Long Island, Metro NY - Long Island Metro NY Freshwater Fishing Reports
Long Island, Metro Video Fishing Forecast March 14, 2024
Another Big Event Weekend & Striper Movement in the west
With another week of over-average temperatures, participation was up again, and stripers were on the move, both on the north and south sides of the island. There is nothing big to report, but some fun action on schoolies with smaller soft plastics. Trout stockings are bound to happen very soon as the DEC releases their stocking number lists for the spring season. A couple of cod trips are also on the horizon. Keep in mind the Long Island Boat Show will be taking place this weekend, along with the annual Long Island Fly Fishing Expo and the Saltwater Expo in nearby Edison, New Jersey. For more information on all of the events, visit thefisherman.com/events.
John at J&J Sports in Patchogue said we have had some nice weather towards the end of February and the warmer conditions gave anglers an opportunity to fish the local lakes. West and Great Patchogue...
John at J&J Sports in Patchogue said we have had some nice weather towards the end of February and the warmer conditions gave anglers an opportunity to fish the local lakes. West and Great Patchogue lakes have been active with perch and trout. Using nightcrawlers, small Vibrax lures, and Kastmasters have all been productive. Nightcrawlers and live shiners, both fished under floats has produced great action. Fly fisherman have also taken advantage of the nicer weather and ventured out to Connetquot River State Park (Freshwater license is required) for rainbow and brook trout. You can find fish to 20 inches using nymphs, wooly buggers and streamers are. The shop is also stocking up on many of the fly fishing products to use for an enjoyable day at the park. Panfish, like crappie and bluegill, love a simple hook and worm. Ultra-lite tackle with a little Johnson beetle jig with or without the spinner always seems to create a good buzz under the water for these fish. These fish will also fall for small crankbaits or small colorful topwater lures, such as Rapala. Pickerel are more of a tricky species to target. While they are super aggressive, they can also spook very easily. You will need to walk around the shorelines carefully. They tend to sit in little holes in the weed beds and wait for their next bait to fall to there ever sharp teeth and strong jaw. Top water baits slowly coming throw the nest works the best, but that doesn't mean you can land one of these fish with just that. They will take down small spoons or plastic swimming baits. Live sinners will produce the best fish. All non-tidal lakes and ponds are open to target these fish, expect for East Lake in Patchogue. Most anglers love to target these fish with light tackle rods and reels, using little jigs such as small 1/16-ounce trout magnets, or gold or silver Kastmaster lures. Another go to lure John likes to throw would be a Vibrax blue fox spinner in 1/16th or 1/8 ounce. Gold and silver typically produce better fish, but that does not mean other colors or lures wont work.
At Paulies Tackle in Montauk, shop regular Chris Albronda reported it has been an incredibly successful winter. The walleye fishing has been the best Chris has seen in many years. Many of my Chris...
At Paulies Tackle in Montauk, shop regular Chris Albronda reported it has been an incredibly successful winter. The walleye fishing has been the best Chris has seen in many years. Many of my Chris charters caught their personal best, and many multiple fish nights. With this mild weather we have had the water temperature has remained relatively warm. On the warmer days, the largemouth bass and smallmouth bass would bite. As the days get longer, March is going to bring some absolutely epic fishing in Chris opinion. There will be fishing available both night and day. The smallmouth bass will be the first ones to really start biting. If youre looking to get into some nighttime walleye fishing, please contact Chris at 631-830-3881 or caskater1@gmail.com. Chris would also like to thank all The Fisherman readers out there for a great season, but dont stop now, come on down the fish are biting!
From Paul McCain at River Bay Outfitters in Baldwin I heard the freshwater angling has been good when it has been above freezing Pickerel season has been good, using flashy flies. They are moving in...
From Paul McCain at River Bay Outfitters in Baldwin I heard the freshwater angling has been good when it has been above freezing Pickerel season has been good, using flashy flies. They are moving into the shallows getting ready to spawn. Just keep in mind that the season closes March 15 until May 1st. Another option is yellow perch. They also are getting ready to spawn and are a lot of fun on a fly rod. Paul has been busy working at the shows, tying flies and doing presentations about why Long Island is a fly fishermen's paradise. Paul will be at the Ward Melville Fishing Expo on March 2nd. Make sure that you stop by and say hello. Plus, on March 16th, the Fly Fishing Expo of Long Island is back for its 7th year. This year it is bigger and better with more demonstrations, presentations and vendors. For more information go to longislandflyfishingexpo.org.
Capt. Walter of the Fishfinder II out of Captree took a day trip to the Salmon River this past week. On the day, Capt. Walter had one king of about 12 pounds and a nice brown of 8. All his action was ...
Capt. Walter of the Fishfinder II out of Captree took a day trip to the Salmon River this past week. On the day, Capt. Walter had one king of about 12 pounds and a nice brown of 8. All his action was on sucker spawn in chartreuse and red or orange.
Over at LI Outdoorsmen in Rockville Centre the report was of decent numbers of chain pickerel being caught in Tanglewood Preserve. Chain pickerel are a lot of fun to catch, put up a nice fight, and ar...
Over at LI Outdoorsmen in Rockville Centre the report was of decent numbers of chain pickerel being caught in Tanglewood Preserve. Chain pickerel are a lot of fun to catch, put up a nice fight, and are great fired up!