Best Fishing Spots & Fishing Charters Near New York City
New York City boasts excellent fishing for every type of angler and many people are shocked to learn the quality of locations available inside/outside the city. While not listed in any order, I have listed some of the very best fishing locations in and around New York City.
So, where do you go if you want to catch fish within a short commute from the city? This article will help you identify some of the best fresh and saltwater locations in/arund NYC including available species and additional tips to support your fishing plans.
Living in the big city doesn’t have to keep you from experiencing what nature has to offer. However, proper planning is critical as you don’t want to spend your valuable time at poor locations.
There is an abundance of streams, lakes, and ponds glistening all around the city & state for experienced anglers, family, and friends alike.
Recommended Fishing Charters Near New York City
- Rockaway Fishing Charters (NYC)
- Stamford Fishing Charters (Stamford, CT)
- Karen Ann Charters (NYC)
- Buckshot Charters (Monmouth Beach, NJ)
- Fire Island Fishing Charters (Long Island, NY)
- Fin Chaser Sportfishing (Highlands, NJ)
- Tyin’ Knots Charters (Old Bridge Township, NJ)
- Cortes Outfitters (NYC)
- PrimeTime Fishing Charters (Highlands, NJ)
Top 5 Saltwater fishing spots
Louis Valentino Jr. Pier
Location: Brooklyn, NYC
Fish Species Available: Bluefish, weakfish, striped bass, flounder
Overview: This is a great place to see the Manhattan skyline, New York Harbor, and the statue of liberty. It has very good pier fishing. Some of the best pier fishing you can find near NYC.
Angler’s report the best fishing off this pier is from June through September for bluefish and flounder. Cut squid, herring, and crab meat have proven some of the best bottom baits for pier fishermen.
You may find some smaller bluefish suspended in the water column here as well. Bigger fish will hold closer to the bottom.
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Location: Brooklyn side of East river & Pier 5
Fish Species: panfish, largemouth bass, striped bass, and various brackish & saltwater species
Overview: It has great views, pier 5 has bait-prep/fish cleaning tables conveniently located nearby. This is another great fishing spot. You can find your typical freshwater gamefish like bass and panfish here which offer anglers consistent action year-round.
If you move closer to the mouth of the river you will find brackish and saltwater species. Striped bass and flounder are commonly caught in these waters, especially in early fall. For bass, typical bass lures like jigs, soft plastics, and small jerkbaits work well.
Panfish can be caught using live bait and small micro jigs. Striped bass will bite cut bait but they really hammer large swimbaits in the 4-8″ range especially as the big females come into shallow water in fall.
Broad Channel American Park
Location: Broad Channel Queens
Fish Species: striped bass, flounder, sea robin, bluefish
Overview: The use of live bait works well in this area. Try cut squid and cut herring here for flounder and sea robins during the summer months. Sea robins will also grab some curly tail grub soft plastics from time to time.
If you want to target bigger gamefish like stripers and bluefish, I recommend moving baits like jigging spoons, large jerkbaits, and swimbaits. These fish will also hammer cut bait and dead whole squids if you can get your hands on them. Hit up local bait shops or fish markets for whole small squid.
Ocean Breeze Park
Location: Staten Island
Fish Species: Weakfish, bluefish, striped bass
Overview: At 835 feet long, the fishing pier is an angler’s dream. You can fish at various depths and take advantage of current and tidal fluctuations as fish like bluefish and sea trout move along the length of the pier.
The length of the pier also makes it feel a lot less crowded without anglers bumping shoulders and crossing lines. Small skates and sharks are routinely caught here as well when targeting flounder and striped bass.
For bluefish and striped bass, focus on mid-summer through mid-fall and fish early mornings and late afternoons near sunset for the best action. There are plenty of restrooms and fish cleaning stations within the area for convenience.
Sheepshead Bay
Location: Brooklyn NYC
Fish Species: Bluefish, striped bass, fluke, crabs
Overview: If you’re feeling adventurous, take advantage of the various professional fishing charters the area offers for guided deep-sea fishing. There is awesome fishing in this natural bay but it is often too far from shore to reach without a boat.
