New York City By Becky Garrison, NCY
Fly-fishing within the concrete confines of New
York City’s may seem strange at first. How can a
city noted for its noise and excitement offer the
tranquility required to cast a line in anticipation
that a fish will rise and take the waiting fly?
Fortunately for die-hard urban fly fishers, the Big
Apple can provide a relaxing respite from urban stress
by affording ample opportunities for fresh and saltwater
fly-fishing.
The Hudson River, whose delta formed the island of
Manhattan, is one of the primary spawning grounds for
striped bass. Weather permitting, expect the spring
run of stripers to begin in mid-April and continue
throughout June. During this time, flyrodders have
an excellent opportunity to land a bluefish or a
weakfish as well. Check out the CCA-NY’s annual
Glenlivet CCA Manhattan Cup, an excellent opportunity
to participate with twenty-five of New York City’s most
prominent fishing guides competing for the largest
striped bass, bluefish and weakfish among three
categories (fly, artificial and bait).
Starting in late summer, the Bonita and false albacore
move into the area. Favorite spots with urban saltwater
flyfishers include the area around the Statue of Liberty,
the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Raritan Bay, the East River
and Jamaica Bay. Periodically, Coast Guard issues boating
regulations post-9-11 restricting boat traffic in areas
around government owned property and other major landmarks.
Check out the USCG web site for the latest updates.
One of the premier places on the East Coast for surfcasting
is Gateway National Recreation Area located in Jamaica Bay,
Staten Island and Sandy Hook, New Jersey. All of these areas
offer excellent access to flats and jetties. Favorite
fishing spots in the Jamaica Bay area include Floyd Bennett
Field in Brooklyn; Canarsie Pier in Jamaica, Queens; and
Breezy Point in Rockaway, New York. Other favorite places
to cast one’s line in Brooklyn include Bayside (Pier 69),
Coney Island, and Red Hook.
Fishing is permitted in select areas along the Hudson
River including under the George Washington Bridge at
W. 179th St., West 96th Street to West 79th Street, Pier
45 and Pier 25, as well as Wagner Park in Battery Park
City. The Hudson River Park’s website features the latest
news about the development of additional recreational
shoreline fishing opportunities along the Lower Hudson
River.
Other New York City spots include the East River
near Gracie Mansion; the lighthouse at the north end of
Roosevelt Island; Little Neck Bay in Queens; Randall’s
Island and Orchard Beach in the Bronx. Also, flyfishers
can access a variety of Staten Island hot spots, including
South Beach, Midland Beach, Great Kills Park & Beach,
Wolf’s Pond Park & Beach, Lemon Creek Pier and Pier
One at St. George.
Most saltwater anglers choose a 9- or 10-weight rod with
either a Lefty’s Deceiver, Clouser Minnow or one of Capt.
Dino Torino’s specialty saltwater flies. While many anglers
practice catch and release, anyone, who wants to take a
fish home should check with the New York City Department
of Environmental Protection for the latest regulations.
Also, one must be sure to inquire with the New York State
Department of Health for any fish consumption advisories
before eating their catch.
Starting in late spring and continuing until early fall,
one can find freshwater enthusiasts casting in Central
Park for bass, pickerel, carp, bluegills, perch and catfish.
The Harlem Meer, which is located from E. 106th St. to E.
110th Street, is stocked with white bass. Bamboo poles are
available for rental free of charge to the children when
accompanied by an adult at the Dana Discovery Center
located at W. 100th Street near Fifth Avenue. Another
favorite hot spot is the Boathouse Lake on W. 72nd Street,
where flyfishers can catch a bass along the wide range of
shoreline structure. Even though some flyfishers try their
luck in the 59th Street Pond, the crowds can make it
difficult to find a secluded spot to fish. Edwin used a
5 or 6-weight rod for bluegills and small bass and a 7
or 8-weight rod to reel in the largest fish. While the
bluegills enjoy poppers and brassies, the bass are partial
to ants and freshwater Clouser Minnows. Strict catch-and-release
rules are in effect for any fish caught in any New York City
park. Fishing is not permitted from a rented rowboat or on
the bridges. Also, one cannot fish in the Reservoir or in
Turtle Pond.
In Brooklyn, check out Prospect Park for freshwater bass
fishing. Other places where one can cast their line for
warmwater fish include Van Cortland Lake and Crotona Lake
in the Bronx, Oakland Lake, Baisley Park Pond, Kissena
Lake, and Meadow and Willow Lakes in Queens and Clove
Lake, Silver Lake and Wolf’s Pond in Staten Island. Also,
the New York City Chapter of Trout Unlimited has begun
preliminary efforts to restore Alley Creek Lake in Queens.
