Delaware County, NY Fishing: New York’s Peaceful and Sprawling Nature Preserve

If you want to be away from the city and experience scenic spots with lots of angling opportunities, then you should come and visit Delaware County, NY.

Delaware County, NY Fishing: New York’s Peaceful and Sprawling Nature Preserve
Delaware County, NY Fishing: New York’s Peaceful and Sprawling Nature Preserve
Team Guidesly

August 10, 2021, 7 min read

Updated on August 5, 2021

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In the southern portion of New York State lies the peaceful and mountainous Delaware County, containing miles and miles of fishing locations, well-preserved forests, campsites, dairy farms, and more. The County was formed in 1797 through the assimilation of parts of the Ulster and Otsego counties. It is named after the Delaware River, which separates it from the state of Pennsylvania on New York’s southern border. With an area of 1468 square miles, the country recorded a population of 44,527 people in 2018. It has the lowest population density in New York apart from the Adirondacks, making it one of the closest locations for a tranquil break from the city.

Delaware County is home to many locations that are ideal for a host of various outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, camping, golfing, horseback riding, snowmobiling, and more. Part of the Finger Lakes Trail runs through the county, and it also has two major New York City Reservoirs - Pepacton and Cannonsville. It also contains a portion of the Catskill Mountains, a well-loved vacation spot for New Yorkers and tourists alike. Delaware County has a wide array of streams, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. The county’s natural beauty makes a quiet and meditative backdrop for anglers, visitors, and natives.

Delaware County Fishing

With its numerous water bodies, Delaware County promises a variety of fishing opportunities. In lakes and ponds such as Big Pond, ice fishing is a popular activity among anglers during the winter months.

Located in the Delaware Wild Forest, a Catskill Forest Preserve in the towns of Andes and Colchester, Big Pond has an area of 51 acres and is one of Delaware County’s most popular ice fishing destinations. It is 60 feet deep at its deepest point and is teeming with yellow perch, pumpkinseed, chain pickerel, brown bullhead, golden shiner, and American eel. Trout are also known to swim in abundance and grow to impressive sizes here, with 250-1000 brown trout growing 8-21 inches long and 250 rainbow trout growing 8-9 inches long. Hopeful anglers and tourists can access Big Pond by way of Barkaboom Road or Big Pond Road.

Ice fishing can be tricky even for experienced open water anglers. When ice fishing, let the jig bounce off the bottom of the water body. This will create a cloud of debris and vibrations in the water that will attract the attention of fish. Look for depressions on contour maps as these deep pockets tend to have more favorable conditions for fish - such as water temperatures and light levels. As with open water fishing, fish in icy waters gravitate towards darker spots and steer clear of brighter ones, where they’re more aware of predators and anglers. By covering the hole, you keep the light from penetrating the water and keep nearby fish feeling safe enough to stay in the area. Use plastic lures as fish can sometimes tire of live bait, which is also prohibited in certain water bodies at Delaware County. When in doubt, look down the hole to observe how fish respond to different baits and fishing techniques.

If you’re looking to catch large brook trout, Huggins Lake is where you should go. The 18-acre lake in the town of Colchester has a maximum depth of 20 feet. Other fish that can be found in its waters include golden shiner, brown bullhead, and satinfin shiner. Pack plastic lures for your trip as live bait and ice fishing are prohibited at Huggins Lake.

Reservoirs at Delaware County prohibit ice fishing, so anglers stick to fishing from boats or shorelines. These reservoirs, namely East Sidney, Cannonsville and Pepacton, are home to bluegill, which are best caught at dusk and dawn. These feisty freshwater game fish are not picky eaters, and have been known to respond to insects, small crustaceans, and even bits of bread and corn.

Apart from bluegill, the reservoirs also have a reputation for big catches of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and rock bass. Pepacton Reservoir is known for annual trophy-size catches of brown trout and smallmouth bass. Other fish you can find at the reservoirs include common carp, white sucker, yellow bullhead, channel catfish, and fallfish.

When fishing for bass, make sure to have a collection of seasonal baits. For instance, red or pink-colored lures are good to have on hand. These colors mimic crawfish - which bass favor in the early months of the year - or give the impression of wounded baitfish, making them more attractive. From June through November, bass typically hunt for shad, so silver or chrome baits are best at this time.

Cannonsville’s waters fill annually with thousands of brown trout that have grown to 8 or 9 inches in length. Trout are drawn to aquatic vegetation, which are limited at the reservoirs, but you can also check deeper pockets, and areas with logs, rocks, and structures that they may be hiding in.

Beyond the reservoirs, another ideal location for trout fishing is Beaver Kill, a tributary of the East Branch of Delaware River in the town of Colchester. Beaver Kill is a hot spot for fishing brown trout due to its population of aquatic insects. The peak months for trout fishing at Beaver Kill are April and May, when the fish can range from 9 to 15 inches in length. Its waters are perfect for dry fly fishing, with many anglers regarding it as the standard for other trout streams.

 

Top 10 Fish Species in Delaware County, NY

The top species of fish to catch in Delaware County, NY are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bullhead, bluegill, brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, yellow perch, American eel, and chain pickerel.

Seasonal Fishing in Delaware County

Ice fishing at Big Pond is from December through February. For the rest of the year, Big Pond is open for fishing trout. In the reservoirs, trout fishing on the fly begins at the start of May, as the fish begin to emerge after the winter. When the water warms in June, trout will seek cooler temperatures in deeper waters and won’t be available for fly fishing until September, when the waters begin to cool once more.

At Beaver Kill, fishing opens on the first day of April and runs through November 30. In mid-April, insects become highly active, hatching in great numbers on a daily basis, prompting the appearance of many trout. Fly fishing at Beaver Kill is great from mid-March to late May, as water levels can reach a low point in June and July, unless there’s enough rainfall. Come September, temperatures start to cool and rainfall becomes more regular, raising the flows of the river. These combined factors make the ideal conditions for increased activity among insects and trout, and will carry on until November.

Fishing for bass, on the other hand, is ideal during the warmer months at the reservoirs. Bass season begins on the third Saturday in June and runs until late October.

 

Explore Nature’s Finest Bounties at Delaware County

 

1.Fishing Charters

Don't put a limit on what you can do in Delaware County. Choose from any of the fishing charters available to better explore the waters of Delaware.

2. Fall in Love with the Great Outdoors

Delaware Wild Forest is a portion of the western Catskill Forest Preserve with 29,500 acres of recreational trails, 28 miles of which are designated snowmobile trails. Some of the area’s most well-loved trails include Touch-Me-Not, Little Pond, and Mary Smith Hill. While you’re there, set up camp at any of the forest’s primitive or lean-to campsites for a night beneath the sprawling, starry skies of the Catskills.

3. Run Wild and Free on Horseback

Delaware County is home to many horse farms that accommodate tourists with dreams of riding horseback through tranquil, picturesque landscapes. Instructors are there to give you lessons and guide you through your horseback tours, helping you stay safe and entertained during your journey.

4. Splash and Have a Bash

Countless lakes, ponds, and streams mean there’s plenty of fun to be had on the water - even when you’re not fishing! Jump into the water with your family for a day of swimming, or traverse clear waterways and tranquil lakes on a motorboat, paddleboard, kayak, or canoe.

Fish in Delaware County and beyond.