In Season Now: New York Fishing · Oct. 16
In peak season
- Striped Bass — marine waters Apr 15 – Dec 15, 2026
- Striped Bass — Hudson River north of GWB Apr 1 – Nov 30, 2026
- Black Sea Bass May 16 – Dec 31, 2026
- Scup (Porgy) May 1 – Dec 31, 2026
- Tautog (Blackfish) — NY Bight Region Apr 1 – 30, 2026; Oct 15 – Dec 22, 2026
- Tautog (Blackfish) — Long Island Sound Region Apr 1 – 30, 2026; Oct 11 – Dec 9, 2026
From this page's species calendar. Check current the state wildlife agency size and creel limits before you fish.
HERE New York
New York NY
Fishing
Report
Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, NYSDEC regulations, and community fishing coverage for New York City lakes and rivers.
Bass: Hot Bite Crappie: Active Catfish: Active 0 Waters Profiled
First Look • Fishing Conditions
🌒
Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 79%
66°F
63°F
11 mph
1013
as of 7:22 PM ET
Good — increasing moonlight; fish feed actively in the morning and evening hours.
New York City • New York City NY
Your Local Fishing Resource
HERE New York is your local source for fishing reports, conditions, and NYSDEC regulations across New York City. Use the waters list to find lakes, rivers, and reservoirs near you, the regulations section for current limits, and the guides directory to book a trip.
Current Conditions • New York Waters
Species Status
Largemouth Bass
HOT
Fall feeding frenzy. Bass are chasing shad and blueback herring. Crankbaits and swimbaits dominate.
Top BaitCrankbait, Swimbait, Jig
Depth10-20 ft structure
Smallmouth Bass
FAIR
River smallmouth in deeper holes and pools. Slower presentations required.
Top BaitTube Jig, Crawfish Pattern, Ned Rig
DepthShoal tail-outs, 3-12 ft
Crappie
ACTIVE
Pre-spawn or fall pattern. Crappie suspending over deeper structure.
Top BaitSmall Tube Jig, Live Minnow, Slip Float
Depth12-20 ft brush
Catfish
ACTIVE
Catfish feeding well in spring and fall. Target deeper holes and channel swings.
Top BaitCut Shad, Chicken Liver, Prepared Stink Bait
DepthChannel edges, 10-30 ft
Bluegill / Bream
FAIR
Bluegill in slower mode. Small jigs under a float near dock pilings and woody structure.
Top BaitCricket, Worm, Small Jig (1/32 oz)
DepthSpawning: 1-4 ft. Non-spawn: dock edges 4-10 ft
Trout
ACTIVE
Trout active in stocked waters. Cold water temperatures keep fish feeding.
Top BaitPowerBait, Night Crawler, Inline Spinner
DepthStocked areas — designated lakes and streams
Species status is based on seasonal patterns and current conditions for New York City waters. Always verify NYSDEC regulations for creel limits, size minimums, and any current advisories before heading out.
Report a Bite Update
First Look
Weather & Fishing Conditions
66F
Light Rain And Fog/mist
Feels like 66°F
as of 7:22 PM ET
Wind
11 mph NW
Humidity
93%
Pressure
1013 hPa
Est. Water Temp
63°F
Moon
Waxing Crescent
Sunrise / Sunset
7:07 am / 6:15 pm
Location
New York, NY
On-the-Water Tips
- Water temps in the prime range — bass are active on shallow structure. Topwater lures effective morning and evening.
- Overcast and light rain conditions are often the best fishing weather. Fish shallow and aggressive — bass are less wary.
- Falling barometric pressure activates feeding. Fish are on the move — work moving baits and cover water quickly.
Solunar Index
Fishing Conditions Dashboard
Air Temperature
66°F
Optimal Bite
Wind Speed
11 mph
Light Breeze
Barometric Pressure
1013 hPa
Falling — Feeding!
Moon Phase
🌒
Good
Extended Outlook
5-Day Fishing Forecast
TONIGHT
Showers And Thunderstorms
60° / 50°
19 mph wind • 0% humidity
SLOW
SAT
Chance Light Rain then Mostly Cloudy
52° / 42°
22 mph wind • 0% humidity
SLOW
SUN
Sunny
54° / 46°
11 mph wind • 0% humidity
FAIR
MON
Mostly Sunny
58° / 49°
16 mph wind • 0% humidity
FAIR
TUE
Partly Sunny
64° / 53°
15 mph wind • 0% humidity
GOOD
Local Experts
Field Guides
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Big catches, personal bests, and tournament fish from New York anglers.
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Coverage
Fishing News HERE
Local — New York and New York City
New York
Official
New York fishing
No new New York-area fishing stories this week. Check current New York fishing rules from the state wildlife agency, and watch this page for the next local report.
More at Outdoor Sports
Hunting, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for New York and New York City NY
Tackle, Rods and Reels
Essential Gear HERE
Gear reviews and picks for the New York angler — rods, reels, tackle, and kayaks tested for New York City NY waters.
Gear Reviews — Tested for New York City NY Waters
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NYSDEC Regulations
License requirements, bag limits, and size limits for New York City waters. Always verify current regulations at dec.ny.gov.