When completed, this will mark the first trout stream in
New York City.
A short train ride on Metro North takes flyfishers to
the Croton Reservoir Watershed. This series of reservoirs
and streams in Westchester and Putnam counties offers
excellent trout fishing. While the fishing season
applies to much of the watershed, the east branch
of the Croton River is open year-round. Post 9-11,
the New York City Department of Environmental
Protection has issued new watershed permits, which
are needed in order to fish any NYC reservoirs.
Freshwater enthusiasts looking for nearby freshwater
fly-fishing on Long Island can cast their lines in
the Connetquot or Nissequogue Rivers. For a more
detailed listing of New York City area freshwater
fisheries, check out The Flyfisher’s Guide to New
York (Wilderness Press, 2002).
Saltwater enthusiasts looking for a quick day trip
out of the city can cast their lines for stripers
in Sandy Hook, New Jersey. Even though many of Long
Island’s private beaches are off-limits to non-residents,
check out public Long Island fishing spots such as Caumsett
State Park, Robert Moses State Park, Captree State Park,
Heckscher State Park and Jones Beach for some prime
shoreline saltwater fishing opportunities.
Generally speaking, the best times to fish the New
York City area are from April to June and then from
September to around Thanksgiving. However, die-hard
saltwater anglers dot the Hudson River throughout
most of the winter months.
NEW YORK CITY AREA FLY-FISHING RESOURCES FLY/LIGHT TACKLE FISHING GUIDES
Capt. Ralph Burtis
Island Charters
516-887-2784
islandcharters@netscape.net
Jamaica Bay, NY Harbor and surrounding areas
in spring and early summer - Montauk in early
fall and NYC area in late fall
Capt. Peter Chan
Mostly Montauk
917-584-8325
captpeterchan@mostlymontauk.com
Jamaica Bay and Montauk
Capt. Frank Crescitelli and Capt. Dino Torino
Fin Chaser Charters
718-317-1481; Finfly@aol.com (Capt. Frank)
917-662-TUNA; fly4tuna@adelphia.net (Capt. Torino)
www.finchaser.com
Fishing charters including but not limited to
Raritan Bay, Jamaica Bay, Lower New York Harbor
and the Atlantic Ocean. Also, Capt. Torino guides
in Montauk and Capt. Crescitelli guides in Long
Beach Island, NJ.
Capt. Ken Courtlangus
516-932-0685
captkccharters@aol.com
www.reel-time.comguides/kccharters
Cold Spring Harbor, Oyster Bay, Long Islands East End.
Capt. Dick Dennis
Backcast Charters
723-929-0967
Hed0075@comcast.net
Barnegat, Raritan Bay, New York Harbor
Capt. Tony DiLernia
Rocket Charters
212-529-6910
tony@rocketcharters.com
www.rocketcharters.com
New York Harbor
Capt. Paul Eidman
(732) 922-4077
Paulyfish@reeltherapy.com
Capt. Paul Eidman
(732) 922-4077
Paulyfish@reeltherapy.com
Fly/Light Tackle Fishing charters by Boat and Kayak
Raritan Bay, Jamaica Bay, Raritan River, Sandy Hook,
Shrewsbury/Navesink Rivers, Lower New York Harbor
and the Atlantic Ocean
Capt. Hobitzel
Outback Charters
732-780-8624
biloutback@aol.com
Raritan Bay, Sandy Hook, and New York Harbor
Captain Scott Holder
Dragonfly Charters
516-840-6522
Fire Island, Smithtown
Misako Ishimura
Casting Instructor
212-628-7818
misakoflyfish@hotmail.com
Capt. Barry Kanavy
516-785-7171
captainbarryk@mac.com
Long Island’s South Shore
Capt. John “Spot” Killen
Briny Fly Charters
631-728-BASS (2277)
Cellular: 516-901-6652
brinyfly@att.net
South Shore of Long Island from Moriches to Montauk
Capt. Ken Kuhner
631-673-8937
www.coldspringfly.com
Long Island’s North Shore and Eastern Long Island
Capt. Joe Mattioli
On The Bite Charters
718-967-9095
onthebite@worldnet.att.net
Fishing charters in Jamaica Bay, Raritan Bay,
Lower New York Harbor and New Jersey waters
Capt. Brendan McCarthy
212-727-3166; 917-847-9576
mctrout@nyc.rr.com
Jamaica Bay and Montauk
Capt. John McMurray
One More Cast Charters
718-791-2094
johnmcmurray@prodigy.net
https://www.urbanangler.com/pages/mcmurray.htm
Fishing charters in Jamaica Bay, Raritan Bay
and Lower New York Harbor
Glen Mikkleson’s Atlantic Flies (Shore Guide)
631-878-0883
Walk and wade guide service for the North and
South shores of Long Island
Capt. Bob Robl
Fly-A-Salt Charters
631 243-4282
Rtrobl@cs.com
www.fly-a-salt.com
Smithtown, North Folk
Capt. Joseph Shastay, Jr.
