LivewellNew York · Putnam County · Lake
Lake Mahopac
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Lake Mahopac, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
4 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury, PFOS
New York also has statewide guidance
New York publishes rules that apply to lakes across the state — 66 recommendations covering 21 species — in addition to anything listed for Lake Mahopac below.
Strictest statewide rule: Chain Pickerel — For people who may become pregnant and children under 15: do not eat.
What's safe to eat from Lake Mahopac
Northern Pike
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 26" | People who may become pregnant and children under 15 | For people who may become pregnant and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated PFOS. |
| Over 26" | People who may become pregnant and children under 15 | For people who may become pregnant and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated PFOS. |
| All sizes | Men, and women 50 and older | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PFOS. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Smallmouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 15" | Men, and women 50 and older | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PFOS. |
| People who may become pregnant and children under 15 | For people who may become pregnant and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated PFOS. | |
| Over 15" | Men, and women 50 and older | Do not eat due to elevated PFOS. |
| People who may become pregnant and children under 15 | For people who may become pregnant and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated PFOS. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Walleye
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 19" | People who may become pregnant and children under 15 | For people who may become pregnant and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated PFOS. |
| Over 19" | People who may become pregnant and children under 15 | For people who may become pregnant and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated PFOS. |
| All sizes | Men, and women 50 and older | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PFOS. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
All Other Species
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Men, and women 50 and older | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury and PFOS. |
| People who may become pregnant and children under 15 | For people who may become pregnant and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury and PFOS. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Is it legal to keep?
These are New York's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | 15" min | 5 | Year-round | 05-03 – 03-15 |
| Largemouth Bass | 12" min | 5 | 12-01 – 11-30 | 06-21 – 11-30 |
| Smallmouth Bass | 12" min | 5 | Year-round | 06-21 – 11-30 |
| Northern Pike | 22" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Muskellunge | 40" min | 1 | Year-round | 05-24 – 03-15 |
| Chain Pickerel | 15" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Yellow Perch | — | 50 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | — | 25 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: New York — New York DEC
Getting on the water
- Boat ramp boat ramp 0.7 mi Directions
- Access Point fishing 3.5 mi Directions
- Waywayanda boat ramp 4.5 mi Directions
- Boat Access 24 fishing 4.6 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.