Big striped bass, bluefish, and even the occasional shark will frequent these waters from spring through fall and offer exciting action. Cut bait, live bait, and lures work great. For added enjoyment and fantastic eating, launch some crab pots to soak while you’re off fishing. The crabbing in this bay can be awesome.
Top 10 Freshwater fishing spots
Kissena Lake
Location: Borough of Queens
Size: 8.5 acres depth of 10-15 feet.
Fish species: Yellow perch, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, common carp, American eel, brown bullhead, channel catfish, pumpkinseed
Overview: Catch-and-release only body of water featuring a larger carp population. Pack baits and flies will work well for carp. For bass and crappie, swimbaits and jigs are best.
Catfish will readily bite stinkbaits and fresh-cut bait. Nightcrawlers work too. When fishing from shore, consider lures due to the turtle population. Lake has child-friendly access points and plenty of fishable banks.
This is one of the lesser-known but better freshwater spots near NYC. This lake is pretty shallow but a great 3-seasons fishery. Wintertime fishing can be good too.
Prospect Park Lake
Location: Brooklyn
Size: 48 acres depth of 7-20 feet
Fish species: Bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie, chain pickerel, golden shiner, pumpkinseed, carp
Overview: Catch and release only lake. Shore fishing in this man-made lake is pretty good. There is abundant vegetation on shorelines, so using topwater lures and a heavier line is best. I recommend 15-30 pound test braid if fishing frogs or jigs in the junk vegetation.
Persons with disabilities have lake access. The location is said to be one of the best locations in NYC for largemouth bass fishing. Bass are active early morning and in the evening during the summer months. I recommend using swimbaits, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits for bass. Frogs and ned baits work great in summer.
Hudson River
Location: NYC
Size: 315-mile with depths ranging from 30ft (south of the federal dam) up to 202 ft depths in the area known as the “World’s End” (between Constitution Island and the Military academy).
The river flows southward from the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York through the Hudson Valley, Upper New York Bay & New York Harbor. In certain spots, there is a mix of fresh and saltwater.
Overview: Striped bass, large and smallmouth bass, northern pike, trout, channel catfish with an additional 220 species. Areas within NYC are catch-and-release. Fish during springtime below the Troy dam with fresh or live herring bait for striped bass.
Striped bass can grow large in this area. Eels, cut bait, herring, and swimbaits are great options for big fish. This is one of the best fishing locations in the NYC area and only a short boat ride from NYC.
Lake Champlain
Location: NY, borders Vermont
Size:107 miles long with depths up to 400 ft
Fish Species: Northern pike, lake trout, yellow perch, landlocked salmon, walleye, smallmouth bass, brown trout
Overview: Dropshotting is an excellent technique to use on smallmouth bass on this lake. Different baits like the Senko and jig are also used.
Topwater hard baits in the evening have also been successful. The drive from NYC is beautiful, especially in early autumn but it is a bit of a drive. This lake is world-famous for bass fishing, especially for smallmouth bass and trout. Trolling is another great option on this lake for walleye, salmon, and trout.
Distance from NYC: 5 hour drive
Peconic River
Location: Suffolk County, Eastern end of Long Island
Size: 15 miles
Fish Species: Panfish, largemouth bass, chain pickerel
Overview: There is excellent fishing in Riverhead to Gardiners Bay. The Peconic Estuary has a variety of striped bass, fluke, kingfish, and various species. Check out Reeves Bay, Great Peconic Bay & Little Bay, and fill up your live wells.
This is a great striped bass, flounder, and largemouth bass fishery. It offers great year-round action with good bait. Swimbaits, cut bait, and spinnerbaits are some of the most popular baits used. Fishing with chatterbaits or spinnerbaits if the water is on the muddier side.
Baisley Pond Park
Location: Queens
Size: 28 acres with depths of 20+ feet
Fish Species: Bluegill, pumpkinseed, common carp, largemouth bass, black crappie, brown bullhead
Overview: Largemouth bass up to 20 inches have been found in this lake. In addition, 7-inch bluegills have also been known to frequent the area. Using a frog on a lily pad has netted great results for anglers on the pond. Spring is the best time to catch crappie and bass.
