Fishing Croton Bay in Westchester County, New York

• Overview

  You will find Croton Bay in Westchester County, New York. It sits 0.6 miles in from the sea. About 422 acres, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. On our Westchester County list it sits near the top for size. The closest town, Ossining, is 1.6 miles distant. Croton-on-Hudson lies 2.1 miles off, Congers another 3.8 miles. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Croton Bay

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Work the tide here — moving water feeds, slack water rests. The channel is where water moves, and fish follow it. Flats either side fish on the drop as bait is pushed off them. Public occurrence data for Westchester County names common carp, striped bass, bluegill and brown trout. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Take Croton Bay a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 73°F in July and bottom out at 28°F in January. Spring and autumn are the strongest, but nothing is truly closed. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. At Croton Bay the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Expect a half a mile walk in from where the car goes. Facilities include toilets around 0.9 miles from here. Crawbuckie Nature Preserve runs up to the bank here, which usually means extra restrictions. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Should this one be busy, Indian Brook Reservoir is 1.4 miles off. For Croton Bay in particular, ask before you travel.