The Best in Empire State Spring Trout Fishing

For many New York anglers, April is one the most highly anticipated months on the calendar, and not because they have a penchant for foolish pranks. This is the month when Empire State spring trout fishing opens. New York is home to many terrific trout fishing streams, rivers and lakes that are loaded with fish. To narrow down the options, here are three solid bets that offer everything a fisherman needs to get the season off on the right foot. The weather might make things challenging, but these three fisheries have tackle shops with up-to-date fishing reports and guide services, gear rental programs and lots of area options for food and lodging.

TROUT TOWN, USA

The village of Roscoe, nestled in the heart of the Catskills, has been the gathering place for opening-day anglers for more than a century. The surrounding area boasts many outstanding rivers that have attracted a long list of fly-fishing notables over the years.

“The reason that Roscoe is the birthplace of American fly-fishing has to do with the phenomenal options in our area,” says Evan Lavery, the owner of the Beaverkill Angler fly shop (beaverkillangler.com). “Our town celebrates the day, and there are a lot of opening day-related events at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum. Recently, the Catskills have experienced a cultural awakening, and there are a lot of restaurants, shops and lodging options that cater to fishermen.”

Lavery and his guides have ushered in 21 opening days for Empire State spring trout fishing. He says that Mother Nature often has a say in how it’s enjoyed.

“The Beaverkill is a freestone stream. That means that weather is always the determining factor of how well it fishes,” he says. “No two openers have been the same. On some we have 50-degree air temperatures, open water and active trout. In other years we have 6 inches of snow and a slushy river.

Despite the iffy weather of the early season, the Catskill trout fishery can be on fire. “The Beaverkill is home to wild brook, brown and rainbow trout and gets heavily stocked as well,” says Lavery. “April is probably the best time of the year to catch a trophy wild or holdover fish. In fact, the current wild rainbow population is as good as it ever has been.”

Up and down the Beaverkill, there is an abundance of good spots to try. “On opening day, the Junction Pool gets a lot of attention. That pool is where the Beaverkill joins the Willowemoc and is home of the fabled ‘Two Headed Trout,’” says Lavery.

Legend has it that Beamoc, as the two-headed trout is known, grew two heads because it could not decide whether to swim the Willowemoc or the Beaverkill. “Many anglers fish one of the two catch-and-release areas. The first is at Horse Brook Run and the second begins at the Acid Factory Pool at Horton’s Brook. But the Beaverkill is 44 miles long and there is always open water to fish. The entire river fishes well, so study your flows and find a place where there are no other anglers.”

A TROUT FISHING STAPLE

The Roscoe Diner has been a staple among trout fishermen since it opened its doors in 1950. Three quarters of a century later, you’ll find excellent food while surrounded by like-minded anglers. Just don’t tell anyone you’ve been fishing the “Beaverkill River.” “Kill” is derived from the Old Dutch word for “stream,” so adding “river” at the end is redundant … and a sure sign you aren’t from around these parts.

J&S Creekside Cabins in Roscoe (jandscreeksidecabins.com) are located on the banks of the Willowemoc. Each includes a full kitchen and can sleep up to four people.

OLYMPIC-LEVEL ANGLING

It’s been 45 years since chants of “U-S-A, U-S-A” rocked what’s now known as Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid during an epic Olympic men’s hockey battle between Team USA and the Soviet Union.

Not far from the site of the “Miracle on Ice” is the Ausable River, and on opening day, Ken Kalil (kalilsupstateoutfitters.com), an Orvis-endorsed fly-fishing guide, mines his own gold in the form of giant holdover brown trout.

“On April 1, the water is typically cold and usually in the high 30s,” Kalil says. “Heavy flows and slippery rocks can make wading tricky. Fortunately, there isn’t a need to target the faster riffles or pocket water, as the pools are your best bet. I like confluences where warmer water from feeder streams or tributaries meets the main river. Streamers and nymphs fished on sink-tip lines are most productive.”

During the first few weeks of the season, Kalil doesn’t move around as much as he does during the summer months. When he does move, he’ll look for holes, and the deeper the better.

“The Ausable has a seasonal migration of fish that work their way upriver to spawn,” says Kalil. “They’ll stack up in the pools to the point where it seems that every fish in the river is concentrated in one pool. There is a pecking order, with bigger fish holding in the best lies. Focus on the heads of pools, the tail-outs and under deadfall logs with slow current.”

With the water temperature being so cold, Kalil slows his retrieves way down.

“A very slow retrieve is key during the first few weeks of the season,” he says. “I also use a special assortment of flies that have a lot of movement. Zonkers with rabbit strips that undulate in the current, or Muddlers or Nutcrackers that push water, are great. Dark colors like black and olive with very little, if any, flash work best. Or try big black or golden stonefly nymphs with a hand-twist on the bottom.”

HOT SPOTS FOR TROUT ANGLERS

The Lake Placid Pub and Brewery is a hot spot every season. If you need another option, head downstairs to the legendary P.J. O’Neills Irish pub, which has been in business for 40 years.

The Hungry Trout Resort (hungrytrout.com) on the banks of the Ausable River was recently named one of North America’s 25 Best Fishing Lodges. There are 20 stramside units available, and the resort has two dining options and its own fly shop.

THE BIG D

The Delaware River may be most remembered for George Washington’s famed Christmas Day crossing of the icy river in order to attack Hessian troops. What many might not know is that there are three parts to the Delaware River. The West Branch flows into and out of Cannonsville Reservoir. Then there is the East Branch, which flows through Delaware County. The two branches meet in Hancock to form the main stem, which flows for nearly 300 miles until it reaches the Atlantic.

The West Branch below Cannonsville Dam is a tailwater fishery, and it gets much of the attention from traveling and local anglers alike. Water flowing from the dam has ample nitrogen and phosporous that, when combined with sunlight, create an incredibly healthy ecosystem.

Common opening-day hatches below the dam include early black and early brown stoneflies, blue-winged olives and a variety of caddis like early black, olive and gray. Streamers work well, too. While many head to the West Branch, anglers seeking solitude can try their luck on the East Branch or downriver on the main stem.

IF YOU GO

How much better can it be than to step out of your waders and into a cocktail or great food? The mouth-watering menu at the River Run Restaurant is the result of the handiwork of Frank Petrone and his culinary experts. After a visit, you’ll be hard-pressed to decide if the fishing or the meal was the better part of your stay.

The West Branch Angler Resort (westbranchresort.com) in Hancock, which houses the River Run Restaurant, has a multitude of rental cabins, which fit the bill whether you’re traveling with your family or a group of fishing buddies.

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• This article was featured in the April 2025 issue of Game & Fish magazine. Click to subscribe

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