Fishing

The Upper Delaware is recognized by anglers and fishery biologists as one of the finest fishing rivers in the northeastern United States.

Smallmouth bass, walleye, and a growing number of striped bass are present in the warmwater section below Callicoon. Coldwater releases from upstream reservoirs provide conditions suitable for trout at least to Hankins, and large wild browns and rainbows support a quality fishery. Migrating American shad are plentiful in May and June as they swim upstream to spawn. The entire river offers abundant white-suckers, American eels, and fallfish.

Fishing Limits

The Upper Delaware is recognized by anglers and fishery biologists as one of the finest fishing rivers in the northeastern United States.

For information on fishing regulations, licenses, and health advisories visit www.fish.state.pa.us or www.dec.state.ny.us

Listed below are some of the most popular sport fish. Open seasons, minimum length, and kreel limits are regulated by the state governments. Please check the above web sites for the most up-to-date regulations.

A New York or Pennsylvania fishing liscense is required for all anglers, age 16 and older, on the Upper Delaware River.

Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow, or Hybrids)

  • 1st Saturday after April 11 – September 30
  • 14 inches minimum length
  • Daily Limit = 1 (combined species)
  • Colder waters in the upper sections of the river are best for rainbow and brown trout; the stretch of the river above Callicoon is noted for the best wild trout fishing in the region.
  • Best fishing is in late spring and early summer, good in the fall. Rainbows spawn in the spring, browns and brookies spawn in the fall.

American Shad

  • All Year
  • Any Size
  • Daily Limit = 6
  • Shad are saltwater fish that migrate from the Atlantic Ocean up the Delaware River to spawn in the spring. The spawning run starts in the lower portions of the river in April, with fish reaching the upper portions of the river by early to mid May. After spawning, many of the weakened adult shad die, usually washing ashore in late June and into July.
  • Early May is prime fishing time below Callicoon, mid-to-late May above Callicoon.

Black Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth)

  • All Year
  • 12 inches minimum length
  • Daily Limit = 5 (combined species)
  • Both species of bass prefer warmer water than trout and are found throughout the Upper Delaware usually from Callicoon south. The smallmouth is more tolerant of cold water and found in greater numbers farther north along the river. Although similar in appearance, the smallmouth is distinguishable from the largemouth by size and the fact that its upper jaw does not extend past its eye, as it does in the largemouth.
  • Narrowsburg to Barryville provides excellent smallmouth habitat (plenty of eddies, rifts, and rocky bottoms) and great fishing.

Walleye

  • 1st Saturday in May – March 14
  • 18 inches minimum length
  • Daily Limit = 3
  • A member of the perch family, walleye are known for being delicious table fare. Their large eyes and sharp canine teeth are an easy way to identify them.
  • Usually found in the deeper holes and eddies, walleye prefer small fish but will also eat frogs, crawfish, and large insects. Best fishing in spring and fall, at night.

Striped Bass

  • All Year
  • 28 inches minimum length
  • Daily Limit = 2
  • Like the shad, striped bass are fish who spend most of their time in salt water, returning to fresh water to spawn. Found in deeper pools during the day, most striped bass are found south of Narrowsburg. Aggressive hunters, striped bass eat a wide variety of small mammals and bait fish. Fishing is usually best in the spring and fall, during the night.

Muskellunge (Musky)

  • All Year
  • 30 inches minimum length
  • Daily Limit = 2
  • A top line predator, the musky is known for its voracious appetite and aggressive territorial behavior. Usually found in shallow, weedy water, the musky likes to ambush its prey from protective cover.
  • Primarily fish eaters, they will eat whatever comes along, including snakes, frogs, muskrats, and mice.

American Eel

  • All Year
  • Minimum Length 6 inches NY / 8 inches PA
  • Daily Limit = 50
  • Spawned in the Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic Ocean, eels migrate as juveniles to fresh water where they grow into adults. A traditional food source for Native Americans, smoked eels are still a local delicacy.
  • Eels will eat small fish, crawfish, frogs, insects, and crustaceans. Best fishing is at night.

State Licenses

A valid New York or Pennsylvania fishing license is required for all anglers, age 16 and older, when fishing from a boat or from either shore on the Upper Delaware. Licenses may be purchased from local sporting goods stores or other state license issuing agents. A list of bait and tackle shops located in the river corridor is available on the reverse side. For more information.

Flow and Temperature

Variable flows can affect the angling experience on the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River. The United States Geological Survey has established a number of gaging stations along the Delaware River to measure the quantity and temperature of its surface water. Real-time data on river flows can be obtained prior to setting out for a fishing trip by consulting the gage station links provided on the Delaware River Basin Commission’s web site at www.nj.gov/drbc/streamfl.htm.

Fishing Guides

Visit this website’s Fishing Guides section to contact local guides that know this river well. Approximately 55 commercial fishing guides are licensed by the National Park Service to operate on the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River. To obtain a complete list of these fishing guides, access the National Park Service unit’s web site at http://www.nps.gov/upde or request a copy from the Upper Delaware Council office by calling (845) 252-3022.

Respect Private Property

Keep in mind that private property dominates both sides of the Upper Delaware River and its islands. Please respect the rights of local landowners when accessing the river to fish. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission offer several public fishing accesses along the river.

Fishing Maps — Lake Contour Map Series

Name of Water (Town)
Crystal Lake (Fremont)
Brook Trout

Highland Lake (Highland)

Lake Huntington (Cochecton)
Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Panfish

Lake Superior (Bethel)
Largemouth, Chain Pickerel, Panfish

Long Pond (Neversink)

Mastens Lake (Mamakating)

Mongaup Falls Reservoir (Forestburg)
Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Panfish

Neversink Reservoir (Neversink)

Rio Reservoir (Multiple Towns)
Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Panfish

Shandelee Lake (Callicoon)
Smallmouth Bass, Panfish

Swinging Bridge Reservior (Thompson)
Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Panfish

Toronto Reservoir (Bethel)
Largemouth, Chain Pickerel, Panfish

White Lake (Bethel)
Brown Trout, Lake Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Panfish

Boaters and Anglers, please remember that you can help prevent the spread of unwanted aquatic plant and animal species by following these guidelines:

  • Remove all mud and aquatic plants from all gear, boats, motors and trailers before departing from your fishing location.
  • Drain all water including bilges, live wells, and bait tanks before departing from your fishing location.
  • Do not transport fish from one body of water to another.
  • Do not release unused bait into a body of water.
  • Do not dispose of fish carcasses or by-products in any body of water.