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Best common carp lakes in New York

20 New York waters hold common carp, 20 mapped with real state-agency depth surveys. Ranked below by size and depth-data quality — open any water to see exactly where to fish it: depth contours, scored spots with plain-English reasons, seasonal windows and bait picks. 20-pound freight trains in every water. Feed on shallow mud flats — sight-fish them like bonefish.

1. Great Sacandaga Lake — 78 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike
2. Skaneateles Lake — 300 ft max · survey depth data · Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Bluegill, Yellow Perch
3. Cannonsville Reservoir — 144 ft max · survey depth data · Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Rainbow Trout, Yellow Perch
4. Pepacton Reservoir — 182 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Rainbow Trout
5. Owasco Lake — 177 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike
6. New Croton Reservoir — 146 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Common Carp
7. Muscoot Reservoir — 34 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill
8. Otisco Lake — 76 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Crappie
9. Cross River Reservoir — 112 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Common Carp
10. Amawalk Reservoir — 70 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Rainbow Trout
11. Cuba Lake — 44 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike
12. East Branch Reservoir — 64 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Common Carp
13. Titicus Reservoir — 85 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Rainbow Trout
14. Waneta Lake — 30 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Crappie
15. Croton Falls Reservoir — 101 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Yellow Perch
16. Goodyear Lake — 33 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Crappie
17. Middle Branch Reservoir — 55 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Common Carp
18. Lamoka Lake — 45 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill
19. Diverting Reservoir — 34 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Crappie
20. Bog Brook Reservoir — 64 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Rainbow Trout

When to fish common carp in New York

• Spring 2–10 ft — The best sight-fishing of the year — mudding fish in warm bays.
• Summer 3–15 ft — Chum a spot and wait — carp patrol the same flats daily.
• Fall 5–18 ft — Heavy feeding before winter; find the warmest water.
• Winter 10–30 ft — Podded up in deep, slow water.

Also in New York: best largemouth bass lakes · best smallmouth bass lakes · best walleye lakes · best northern pike lakes · best crappie lakes · best bluegill lakes · best channel catfish lakes · best rainbow trout lakes · best yellow perch lakes · best chinook salmon lakes · best steelhead lakes · best lake trout lakes · best brown trout lakes · best brook trout lakes · best landlocked salmon lakes · best chain pickerel lakes · best rock bass lakes · best white perch lakes · best pumpkinseed lakes · best brown bullhead lakes

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