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

At the Montauk Anglers Club, guide Chris Albronda reported the fishing in Fort Pond has really picked up. With the better weather and a bunch of sunny days, the largemouth, walleye, perch and smallmouth have been caught in great numbers. Chris had walleye up to 8 pounds and largemouth up to 5 pounds, all on artificial lures, in the afternoon. For hot freshwater information for the area, Chris will be working at Montauk Anglers Club tackle shop where you can find all of the freshwater gear you need and tips on where and what’s biting.

John at J&J Sports in Patchogue said trout action at the lakes has been plenty full since the spring’s stocking. Trout have been fairly active on warmer days. Using small lures or worms and wax worm's with a float has been effective. Don’t overlook using a fly this time of year. As the days go on the weather will trigger a hatch that could make for a great bite.

From Paul McCain at River Bay Outfitters in Baldwin I heard fishing has been tough at the Connetquot River this past week as most of the rainbows are in their spawn and not interested in feeding. The crew will stock them throughout the stream but very quickly they try to get upstream to the hatchery. There are brookies and they will hit a well-placed streamer. Once the ‘bows drop eggs, the brook trout will focus on egg patterns. Most of the streams upstate are in good shape and the spring insect hatches are picking up. The reports on the ponds is they are doing well with bass and panfish. Crappie are close to the shore, near brush and a well-placed streamer will bring a strike. Anglers on Long Island are fortunate to have over 100 ponds, with many offering access to launch watercraft that will get you to a spot that shore bound anglers can't reach. Paul finds that floating these ponds is one of the most relaxing ways to fish.  An inexpensive kayak also opens up many opportunities. River Bay Outfitters will be hosting local trips on these waterways, so check out their trips on riverbayoutfitters.com.

Down the road at Chasing Tails Bait & Tackle in Oakdale, Billy reported all of the local lakes have been stocked with trout, and fishing is rock solid. Inline spinners, spoons, small jigs and of course a worm and bobber rig will have them on the end of the line all day. Yellow perch and bluegill are starting to school up in the shallows and are slurping down worms left and right. Inline spinners and small jigs also work very well. Walleye are lurking the darkness and smashing jerkbaits and swim baits, and they love a bright color. 

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!