An anglers heaven.

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.

Information on Seasons and Limits regulated by the state governments.

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 Anawanda (Fremont)

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.