New Croton River Trout Fishing

[Coldstorage5]

Hi, I went out today at New Croton River.  I started at the dam and worked my way down a 1/4-1/2 mile.  Real strong current, I was by myself so I didnt venture too deep. I used Mepps lures,.... Didnt catch anything. I then went west on 129 to the little park. Tried my luck there,... Caught nothing. So fish jumping, maybe 6 times.  looks like they were eating bugs.  I tried to go on the Ossining side, but found no access....
Any suggestions here?
I live 1 mile from the dam, so i would love to get a simple little spot.
Is this area stocked with trout?  
Any better access points??
Or suggestions with the lures??

Thanx,
CS

[Coldstorage5]

Has any ever fished here? on the river, after the Dam?

[mikec17]

Hi CS, do you mean the river that flows out at Croton Gorge Dam?

[Coldstorage5]

Yes The river that comes out of Dam on Route 129 In Cortland, right outside of the village of Croton.
It leaves the Dam and travels 3.2 miles to the hudson.

[jimmy1]

I believe its stocked with rainbows and browns. I think I read somewhere that it also gets about 100 2 year old browns. It's supposed to fish well in the spring.

[mikec17]

Here is some official info from the department....

Croton River - New Croton Reservoir Outlet
Season - April 1 - October 15; Minimum length - any size; Daily limit - 5; Method - angling.
This section of the Croton River flows 3.1 miles from New Croton Reservoir to the Hudson River and is located in the Westchester County Town of Cortlandt. Access to the first mile of the stream below the dam, which is where fish are stocked, is available via Croton Dam Road and State Route 129.  The stocking recommendation is for 900 rainbow trout yearlings and 100 two year old (12-15 inches) brown trout to be stocked in March followed by 170 brown trout yearlings in April. This section of stream is fairly wide, the result of seasonally large amounts of water going over the dam?s spillway.  Fishing pressure is typically high in spring and low later.  Excellent spring fishing for holdover rainbow and brown trout is sometimes reported following summers that had good water conditions.  In most years however large fluctuations in stream flow, and water temperatures, limit trout populations.

I have fished here myself along different stretches...mainly areas closer to the dam and have caught Bass, Sunnies and a few small Brown Trout but only one Keeper Rainbow.
It looks like water that should hold good Trout but my experience has been that this statement from the above holds true: "In most years however large fluctuations in stream flow, and water temperatures, limit trout populations".
That's not to say there may be a "lunker" in there waiting to be hooked!
It is a lovely river to fish and the scenery up there is fantastic.

Good luck.

Mike

[mikec17]

And by the way, I forgot to mention I am real jealous that you only live a mile from this spot...your are a lucky fisherman!
Keep trying, I think you might just pull a nice brown or rainbow out of that water one of these days.
If I lived as close as you do to that body of water I'd be out there every chance I get. Ever consider trying at dusk or night for trout there?

[Coldstorage5]

Hey, do you park at the dams parking lot and walk west?

The local water dept on rt 129 wont let me in there.

Lures do you use trout lures or some rapalas?

Thanx so much for your help.
CS

[mikec17]

Yes I have parked in the "Park" parking lot right below the Croton Gorge Dam in the past and fished downstream from the dam. I am not sure what you mean when you say the water dept wont let you park there...its a public park!
Unless they are doing work in there..is that the case?
I have had a lot of success with spinners (Mepps, Panther Martins etc.) but have also used small spoons and small Rapalas.
Try different stuff ... sometimes a certain lure, presentation or technique will work all day long and then you go back to the same spot a week later and discover the game has changed.
I think you have to adapt to the season/weather pattern/water level .... and be willing to experiment sometimes.

Mike

[Coldstorage5]

Thanx Mike,
The water dept is on rt 129 between the Dam and Black rock park.  They have it fenced off, with signs that state No Fishing.   I will take your advise, and park at the dam, walk down the river and try again.
Thanx,
CS

[canoejon]

Yes it is pretty scenic. I'm told the very original Tarzan movies were shot in the gorge. My favorite way to fish it is to put my canoe in by the Metro North station and paddle upstream. Add some light rain and it's like shooting trout in a barrel.

[Coldstorage5]

Canoejon,

How far up do you go?? from the hudson?? Past silver lake ??

[canoejon]

I don't think so. I stop at the first rapids if I have my canoe. In the summer there are people swimming there. I haven't been there in three or four years.

[Coldstorage5]

I know where you are now,  I also figured out the DEP stocks the river a mile down from the dam.....

[Dublin_fog]

Tried it today (October 2nd). Agree that it's v.scenic. Looks like a movie set. Caught nothing on spinnerbaits, crankbaits, or any other topwater lure I tried. Got one bite from a plastic worm under a float. Strong current, and rocky bed, about 12ft deep at the most today. Looked to me to be overflowing (a bunch of trees half-submerged).