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West Branch Reservoir

Carmel · Kent, New York — Putnam County.

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764Surface acres

Surface area: The USGS National Hydrography Dataset outline (NHD Permanent ID 55506171).

Location & fast facts

Where West Branch Reservoir is in New York

The red circle marks West Branch Reservoir.

Fast facts

About West Branch Reservoir

  • County: Putnam
  • Shore towns: Carmel, Kent
  • Mapped as: Lake or pond (USGS National Hydrography Dataset)
  • Distance: about 85 mi from Albany and 168 mi from Syracuse, straight-line (not driving distance)

Towns and counties: U.S. Census Bureau boundaries overlaid on the USGS lake outline.

Fishing in New York

Official NYSDEC pages. Rules and fees change; check before you go.

Good for & watch for

Good for

  • Fishing. Walleye, Largemouth bass, Landlocked salmon and Brown trout
  • Camping. 7 campgrounds within 15 mi (list)

Watch for

  • Cold water. Water stays cold well into late spring and turns cold again in fall. Wear a life jacket when paddling in the shoulder seasons.

Built only from the data on this page: official access lists, OpenStreetMap beaches and trails, campground listings, state and USGS invasive-species records. We don't rate crowds or water quality.

Official fishing data (NYSDEC)

Fish species listed by NYSDEC for this recommended fishing water: Brown trout, Landlocked salmon, Largemouth bass, Sunfish, Yellow perch, Chain pickerel, Walleye, Carp.

Stocked by the state: Brown trout, Landlocked salmon (2011–2025, 15 years; 121,010 fish in all, fry included)

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation: Recommended Fishing Lakes and Ponds and Fish Stocking Lists (2011 on) on data.ny.gov, records for West Branch Reservoir (Putnam County). NYSDEC page.

Lake map

West Branch Reservoir shoreline

1 mileN

No public access sites are listed for this water in the NYSDEC boat launch sites (data.ny.gov) data.

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD Waterbody, Permanent ID 55506171), public domain. State outline: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb. Points: NYSDEC boat launch sites (data.ny.gov). Interactive map: Leaflet with © OpenStreetMap contributors. Not for navigation.

Campgrounds near West Branch Reservoir

We found 7 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles of West Branch Reservoir. Distances are straight-line from the nearest point on the shoreline, so driving distance is longer.

1 more within 15 miles

All campgrounds & RV parks in New York

Green tent icons on the lake map mark campgrounds near the shore, and the interactive map shows the closest 12. Amenities are listed only where a source records them; call or check the campground's website before you go, since seasons and rates change every year.

Campground data: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Pulled Oct 12, 2026.

Conditions right now

Air temperature & conditions (nearest NWS station)Loading…
Fetching the latest National Weather Service observation…

Live from the National Weather Service API for the lake's coordinates (41.4197, -73.7045). The nearest station may be several miles away. NWS forecast for West Branch Reservoir. No live water-temperature sensor is shown because we haven't found a public one for this lake.

Sun, moon & best fishing times

Sun & moon at West Branch Reservoir

Best fishing times

Major periodMinor periodDaylight

    Based on solunar theory, an estimate. Major periods (about 2 hours) center on when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot; minor periods (about 1 hour) center on moonrise and moonset. The 0–100 activity score rises during those periods and gets a boost near sunrise and sunset and around the new and full moon. Weather, water temperature and pressure often matter more. Sun and moon times are calculated in your browser from the lake's coordinates with standard astronomy formulas, shown in ET (America/New_York), and accurate to within a few minutes.

    Contact & official info

    Questions about West Branch Reservoir

    How big is West Branch Reservoir?

    West Branch Reservoir covers about 764 acres in Carmel and Kent, New York (Putnam County).

    What fish are in West Branch Reservoir?

    NYSDEC fishing and stocking data lists Walleye, Largemouth bass, Landlocked salmon, Brown trout, Yellow perch, Sunfish, Chain pickerel and Carp.

    Are there campgrounds near West Branch Reservoir?

    Yes. We list 7 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles.

    What towns are on West Branch Reservoir?

    West Branch Reservoir touches Carmel and Kent in Putnam County, New York.

    Share a tip or fishing report

    Know West Branch Reservoir? Tell us about the launch, parking, where they're biting or anything a first-time visitor should know. Tips go privately to the LakeRipple editor; nothing is posted automatically. Helpful tips may be featured on this page (we'll use your first name only if you give one).

    Lakes & ponds nearby

    Straight-line distance between lake centers. All New York lakes & ponds · All waters in Carmel