Fishing in the Catskills & Hudson Valley
The Catskills & Hudson Valley area of New York, featuring Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass.
1. Beaverkill River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Beaverkill River, Sullivan CountyThe Beaverkill River is the birthplace of American fly fishing, offering world-class wild brown and rainbow trout fishing in the Catskill Mountains.
2. Esopus Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Esopus Creek, Ulster CountyEsopus Creek is a legendary Catskill trout stream flowing from Slide Mountain to the Ashokan Reservoir, famous for its large brown trout.
3. Hudson River (Striped Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, White Perch, Walleye)
Hudson River, Multiple countiesThe Hudson River offers world-class striped bass fishing from New York City to Albany with excellent smallmouth bass in its freshwater reaches.
4. Neversink River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Neversink River, Sullivan CountyThe Neversink River is a world-renowned Catskill trout stream originating from the Neversink Reservoir with wild brown and brook trout.
5. Willowemoc Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Willowemoc Creek, Sullivan CountyWillowemoc Creek is a classic Catskill trout stream near Livingston Manor, famous for its spectacular mayfly hatches.
6. Rondout Creek (Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Rondout Creek, Ulster CountyRondout Creek flows through the Shawangunk Mountains offering good trout and smallmouth bass fishing.
7. Wallkill River (Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Channel Catfish, Carp)
Wallkill River, Orange/Ulster countiesThe Wallkill River offers excellent smallmouth bass and northern pike fishing through the Hudson Valley's farming region.
8. Schoharie Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Schoharie Creek, Greene/Schoharie countiesSchoharie Creek is a major Catskill trout stream flowing through Prattsville and Lexington with excellent public access.
9. Batavia Kill (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Batavia Kill, Greene CountyBatavia Kill is a premier Catskill trout stream in Windham offering excellent fly fishing opportunities.
10. East Kill (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
East Kill, Greene CountyThe East Kill is a Catskill trout stream flowing into Schoharie Creek near Jewett Center.
11. West Kill (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
West Kill, Greene CountyThe West Kill is a wild trout stream in the Catskills known for challenging wading and excellent fishing.
12. Bushnellsville Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Bushnellsville Creek, Ulster CountyBushnellsville Creek offers excellent Catskill trout fishing in the Shandaken area.
13. Pine Kill (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Pine Kill, Ulster CountyPine Kill is a remote Catskill trout stream offering excellent wild brook trout fishing.
14. Stony Clove Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Stony Clove Creek, Greene/Ulster countiesStony Clove Creek offers good trout fishing in the scenic Kaaterskill Clove.
15. Plattekill Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Plattekill Creek, Greene CountyPlattekill Creek is known for its scenic gorge and excellent fly fishing in the Catskills.
16. Kaaterskill Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Kaaterskill Creek, Greene CountyKaaterskill Creek flows past Kaaterskill Falls offering good trout fishing in a dramatic setting.
17. Vernooy Kill (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Vernooy Kill, Ulster CountyVernooy Kill is a wild trout stream in Sundown Wild Forest offering excellent brook trout.
18. Fishkill Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass)
Fishkill Creek, Dutchess CountyFishkill Creek flows through the Hudson Highlands offering good trout and bass fishing.
19. Sprout Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Sprout Creek, Dutchess CountySprout Creek offers good trout fishing in the Hughsonville area of Dutchess County.
20. Wappinger Creek (Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout)
Wappinger Creek, Dutchess CountyWappinger Creek is the largest stream in Dutchess County with diverse fishing opportunities.
21. Moodna Creek (Striped Bass, White Perch, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Rainbow Trout)
Moodna Creek, Orange CountyMoodna Creek is Orange County's largest stream, offering striped bass in spring.
22. Catskill Creek (Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Channel Catfish, Rainbow Trout)
Catskill Creek, Greene CountyCatskill Creek offers excellent smallmouth bass and walleye fishing near the village of Catskill.
23. Roeliff Jansen Kill (Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Channel Catfish, Rainbow Trout)
Roeliff Jansen Kill, Columbia CountyThe Roeliff Jansen Kill is a large Columbia County stream offering diverse fishing.
24. Kinderhook Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass)
Kinderhook Creek, Columbia CountyKinderhook Creek offers good trout and warmwater fishing in Columbia County.
25. Claverack Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Claverack Creek, Columbia CountyClaverack Creek offers good trout fishing in the Hudson Valley of Columbia County.
26. Taghkanic Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Taghkanic Creek, Columbia CountyTaghkanic Creek offers good trout and bass fishing in Columbia County.
27. Hannacrois Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass)
Hannacrois Creek, Greene/Albany countiesHannacrois Creek offers good fishing in the Greene County Hudson Valley area.
28. Normans Kill (Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Channel Catfish, Rainbow Trout)
Normans Kill, Albany CountyNormans Kill is Albany County's largest stream, offering diverse warmwater and trout fishing.
29. Basic Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Basic Creek, Albany CountyBasic Creek offers good trout fishing in the Albany County hilltowns.
30. Tenmile Creek (Columbia) (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Tenmile Creek, Columbia CountyTenmile Creek offers good trout fishing in Columbia County.
31. Agen Kill (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Agen Kill, Columbia CountyAgen Kill offers good trout fishing in the Taconic Mountains of Columbia County.
32. Shekomeko Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Shekomeko Creek, Dutchess CountyShekomeko Creek offers good trout fishing in eastern Dutchess County.
33. Wassaic Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Wassaic Creek, Dutchess CountyWassaic Creek offers good trout fishing in the Wassaic area of Dutchess County.
34. Webatuck Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass)
Webatuck Creek, Dutchess CountyWebatuck Creek offers good fishing in the southern Dutchess County area.
35. Croton River (Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Walleye)
Croton River, Westchester CountyThe Croton River is a major Westchester County stream offering excellent bass and trout fishing.
36. Muscoot River (Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish)
Muscoot River, Westchester CountyThe Muscoot River offers good warmwater fishing in the Croton River watershed.
37. Cross River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass)
Cross River, Westchester CountyThe Cross River offers good trout and bass fishing in the New York City watershed.
38. Titicus River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass)
Titicus River, Westchester CountyThe Titicus River offers good fishing in the Croton River watershed.
39. Pocantico River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Pocantico River, Westchester CountyThe Pocantico River offers good trout fishing near the Rockefeller estate in Sleepy Hollow.
40. Saw Mill River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Carp)
Saw Mill River, Westchester CountyThe Saw Mill River flows through Westchester County offering urban and suburban fishing.
Fishing Tips for the Catskills & Hudson Valley
- Check local regulations before fishing — each water body may have specific rules on limits, seasons, and bait.
- Spring and fall typically offer the best fishing in New York for most species.
- Consider hiring a local guide for the best experience on unfamiliar waters.
- Always carry a valid New York fishing license — available online through the state wildlife agency.
- Practice catch and release for sensitive species to help maintain healthy fish populations.
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