Long Island, Metro NY - Freshwater Fishing Reports

Over at River Bay Outfitters in Baldwin, Paul reported the cooler night temperatures are starting to make a noticeable difference on the freshwater scene around Long Island. The Connetquot has been restocked with trout, giving anglers another good reason to get out and spend some time on the river, while the ponds and lakes across the Island continue to produce a mix of trout and warmwater species. The cooler mornings should also help extend the better fishing windows, especially early and late in the day. Up in Connecticut and the Catskills, the recent rains have provided some very good flows and much-needed water, giving anglers more options and improving conditions on several rivers. The Farmington and Housatonic are worth a look in Connecticut, while the Beaverkill, Willowemoc and Delaware system are running at favorable levels in the Catskills. Overall, it’s a great time to get the freshwater gear out, take advantage of the cooler nights and mornings, and enjoy some late-summer fly fishing.

John at J&J Sports in Patchogue said the local lakes are providing good opportunities for anglers to have a shot at catching fish either early in the day or later in the evening. If using bait you can't beat a half (or whole nightcrawler) over at West Lake for bass or yellow perch. Using weedless frogs or soft-baits can be just the trick to entice some largemouths over at Great Patchogue Lake. Focus around the weed cover. This tends to be the area in which most fish will seek refuge from the hot weather. Small panfish will be more than willing to take tiny pieces of nightcrawler fished under a bobber. Trout fishing slowed in the hot weather. It might be tricky to get them to feed. You can try fishing over at one of the local rivers where cooler running water will keep the fish a little more active. Some of these rivers are, Carmans, Swan or Connetquot State Park.

At the Montauk Anglers Club, resident sharpie Chris Albronda reported this week anglers found that the walleye and smallmouth were very active. A suspending or slow rising jerkbait was a guarantee. While night fishing, a local guide on the lake caught an American eel that was nearly 4-feet long, a smallmouth, one of the largest bluegills Fort Pond has seen, crappie, and carp. Fishing has been really good!

Chasing Tails Bait & Tackle in Oakdale, Billy reported in the lakes, anglers will see the stocked trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, pickerel and all sorts of panfish. Paddletail swimbaits, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits for the bass, walleye, and picks. Trout are crushing Kastmasters and inline spinners, and dough baits and worms are always a good choice, too. Panfish are going to be all over that same setup

Over at River Bay Outfitters in Baldwin, Paul reported freshwater fly fishing across the region is in great shape this week as cooler November weather has settled in. On Long Island, trout fishing remains productive in the stocked ponds and streams, with nymphs and small streamers working well during midday and olive or black Woolly Buggers drawing strikes in the early morning. In the Catskills, rivers like the Beaverkill and Willowemoc are running clear and cool, with fish responding to small Blue-Winged Olives, midges, and attractor nymphs. The Connecticut Rivers continue to fish nicely, with the Farmington producing steady action on nymph rigs and soft hackles, while larger browns are becoming more aggressive as they prepare for the spawn. Out west, the Lake Erie tributaries are seeing good numbers of steelhead entering the systems following recent rain, with egg patterns, stoneflies, and streamers all taking fish in slightly stained flows. The Salmon River in Pulaski remains busy, with solid numbers of steelhead mixing in with a few late kings and browns, egg sacs, beads, and bright intruders are the top producers. Overall, conditions across the Northeast are prime for anglers willing to layer up and cover some water.