Best places to go fishing in the Hudson Valley



Fishing is a great and relaxing past time. We found the places to go

A list of places to go fishing in the Hudson Valley

Fishing is a great, relaxing way to pass the time. It also teaches kids patience, increases self-esteem, and teaches them to deal with failure. Plus it can be a great way give the family a tasty treat. 
 Here is our list of the best places to go fishing.

Orange County

Thomas Bull Memorial Park
211 State Route 416, Montgomery, NY 12549. (845) 615-3830

The Thomas Bull Memorial Park is currently the second largest developed park in the County’s Park System, spanning over 719-acres. Fish are stocked annually in the pond for everyone’s fishing enjoyment at no charge. Bring your own equipment and bait. Fishing licenses are required in accordance with State Law. 

Winding Hills Park
Old Route 17K, Montgomery, NY 12549. (845) 615-3830

A 40-acre lake and four-acre pond are available at Winding Hills for everyone’s fishing enjoyment at no charge. Fishing may be done on the shoreline on both bodies of water or in a boat on the lake. Only electric powered boats may be permitted. All boaters must wear life jackets. Equipment and bait are not provided. Fishing licenses are required in accordance with State Law. Ice fishing is permitted only when conditions are safe. See posted rules at the Boathouse. Fishing is catch and release only

Chadwick Lake Park
1702 NY-300, Newburgh, NY 12550. (845) 564-0608

Chadwick Lake is a reservoir supplying water to the Town of Newburgh. Facilities near the lake's southern end, include three pavilions (for rental), a playground, walking trails, boat rentals, basketball courts and a roller rink. No private water vessels allowed. Fishing is allowed on the lake with proper license; large mouth bass is a common catch.

Round Lake

Located in the town of Monroe

This lake is stocked with trout every spring. You can also find brown trout, rock bass, brown bullhead, crappie and pumpkinseed sunfish. Large-mouth bass and bluegill in the shallower waters in summer and fall. Town owned boat launch site off of Rt. 5 on the east shore of Round Lake. No gas motors allowed.

Dutchess County

Morgan Lake
25 Creek Rd., Poughkeepsie

Shore fishing is available on the south shore off Creek Rd. in College Hill City Park. A fishing pier is also available. Great access to shore fishing. This small lake also has a wide variety of fish species. Local sportsman's groups stock this lake with trout throughout the year.

Sprout Creek
Access from Robinson Lane Park in Wappingers Falls

Sprout Creek is a public fishing stream with brown trout and brook trout present.  The DEC stocks this creek with 6,000 brown trout annually and there is also some contribution to the fishery by wild brown trout.

Rudd Pond
Located in the northeast part of Dutchess County just 2-miles north of Millerton on County Route 62. 

Access is provided by the Taconic State Park and Recreation Commission. A permit is required from park manager. Located off Rte 62. Two miles north of Millerton. Parking available for 10 cars. No gas motors allowed. Rudd Pond has great habitat for both largemouth bass and chain pickerel. It also has a good panfish population, including bluegills, black crappie, and yellow perch.

Sylvan Lake
Sylvan Lake Beach Park at 18 McDonnell Lane, Hopewell Junction. Car top boat launch is located on Sylvan Lake Rd.

Located in the Town of Beekman, this is a great place to fish for trout, brown trout and large-mouth bass. Boats are permitted, no gas motors.

Ulster County

Onteora Lake
Hand launch located off of Rt. 28, 4 miles North of Kingston. Parking for 10 cars. Electric motors only.

Fish for bass, Bluegills and panfish. This area has a fairly steep drop off. You will most likely need a boat to fish. 

Chodikee Lake
Hand launch, located 5 miles east of New Paltz off Route 299. North on Chodikee Lake Rd. 1 mile, bear left on Camp Stuts Rd. approx. 1 mile. Parking for 20 cars. Electric motors only.

Fish Chodikee lake for largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, yellow perch and brown bullheads. Anglers report having the most success fishing on the east shore using live bait. The shore is mostly wetlands, you will need a boat to fish. 

Wilson Lake
Access is provided by Kenneth L. Wilson DEC Campground, 
859 Wittenberg Rd., Mt Tremper 

You can find largemouth bass, bluegills and chain pickerel on this shallow lake. Fish from shore or a rowboat, no gas motors.

Alder Lake
State carry-down off Rte 54, 2.5 miles northeast of Hamlet of Turnwood. Electric motors only. Parking for 10 cars.

Catch brook trout in Alder Lake, a quiet lake with not a lot of boating activity. Only artificial lures are allowed in this lake. You can also camp and kayak or canoe on the lake also.

Louisa Pond

Parking is located off of Route 9W in the Town of Esopus, Ulster County. From 9W turn onto Old Post Rd. approx. 1.7 miles. Turn right onto Poppletown Rd. 0.7 miles to the Shaupeneak Ridge Cooperative Area parking lot on the left. Non-motorized, car-top boats only.

If yellow perch is what you are looking for, this is the place. Fish around the lily pads for the best action.

Esopus Creek
Use the web-based Trout Stream Fishing Map on DEC info Locator or the "Tacklebox" feature in the HuntFishNY mobile app to find access sites and designated parking areas in this section of the Upper Esopus.

You can find  trout and bass fishing here. In the upper part of the creek there are plenty of brown, brook, and rainbow trout. In the lower part of the creek you'll find panfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass and common carp. 

Sullivan County

Basher Kill at Bashakill Wildlife Management Area 
Bashakill WMA is located just east of NYS Route 209 and is bisected by NYS Route 17. It is primarily in the Town of Mamakating. Parking areas area located throughout the WMA.

Fish for largemouth bass, chain pickerel, panfish, and bowfin. It is rumored you can find trout here also. There are two trailered boat launches and three hand launch sites.

Crystal Lake Wild Forest
Town of Fremont

Crystal Lake has a brook trout population that is supported by natural reproduction. The use of bait fish is prohibited. Right now, there is a 10-inch size limit and three fish daily bag limit for trout. You can also find Brown bullhead and golden shiner here. 

Neversink River Unique Area
Towns of Forestburgh and Thompson

The Neversink River Unique Area offers world class trout fishing opportunities. Trout fishing is catch and release only, and may be done April 1 through October 15. Only artificial lures may be used for trout. You will find brown trout, brook trout, and small mouth bass. This is a great place for hiking and paddling too. 

Willowemoc Wild Forest
Neversink and Rockland in Sullivan County; Denning and Hardenburgh in Ulster County

Located in the southwest corner of the Catskill Park. Long Pond, Frick Pond and Quick Lake all contain brown bullhead, golden shiner and chain pickerel and possibly brook trout. You can also fish Waneta Lake for pumpkinseed, yellow perch, brown bullhead, chain pickerel, and largemouth and smallmouth bass. Hiking and camping are also available.

List edited 6/19/2024



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