Ned baits, drop shots, and spinnerbaits are great baits too. For crappie, opt for smaller swimbaits, jigs, and Berkley Gulp baits. Located within Queens, this lake is often overlooked but offers very good local fishing for eager anglers.
Van Cortlandt Park
Location: Bronx
Size:18 Acres
Fish Species: Carp, largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed
Overview: Try using green/brown plastic worms or Rapala minnows for catching nice-sized bass. Reports are that evening is a great time to fish for LM bass in this area. Big bass can be caught midday using swimbaits but morning and afternoon will deliver the best overall fishing.
Location: Staten Island
Clove Lake Park
Size: 10.22 acres
Fish Species: bluegill, pumpkinseed, carp,
black crappie, largemouth bass, brown bullhead, emerald shiner
Overview: Try using live worms for panfish, topwater lures, and swimbaits also work well. For carp, try worms, pack baits or flies to catch these fish. Corn is an especially effective additive to fish with here. Brown bullheads and panfish will also eat the corn. Bass will hit swimbaits, worms, and topwater.
Harlem Meer
Location: NE corner Central Park NYC
Size: 9.98 acres
Fish Species: Bass, panfish, catfish, crappie
Overview: Using a soft plastic worm reportedly has excellent results in catching largemouth bass. Topwater lures are also popular. Whopper ploppers have really done well here in recent years in smaller bait sizes. Swimbaits in bluegill or baitfish colors are also very good.
Summertime is the best season for fishing this lake and focus on late afternoon and early mornings. I wouldn’t recommend nighttime fishing unless you are fishing with buddies just for safety and security while at the lake. The lake is safe to fish at but you should always have a couple fishing buddies after dark for safety.
Oakland Lake
Location: NE corner Queens in Alley Pond Park
Size: 10.46 Acres depths up to 10-20 ft
Fish Species: Chain pickerel, bluegill, black crappie, American eel, largemouth bass, brown bullhead, pumpkinseed.
Additional Tips: Try using spinnerbaits, crankbaits, topwater lures, and soft plastic bait for the fish in this lake. I really like fishing for chain pickerel here. They grow to good sizes and are very aggressive. Just be aware that your soft plastics and swimbaits will be torn up by these toothy critters.
Fishing Seasons in NY
Open season for freshwater fishing
- Large & smallmouth bass: 3rd Saturday in June- Nov 30 Dec 1st-Friday before 3rd Saturday/ June
- Crappie: All year
- Northern Pike: 1st Saturday in May through Mar 15
- Yellow perch: All year
- Sunfish (bluegill/pumpkinseed): All Year
- Striped Bass: Apr 3 through Nov 30
- Lake Trout: Apr 1 through Oct 15
Visit NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation for updated freshwater fishing regulations
Open season for Saltwater fish
- Black Sea bass: June 23 – Aug 31 Sept 1 – Dec 31
- Summer flounder (fluke): May 4 – Sept 30
- Bluefish: All year
- Weakfish: All year
- King Mackerel: All year
- Haddock: All year
Visit NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation for updated saltwater fishing regulations.
NYC Fishing Charters: are they worth the money?
Every angler knows that there are never any guarantees with fishing. But why not maximize your chances of a great catch by “hooking up” with a fishing charter.
So many people dream of deep-sea fishing, but they don’t possess the skills or knowledge to navigate local bodies of water. Although a charter is a pricier option, nothing can compare to the expertise of a local captain of the sea.
Fishing charters will bring you to the Atlantic Ocean hot spots and maximize your time while on the water. The summer months are always a great time to charter due to the increased level of species available.
Having peace of mind while allowing someone else to navigate the sea can be priceless. Doing your due diligence by reading charter reviews and experiences can help you find the best fit for your outing.
It’s also imperative to find a captain with enough experience to keep you and anyone else on the vessel safe.
Chartering a boat in NYC requires the knowledge and the wisdom to overcome some of the most extreme circumstances like wind gusts and other marine-related hazards.
Staying safe with a professional captain and fishing guide is another great option to have fun fishing and stay safe while doing it. Following additional regulations ensures you have a safe day fishing.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish near NYC, please check out this helpful article I wrote.
