Fishing Snakes?

[KenH]

About 15 years ago I came accross a copperhead at Muscoot.
That's the only time I've ever seen a poisonous snake in Westchester.
Although I've seen lots of snakes in the water, none appeared
to be water mocassins.

[fishlips]

I've personally stumbled on a rattler Kensico early morning, few years ago. My first experience with one in the wild & why I have always worn boots in the woods.
On the other hand, I have never seen a water moccasin in the North East. Dont think they handle the cooler weather (could be wrong).
In Florida (spent  2 years there) I have seen & have had to RUN AWAY from them on multiple occasions! One time my good ol' Floridian neighbor was BBQing, me being lazy on the couch next door to hear a shot go off in my back yard. Being from NY, never a good thing. Anyways, it happened that his daughter was playing outside near a pond to be chased inside by a cotton mouth (aka water moccasin),  neighbor grabbed his shotgun (very true story) and that was the end of that snake! lol They are nasty and VERY territorial! Not like a rattle snake that is more afraid of you then you are of them.
PS: I learned to like the way they handle business in the south! 

[oilgorg]

Not to sure, but I think I've seen a few copperheads. I just try to avoid snakes all together. My brother had a run in with one a long time ago. I'd have to get all the facts from him as to what lake and what type. But he and a friend I believe rented a row boat, got out on the lake only to find a fairly large snake in the boat with them. I'm going to try and take him out Wed. weather and work permitting. I'll get him to tell his tale then.

[yonkers26]

But he and a friend I believe rented a row boat, got out on the lake only to find a fairly large snake in the boat with them.

Two words...THAT SUCKS!!! lol.

[jamesstock]

There were a lot of water moccasins in North Florida where i grew up.

When they were near the house, we'd just take a square-head shovel and chop their heads off

Kind of inconvenient to carry a shovel along with your fishing gear to the boat, though. . . and i think moccasins are slower than copperheads and rattlers. . .

[metone914]

i've spent a good amount of time looking for snakes around here(westchester) when i was younger. I have never come across a copperhead or moccasin. I did come across a timber rattler once. Mostly what you see on the resoviors are northern watersnakes and black rat snakes. rat snakes can "rattle" their tail against leaves and brush to confuse threats into thinking it is a timber. other than that you may occasionally see a black racer, grey rat snake, or pine snake. of course your run of the mill garter snake as well. young black rats are not black at all and could be confused with a copperhead but more likely resemble a milk snake. Don't killem please. just leave calmly.

[yonkers26]

I'm all about the "I come in peace" mentality. I've learned over the years that 99% of animals that are intimidating to us (snakes, coyotes, bears, etc) will avoid confrontation unless provoked.

[KenH]

I don't know anyone that would deliberately provoke a snake. I think that most snake bites
are accidental by nature, the person not knowing that the snake was there.
I've seen plenty of coyotes but I don't think there are any that isn't afraid of a human.
Bears of course are a different matter, although they too will avoid people nearly all
the time, just get in between a mother and cubs by mistake and it's serious.
I was an avid hunter for a good ten years and I think the scariest thing in the woods
is the tick.

Ken

[yonkers26]

Ticks are by far the most dangerous thing out there in my opinion. I agree about accidental encounters being a major cause of snakebites.

[johnjav]

i've come across water snakes in the lake actually swimming (did not like that) also ive seen them sunning themselves on rocks along the shore.  One thing thing i saw and i really didnt like was a musk rat!  I casted out into the shallows and all of a sudden i see this huge rat swimming towards me, i thought i hooked it!  I'm glad i didnt, was'nt a fan of the musk rat.  One of the coolest creatures ive seen was this huge snapping turtle swimming in the water (shell was about the size of a car tire).  this was all at CF rev.

[Uncle Crappie]

Big snakes in croton at least 3ft !

[unionbass3]

Big snakes in croton at least 3ft !

Copperheads there too.

[yanks555giants]

no not around here.
i have not even heard of them in upstate in adirondacks but would be surprised if there were a few as i know there are some rattlers in poconos

[Biz-R-OWorld]

There are tons of copperheads in Putnam County and Dutchess, so I assume they would be in Westchester as well.

[JMG343]

There are copperheads in Westchester.  Go walking in the streams in the Pound Ridge reservation. If you look you will find them.  I found a dead one and cut it open and found a 6" trout in its belly.