Winter Fishing on the Hudson: Stripers, Catfish, and More Despite Chilly Conditions

As of January 9, 2025, the Hudson River around New York City is offering some intriguing fishing opportunities despite the cold winter conditions. ### Tides and Weather Today, the tidal cycle for the Hudson River near Kingston is as follows: the low tide is at 3:09 AM with a height of -0.03 m, the high tide is at 9:00 AM with a height of 1.17 m, the next low tide is at 4:06 PM with a height of 0.01 m, and the final high tide of the day is at 9:33 PM with a height of 0.96 m[2]. The weather is cold, with freezing temperatures predicted in the coming weeks, which is starting to lock up smaller water bodies and will soon affect larger waters as well[1]. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise today is at 7:23 AM, and sunset is at 4:43 PM[2]. ### Fish Activity While the peak seasons for striped bass and bluefish are in the spring and summer, there are still some fish to be caught. Yesterday, anglers reported catching some striped bass, although in smaller numbers compared to the warmer months. Catfish, particularly white and channel catfish, are also active and being caught[5]. ### Types of Fish and Catch Holdover stripers remain active in the rivers, and some anglers are catching them along with catfish. Trout and perch are also available in the freshwater areas, but the main focus for saltwater anglers is on the remaining stripers and catfish[1]. ### Best Lures and Bait For striped bass, using lures like beads or small jigs can be effective, especially during the tidal changes. For catfish, bait such as nightcrawlers, chicken livers, or even hermit crabs can work well. Tautog, which are also present, can be caught using white leggers and hermit crabs[1][3]. ### Hot Spots If you're looking to cast a line, consider the area around the Tappan Zee Bridge, which is great for shore, pier, or bridge fishing. This spot is known for its bluefish during the summer but can also yield stripers and catfish during the winter. Another hotspot is the region around the Troy Dam, which is wider and deeper, making it ideal for trolling and bottom fishing for stripers and walleye[3]. Overall, while the fishing may not be as prolific as in the warmer months, the Hudson River still offers some exciting winter fishing opportunities for those willing to brave the cold. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.