Tomhannock Reservoir

The water source for the City of Troy, NY is the Tomhannock Reservoir, a man made reservoir 6 ½ miles northeast of the City. The reservoir is 5 ½ miles long and holds 12.3 billion gallons when full. The quality of the water from the Tomhannock Reservoir is good to excellent.

[http://www.troyny.gov/city_services_publicutilities.html Troy NY Water Department]

Fishing in the Tomhannock

The City Clerk's Office issues fishing permits for the Tomhannock Reservoir. The permit is $10 for 2 years. To purchase a new one or renew, you must show a valid driver's license and a current NYS Fishing License. Persons 70 years of age and older are eligible for a FREE permit with proper proof of age.

Tomhannock Reservoir Provides a variety of sport fishing - During the open water season, yellow perch, black crappie and bluegill comprise the biggest share of the panfish catch, while smallmouth bass are the most important game fish. Largemouth bass, chain pickerel and walleye are also available. During the ice fishing season, the action centers around yellow perch, black crappie and chain pickerel. Bluegill and walleye round out the catch.

Tomhannock Reservoir, a 1700-acre public water supply, services Troy and surrounding communities - For this reason, special rules and regulations apply to protect its water quality. Boating and wading are prohibited. Except as otherwise provided, the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) orders with respect to open seasons, size limits and catch limits shall be in effect.

Fishing permits, which are revocable, are issued by the City Clerk's Office. Special permits may be issued at the discretion of Troy for uses other than fishing.

The ice fishing season runs from January 1 through March 15 during daylight hours only. Ice fishing is permitted only on that part of the reservoir from the dam southerly to a continuous line extending between two orange markers and on that part from the south end of the reservoir northerly to a continuous line between two orange markers.

Troy's Department of Public Utilities and DEC reserve the right to eject anyone from the area for disorderly conduct, intoxication or any behavior that endangers the general safety or health of people in the area.

[http://www.troyny.gov/permits/fishinglicense.html Troy NY Fishing Permit Tomhannock Reservoir]

History of the Tomhannock

Construction of the reservoir began in 1900. In 1960 a study determined that the Tomhannock Reservoir could serve the entire water system area of

the City of Troy, a limited region including the communities immediately adjacent to Troy (East Greenbush, North Greenbush, Brunswick, a portion of Schaghticoke, and West Sand Lake) which included most of the populated area of Southern Rensselaer County.

[http://www.rpi.edu/dept/chem-eng/Biotech-Environ/MISC/supply2.htm History of Water Supplies (RPI)]