New guy from sweden

[Erikgullstrand]

Hello everyone! I recently moved to ny from sweden. Have always done a lot of fishing/hunting back home but now I have to start over learning all the lands and waters. Just got a nice freshwater setup and are planning to get out this weekend. Since i have to travel by train right now i've been looking at kensico lake. Is there good access to shore fishing there? If not, does anyone have any other tips for me where i can travel by train? For me, any fishing is good. Trout, bass, perch... As long as i can get out there, catch and eat, im happy.

Very thankful for any advise!

Erik

[lionpshark]

Welcome Erik
I don't know the train system at all so I can't be of much help but as far as shore fishing, you can type the word Shore in the top right search bar on the main forum page and it will provide you with all the past threads that the forum members have posted. As far as kensico there is some spots that you can shore fish for Bass during this time of year but as far as trout you need a boat to get to deeper waters in this heat. At least that is my understanding. I have not caught any perch in Kensico but others have posted differently. If you can go the the main westchesterfishing.com website page and find the link to Bobs Sport & Tackle and they can also give you some great advise over there. If you have a chance also get a book from bobs southern fishing directory by Jack Stewart. It also has a ton of info. Good luck out there.

[Erikgullstrand]

I would love to go bass fishing from the shore! Is it by the bridge on 22 that i've seen a lot of posts about? Any other good location?

Thanks for your help!

Erik

[KenH]

Hej Erik! Glad to see you made it over here. First off to fish Kensico or any of the other NYC owned
reservoirs you need not only a NY State Fishing License but also a NYC DEP Access Permit. These waters
all have signs that say "No Entry except for fishing under permit". The Permit if free and you can get it
online, and we have a link on the main page here titled "Reservoir Access Permits".
Second, you mentioned that you want to catch fish that you can eat. The reservoirs, because they supply the drinking water for all of New York City's 8,000,000 people are probably the cleanest freshwater
bodies around here. Finally, Kensico does not have alot of shore access because it's a deep lake with
a sharp shoreline so people mostly fish from any big rock they can get on. The Route 22 Bridge as well as the areas around it are the most popular because they offer the most access points. At this time of year you will catch Bass, perch and sunfish from the shore. In the late fall and early spring when the water is cold you can catch both Lake Trout and Brown Trout from shore. If you eventually get a car it would make your fishing much easier.
If you are limited to the train I am not sure if Kensico would be ideal because the Metro-North Train Station is
down in the town of Valhalla and it would be quite a walk from there to any fishable areas of Kensico.
I suspect that there may be more train stations closer to fishing waters further north around Katonah or Goldens Bridge but perhaps someone familiar with the area could verify this.   

Ken

  

[Tom]

Eric,
Welcome to some great fishing. As Ken mentioned, make sure you get the required DEP permits (apply on the internet under NYDEP) and the NYS fishing license (available at many genuine fishing supply stores, perhaps even the one in lower Manhattan. If you are a strong, young Swede, you could consider going up to the Katonah RR station and then walking along Rt.35 and fish from the north shore of Cross River. Just walk about 1 to 2 miles west of the RR station along Rt. 35 (Rt. 35 is about 1/4 mile north of the station).  At this time of year I would focus on pan fish or Bass, since Browns would be ineffective, except for using live sawbellies. Bob's Sports and Tackle is located on Rt. 35 and Rt. 100 in Katonah. I would call him for suggestions on getting bait and shore fishing on Cross River. Unfortunately going to Bob Sports is in the opposite direction from Cross River and going there on foot and then to Cross River would increase your walking to 5 miles each way! Another suggestion is to rent a car. Many suburban Westchester RR stations offer better deals than NYC rentals.
Good luck,
Tom

[bluefish]

Erik

Welcome.   This website is full of good suggestions.    My general rule is to listen to anything KenH says.    

I fish the Kensico and Croton Falls Reservoir, as well as the local streams.

In addition to Bob's Bait and Tackle in Katonah, Cross River Sportsman in Katonah is also good.    John at Bob's is very helpful, as is Neil (who owns Cross River).

Lionpshark is right     -    another VERY helpful thing might be for you to purchase Jack Stewart's local fishing directory.    Jack is a local boat salesman located in Carmel, NY, who runs an annual fishing derby (contest).    Each year, he publishes a roughly 150 page book that has not only the last year's winners, but also a WEALTH of information about fishing the local reservoirs, lakes and streams.     For someone new to the area, I don't think there is one source of information more valuable than that book.    Perhaps he can mail you a copy if you call or write him:   Jack Stewart, 330 Overlook Drive, Carmel, NY 10512.  (845) 277-3143.     I believe the book costs $13.00, and the derby entry fee (optional) is $10.00.

I think the New York State fishing license AND a NYC Dermit to fish the local NYC Watershed lakes and rivers  can both be
obtained online.    The license costs around $20 or so......the DEP Permit is free.

One last VERY important suggestion, and forgive me if I sound paranoid.    This area of NY has a real deer tick problem, and an untreated tick bite can lead to a disease called Lyme Disease.    If you are bitten by a tick, and detect it early enough, you can easily be treated with antibiotics if you get the disease.   But many people don't detect it, and it can lead to serious problems.    My advice is, if you fish the local waters, use long pants and use plenty of bug repellent (deet) on your pant legs.    No joke, this can be a serious situation, and as you will learn, there are practically more deer than people up here!

Lastly, I am of Swedish decent.   Actually, I am "half-Swedish" (my father's family is from Italy, my mother's family is from Sweden).     My Mormor (grandmother) moved here from Sweden in the early 1900s......and I believe I still have family in Malmo.  

