How March weather affects freshwater fishing on Long Island.
March is a month of transition for freshwater anglers on Long Island. As winter begins to loosen its grip, lakes, ponds, and rivers slowly start waking up. Water temperatures inch upward, fish become more active, and eager anglers return to the water, hoping to shake off the winter blues. Species like largemouth bass, chain pickerel, crappie, yellow perch, and trout are all in play, but catching them requires an understanding of how seasonal changes influence their behavior. Unlike the predictable fishing of late spring and summer, March presents a unique challenge – one day might bring warm, stable conditions that encourage fish to feed aggressively, while the next could usher in a cold front that shuts the bite down completely.
Water Temperature in March Fishing
Water temperature is the single most important factor in determining fish activity during March. While open water is always available in Long Island’s lakes and ponds (since they rarely freeze completely), fish still follow seasonal temperature trends that influence their feeding and movement patterns.
When temperatures remain below 40 degrees, fish are sluggish and primarily focus on conserving energy, feeding only when absolutely necessary. They tend to hold in deeper water, where conditions are more stable, waiting for the first real signs of spring. As water temperatures climb into the mid-40s, fish begin to stir, but they won’t chase fast-moving lures. During this period, slow presentations with jigs, live bait, or suspending jerkbaits produce the best results.
Once the water reaches 50 degrees or higher, the dynamic shifts dramatically. Fish start staging near spawning areas, feeding more aggressively, and reacting to faster-moving baits. This is when shallow, dark-bottomed lakes and ponds warm up quickly, creating prime early-season fishing opportunities. Anglers who keep an eye on warming trends can capitalize on these shifts, focusing their efforts in areas where the sun has the greatest impact on water temperatures.
Cold Fronts and Their Impact
Unlike later in the season, when fishing conditions stabilize, March presents anglers with constantly changing weather. Every front, warm spell, or rainstorm influences fish behavior. Cold fronts in March can be brutal on fish activity. A sudden drop in temperature, increased winds, and high barometric pressure often cause fish to retreat to deeper water and become less likely to bite. When this happens, downsizing baits and slower presentations become essential, as fish are reluctant to expend energy.
Largemouth bass, for example, may go from actively feeding in the shallows to sitting motionless near deep structure, ignoring fast-moving lures. The same can be said for crappie and perch, which often suspend in deeper pockets when the weather turns colder. When a front moves in, live bait, finesse plastics, and slow-moving jigs become the go-to options.
Warm Spells
On the flipside, a 3 to 5-day stretch of above-average temperatures can be a game-changer. This is when small, shallow ponds and dark-bottomed lakes warm up faster than deeper waters, drawing fish out of their wintering zones and into shallower, sun-warmed areas where baitfish and aquatic insects become more active.
In these conditions, the afternoon bite is often the best. Anglers who hit the water between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. often find fish more willing to strike. Jerkbaits, small crankbaits, and spinnerbaits become effective as fish shift into a more aggressive feeding mode in anticipation of the coming spawn.
Rain, Snowmelt & Water Clarity
| MARCH HOT SPOTS |
| Belmont Lake: A good spot for largemouth bass, pickerel, and stocked holdover trout from the fall stocking.
Massapequa Reservoir: Produces bass, yellow perch, and early-season trout. Peconic River: A prime pickerel and crappie fishery, with early-season panfish action. Upper Carmans River: An excellent trout fishing location in March for brooks, rainbows and browns above the cement dam. |
March precipitation also plays a major role in freshwater fishing. Heavy rain raises water levels and can flush fresh nutrients into a system, sometimes triggering an aggressive bite. However, too much rain can muddy the water, making fishing more difficult.
In stained or muddy conditions, anglers should switch to brighter-colored lures like chartreuse, white, or red to increase visibility. Additionally, fishing near inflows – where fresh water enters a lake or river – can be productive, as these areas often concentrate fish looking to take advantage of the influx of food. Rising water levels also push fish closer to shore, where they take advantage of newly submerged cover.
March Techniques & Baits by Species
Largemouth Bass
March bass fishing can be hit or miss, depending on temperature swings. Early in the month, bass remain sluggish, preferring deep structure where the water temperature is more stable. Slow-moving jigs, soft plastics, and live shiners are the best options during this period.
As temperatures reach the high 40s and low 50s, bass become more aggressive, often staging near transition areas – points, drop-offs, and shallow flats where they prepare for spawning. During this time, lipless crankbaits, suspending jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits become effective.
Pickerel
Pickerel remain active even in the cold, making them a reliable target throughout March. They’re often found in weedy, shallow areas, where they hunt baitfish and small panfish. Unlike bass, which can be finicky in cold water, pickerel are aggressive predators that will chase down moving lures.
Inline spinners, small swimbaits, and jerkbaits are great choices for pickerel, especially on warm days when they move into shallower ambush points.
Crappie & Yellow Perch
Crappie and yellow perch school up in March, often suspending near deep structure early in the month before transitioning to shallower flats. Small jigs, live minnows, and tiny crankbaits work well for both species.
As water temperatures rise, crappie move toward brush piles, submerged timber, and docks, while perch can be found along gravelly shorelines and deeper channels.
Trout (Stocked & Holdovers)
March is also an important month for trout fishing on Long Island. The NYS DEC begins stocking trout in select lakes and rivers, providing fresh opportunities for anglers. While stocked trout are often easiest to catch using PowerBait, worms, or small spinners, holdover trout – fish that have survived the winter are a more challenging target.
These fish often respond well to fly fishing with nymphs and streamers or ultra-light spinning tackle with small spoons and jerkbaits. The Carmans and Connetquot Rivers are known for holding wild and stocked trout year-round, making them excellent early-season destinations.
March freshwater fishing on Long Island is all about adaptability. The conditions change rapidly, and what works one day may not work the next. By understanding water temperature trends, adapting to weather patterns, and choosing the right lures, anglers can make the most of this unpredictable but rewarding time of year. While it takes patience and persistence, those who put in the effort are often rewarded with some of the best early-season action of the year. March may not have the consistency of summer, but for those willing to chase the right conditions, it can be one of the most exciting months on the freshwater calendar.
