Long Island, Metro NY - Freshwater Fishing Reports

John at J&J Sports in Patchogue said lake fishing locally has been active. Most customers have been using nightcrawlers or live shiners. Largemouth bass (opens Statewide on June 15th), yellow perch, bluegill and crappie. A few trout are still being caught at West Lake, as well as Upper Lake. For bass, pickerel and panfish, Patchogue Lake is the hot spot. Trout can still be caught at West and Swan lakes with spinners and nightcrawlers.

Over at River Bay Outfitters in Baldwin, Paul reported fly fishing on Long Island continues to provide plenty of opportunities as anglers enjoy excellent action in both ponds and streams. The Connetquot remains loaded with trout, but recent reports indicate that fish have become increasingly selective, requiring light tippets, precise presentations, and small, natural patterns to fool them. Pond fishing across the Island is still going strong, with largemouth bass, pickerel, bluegills, and crappie providing consistent action for fly anglers. Upstate, the Green Drake hatch remains a major draw on the Delaware system, with trout feeding aggressively during the hatch windows. Throughout much of the Catskills, low water conditions persist, but anglers willing to fish early and late in the day are still finding good success on dry flies and nymphs. As summer approaches, many rivers and streams could greatly benefit from a steady soaking rain to improve flows and maintain favorable fishing conditions.

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.

At Montauk Anglers Club, I heard Fort Pond anglers have been scoring with largemouths with smaller popping and slop frogs turning the trick. Anglers looking for smallies should try the deeper portions of the lake with jerkbaits, and fish the edges of the drop-offs. Panfish action should still be okay with a nightcrawler under a float the best option.