Trout season
is April through September 30th.
any of the streams
in the Catskills parallel roads, because that's how
the Natives and the early settlers traveled. They
used the streams as guides and when wagons and stagecoaches
and then cars became the means of travel, these old
pathways were the sensible way to continue. Catskill
roads are not like the roads where you come from.
They are not choked with noisy, smelly traffic. They
are just roads that not many cars use each day, so
it's not a bad thing when we write that a stream travels
parallel to a road.
These streams are beautiful
places. Please take care of them when you visit so
they stay beautiful. And please remember to ask permission
of the landowners if you're stepping onto private
land and also remember to say thank you when you leave.
Esopus
This Creek was revered
by Native Americans for it's abundant supply of food
and for its beauty. Winding through the high mountains
that form the Esopus Valley, its banks are wide apart,
its crystal clear waters sparkling as they tumble
over rocks and boulders. This is one of those mountain
streams everyone should see. The Esopus starts out
near County Route 47 in Oliverea near Panther Mountain.
It turns east to follow Route 28 into Phoenicia eventually
entering the mighty Ashokan Reservoir. The DEC stocks
Brown trout in many locations along The Esopus. Fishing
is permitted in many spots along the Esopus, parking
is available in three main areas: Just east of the
Phoenicia Plaza there's a parking area on the south
side of Route 28 with fishing access just across the
Road; just west of the Shandaken Cemeteries on the
south side of Route 28 with fishing access below the
parking area and on old Route 28 which is off Route
42. (Region 3)
Woodland
Valley Stream
Woodland Valley Stream
is in Woodland Valley! Turn onto Woodland Valley Road
from Route 28 just west of Phoenicia and you can't
miss it. It's a lovely place and the DEC makes it
lovelier by stocking it with Brown trout. There are
public fishing rights along the length of the stream,
and fishing from the Woodland Valley Bridge is a lot
of fun. (Region 3)
East
Branch of the Delaware
East Branch of the Delaware
comes above ground north of Roxbury and runs parallel
to Route 30, one of the prettiest roads in the Catskills.
It moves south into Margaretville where it feeds into
the Pepacton Reservoir. There are plenty of Brown
trout here as well as Rainbow trout. (Region 4)
West
Branch of the Delaware
West Branch of the Delaware
surfaces in that pretty old town of Stamford. It moves
south along Route 10 all the way to the Cannonsville
Reservoir. It has Brown and Rainbow trout, stocked
by the DEC. There are public fishing rights the length
of the West Branch. (Region 4)
Schoharie
Creek
Schoharie Creek is another
big and famous streambed in the Catskills. Starting
North of Middleburgh, it runs through the beautiful
Schoharie Valley as a warmwater creek until it enters
the Blenheim Gilboa Reservoir. When it reappears,
below the Schoharie Reservoir, it is coldwater and
it runs for miles through another beautiful valley,
parallel to Route 23A ending just south of Tannersville.
The Schoharie Creek is stocked with Brown trout and
there are also Brook trout here. There are public
fishing rights between Prattsville and Hunter. (Region
4)
East
Kill
East Kill breaks off towards
the north from Schoharie Creek near the turn off from
Route 23A to Jewett and roughly parallels Route 23C.
It ends in Colgate Lake. The DEC stocks Brown trout
here. (Region 4)
West
Kill
West Kill meets up with
the Schoharie Creek and then splits off on its own
near Lexington. It turns east toward Hunter Mountain
and runs parallel to Spruceton Valley Road. It's real
pretty back there. The DEC stocks Brown trout here
and the state has fishing rights along the full length
of the West Kill. (Region 4)
Batavia
Kill
Batavia Kill breaks away
from the Schoharie Creek where Routes 23 and 23A split
apart, outside of Prattsville. It then runs pretty
much parallel along Route 23A through Ashland and
Windham, turning southeast toward Maplecrest. This
is the land of the Mohican's, indeed, Route 23 A was
the Mohican Trail. Brown trout are stock all along
is pathway. There are public fishing rights on the
East End of the Batavia Kill, in East Windham near
Windham High Peak. (Region 4)
Catskill
Creek
Catskill Creek parallels
Route 145 in the North Country and then picks up Route
23 as it comes closer to the Hudson River. Up north
its waters run cold and nurture Brown trout, Rainbow
trout and Brook trout. There are public fishing rights
to the north and south of East Durham. (Region 4)
DEC offices
Region
3
21 South Putt Corners Road
New Paltz, NY 12561
(914) 256-3161
Region
4
Route 10
Stamford, NY 12167
(607) 652-7366
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