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Dirks: More fishing hot spots to check out
In this second part of this series, I highlight some of my favorites places to fish in the Hudson Valley.
Beaverkill River
Location: Sullivan County, Route 17 from Roscoe to East Branch.
No list would be complete without one of our most famous trout streams. The Beaverkill has excellent public access all along the river following Route 17. Stocked with more than 6,700 trout this spring, it also supports a healthy wild trout fishery.
Willowemoc River
Location: Sullivan County, from Livingston Manor to Roscoe.
Before it feeds into the Beaverkill, the Willowemoc provides a great trout fishery with ample public access as it travels along Route 17. The state DEC stocking tables indicate that nearly 14,000 trout are stocked in the spring.
Alder Lake
Location: Ulster County, off of Alder Creek Road — Route 54.
Often overlooked, Alder Lake offers excellent fishing for brook trout. Good shore access, but best fished from a canoe.
Esopus Creek
Location: Ulster County, along Route 28.
The Esopus is well-stocked with more than 18,000 trout this year. It also supports a wild rainbow trout fishery. The Esopus is a great place to take the kids.
Delaware River
Location: From Port Jervis traveling along Route 97 to Narrowsburg.
Call this river smallmouth bass heaven. Best fished from canoe, but you can fish from shore, too. Look for smallmouth in deeper pools, riffles and near any rock structure along the river. Best bets are spinners and floating lures, especially in chartreuse.
Bashakill Marsh
Location: Off Route 209 near Wurtsboro. The state has several excellent public access points along 209 and South Road.
The Bashakill has 800 acres of excellent fishing water with abundant bass, pickerel and sunfish. It's the only water in the Hudson Valley where you can catch the ancient bowfin. Best fished in warm weather in the evening using topwater baits. Best fished with a boat or canoe. Bonus — you can fish here for bass all year.
Wallkill River
Location: Orange and Ulster counties. This river traverses two counties before it dumps into the lower Rondout River.
The Wallkill is the quiet river of the Hudson Valley. Don't miss out on some great smallmouth bass fishing. Boaters can put in at one of three launches located in the New Paltz area. Go to the DEC's website for specific information. Shallow running hard baits are recommended.
Lake Tiorati
Location: Orange County, Harriman State Park off Seven Lakes Drive.
This is the lake the whole family can enjoy. You can fish from shore or boat, with several launch sites available. Very productive bass fishing with a swimming beach, picnic tables and hiking trails.
Upcoming events
The Southern Catskill Anglers are organizing a family fishing day from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. June 16 on Howell Street in Pine Bush. Cost will be $5 per family and includes food and soda. To make a reservation by June 9, go to [email protected].