FishKillFlea New York is arguably the most diverse fishing state on the East Coast. From the legendary Montauk surf down south, up through the Catskill streams where American fly-fishing was born, to the savage Great Lakes salmon runs up north — a $25 NYS fishing license grants access to it all.
Long Island & Saltwater
| Spot | Region | Species | Why Famous |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montauk Point | Long Island (East) | Striped Bass, Bluefish | "The Surfcasting Capital of the World" — epic fall blitzes. |
| Fire Island Inlet | South Shore | Fluke, Stripers | Fantastic boat and surf access |
| Hudson River | NYC to Albany | Striped Bass (Spring) | The spring spawning run draws massive bass upriver! |
The Legendary Catskills (Fly Fishing)
| Water | Region | Species | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware River (Branches) | Southern Tier | Brown, Rainbow Trout | The birthplace of dry-fly fishing in America! |
| Esopus Creek | Catskills | Wild Rainbows | Beautiful tailwater with prolific insect hatches |
The Great Lakes & Upstate
| Water | Region | Species | Why Go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon River (Pulaski) | Lake Ontario | Chinook, Coho, Steelhead | The most intense, combat-style salmon run on the East Coast! |
| Lake Champlain | Adirondacks | Smallmouth Bass, Pike | Dozens of Bassmaster tournaments happen here |
| Oneida Lake | Central NY | Walleye, Bass | The "Walleye Capital" of New York State |
| Lake George | Adirondacks | Lake Trout, Salmon | Crystal clear, gorgeous, and deep! |
Seasonal Guide
| Season | Best Targets | Prime Spots | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Apr–May) | Hudson Stripers, Catskill Trout | Hudson River, Delaware River | The spring striper run up the Hudson is legendary! |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Fluke, Bass, Offshore Tuna | Montauk, Lake Champlain | Montauk party boats run daily for bottom fish |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Salmon Run, Montauk Blitz | Salmon River, Montauk | The "Fall Run" in Montauk is chaotic and beautiful |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Ice Fishing, Steelhead | Oneida Lake, Salmon River | Ice fish for walleye on Oneida when frozen |
Neighboring: New Jersey for surf fishing, Pennsylvania for Erie tribs, Connecticut for Long Island Sound access.
An NYS fishing license is $25 (and saltwater is FREE). Review all NY license costs or find out where to buy your NY license.