Winter Fishing on the Hudson River: Chilly Catches and Tidal Treasures

As of December 21, 2024, the Hudson River is offering a mixed bag for anglers, despite the chilly winter conditions. **Weather and Tides:** Today's weather is expected to be partly cloudy with temperatures ranging from the mid-30s to the low 40s. Tides are crucial on the Hudson River, and today you can expect a high tide around 10:30 AM and a low tide around 4:30 PM. The tidal fluctuation is about 4 feet, which significantly affects fishing spots and navigation. **Sunrise and Sunset:** Sunrise is at 7:18 AM, and sunset is at 4:29 PM, giving you a decent window for both morning and late afternoon fishing. **Fish Activity:** While the striped bass season has ended, there are still some holdover stripers to be found, particularly in the estuaries and salt ponds during mild weather days. However, the main focus now shifts to other species. Yesterday, anglers reported catching largemouth bass, chain pickerel, and trout in the freshwater sections of the river. **Types and Amounts of Fish:** In the freshwater areas, largemouth bass and chain pickerel are active, especially around the public access points like the Hudson River Recreation Area off Golf Course Road in Warrensburg. Trout fishing remains good in the stocked rivers and ponds, with brown and rainbow trout being common catches. In the saltwater sections, sea bass, porgies, and cod are still being caught on headboats, although these are more offshore. **Best Lures and Bait:** For striped bass, if you're lucky enough to find some holdovers, live herring or cut herring pieces work well. A fish finder rig with a 5-watt circle hook, 3-foot leader, and a swivel is effective. For largemouth bass and chain pickerel, worms, spinners, and plugs are good choices. For trout, pink San Juan Worms, Pheasant Tail Nymphs, and Hare’s Ear patterns have been successful. **Hot Spots:** One of the best spots for public access is the Hudson River Recreation Area off Golf Course Road in Warrensburg. Another good spot is the Upper Hudson Boat Launch section off River Road in the town of Lake Luzerne, where you can find bigger bass, pike, and the occasional trout. For those targeting trout, the section around the hamlet of North River is popular, with coldwater springs and tributaries providing refuge. Remember to check the local fish advisories due to PCB contamination in certain sections of the Hudson River, especially if you plan to eat your catch[5]. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.