201-451-1988; 201-725-6755 (cell)
New York Harbor, the East River and Western
Long Island Sound
Shore Catch Guide Service
Captain Jim Freda, Captain Gene Quigley, and Shell E. Caris)
732-528-1861
Flyfishcharters@aol.com (Boat Charters)
jfreda@bytheshore.com (Beach trips)
www.shorecatch.com
Fishing Charters from Sandy Hook to Island Beach
State Park, inshore and offshore
Edwin Valentin
c/o The Urban Angler
212-979-7600
Central Park
For a list of fly and light tackle guides
throughout the tri-state area, log on to www.pflga.org
FLY-FISHING ORGANIZATIONS
Coastal Conservation Association
877-98-CCANY
New York State chapter of this national
organization dedicated to the conservation
and preservation of marine resources
Juliana’s Anglers
FDR Station, P.O. Box 7220
New York, NY 10150
Women’s fly-fishing group offering meetings,
educational opportunities (e.g., casting clinics), field trips.
Theodore Gordon Flyfishers, Inc.
P.O. Box 2345
Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163-2345
editor@tgf.org
Fly-fishing group offering local outings, talks
on fly-fishing, Tuesday lunches at the Union
League Club in New York City, Conservation activities,
Trout in the Classroom, Project Access program.
New York City Trout Unlimited
Eric Newman
401 E. 81st St.
New York, NY 10028
e-mail: president@nyctu.org
www.nyctu.org
New York City chapter, with more than 1,000 members,
of the nation’s leading coldwater conservation
organization. Working to restore brook trout to
Alley Creek in Queens and active in other conservation
issues. Also holds Central Park casting clinic, fishing
forum, fly tying event and two full-day trips to the
Connetquot River.
The Salty Flyrodders of New York
345 East 57th St. 2C
New York, NY 10022
Saltwater fly-fishing group offering trips to
local beaches, meetings, casting clinics, annual
flyfishers’ conclave
GOVERNMENT RESOURCES
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Region 2 New York City
718-482-4922 (Information on fishing licenses, regulations and permits)
www.dec.state.ny.us/website/reg1/nycfish.pdf
(Comprehensive guide to using mass transit to
freshwater fish throughout the five boroughs
of New York City)
New York City Department of Environmental
Protection www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/dep/home.php
www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/ruleregs/wsrecreation.php
(Downloadable application and general information
on obtaining a public access permit to fish NYC
reservoirs and other designated areas.)
New York State Department of Health
1-800-458-1158 ex. 27815
Information on fish consumption advisories
Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation
of the State of New York
54 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, NY
www.rioc.com
212-832-4540
US Coast Guard - District 1
www.uscg.mil/d1/newengland
www.incidentnews.gov
(View the latest Coast Guard
regulations for boaters wishing to access New York Harbor)
NEW YORK CITY PARKS INFORMATION
Battery Park City Parks Conservancy
212-267-9700
info@BPCParks.org (Request a free program calendar)
Public fishing is available in Wagner Park, as well
as fishing programs for all ages and school marine
education school programs
Dana Discovery Center
Harlem Meer,
110th Street and Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
212-860-1370
Offers free bamboo fishing pole rentals to any
child when accompanied by an adult. Call for details.
Gantry River State Park
49th and E. River, Long Island City
718-786-6385
Gateway National Recreation Area
718-318-4300
Permit information to access these areas
in Jamaica Bay, Staten Island and Sandy Hook
by car
Hudson River Park
Pier 45 at W. Houston St.
New York, NY 10014
917-661-8740
www.hudsonriverpark.org
info@hrpt.state.ny.us
New York City Parks and Recreation Department
1-800-201-PARK (within New York City only)
www.nyc.gov/html/dpr/
Detailed maps and information about New York City parks
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY
Long Island Railroad 1-718-217-LIRR
Metro North 800-METRO-INFO
NYC Transit 1-718-330-1234
www.mta.nyc.ny.us/index.php
~ BG
Originally published c. 2003 on Fly Anglers Online by Becky Garrison.