Otselic River

The Otselic River winds through the southeastern corner of Cortland County, drawing paddlers as well as trout anglers. Two official launch and public fishing sites sit along the river in the town of Willet, giving visitors a simple way to get a boat or a line into the water.

Fishing is the big story here. The river is stocked each spring with thousands of yearling brown trout plus several hundred larger two-year-olds, and wild brown and brook trout live here too. The best trout water runs between Otselic and Cincinnatus, while the lower river below Cincinnatus also holds smallmouth bass and walleye.

What to Know

• Both official launch sites in Cortland County are in the town of Willet.
• Stocked browns share the river with wild brown trout and wild brook trout.
• Smallmouth bass and walleye turn up in the lower stretch below Cincinnatus.
• There are no amenities at the sites, so pack out whatever you bring in.
• Experience Cortland, the county tourism site, features the river.