West Branch Croton River fishing

Fishing at West Branch Croton River is on a river section, stocked with Brown Trout. It is stocked about 6.4 times a year since 2011, most often in March and April. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk as the active times.

Last stocked

May 1, 2025

Plants on record

96

Since 2011

Species recorded

1

Average size

10.2 in

Elevation

202 ft

Access and facts

Water type
river section
Fee required
No

On NYC Watershed property between the West Branch and Croton Falls Reservoirs; a free NYC DEP Access Permit is required to fish it, on top of a New York State fishing license.

Sources: water_type , access , shore_notes , fishing_notes , watch_outs , angler_notes

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How West Branch Croton River is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of March. In 2025 it was March 1, 2025, about when it usually is.

Fish at West Branch Croton River

Fishing West Branch Croton River is most likely to be for Brown Trout. All 96 plants on record are Brown Trout.

Brown Trout 96 plants
Plants
96 of 96
Last stocked
May 1, 2025
Average length
10.2 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Brown Trout guide.

Fishing West Branch Croton River

The West Branch Croton River offers year-round trout fishing. Winter is considered a great time for fly fishing because the water temperature remains almost constant, making for great catches. Spring brings hatches of mayflies and other insects to life, while summer benefits from good fishing due to lake water inflow. Fall is also identified as one of the best times for trout fishing, as this is when trout are most active and available, and weather conditions are favorable for fly fishing success.

Sources: diyflyfishing.com

What to watch for

Anglers should be sure to check the stream conditions before heading out to fish the Croton River. If flows are considerably above or below historical norms, fishing conditions may not be ideal.

What anglers say

According to Ken Sperry, when fishing the Croton River, "You really can’t go wrong in any season."

Fish stocked per year

  • 1,8802011
  • 1,9602012
  • 1,6302013
  • 1,9402014
  • 1,9002015
  • 1,9102016
  • 1,8402017
  • 1,9302018
  • 1,9602019
  • 1,5302020
  • 1,7302021
  • 1,7302022
  • 1,7302023
  • 1,7602024
  • 1,8402025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 96 plants Showing 96 plants

