Long Island and NYC Fishing Report
Update: March 27, 2025
- Holdovers being caught in the back-bays and estuaries
- Don’t Forget – 3/31 is the last day to purchase the 4×4/Night fishing permit
- Trout ponds and streams across the island are freshly stocked
- Blackfish, winter flounder, and Hudson River striped bass seasons open on Tuesday, 4/1!
Paul Mccain from River Bay Outfitters in Baldwin told me: “Word is the western bays are starting to show life, but we need a couple of good warm days to get those fish moving. All the parks will open for fishing on April 1st. The Connetquot River has been very busy and the fish are pressured, so they’re getting a bit finicky. You’ll have to work for it and change it up from the usual tactics. The Carmans River opens for fishing starting Tuesday, April 1 and should be freshly stocked with rainbows and browns.”
Jack Larizadeh out of Brooklyn told me: “It’s still a grind right now, but the North Shore back bays have spearing moving in, and you can see them spray in your wake when you work a minnow plug through the water. Once horseshoe crabs start bumping into your feet, you know the spring bite is really on. Until then, it’s going to be a window-based, time-and-tide, trial-and-error grind for fish. But there are fish out there to be caught if you’re willing to put the time in and fish the right tides. Your local back bay is likely holding stripers and bait.”
Brandon Weitz from Causeway Bait and Tackle in Wantagh told me: “We’re selling bloodworms daily, but other than trout and some freshwater bass action there isn’t a whole lot of stuff going on in the salt besides the occasional holdover striped bass. Tog season will be opening next week and we’ll have crabs in stock. We do carry freshwater tackle if you want to load up to hit the ponds and streams. Most places should be freshly stocked now, so the action will be fast. In a few weeks, we should all be able to get on some striped bass!”
Captain Josh Rogers of Gypsea Charters in Brooklyn reported: “We will commence our season April 1, targeting blackfish and cod! The last few springs have produced great action with plenty of keepers in the mix. We anticipate this year to be very similar! We’re sailing open boat daily by reservation. Call/text (516)659-3814 for info. and reservations.”
Here’s what local anglers have been posting on social media:
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Long Island & NYC Fishing Forecast
The ponds are freshly stocked, Saturday’s forecasted to hit 70 degrees, and there’s bait filling in the back bays. Things are looking good for April, which is less than a week away.
However, striper fishing is likely to be off to a slower to start this year vs. last year. There’s been bunker trickling into the western bays, and resident stripers are being caught on bloodworms and plugs. While the North Shore bays are holding some spearing, the cold water and air temperatures have been keeping a lid on things. That could change after this weekend, with warmer temperatures forecasted into next week. As Paul McCain put it: we might be over the hump.
Freshwater action, on the other hand, has been pretty decent, and my buddy Sean Conway (a.k.a. @long_island_fishing_guy) has been getting after some largemouth bass and panfish in the rivers and ponds. He’s been doing a mix of fly fishing and spin fishing for whatever bites, and coming up with fish on lunch break trips more often than not.
In addition to sunfish and bass, the ponds and streams across Long Island are actively being stocked with trout, and there should be plenty of rainbows and browns to be caught on spoons, spinners, and PowerBait dough. Keep an eye out for ospreys, which signal the presence of stocked fish with their tendency to dive-bomb the ponds throughout the day.
We can expect to wait a week or two extra for spring patterns to really fall in place compared to last year, but there’s life out there, and the fish are biting. I’ll be in the water tonight.
March 13
- Holdover striped bass fishing has been slow, with little active bait, mostly cold water, and no sign of ospreys (yet).
- Pickerel and largemouth bass are on the feed as the weather warms, plus panfish like perch and crappie.
- Trout stocking starts next week across Long Island! Head to your local pond with spoons, spinners, and/or bait and catch them by the dozen.
Paul McCain from River Bay Outfitters in Baldwin reported: “I’ve been walking the bay everyday and haven’t seen any ospreys or bait yet. The water is still very cold. I wouldn’t be surprised if we have a much slower start this year compared to last, given the weather. However, it has been consistently warm this week and it seems like it will be staying that way, so things could ramp up quickly if we don’t get any surprise winter weather in the forecast.
Freshwater action has been great, with the Connetquot in healthy shape and the trout biting well. The DEC starts stocking trout next week, so local ponds should be full of trout over the next couple of weeks and easy prey. Pickerel are also starting to spawn, so they’re likely to be more aggressive, but their season closes March 15th, so take advantage while you can.”
Here’s what local anglers have been posting on social media:
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Long Island Fishing Forecast
It sure feels like spring. The warm stretch of weather got me antsy enough to get out a few times this week along my local back bay to see if the holdovers were willing to play, and to see if any bait was around. The water was murky, however, and I didn’t see much of anything swimming in it. Likewise, no sign of ospreys around didn’t boost my confidence in regard to there being baitfish in the bays.
If you plan on fishing for holdovers right now I’d recommend targeting the shallow mudflats on a sunny day during the start of the incoming tide, or toward the end of a falling tide. The sun will warm up that mud when the water level is lowest, and conjure up worms, grass shrimp, and other baits that stripers love. Keep an eye on the birds around too; if you see loons, cormorants, or ducks diving near the banks and channel ledges, that could be a good indication of bait being around. If you see an osprey, that’s a dead giveaway. However, a more likely spot to find ospreys will be some of the trout ponds as the DEC begins stocking.
With trout stocking on the horizon the local ponds should be full of fish to catch on spoons, spinners, and dough bait. You can find the full list of ponds that will be stocked at the NYSDEC website here. The list contains which ponds will be stocked and when.
If you haven’t gotten out yet and the warm weather is making you itch to wet a line, I recommend hitting fresh water, which should have more cooperative fish to target. The salt has been relatively dormant still, although you could argue holdover fish will always be there. I don’t think I’ll be casting into my back bay for at least another week or two; instead, I’ll be my relieving the cabin fever on trout and bass at my local freshwater ponds.
If you’d like to share a catch or a fishing report, DM me on Instagram @nick_onthewater or email me at nick@onthewater.com.