Places to Fish Freshwater on LI

Here is a list of freshwater ponds, lakes, and rivers on long island. Most long island freshwater fish species consist of largemouth bass, pickerel, trout, yellow perch, catfish, panfish and carp. Some other fish you may encounter are white perch, walleye, and eels.

More info: This link to the NYS DEC website will provide more info such as directions, contour maps, parking info, fish species, stocking info, permits and other fishing locations: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/fishing.html.

Don’t forget your license: Remember, anyone 16 years of age or older is required to obtain a NYS freshwater fishing license and can be obtained at the counter. There is a 1 day, 7 day or season license available. We only accept cash for licenses. Out of state residents pay a non-resident fee.

Trout stocking info: Many of these locations are stocked with trout in the spring and/or fall. Click here for trout stocking information http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7739.html.

Nassau County:

Hempstead Lake State Park: Located between Rockville Centre. Park consists of Hempstead Lake, South Pond and MacDonald Pond. Amenities include parking, restrooms, benches, fall trout stocking program, free fishing clinics, and many others. Species Present (naturally reproducing): Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Carp, Goldfish, Brown Bullhead. South Pond and MacDonald pond are stocked with brook, rainbow and brown trout every fall.

Hempstead Lake: is the largest lake in Nassau County at 167 acres and a maximum depth of 10 feet. Hempstead Lake has boat access by permit only.

Contour Map: http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/regions_pdf/hempsteadlake.pdf

South pond: at 19 acres and has a maximum depth of 7 feet, this is my favorite spot to fish and have caught many fish here over the years. Great for shore casting, but wading will grant you more access.

Contour Map: http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/regions_pdf/southpond.pdf

MacDonald Pond: at 1 acre and a maximum depth of 4 feet, Macdonald Pond is small, but does have a good population of fish to catch. Great place to take young children because there are few overhanging trees to snag on. The perimeter of the pond is a concrete bulkhead, so no need to worry about muddy sneakers and there are many benches to sit and rest.

Free fishing clinic info: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27123.html

Directions to Hempstead Lake Park: Take the Southern State Parkway to exit 18 off the Southern State Parkway. Make a right at the stop sign on the end of the exit ramp (coming from either the east or the west) to enter the park.

Grant Park Pond: Located in Hewlett at 6 acres and a maximum depth of 8 feet, Grant Park Pond has excellent bass fishing. Due to murky waters, bright colored lures are effective. Also, night crawlers work very well here as well. Species include: Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Carp and American Eel.

Public Access: Nassau County Park.

Directions: Grant Park Pond is located in a Nassau County Park south of Sunrise Highway in Hewlett. Take Sunrise Hwy. to Peninsula Blvd. south. Then make a left onto Prospect Ave. and follow signs to park.

Wantagh Twin Lakes: Located in Wantagh. Twin lakes consist of Upper Twin Pond and Lower Twin Pond. Upper twin pond is 20 acres and maximum depth of 17 feet. Lower Twin Pond is 10 acres with a maximum depth of 5 feet. Species include: Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Black Crappie, Carp, Brown Bullhead, and American Eel. Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout are stocked in the spring and fall in the Upper Pond only.

Directions for Upper Pond: Upper Twin Pond is located just west of the Wantagh State Parkway and north of Lower Twin Pond. Take the Wantagh State Parkway south to Exit W5 (Sunrise Highway) west. At the first traffic light make a right onto Old Mill Road. Go past one stop sign and make a right onto Park Avenue. Park on the south side of the road. Upper Twin Pond is north of Park Avenue.

Directions for Lower Pond: Lower Twin Pond is located immediately west of the Wantagh State Parkway just north of Sunrise Highway. Take the Wantagh State Parkway south to Exit W5 (Sunrise Highway) west. At the first traffic light make a right onto Old Mill Road. Go past one stop sign and make a right onto Park Avenue. Park on the south side of the road. Lower Twin Pond is south of Park Avenue.

Massapequa Reservoir: Located in Massapequa at 20 acres and with a maximum depth of 6 feet. Species include: Largemouth Bass, Sunfish, Black Crappie, White Perch, Catfish, Brown Bullhead, Carp, American Eel, and Yellow Perch. Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout are stocked in the spring and fall.

Directions: The reservoir is located just south of Clark Street and north of Sunrise Highway (Route 27) with Lake Shore Drive and Parkside Boulevard bordering to the east and west. Park on Lake Shore Drive or in a dirt turnoff area off Sunrise Highway just east of the Massapequa Train Station.

Contour Map: http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/regions_pdf/massapequares.pdf

Western Suffolk County:

Lake Ronkonkoma: Located in Ronkonkoma at 243 acres and a maximum depth of 65 feet. This is the largest and deepest lake on long island. Species include: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, White Perch, Carp, Brown Bullhead. The lake is stocked with walleye. Boat access is available.

Directions: Lake Ronkonkoma lies just north of the Long Island Expressway and east of Ocean Avenue in Ronkonkoma. To reach the DEC boat launch, take Ocean Avenue north to Rosevale Avenue. Make a right onto Victory Drive. The boat launch entrance, marked with a wooden DEC sign, will appear on your left.

Restrictions: Boats are permitted but may only be launched from the DEC boat launch. Electric trolling motors are allowed; gas motors are prohibited. Shoreline access is available.

Belmont Lake: Located in Belmont Lake State Park in Babylon at 19 acres with a maximum depth of 4 feet. Trout are stocked in the fall and spring. Each April, the DEC and Belmont Lake State Park host a Family Fishing Festival at the lake. For more information about the Fishing Festival and current schedule see: Region 1 Calendar of Events on the DEC website. Belmont Lake State Park rents out boats for fishing from July 5 to September 1.

Species include: Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Brown Bullhead, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Carp, Brown Trout, Brook Trout and Rainbow Trout.

The lake is located in a New York State Park. Complete shoreline access is available and row boats may be rented [on weekends only from Memorial Day to Columbus Day and daily from June 20th - September 3rd]. Seasonal parking fees may apply. For more information call the park at (631) 667-5055 or visit the New York State Parks web site.

Directions: Exit 38 from the Southern State Parkway leads to the parking lot next to the lake. Follow signs for Belmont Lake State Park.

Blydenburgh Lake: Located in Smithtown at 100 acres and a maximum depth of 6 feet. Also known as Stump, New Mill or Weld's Pond, is located within Blydenburgh County Park in Smithtown. Fed by the headwaters of the Nissequogue River. Boat may be rented from Suffolk County Parks during summer months.

Species include: Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Brown Bullhead and Yellow Perch.

Public Access: Suffolk County Park. A Suffolk County Green Key is required for entry into the park and a seasonal parking fee may apply.

For more information call Blydenburgh County Park at (631) 854-3713 or go to Suffolk County Parks' web site: www.co.suffolk.ny.us/exec/parks/. Access to the lake is via many dirt footpaths located around the perimeter of the lake.

Directions: There are two entrances to the park. The main entrance is off of 454 (Veterans Highway) across from the Denison Building in Hauppauge and the other is off of New Mill Road just south of Jericho Turnpike (Route 25) in Smithtown.

Restrictions: Although private boats are prohibited, the park does rent rowboats seasonally, usually from Memorial Day through Labor Day, call the park for further details. Additionally shoreline access is available and wading is permitted. The park is closed from dawn to dusk.