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 1, 2025 Brown Trout 230 7.5 in report
May 1, 2025 Brown Trout 30 12.4 in report
April 1, 2025 Brown Trout 230 7.1 in report
April 1, 2025 Brown Trout 30 12.1 in report
April 1, 2025 Brown Trout 30 13.7 in report
April 1, 2025 Brown Trout 230 7.1 in report
March 1, 2025 Brown Trout 80 13.7 in report
March 1, 2025 Brown Trout 720 7 in report
March 1, 2025 Brown Trout 230 7 in report
March 1, 2025 Brown Trout 30 13.7 in report
May 1, 2024 Brown Trout 220 8.5 in report
May 1, 2024 Brown Trout 30 11.6 in report
April 1, 2024 Brown Trout 30 13.7 in report
April 1, 2024 Brown Trout 220 9.1 in report
April 1, 2024 Brown Trout 220 8.2 in report
April 1, 2024 Brown Trout 30 13.7 in report
March 1, 2024 Brown Trout 680 8 in report
March 1, 2024 Brown Trout 80 11.2 in report
March 1, 2024 Brown Trout 220 8 in report
March 1, 2024 Brown Trout 30 11.2 in report
May 1, 2023 Brown Trout 20 11 in report
May 1, 2023 Brown Trout 220 9.1 in report
April 1, 2023 Brown Trout 20 13.1 in report
April 1, 2023 Brown Trout 220 8.9 in report
April 1, 2023 Brown Trout 20 10.8 in report
April 1, 2023 Brown Trout 220 8.9 in report
March 1, 2023 Brown Trout 80 13.9 in report
March 1, 2023 Brown Trout 690 9 in report
March 1, 2023 Brown Trout 220 9 in report
March 1, 2023 Brown Trout 20 13.9 in report
May 1, 2022 Brown Trout 20 13 in report
May 1, 2022 Brown Trout 220 9.5 in report
April 1, 2022 Brown Trout 40 13 in report
April 1, 2022 Brown Trout 440 9 in report
March 1, 2022 Brown Trout 80 13.5 in report
March 1, 2022 Brown Trout 690 9 in report
March 1, 2022 Brown Trout 20 13.5 in report
March 1, 2022 Brown Trout 220 9 in report
May 1, 2021 Brown Trout 20 13.1 in report
May 1, 2021 Brown Trout 220 8.9 in report
April 1, 2021 Brown Trout 220 8.8 in report
April 1, 2021 Brown Trout 20 13.5 in report
April 1, 2021 Brown Trout 220 8.9 in report
April 1, 2021 Brown Trout 20 13.7 in report
March 1, 2021 Brown Trout 80 13.2 in report
March 1, 2021 Brown Trout 690 8.8 in report
March 1, 2021 Brown Trout 20 13.2 in report
March 1, 2021 Brown Trout 220 8.8 in report
March 1, 2020 Brown Trout 100 12.8 in report
March 1, 2020 Brown Trout 440 8.8 in report
March 1, 2020 Brown Trout 990 8.8 in report
April 1, 2019 Brown Trout 130 9.1 in report
April 1, 2019 Brown Trout 620 9.1 in report
March 1, 2019 Brown Trout 100 13.1 in report
March 1, 2019 Brown Trout 530 8.7 in report
March 1, 2019 Brown Trout 580 8.8 in report
April 1, 2018 Brown Trout 130 9.1 in report
April 1, 2018 Brown Trout 610 9.1 in report
March 1, 2018 Brown Trout 100 13 in report
March 1, 2018 Brown Trout 520 9.3 in report
March 1, 2018 Brown Trout 570 9.1 in report
May 1, 2017 Brown Trout 120 8.9 in report
May 1, 2017 Brown Trout 580 8.9 in report
April 1, 2017 Brown Trout 100 13 in report
April 1, 2017 Brown Trout 500 8.9 in report
April 1, 2017 Brown Trout 540 8.8 in report
April 1, 2016 Brown Trout 130 8.9 in report
April 1, 2016 Brown Trout 600 8.9 in report
March 1, 2016 Brown Trout 100 13.4 in report
March 1, 2016 Brown Trout 520 9.3 in report
March 1, 2016 Brown Trout 560 9 in report
April 1, 2015 Brown Trout 130 8.8 in report
April 1, 2015 Brown Trout 560 8.8 in report
March 1, 2015 Brown Trout 100 13.2 in report
March 1, 2015 Brown Trout 510 8.3 in report
March 1, 2015 Brown Trout 600 8.3 in report
April 1, 2014 Brown Trout 130 8.5 in report
April 1, 2014 Brown Trout 570 8.8 in report
April 1, 2014 Brown Trout 610 8.5 in report
March 1, 2014 Brown Trout 100 13.5 in report
March 1, 2014 Brown Trout 530 9 in report
April 1, 2013 Brown Trout 110 8.7 in report
April 1, 2013 Brown Trout 510 8.7 in report
April 1, 2013 Brown Trout 470 8.6 in report
March 1, 2013 Brown Trout 100 13.2 in report
March 1, 2013 Brown Trout 440 8.2 in report
April 1, 2012 Brown Trout 130 8.7 in report
April 1, 2012 Brown Trout 620 8.7 in report
April 1, 2012 Brown Trout 580 8.7 in report
March 1, 2012 Brown Trout 100 13.4 in report
March 1, 2012 Brown Trout 530 8.4 in report
April 1, 2011 Brown Trout 130 8.8 in report
April 1, 2011 Brown Trout 590 8.8 in report
April 1, 2011 Brown Trout 550 8.8 in report
March 1, 2011 Brown Trout 100 12.8 in report
March 1, 2011 Brown Trout 510 8.5 in report
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Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

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