Here at Bill Volz Westchester, our team knows that there’s nothing like a fishing trip to put you in a good mood. Lucky for you, Westchester County is full of beautiful places where you can spend a day fishing. If you are looking for a local spot to do some angling, look at our list of eight excellent fishing spots, all within a short drive of our Cortlandt location.
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.
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.
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. 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 popular spot for pier fishing in the Hudson River 10 minutes from Cortlandt. Once used by the Fleischmann Yeast Company to unload yeast supplies, Fleischmann’s Pier offers calm, quiet pier fishing for Hudson River-native species, like pike and bass. You’ll need a fishing permit to fish here. The park also features walking paths, picnic areas, and art installations, making it a lovely spot to watch the river. The views at this park are phenomenal, and you can see Bear Mountain across the river.
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 beautiful natural areas in our region. Check out our local blog posts for more Westchester-county activities for you and your family. If you are looking for the perfect car for your next adventure, contact us today or stop by and test-drive a new or used vehicle. At Bill Volz Westchester, we’re here to help families just like yours get on the road to fun and freedom.
