caught.

 

GRASS CARP - Sterile Grass carp have also been stocked in several water bodies over the years for the purposes of invasive aquatic weed control and should be immediately released if caught. 

 

* Catch & release of all sportfish is encouraged to increase the number of large fish caught per trip and catch rate (fish caught per hour). Catch & release is mandated for all tiger musky, walleye, and grass carp at West Point and all trout in Mineral Springs, Trout Brooks.

 

UNAUTHORIZED STOCKING/PLANTING IS PROHIBITED: No individual shall stock, move, or release fish (incl bait) or wildlife, incl eggs without permission at West Point. Unauthorized release of fish and game is against federal, state, and local regulations. 

 

RULES & REGULATIONS

 

GENERAL RULES & REGULATIONS FOR ALL FISHING ACTIVITIES

 

• West Point Reg 215-5: This page does not contain all regulations. Consult West Point Reg. 215-5 for a complete listing. West Point Reg 215-5 was recently revised and the 2026 version is the current version.

 

• Annual Fishing Notice:​ West Point's annual Fising Notice lists fishing season dates and bag limits. State laws govern fishing seasons, bag limits and permitted hunting implements unless West Point applies further restrictions.

 

• Fishing or Hunting/Fishing Only: Permitees are permitted only to participate in activities indicated on permit. For annual Fishing permits, this permits only fishing. For Sportsman or Hunt/Fish permits, this permits only hunting and fishing. 

 

• Required Paperwork: All permitees will have 1) West Point Permit, 2) West Point vehicle pass (printed with permit), 3) NYS License. West Point permits and NYS license will be kept on person while afield. Leave vehicles passes face up on dash.

SAFETY

• PFD/Life Vests: 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.

 

FISHING MAPS, CHARTS AND AREA REGULATIONS

 

• Fishing & Boating Map - Lakes & Ponds: Anglers fishing in lakes and ponds at West Point or in Hudson River should use the current West Point Fishing and Boating map for shows fishing locations and boat ramps/launches at these lakes/ponds. 

 

• Trout Stocking Map - Streams: Anglers fishing for trout in Highland Brook, Popolopen Brook, and Queensboro Brook should use the current Trout Stocking Notice & Map for trout stocking numbers and locations in these water bodies. 

 

• Fishing Area Capacities: Obey the user capacities for each of the areas. The area quotas were designed to spread people out so that an angler is less likely to crowd upon another hunter using the area.

 

• Fishing Area Boundaries: Fishing shall only occur inside of established fishing areas. Individuals who check in to an area must stay in that area and not enter another area without checking out of the original area and checking into new area.

 

• Depth Charts: Depth Charts AKA Bathymetric Maps are available on the website HERE.  In 1974 the Natural Resources Branch used a sounding line to map many lakes. In 1989, some maps were updated via sonar and then more since 2019..

 

• The contours on these maps are approximations and indicate depths at capacity. Consequently, depths will be different at lower water levels but contour profiles will not change. Anglers and boaters are responsible for safe navigation. 

 

OTHER GENERAL RULES & REGULATIONS

 

• Do No Harm: The permitee shall not damage live vegetation, wildlife, roads, road infrastructure, cultural resources or other federal assetts. Permit holders will be held liable for any damage. 

 

• Carry In, Carry Out: Permitees may not litter. All trash and refuse shall be removed from West Point. Nor may permitees leave equipment or clothing in the field, temporarily or permanently. Everything carried in must be carried out. 

 

• Other Individuals: Fishing permits apply only to permitee. Permits may not be transferred. If the permitee is also in possession of a valid guest pass, a licensed guest may participate in the same activity as the guest pass holder i.e. permitee/sponsor.

 

• Driving & Parking: Permitees shall not drive faster than 20 MPH on range roads at West Point and shall not drive faster than 10 MPH when passing troops. Do not block range roads, gates (opened or closed), launches or other vehicles.

 

• Towing, Recovery, & Repair: West Point will not aid in any towing, recovery, or repair of vehicles. Good judgment and caution is encouraged when driving and parking anywhere at West Point, especially on range roads. Use of a winch is permissible.

 

• Take Permit Afield, Display Vehicle Pass: All permitees going afield should have a printed or electronic copy of the firewood permit on his/her person and shall place paper copy of Vehicle Pass (printed out with permit) on driver's side windshield of vehicle. 

