Long Island, Metro NY - Long Island Metro NY Freshwater Fishing Reports

John at J&J Sports in Patchogue said the locally stocked lakes continue to see a good pick at brown trout on all sorts of lures and baits. Common lures being used are Kastmasters, Blue Fox spinners and Phoebe lures. Bait fishermen have been using nightcrawlers, meal worms and Berkley Powerbait (dough). Largemouth bass at the lakes is picking up too. The warming water has got the bass to feed more aggressively. Using a Senko or Berkley worm (rigged weedless) can draw some strikes too.

Paul McCain at River Bay Outfitters in Baldwin said, “Every year I look forward to the last two weeks of April for the Hendrickson hatch and as always we are now in our normal spring flow which means the upstate rivers are very high and off color.” In speaking with Paul, the best option upstate is the Delaware and even that is high. It would be best for you to hire a guide and float. Big Tom spent a day with a guide and was able to bring five to the net, lost two at the boat and lost a monster on a bent hook; all on Hendrickson emerge size 16. For most, that would be a banner day of action on the Delaware. Paul has been guiding on the Connetquot for the last few weeks and finding high water but very clear. Most of his success has been on very small wet flies using 7x tippet. Paul said you will lose a few but the trout won’t strike unless the lighter tippet is used. Paul was also able to get out and try his new bamboo fly rod that my good friend, Mark Wayne made for me. It was a joy to use and Paul would recommend any serious fly angler try one. If you are interested in one, please call the shop.  All the ponds have been stocked and fishing well. The mill ponds are a little off color but the kettle ponds are clear as most don't get runoff. The spring is a magical time with all the hatches and the best time to get out.

At Paulie’s 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 you’re looking to get into some nighttime walleye fishing, please contact Chris at 631-830-3881 or [email protected]. Chris would also like to thank all The Fisherman readers out there for a great season, but don’t stop now, come on down the fish are biting!

Ken from Tight Lines Tackle in Sag Harbor told me Kevin Dehler had a 30-pound carp fishing a North Shore pond during last week.

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 are great fired up!