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

At Paulies in Montauk, shop regular Chris Albronda reported this was a tough week with the conditions making it nearly impossible to fish. Chris only had a handful of fish, mostly in the smaller lakes and ponds in Montauk. The weather did have the largemouths fired up, which could be the beginning of something big.

John at J&J Sports in Patchogue said as fall begin to creep in the local freshwater fishing is about to heat up with most of the local lakes including West, Swan and Canaan all getting a fall stock of brown and rainbow trout. The best way to trout fish in the fall would be lures like spinners and bait like red worms and even live shiners, especially if you?re hunting those trophy brown trout. In the fall, fishing for other species like bass and pickerel is also great at the local lakes with live shiners being the best choice.

Over at River Bay Outfitters in Baldwin, Paul reported the fall freshwater fly fishing is really taken off. The island's spring creeks have been getting the water they need with this storm we had this past weekend and turning on. The Catskills did receive some rain but never became unfishable.? The Long Island Flyrodders had their fall trip to the Beaverkill and the reports were mixed. Some found success, others didn?t. The ones that brought trout to hand are the ones that fish?most weeks, as nothing replaces time on the water. Fall trout fishing can be harder than the spring but if you match the hatch?and use long leaders, you will find success. The ponds are starting to wake up and I have been hearing of nice bass, pickerel and panfish being landed. A couple of new anglers stopped in to the shop to report that they have been fishing Caleb Smith Park and both had action. The Mop, Chubby Chernobyl, Fly Ant and Woolly Bugger are the top flies.? Fall is one of Paul?s favorite time to be on the water. The only thing that he doesn?t like is that winter is only a few months away.?

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! 

At Chasing Tails Bait and Tackle in Oakdale Billy said this weekend was great weather to go hit a local lake or river for some freshwater fishing. Pickerel are out and about, stalking banks and structure for easy meals. They’re crushing swimbaits, spinnerbaits, and in-line spinners. Trout are very active in the mornings, looking up for flies on the surface. Once they’re down for the morning, tie on some nymphs or a streamer for the best chance at. Panfish like bluegills and yellow perch are available by anglers tossing small jigs, and in-line spinners. 

Out in Rockville Centre at Long Island Outdoorsman, Rob reported although Long Island is a little quiet, Rob Sr. fished Cayuga Lake this past week and scored with Lake Trout to 10 pounds on smaller Keitech baits on a jig head. For those Long Island bass hounds, these small paddle tail swimbaits are super and the shop stocks a wide variety. The shop is open at 8 a.m. and stocks mealworms, trout worms and nightcrawlers as well.

John at J&J Sports in Patchogue said action is good in the local lakes of West and Swan after the recent stocking. The best way to target these fish would be live bait such as nightcrawlers and red worms. Both worms are favorites of trout and will bring great results. If you prefer a more active style of fishing use a small spinner or Kastmaster. Largemouth bass at the lakes is picking up too. The warming water has got the bass to feed more aggressively. Using a Senko worm or Berkley worm (rigged weedless) can draw some strikes too. Region one regulations for bass is “Catch and Release only 12/1-6/14, and artificial lures only.