Cast Your Line at These Awesome Fishing Spots Near Cortlandt

Here at Bill Volz Westchester, our team knows there’s nothing quite like a quiet morning by the water to clear your mind. Luckily for us, Westchester County is packed with beautiful, pristine waters perfect for a day of angling. If you are searching for the best fishing spots in Westchester County or wondering exactly where to fish near Cortlandt, NY, look no further. From expansive reservoirs to newly upgraded riverfront piers, we’ve put together a list of excellent fishing spots all within a short drive of our dealership!

Blue Mountain Reservation Park

Blue Mountain Reservation Park is a park and nature preserve just five minutes from downtown Cortlandt. Anglers might catch local freshwater species in the park’s several ponds, such as bass. Fishing at the park requires a state permit. The park also features extensive hiking trails, including access to the Briarcliff-Peekskill Trailway, a 12-mile unpaved trek through the woods. For family fun, enjoy the park’s picnic areas and playgrounds or spend an afternoon at the Sportsman Center, an outdoor shooting range and recreational facility.

Croton Gorge Park

Ten minutes from Cortlandt, Croton Gorge Park is on the westernmost tip of the New Croton Reservoir. This park, built around the base of the Croton Dam, marks the start of the Croton River and is a popular spot for anglers. You can catch freshwater fish, including largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, at this location. You’ll need an NYC DEP watershed permit and a New York State fishing license to fish here. While the fishing area at Croton Gorge Park is smaller than the fishing area at other locations, the park also has excellent views of the Old Croton Aqueduct.

New Croton Reservoir

On the other side of the reservoir from Croton Gorge Park, New Croton Reservoir‘s fishing area is a great spot to land a big fish. The last stop on the Croton Watershed before the river empties into the Hudson. The reservoir offers 2,182 acres of freshwater, filled with various fish, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and sunfish. This is one of the best spots in the county for heavy-weight freshwater fish, as anglers frequently report landing 7-pound bass. It would be best to have a free NYC DEP watershed permit and a New York State fishing license to fish here.

Note for 2026: As a reminder for Westchester County freshwater fishing, you must hold a valid New York State fishing license alongside a free, updated NYC DEP Watershed Access Permit to fish along the shoreline or keep a registered rowboat here.

Croton Point Park

Croton Point Park is in the village of Croton-on-Hudson, 10 minutes away from Cortlandt. This 508-acre park, built on one of the largest Native American forts south of the Hudson Highlands, features space for fishing, picnics, and hiking, making it a fantastic spot for the whole family. It’s also the site of the Croton Point Nature Center and historic wine cellars. From April to October, the park allows boat launching. Fishing permits and boat registrations are required here. This county park remains a prime hub for river access. For those planning to fish offshore, boat launching ramps and kayak rentals are fully operational seven days a week from April through October.

George’s Island Park

A 208-acre riverside park just 10 minutes away from Cortlandt, George’s Island Park offers river views and fishing. You can fish in the park’s freshwater pond or the estuary wetlands and riverfront area. You can also launch rowboats and canoes into the Hudson River from the park’s boat access point seven days a week from April through October. To fish here, you’ll need a state fishing license, plus a boat registration if you plan to fish offshore. The park also features wooded trails and picnic areas, and it’s a popular spot to see eagles.

Charles Point Park

Charles Point Park is a premier choice for Hudson River fishing spots just minutes from Cortlandt. This spot has received an incredible upgrade following a multi-million-dollar restoration of the historic Fleischmann Pier. The newly reconstructed, ADA-compliant pier has been widened and outfitted with custom viewing areas, benches, and specialized platforms designed explicitly to enhance the local shoreline fishing experience. Anglers here frequently land striped bass, white perch, and catfish while enjoying unobstructed, panoramic views stretching all the way up to the Bear Mountain Bridge. It’s a clean, fully modernized, and highly accessible park that belongs at the top of every local angler’s list!

Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park

Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park is a 15-minute drive from Cortlandt and features two main fishing areas, Mohansic Lake and Crom Pond. Both areas offer anglers the chance to catch several fish species, including largemouth bass and panfish. You can fish from the shore, rent a rowboat, or use your boat. To fish here, you’ll need a state fishing license and a regional boating permit if you plan to use your boat. FDR State Park also offers a wide range of activities for the whole family, including paddle boat rentals, picnic areas, and walking trails.

Amawalk Reservoir

Located 20 minutes from Cortlandt in Granite Springs, Amawalk Reservoir provides 564 fishing space for anglers. Brown trout are the most common fish in this reservoir because New York stocks the water with 1,600 fish every spring. You can also find largemouth bass, brown bullheads, chain pickerel, and other fish. The reservoir features shore fishing and a boat launch for rowboats. To fish here, you’ll need a fishing license, an NYC DEP pass, and a current registration for your rowboat if you plan to use one.

Rockefeller State Park Preserve

Located 20 minutes from Cortlandt, Rockefeller State Park Preserve is a nature preserve with over 1,771 acres of natural woodland. The preserve’s main fishing area is Swan Lake, a 22-acre lake for shoreline fishing. Fish species in this lake include largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, bluegill, and yellow perch. Fishing here requires a state fishing license. While you are at the preserve, enjoy some of the other attractions of this natural treasure, like the 13 Bridges Loop Trail, a 1.9-mile trek through beautiful forests leading to the 13 bridges of the Gory Brook.

These are just a few of the incredible natural areas waiting to be explored in our region. Whether you prefer tracking down trout in a quiet reservoir or casting a line off the newly upgraded Fleischmann Pier at Charles Point Park, Cortlandt, NY fishing offers an adventure for everyone. Check out our local blogs for more Westchester County guides, and if you need a reliable truck or SUV with plenty of cargo space to transport all your rods, coolers, and tackle boxes, stop by Bill Volz’s Westchester today for a test drive!

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