Trout & Salmon

Brook Trout Fishing in New York

A native char of cold, clean Eastern and Upper Midwest streams and ponds, also stocked in Western high country. Brookies are eager and take small attractor flies.

Waters: 1
State: New York
Water: Freshwater
Methods: Fly, Spin & Bait

Prime Months in New York: No Agency Season Found

Spawning in New York: Sep to Dec, per NY DEC (when the fish spawn, not a fishing season)

What to Use for Brook Trout

Fishing In

Brook Trout

No agency season found

Fly

7 to 8 ft 3 or 4 wt rod, floating line, 7.5 ft 5X leader.

Rod, Reel and Line

RodRedington Classic Trout Fly Rod · 7 ft 6 in 3 weight, or 8 ft 0 in 4 weight, 4 pieceCheck Price
ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 4 and 5 weightCheck Price
LineRIO Gold Fly Line · 3wt or 4wt floatingCheck Price
LeaderRIO Tapered Trout LeadersCheck Price

Tie On in November

Fly for November · #4-12Woolly Bugger · Umpqua Wooly BuggerCheck Price

Spin / Cast

5 to 6 ft ultralight spinning rod, 1000 reel, 2 to 4 lb line.

Rod, Reel and Line

RodUgly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod · 5 ft ultralight, 2 to 6 lb, 1 pieceCheck Price
ReelPflueger Trion Spinning Reel · size 20 (mono 200/2, 110/4)Check Price
LineBerkley Trilene XL Monofilament · 2 or 4 lbCheck Price

Tie On in November

Typical picks from December, our closest listed month. Ask a local shop what is working in November.

Lure for December · 1/32 to 1/8 ozPanfish JigTipped with bait, through the ice.See Options
Bait for December · Whole or halfNightcrawlersA piece, through the ice.
Bait for December · 1 to 3 inLive MinnowsThrough the ice.

Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.

Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Also Worth Packing

Nets & Tools

Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net

A floating trout net with tangle-free micromesh rubberized netting and a flat bottom that supports the fish's weight evenly.

Check Price Maker's Page

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Licenses & Regulations

Most anglers need a New York fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state. Seasons, limits, and tackle rules vary by water, so check current regulations before you go.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation