Fishing in the Watershed
Anglers looking to cast a line this spring are invited to enjoy world-class fishing on DEP’s upstate reservoirs, their headwaters and tailwaters, and myriad public lands that include frontage along creeks and streams throughout the watershed. The City’s 22 water supply reservoirs and lakes, covering roughly 36,000 acres, are open for fishing from shore or from boats that have a valid DEP boat tag.
Many of the reservoirs and lakes include deep, cold water that is optimal for trout fishing. New York’s trout season generally runs from April 1 until Oct. 15. However, the trout fishing season on certain New York City reservoirs is open year-round or closes later than Oct. 15. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) outlines statewide fishing regulations, including information on licenses, catch limits, and stocking, on its website.
To promote fishing in the watershed, we developed a fishing brochure and an interactive map to help anglers find access areas, planned several family fishing days at its reservoirs, and reached out to anglers at outdoor expositions, community days and other events. Fishing resources and upcoming events include:
• DEP will host several family fishing days at its reservoirs with more information to be posted to DEP’s Watershed Facebook page.
• DEP has developed the interactive RecMapper utility, which allows anglers to zoom in to any part of the watershed to find access for fishing, hiking and other activities. The RecMapper includes dozens of recreation areas that are open for fishing at reservoirs and streams within the watershed. It also includes links to angler maps that show the depth contours within each water supply reservoir.
• A fishing brochure has also been compiled by DEP to help anglers find access and learn what species of fish are located in each reservoir. The centerpiece of the brochure is a chart that outlines all the species that are present in each reservoir, including whether the angling for all the species is fair, good or excellent.
• Fishing on New York City reservoirs was also featured in the 2016–2017 New York Freshwater Fishing Guide. The guide features information about the coldwater and warmwater fisheries at the reservoirs, and it includes information on state
fishing regulations.
• 2017 also marks the fourth year that New York state-certified outdoor guides are permitted to offer their services — including guided fishing trips — on water supply reservoirs and lands. A list of certified guides that are approved for the program on water supply lands and waters can be found
by clicking here.
• Fishing on all city-owned reservoirs and lakes, along with some recreation units along streams and creeks, requires a free DEP Access Permit. An access permit can be obtained through DEP’s online permitting system, found at nyc.gov/dep/accesspermit. Those with questions about permitting may also email recreation@dep.nyc.gov or call (800) 575-LAND. Those fishing on streams that run across water supply lands should carefully check signs in those recreation units to determine whether a permit is required.
Some of the best trout fishing in the United States is found on New York City’s reservoirs and the streams, creeks and rivers that surround them, and we are proud to support anglers of all ages by improving recreational access.