So, every Christmas (God Jul), even though my grandparents have passed away some years ago, I am treated to Swedish delicacies as well as Italian.     And no, I don't speak Swedish, except for the Americanized version of some Swedish phrases......Borta ar bra men, hem ar basta (Away is good, but home is best).     And no I won't eat pickled herring (sill or ludefisk) at Christmas, nor Italian Scungilli.

I hope you enjoy the US, and catch many fish.

[Brooklynite]

Welcome Erik,
I started fishing the reservoirs myself only a couple years ago and still consider myself a novice, but here's my tips.

1) Get a ZIPCAR membership. If you live in NY, Zipcars are a carshare scheme where you can easily enjoy a days rental for under $80. You can also try Hertz Connect, another carshare if you live closer to Hertz. Zipcars are easier though. That will enable you to explore the reservoirs. Once you get your DEP pass, print it out and laminate it with clear plastic tape so you can easily hang it in your rental car. Don't forget to have the DEP card though on your person at all times. The DEP actively checks licenses.

2) Beyond the Jack Stewart Marine Directory, I recommend you also pick up a copy of "Fly Fishing The Croton Watershed" by Trout Unlimited at the ORVIS store in midtown. It has an excellent map of the reservoirs and connecting streams and is invaluable for getting a full picture of the reservoirs. Since you didn't mention if you fly-fished, I thought I would bring it up.

3) Pick up Jim Capossela's "Good Fishing Close to NY".

4) Don't overlook the streams of the reservoirs, many of the reservoirs offer exceptional tailwater fishing (where the cold water released from the bottom of the dam provides great habitat for brown, brook and rainbow trout: www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/nycfshwestput.pdf

5) Don't be discouraged by the reservoir-fishing, the steep drop-offs and variety of terrain mean you have to take your time and learn. The most popular places mentioned on this forum are just the tip of the iceberg if you're willing to do a little exploring. Alewives are, for example, an expensive bait, you will need an aerator bucket, don't be cheap or they will die and you will waste your money. So plan ahead as to what your fishing for. If you study the forums you can find every detail you need on how to fish these bait...even from shore.

6) Bring a camera! You see some amazing wildlife on the reservoirs and the scenery changes everyday.

7) Go early or late...especially in the summer...and to avoid traffic from the city. Oh and regarding bait and tackle stores in NYC...there are a few, but not many. I used Greenpoint Tackle in Brooklyn, but the owner is rude and doesn't speak English very well so I try to know what I'm looking for before I go in. In Manhattan you can try Urban Angler (for fly fishing), Capitol Fishing & Tackle (for spin fishing), and Orvis (for fly fishing).

Be courteous...and give other anglers space, AND don't be afraid to move around if the location isn't producing. The reservoir's bait schools are always on the move. Look for birds and surface activity from shore.  If there is no "current" then go deep and slow with soft plastics.

9) And pay attention to limit, length and season...its easy to get over-excited and forget that, I know!

10) Share your discoveries, your learning experience is invaluable for other beginning anglers on the reservoirs. I don't think there is a guy on these forums who has not asked for help, or provided help when capable.

Good luck and tight lines!

[KenH]

bluefish says; "My general rule is to listen to anything KenH says."

LOL. Wish my wife felt that way.
Taks sa mycket Kompis!

Brown trout from Kensico:

[VinnyH]

Welcome to the forums,
As usual, the regulars here beat me to it with a great thread of information. 

Let us know how you do when you get a chance to plot out a trip, All the reservoirs are excellent fisheries. Transportation will be the key.

I'll add one of my main tricks from when I started about 5-6 years ago, use Google Maps and Google Earth to visualize the possibilities. Usually you can enter a reservoir's name and get right to the mapped area. Search "Cross River Reservoir, NY" or "Croton Reservoir, NY"and see what you get.

Best Always,
Vinny

[bluefish]

The one question that I have never gotten an answer to.   Erik, if you find out, let us know immediately.

      Dar kan jag fanga 20 pund brown oring?
      (Where can I catch a 20 pound brown trout).

[G.Freshwater]

All great advice but Cross River is east of the train station. West is
Muscoot and New Croton

[Erikgullstrand]

Thank you everyone for great advice. I'll look at the map and make a decision for saturday/sunday. I will let you all know as soon as I'm back in the city!

/E

[canoejon]

Welcome. Another option that you might consider is using a bike if you have one. I don't think you'll have a problem with Metro North as long as you don't go on during peak travel times. With a bike, there's tons of places you could hit. That's how I fished when I was a kid. I tied my rod onto the bike and I had a little metal Johnsons bandaid box with worms in my pocket. You look at what water you have in a one mile radius of some of the train stations (Valhalla, Croton Falls, Katonah, Goldens Bridge, to name a few) and you can be on some very nice trout streams and reservoirs with points of shore access. It sounds like you're already into fishing, and when you see what a great fishery we have so close to NYC, you'll want to have some boats on the reservoirs. You might want to get your name on the waiting lists for Kensico and Cross River.

You could take crappie in the spring walking from the Goldens Bridge station. You can get them in some spots there without waders. 

[reservoirdog]

Ken

I have to sat that dish looks soo good . It looks smoked . My mouth is literally salviating .

[Erikgullstrand]

Thanks again everyone!

After watching the weather report this evening i think i will wait till next weekend and hope for a couple degrees colder weather... It'll probably be prospect lake for me so i dont have to hike that far and i know a couple of good spots with shadow. I have to practice on the worms and tubes cause i keep loosing the fish after they bite so that will be good for me. I caught one yesterday though on a rooster tail, it was about 10cm (4 inch)... 

I'll let you know how it goes. Give me a shout if anyone else who lives in brooklyn is going this weekend.

Erik