SC Fishing Licenses
Bag & Size Limits — New York Waters
Special Rules & Alerts for New York Waters
- Municipal Lakes: Boating permits may be required from New York Water. Gas motor HP restrictions may apply — check current municipal-water rules before launching.
- Select-Lake Rules: Some lakes enforce larger minimum sizes for black bass or combined daily limits. Verify closures with NYSDEC before fishing.
- Electric-Only Lakes: Some state-park and municipal lakes prohibit gasoline engines and enforce reduced creel limits. Verify with NYSDEC.
- Free Fishing Days 2026: May 25 (Memorial Day weekend) and July 4 — no fishing license required on these two days.
- Rivers: Statewide creel limits typically apply. Boating permits generally not required. NYSDEC fishing license required for anglers 16+.
Regulations shown are for general reference. Always verify current rules with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at dec.ny.gov or by calling the NYSDEC Wildlife Helpline. Regulations may change each season. Municipal reservoir rules (New York Water) may be set separately from NYSDEC.
Spawn Timing & Key Dates
Season Calendar
Apr 15 – Dec 15, 2026
Striped Bass — marine waters
Slot 28"–31", 1 fish. Applies from the Hudson south of the George Washington Bridge. Inline circle hooks with bait.
Apr 1 – Nov 30, 2026
Striped Bass — Hudson River north of GWB
Slot 23"–28", 1 fish.
May 4 – Oct 15, 2026
Summer Flounder (Fluke)
3 fish; 19" May 4 – Aug 1, 19.5" Aug 2 – Oct 15.
May 16 – Dec 31, 2026
Black Sea Bass
16"; 3 fish May 16 – Aug 31, 6 fish Sept 1 – Dec 31.
May 1 – Dec 31, 2026
Scup (Porgy)
Shore 9.5", vessel 11"; 30 fish (party/charter limits differ).
Apr 1 – 30, 2026; Oct 15 – Dec 22, 2026
Tautog (Blackfish) — NY Bight Region
16"; 2 fish in April, 4 fish Oct 15 – Dec 22. NYC harbor/ocean side.
Apr 1 – 30, 2026; Oct 11 – Dec 9, 2026
Tautog (Blackfish) — Long Island Sound Region
16"; 2 fish in April, 3 fish Oct 11 – Dec 9. East of the Throgs Neck Bridge.
Apr 1 – May 30, 2026
Winter Flounder
12", 2 fish.
Sep 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027
Atlantic Cod
23", 5 fish.
Year-Round
Bluefish
No size limit; 5 fish (7 on licensed party/charter boats).
Jun 15 – Nov 30, 2026
Black Bass (freshwater)
12", 5 fish. Dec 1 – Jun 14 catch-and-release with artificial lures only.
Year-Round
NYC park lakes — catch and release only
All fish, all year, catch and release: Central Park waters, Prospect Park Lake, Van Cortlandt Lake, Indian Lake (Crotona), Baisley, Kissena, Meadow, Oakland, Willow, Brooks, Clove, Silver and Willowbrook lakes.
Spawn timing is approximate and based on typical New York City water temperature patterns. Actual timing varies by year and water body. NYSDEC trout stocking schedules are published annually — visit dec.ny.gov for exact dates and stocking locations.
Questions and Answers
Fishing FAQ
Common questions about fishing in the New York area, answered.
-
Yes. All anglers age 16 and older need a NY fishing license to fish public waters in New York City. NY residents get a resident license; non-residents pay a higher fee. Licenses are available at dec.ny.gov or at local sporting goods and tackle shops. Two Free Fishing Days — May 25 (Memorial weekend) and July 4 — require no license.
-
New York City has multiple public fishing lakes. Consult NYSDEC for a full lake-by-lake breakdown covering largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, and bream. Municipal lakes may require a boating permit from New York Water — check locally before launching.
-
The best crappie fishing in New York City is during the spring spawn, which typically runs from late March through April when water temperatures reach 55-65 degrees F. Fish move into shallower water (2-6 feet) around structure, brush piles, and bridge pilings. A second run occurs in fall (October-November) when fish stage deeper at 12-18 feet as water cools.
-
Yes — kayak fishing is well-suited for New York lakes, especially smaller electric-only water bodies. State-park lakes often offer kayak and canoe rentals and allow human-powered craft without a boating permit. Local rivers frequently offer scenic float trips combining paddling and bass fishing. Consult NYSDEC for blueway maps and put-in/take-out points.
-
Rivers near New York typically hold a diverse bass fishery — largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass, and rock bass in rocky shoals. Catfish (channel, blue, flathead) are common. Consult NYSDEC for stocking history and fly-fishing recommendations. Wade fishing at road crossings and kayak floats are the most productive approaches.
-
NYSDEC stocks select New York City waters with trout, typically in spring and fall when water temperatures are suitable. Stocking locations and schedules are posted annually on the NYSDEC website at https://dec.ny.gov/ — search for the freshwater trout stocking report. The standard trout bag limit is 5 per day during stocking season. Check the current NYSDEC schedule for specific lakes and streams stocked near New York.
FISHING NEWS NEAR NEW YORK NY
Fishing coverage from the 10 closest HERE cities.