Bronx River is a River located in Bronx County, NY. Starting in White Plains, NY the Bronx River flows 29 miles through Bronxville, NY before ending in Bronx, NY. Find maps, fishing guides, weather and recreation information at Guidesly.

About Bronx River, NY

The Bronx River is around 24 miles long and runs through southeast New York. It is the only freshwater river in the state. It sources its water from the Kensico Reservoir in Westchester County which flows to its mouth at the East River. It flows southwards through White Plains then southwest through the northern suburbs of Edgemont, Tuckahoe, Eastchester, and Bronxville. It acts as the partition between Yonkers and Mount Vernon and goes into The Bronx’s north end, where it splits East Bronx from West Bronx. The river also flows through Bronx Park, the New York Botanical Garden, and the Bronx Zoo before reaching the South Bronx.

The Bronx River is named after Dutch colonial settler Jonas Bronck and was formerly called ‘Bronck’s river’. During the 17th century, the river was referred to as ‘Aqeuhung’ by natives and served as a border between the informal confederacy of the Weckquaesgeek or Wappingers and the Siwanoy. The river was made into a natural sewer in the 19th and 20th centuries, prompting environmental groups in the 21st century, including the Bronx River Alliance, to propose to revert the waterway to its original clean state. Urban runoff pollution continues to be a serious issue with the Bronx River Watershed Coalition developing watershed management plans to reduce stormwater pollution and improve water quality.

All About Fishing in Bronx River, NY

Since 2006, the river has been stocked annually with local alewife, which is among a group called river herring, taken from a coastal stream in Connecticut. Largemouth, smallmouth and striped bass, carp and panfish are also abundant in the river. According to local records, species like American eel, mummichog, bluegill sunfish, bay anchovy, Atlantic menhaden, Atlantic silverside, winter flounder, spotted hake, naked goby, fourspine stickleback, tessellated darter, white sucker, and blacknose dace can be found in the river.

In the estuary, fish are commonly caught using a trawl but fly fishing and drift fishing are the most popular methods to do throughout the river’s stretch. Some also use traps to catch fish. Anglers can also wade in the river’s waters or just opt for inshore fishing on its banks. The southern part of the river is also a popular destination for urban canoeing. One can find several good spots to fish in and around the river including at the Estuary River Station, Lafayette Ave Station, Drew Gardens Station, Tremont Ave Station, 181st Street Station and downstream of Bronx Zoo Dam Station.

Fishing Seasonality

If you want to catch alewife, the month to start fishing for it starts in October and they will remain in the river until February or March. Bass fishing starts from June and ends in November with the remaining months only for catch and release. Carp is best sought after during the spring as well as mummichog, the latter of which can be active until fall. Spring and early summer are the best periods to catch bluegill. Abundance of bay anchovies peak twice a year, in May and from September to November. Plenty of Atlantic menhaden can be caught from June to October while one can have productive fishing for the fourspine stickleback from March to July. A lot of white suckers were found in the river during June. Other species can be generally fished all-year round. Anglers are advised to check with local fishing regulations and consumption protocols. It’s also encouraged to check with daily catch and possession limits as well as weather and water conditions.

Fishing Seasonality

If you want to catch alewife, the month to start fishing for it starts in October and they will remain in the river until February or March. Bass fishing starts from June and ends in November with the remaining months only for catch and release. Carp is best sought after during the spring as well as mummichog, the latter of which can be active until fall. Spring and early summer are the best periods to catch bluegill. Abundance of bay anchovies peak twice a year, in May and from September to November. Plenty of Atlantic menhaden can be caught from June to October while one can have productive fishing for the fourspine stickleback from March to July. A lot of white suckers were found in the river during June. Other species can be generally fished all-year round. Anglers are advised to check with local fishing regulations and consumption protocols. It’s also encouraged to check with daily catch and possession limits as well as weather and water conditions.

All About Fishing in Bronx River, NY

Since 2006, the river has been stocked annually with local alewife, which is among a group called river herring, taken from a coastal stream in Connecticut. Largemouth, smallmouth and striped bass, carp and panfish are also abundant in the river. According to local records, species like American eel, mummichog, bluegill sunfish, bay anchovy, Atlantic menhaden, Atlantic silverside, winter flounder, spotted hake, naked goby, fourspine stickleback, tessellated darter, white sucker, and blacknose dace can be found in the river.

In the estuary, fish are commonly caught using a trawl but fly fishing and drift fishing are the most popular methods to do throughout the river’s stretch. Some also use traps to catch fish. Anglers can also wade in the river’s waters or just opt for inshore fishing on its banks. The southern part of the river is also a popular destination for urban canoeing. One can find several good spots to fish in and around the river including at the Estuary River Station, Lafayette Ave Station, Drew Gardens Station, Tremont Ave Station, 181st Street Station and downstream of Bronx Zoo Dam Station.