Overview
The Old Chenango Canal, located in Madison County, is a small-to-medium sized stream that flows through the Hamlet of Bouckville. The canal, which operated from 1837 to 1878, connected Utica to Binghamton. The canal is a year-round designated trout fishing stream, artificial lures only, and a National Recreation Trail. Brown and Brook Trout are stocked by Madison Central School and Trout Unlimited with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.
Access:
• Though there are no official Public Fishing Rights (PFR) easements along the canal, much of its length it is bordered by the Chenango Canal Towpath Trail and the Canal Road. Both offer access to the canal.
• The Chenango Canal Museum has a universal fishing access platform located at the intersection of Route 20 and Canal Road in Bouckville.
• For information on this and also for a map showing the Towpath Trail please visit the Chenango Canal Association website in the right hand column under sites leaving the DEC webpage.
Fish Species:
Brown trout and white sucker.
Fishing:
The canal can be challenging to fish as it has an abundance of aquatic vegetation and woody structure in the stream. For most of it's length, the bank is lined with trees and brush.
Fish Management:
The Chenango Canal is stocked annually with around 1,000 year-old brown trout (8-9 inches). The brown trout are stocked for a put-grow-take fishery.
Hike the 7-mile Chenango Canal Towpath Trail from Hamilton to north of Bouckville. The Towpath Trail is maintained by volunteers with the Chenango Canal Association.
Walk, mountain bike, geo-cache or picnic on the 7-mile Chenango Canal Towpath Trail from Hamilton to north of Bouckville. The Chenango Canal is a year-round designated trout fishing stream, artificial lures only, and a National Recreation Trail. Brown and Brook Trout are stocked by Madison Central School and Trout Unlimited with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. The Towpath Trail is maintained by volunteers with the Chenango Canal Association.
View the trail map.
Snowshoe or Cross Country Ski on the 7-mile Chenango Canal Towpath Trail from Hamilton to north of Bouckville. The Towpath Trail is maintained by volunteers with the Chenango Canal Association.