Freshwater Fly-Fishing in New York City

How can the city that never sleeps 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 anglers, the freshwater lakes scattered throughout New York City can provide a relaxing respite from urban stress by affording ample opportunities for freshwater fly-fishing.

Starting in late spring and continuing until late 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. 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 plethora of tourists can make it difficult to find a secluded spot to fish. 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.

Most anglers find that a 5 or 6-weight rod works well, though some anglers switch to a 7 or 8-weight rod to land the larger fish. While bluegills enjoy poppers and brassies, these streetwise bass are partial to ants, tarantula flies, and freshwater Clouser Minnows. Strict catch-and-release rules are in effect for any freshwater fish caught in any of these bodies of water.

A New York State freshwater fishing license is required to fish any New York City lakes. For a comprehensive guide to using mass transit to freshwater fish throughout New York City, log on to www.dec.state.ny.us/website/reg1/nycfish.pdf.