![]() ![]() Things get a little more complicated in neighboring Suffolk County where all freshwater lakes and ponds except East (Swan) Lake, Laurel Lake and Deep Pond are open all year with no size limit and a three fish bag limit. Sheryl Kallo with a nice brown typical of the 2-year-old browns stocked in some Long Island waters. In Nassau County, all ponds, lakes and streams are open all year, with no size limit and a 3-fish bag limit for all trout except brook trout, which are a catch and release only fishery. Trout fishing regulations vary from region to region across the state, and there are also separate regulations for various bodies of water here on Long Island. Each receives generous stockings in March and April, including a healthy number of 2-year-old brown trout measuring 12 to 15 inches. ![]() In Nassau County, Massapequa Reservoir and Upper Twin Pond in Wantagh get a lot of play from trout fans. Some anglers find success with such simple baits as dough balls.Īmong some of the more popular trout waters in Suffolk are Belmont Lake in Belmont Lake State Park, Carmans River and Hards Lake in Brookhaven, West Lake in Patchogue and Upper Yaphank Lake. Trout worms, earthworms and night crawlers will all catch their share of trout, as will scented baits such as those infused with Berkley Gulp. When it comes to bait, there is always the old reliable worm. Swapping out the small treble hooks that come with most spoons and spinners with a single hook will make releasing fish much easier, and the trout will appreciate it. The go-to lure for many anglers over the past few years has been a small gold finished spoon. ![]() At the terminal end, 3/8- to 1/2-ounce spoons, in-line spinners like Mepps, CP Swings and Rooster Tails to name a few, and small swim shads of 1-1/2 to 2 inches will all catch their share of trout. These outfits are well suited to our relatively small lakes, ponds and streams. If you go ultra-light, go with 4-pound test at the top end. You’ll want a light or ultra-light rod and reel spooled with no more than 6-pound test. In many cases, you may already have an appropriate spinning outfit that will fill the bill. If you would like to partake in this fishery, a small investment in tackle and a freshwater fishing license ($25 for NY residents 16 and older) is all that’s needed to get you started. Landing a trout in the solitude of Connetquot River State Park Preserve. A combination of the previous fall’s holdovers, and a spring stocking schedule that kicks off in late March, have provided many “saltwater anglers” with something to do prior to the arrival and opening seasons for popular saltwater species like striped bass, fluke, blackfish, porgies and weakfish. An aggressive stocking program that supplements the traditional spring stocking with a fall stocking, and in recent years, the addition of 2-year-old brown trout to some of the lakes and ponds, have also fueled increased interest in the Island’s trout fishery. Trout have helped fill that void for many anglers thanks to what has become a year-round season on most of the Island’s trout waters. Codfishing has been erratic and inconsistent at best, leaving winter weary anglers searching for something to bend a rod. With a season that runs from April 1 to May 30, and a two fish bag limit, which is no easy task to fill, few anglers look forward to flounder season. These days, flounder can hardly be considered an option. But March was reserved for flounder, or if you preferred – cod were also a solid option at the time. That day was an event in itself, celebrated by using up a sick day or in the case of youngsters, playing hooky with parental permission. In fact, the banks of the Shinnecock Canal would be lined shoulder to shoulder with flounder hopefuls once the bite was on.īack then, trout season did not open until April 1. Even the docks came alive with anglers looking to put some flounder fillets on the table. Launch ramps also saw an influx of activity as those with their own boats scrambled to catch their share of winter flatties. Docks became a beehive of activity as anglers lined the rails of party boats, and reservations were required to ensure yourself a rental skiff from one of the many fishing stations spread around the Island, particularly Moriches Bay, where a dozen or so liveries once lined the bay’s shoreline. Patricks Day in particular, signaled the unofficial opening of flounder season. There was a time when the month of March was looked forward to with great anticipation by Long Island anglers. ![]()
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