Book a Fishing Charter in Ulster County, NY

Discover first-hand what makes Ulster County one of the most sought-after destinations in New York State. Much of this beautiful county is deep within the Catskills region, making it a year-round vacation spot with plenty to offer: pristine nature, excellent outdoor recreational facilities, history, arts and culture, and the fresh organic produce that’s readily available from local family farms.

Ulster County has always been an agricultural region, but its organic farming industry has seen a big boom in recent years. Its farmers’ market scene is one of the best in the state, and visitors will be amiss if they don’t at least find one during their stay.

Aside from its rich agricultural heritage, the county also has pristine state parks and great hiking trails. Hike, bike, kayak, and ski in any of the scenic state parks and forests or venture out into the county’s rail trails, many of them connected to the longest pedestrian and biking bridge in the world.

And because Ulster County is deep within the Catskills region and has the Hudson River flowing through it, you can rightfully expect fantastic fishing opportunities in the area. The rich vegetation in the region and the year-round pleasant weather make Ulster County’s waters a prime fishing destination that anglers of all levels will enjoy.

Ulster County Fishing: Productive Fishing in Hudson River’s Tributaries 

The Catskills region has always been a great fishing destination, so it should not be surprising that Ulster County is a must-visit for all anglers. It is primarily a sought-after location for fly fishing enthusiasts and trout fishermen. However, its waters offer more than just cold-water species. With many of the county’s water bodies connected to the Hudson River, there’s plenty more to find in its lakes and creeks.

Start your Ulster County journey by fishing the two different parts of Esopus Creek. Eager to fly fish? Head straight to the stretch between Shandaken and Ashokan Reservoir. The waters here stay remarkably cold well into the summer, guaranteeing productive fishing for rainbow, brown, and brook trout. For warm-water fishing, find yourself at the lower part of the creek to fish for panfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and common carp.

Rondout Creek is another Hudson River tributary. It is pretty significant, but it offers limited public access. It does offer quite productive fishing for herring, smallmouth bass, and walleye, especially the part between the Hudson River and the reservoir. 

Staying in Kingston? Just a few miles outside the county seat, you’ll find Ashokan Reservoir. This body of water is annually stocked with brown trout every spring and is wild brown and rainbow trout. In addition, it holds plenty of smallmouth bass, common carp, and white perch, with the occasional trophy-size largemouth bass and walleye.

Don’t judge Wallkill River for its murky waters. It is a productive body of water that attracts plenty of walleye, smallmouth bass, and carp. What’s even better is that it has great public access.

Though not a literal sturgeon waterbody, Sturgeon Pool does offer productive fishing for a wide variety of fish, including smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, chain pickerel, common carp, bluegill, black crappie, white perch, yellow perch, and rock bass.

Finally, fish the great Hudson River within the county by finding any of its public boat launch sites that are all over the county. The best ones can be found at Sleightsburg Park in Esopus and Charles Rider Park in the town of Ulster. 

Have a Wholesome Vacation in Ulster County

1. Go to a Farmers’ Market

Shop for fresh local produce and get to know the thriving farming industry in any of the county’s farmers markets at Kingston, Woodstock, New Paltz, and Milton.

2. Learn More About Kingston’s History

Kingston has plenty of historical spots attest to its significance in New York State’s history. Stroll through the Kingston Stockade National Historic District visit the Senate House State Historic Site, the only remaining building associated with the establishment of the New York State government. Travel back to the Dutch settlement era to learn how they lived at the Persen House in Upper Kingston.