Ulster County, NY Fishing: Legendary Destination in the Catskills Region

Ulster County sits in the southwestern region of New York State, with much of its land set within the Catskills and the Shawangunk Ridge. Its valleys have had a long history of being a uniquely fertile agricultural area. Up to this day, it remains largely a farming county. The renewed interest in organic farmers' markets has boosted its thriving agricultural industry.

Aside from its prosperous farms and the recent boom in its farmers' markets, Ulster County is a popular vacation spot known for its excellent outdoor landscapes. It is, after all, a considerable part of the Catskill Park and Forest Reserve and is situated west of the great Hudson River. You will find several state parks and preserves within the county, including Shawangunk Ridge State Forest, Minnewaska State Park, Sam's Point Preserve, Mohonk Preserve, and Sundown State Park VerNooykill State Forest, and Witches Hole State Forest. These scenic locales offer great recreational activities such as hiking, skiing, rock climbing, kayaking, and fishing.

In addition to all the hiking travelers can do in the state parks, venturing into the county's world-famous rail trails is another must. The county is home to more than 40 miles of rail trails. These trails are connected to the longest pedestrian and bicycle bridge globally, which runs the length of the Hudson River.

Because of its location on the Hudson River, Ulster County is a must-visit for anglers. Not only does it have access to the great river, but it is also likewise dotted with tributaries, lakes, and creeks amidst rich vegetation while being gifted with the ideal weather suitable for year-round fishing.

Ulster County Fishing 

Fishing in Ulster County and the Catskill region is legendary and may even be considered historic. For years, the area has been known for its pristine vistas and the sheer number of creeks, rivers, and lakes, many of which offer prime fly fishing opportunities. The region attracts both cold water and warm water fish species, which means a diversified fishing experience all year round. Its relative nearness to Albany and New York City means urban dwellers seeking a productive and scenic fishing experience need not venture too far away. 

To begin your Ulster County fishing journey, make your way to Esopus Creek, a Hudson River tributary. The stretch between Shandaken and Ashokan Reservoir is a fly-fishing spot as it stays cool even during summer. It provides excellent public access, so you can enjoy fishing here for brown, brook, and rainbow trout. The lower part of the creek, on the other hand, offers great warm water fishing for panfish, as well as some largemouth and smallmouth bass and plenty of common carp. Anglers can access this lower creek region by heading to the Village of Saugerties park, which provides shore access and a boat launch for anglers. 

Another Hudson River tributary worth checking out is Rondout Creek. It is quite a significant tributary that flows through the valley and the Catskills. Similar to Esopus Creek, parts of the creek offer fabulous summertime fishing because of the reservoir discharge. There's minimal public access fishing in the stream, though. However, there's a stretch between the Hudson River and the Rondout Reservoir that can be easily accessed. This portion of the creek is a productive spot to fish for herring, smallmouth bass, and walleye. 

Ashokan Reservoir, located just a few miles outside the county seat of Kingston, offers great fishing for both cold-water and warm-water fish. It is annually stocked with brown trout every spring, adding to the wild brown and rainbow trout that the water already supports. In addition, it holds plenty of smallmouth bass, common carp, and white perch. Walleye and largemouth bass can be caught in the reservoir as well, but they're not as expected. However, they tend to be in the trophy size whenever they're spotted in Ashokan. Because the reservoir provides great and easy access from the boat or shore, it has proven to be a popular spot for recreational anglers looking for a comfortable and scenic locale to fish.

Though not mainly known for trout fishing, the Wallkill River is a productive body of water that attracts plenty of walleye, smallmouth bass, and carp. It's a slow-moving and murky river, which is why most people dismiss it. It is, however, one of the most excellent places to fish in the county. It's pretty easy to access via the three-hand launch spots for electric boats between Rosendale and New Paltz. If you don't want to fish from the ship, the area has miles of shoreline open for fishing.

Sturgeon Pool was created after the damming of the Wallkill River to power a hydroelectric plant. Though it has the mighty sturgeon in its name, it is sadly not a prime spot to see this species. What it does have, though, are smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, chain pickerel, common carp, bluegill, black crappie, white perch, yellow perch, and rock bass. 

No longer content to fish its tributaries, you can access the great Hudson River almost anywhere in Ulster County as this water body flows through the entire county. It attracts many different kinds of species, from shad, striped bass, perch, catfish, and American eel. The county offers plenty of boat launch sites to access the river, but the best ones can be found at Sleightsburg Park in Esopus and Charles Rider Park in the town of Ulster.

Top 10 Fish Species in Ulster County, NY

The top 10 fish species to target in Ulster County, NY include rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, common carp, white perch, walleye, black crappie, and striped bass.

Seasonal Fishing

Ulster County is known as a prime fishing destination all year round, with many of its water bodies offering both warm water and cold water fishing. The season for trout opens in April and lasts until October, while bass fishing season starts in June and remains open until the end of November. Summer is always a good time to fish, especially for bass. Still, fall fishing in the Catskills can be truly spectacular for three reasons: the productivity of the fishing itself, the autumn foliage, and the lack of crowds in many of its popular fishing areas. 

Enjoy a Diverse Range of Activities in Ulster County, NY

Ulster County is a beautiful year-round destination filled with plenty of recreational activities for travelers of all kinds — ranging from outdoorsy types who want to immerse in nature, history and art buffs, and fans of organic farming.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Ulster County is a vast place with plenty of fishing spots. Hiring the services of a fishing charter or guide will help you navigate the area more safely.

2. Shop at a Farmers' Market

Get to know the local spirit by dropping in on any of the farmers' markets in Ulster County, where you will find fresh produce harvested by the county's family farms and orchards. The towns and cities hosting farmers' markets regularly are Kingston, Woodstock, New Paltz, and Milton.

3. Enjoy a Historic Tour of Kingston

The county seat of Ulster County, Kingston, is quite an important place in American history, as it is where the first state capital of a newly independent New York State was established in 1777. Walk through the Kingston Stockade National Historic District to learn about the county's history, then go to the Senate House State Historic Site, the only building associated with the New York State government establishment and now houses John Vanderlyn's art. Go back even further in history, back to the Dutch settlement era, and learn how they lived at the Persen House in Upper Kingston.