 

• Check-In on iSportsman Before Entering Area: All permitees and guests/walkers will check in on iSportsman before entering Training Area. Users must be in area in one hour of checking in or must otherwise check out of the area on iSportsman.

 

• Check-Out, Check-In on iSportsman when Changing Areas:  All permitees changing from one training area to another must first check out of the area they are exiting on iSportsman and then check in to the new area they are entering. 

 

• Check-Out on iSportsman After Exiting Area: All permitees and guests/walkers will check out on iSportsman when exiting Training Area. Users must be checked out within one hour of exiting the area. 

 

APPLIES TO ALL FISHING ACTIVITIES

 

• Youth Anglers​: Children under twelve years of age must be accompaneid by a responsible person at least 16 years of age while fishing in any West Point water body with the exceptions of Round Pond, Lusk Reservoir, and Lake Frederick.

 

• Out Of Season Fishing:​ Anglers will not actively fish for species out of season unless allowable under NYS law. All out of season fish will be released immediately, unharmed at the point of capture.

 

• Bait Fish: Anglers shall not release live bait fish in any West Point waters nor stock any type of game or nongame fish species. Unused bait and buckets should be taken from the field and properly disposed of in trash. 

 

• Ice Fishing: Ice fishing is allowed ONLY on non-trout waters per NYS regulations. Therefore, ice fishing is not permitted on Bull Pond, Round Pond, or Lusk Reservoir. Anglers must use own discretion and good judgment. Check in required.

 

• Permanent Ice Fishing Shanties Prohibited: Permanent ice fishing shanties are not authorized at any time and all shanties must be taken down and removed from West Point waters at the end of each day. Ice shanties left on West Point will be confiscated. 

 

• Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention: All anglers will follow the Aquatic Invasive Prevention regulations and policies as outlined in West  Point Reg 215-5, Appendix E. Anglers fishing via boat should pay particular attention to this regulation.

 

HARVEST/TAKE REPORT

 

​West Point Reg 215-5 does not have mandatory requirements for reporting fish catch. However anglers are encouraged to voluntarily report on iSportsman.

 

Understanding usage and harvest better allows Natural Resources to manage the fishing program for the sake of anglers and natural resources alike. 

 

Check In/out To Report​: To report harvest, users must check in to area and report their harvest upon check out. For fishing areas in training areas, check-in/out is required, anyway.

 

Fish Of Particular Interest: Natural Resources Branch is particularly interested in catch of trout, catfish and any catch in hybrid tiger muskellunge, grass carp, or walleye.

 

Other Issues Of Interest: Please report unusual conditions/indications of disease in any caught fish or habitats or tagged fish to Natural Resources via phone call/email. 

 

In the past, Angler Diary Program existed allowing anglers to record their catches over the season and then turn in this at season's end. This program was discontinued. 

 

NEW YORK STATE FISHING LICENSES

 

All anglers must have a New York fishing license and a West Point fishing permit to fish at West Point. West Point discontinued the in-person sale of NYS fishing licenses over five years ago.

 

Anglers looking to purchase NYS Fishing License may do so online via the NYSDECAL System HERE, via telephone at 1 (845) 866-933-2257, at local town offices or sporting goods retailers.

 

To purchase a license, you need a previous license issued by any state or Canadian province if recognized by New York State or proof of completion of a Hunter Education Safety course from any state.

 

Military personnel stationed in New York qualify for resident licenses. A New York driver's license or a copy of your assignment orders will satisfy the proof of residency requirement. Cadets from other states as full-time students also qualify for New York resident licenses.

 

Please note: NYS fishing licenses purchased online are instantly valid, hunting licenses/tags purchased online or by phone, require a wait of up to 14 business days to receive your licenses/tags by mail before going hunting. To get licenses/tags instantly, purchase them in person.

 

* NOTE REGARDING ALL INFORMATION ON THIS WEBSITE: All hunting, trapping, and fishing on West Point must be in accordance with New York State regulations and West Point regulations as stated in West Point Reg 215-5. No information posted here should be interpreted as authorizing individuals to otherwise violate New York State regulations or West Point regulations as stated In West Point Reg 215-5. If any clarification is necessary, please contact the Natural Resource staff.