Don't Miss These Fishing and Breweries Destinations

Wow Adventures in Jersey

Jersey’s gotta lotta wows up, down and all around the state. From the northern peaks of Mountain Creek to 130 miles of stunning shores like Victorian Cape May. Be wowed by paddle-perfect waterways, 58+ state and national parks, fishing hotspots, 178+ breweries, distilleries and wineries and 108+ amazing places to camp and RV.

Savor award-winning craft beers, spirits and wines throughout the state. From tours to tastings, there’s plenty to raise a glass to. If you’ve been wowed by our famous Jersey tomatoes, corn and blueberries, get to know our grapes too. New Jersey’s diverse geography and climate produces more than 40 varietals of wine in 50+ wineries. So good, in fact, our vineyards rival those in California.

Get a taste of top-notch flavors along with plenty of culture, historic countryside and beachside towns with New Jersey’s ready-to-go 3-day Beer, Wine & Spirits itineraries. Enjoy ales, wines, brews and spirits, from popular pubs up north to wine tastings along our blissful southern shores. Be wowed by the Jersey Brews Trail and earn free swag too!

From sippin’ wows to fishin’ wows. New Jersey is home to hundreds of lakes, ponds and oceans filled with flounder, bass, striper, trout, you name it. Whether you’re an experienced angler or baiting your very first hook, you’re sure to enjoy Jersey’s fresh and saltwater wonders.

Some places to reel in the wows: Sandy Hook in Monmouth County is a prime saltwater fishing location. This northern barrier ocean beach is also a popular spot for hiking, birding and kayaking. Head to Ocean County’s Island Beach State Park and Point Pleasant Beach, both noted for their striped bass, bluefish and flounder. Kick back and relax at Lake Hopatcong, home to wow-worthy fishing in the heart of Morris County. And then there’s the ahhhh-mazing Delaware River - 330 miles of freshwater winding through Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Mercer and Salem Counties with endless places to cast your hook from bank or boat. Be wowed by Union Lake in Cumberland County too – yet another angler and birdwatching gem.

In Jersey, we’re hooked on great events too, including the Sea.Hear.Now Festival in Asbury Park September 14-25, the LBI Surf Fishing Classic in Long Beach on October 5, 2024, and the Exit Zero Jazz Festival in Cape May October 25-27.

It’s one wow after another after another. Find your wow at visitnj.org.

Fish Tales and Fresh Brews in New York’s Sullivan Catskills

Uncover the historic birthplace of American dry fly fishing, a mere 90 miles from Manhattan in New York’s Sullivan Catskills. This is where Theodore Gordon, the Father of American Dry Fly Fishing, reshaped the sport during the late 19th century with his groundbreaking fly patterns and techniques, a legacy that continues to lure anglers from around the world.

If you want to catch Brown, Rainbow, or Brook Trout, the waters here are perfect for casting year-round; remember that fishing from October 16 to March 31 is catch-and-release only with artificial lures.

You can cast about with your fly rod in the world-famous waters of the Beaverkill and Delaware Rivers or the Willowemoc Creek. Anglers come from around the world to wade in these waters. Tour guides are plentiful, and there’s a fine selection of small shops in Livingston Manor and Roscoe for gear and flies.

Whether you're a fan of bait fishing or casting, the Sullivan Catskills offer a plethora of fishing opportunities. With 164 lakes to choose from, you can hook a diverse range of species including Bluegill, Chain Pickerel, Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Lake Trout, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Black Crappie. Popular bait fishing spots include Sackett Lake, Mongaup River, Swinging Bridge Reservoir, White Lake, Toronto, Rio, and Neversink Reservoirs, promising an adventure for every angler.

After a day of angling, tell your fish stories as you immerse yourself in unique craft beer experiences along the Good Taste Craft Beverage Trail. Pull up a stool and ask the brewmaster for a “Trout Town Amber American Ale” at the Roscoe Beer Company. Nearby in Livingston Manor, savor a “Poet’s Ledge” from the Catskill Brewery, a German-style Kilsch, or an award-winning Base Camp LagerBier from Upward Brewing Company, where you can hike Beer Mountain. Watch the sunset by the railroad tracks in Callicoon while you sip on a “Callicoon No Bull IPA” from the Callicoon Brewing Company. If you’ve fished the day away on the Neversink Reservoir, swing over to The Russian Mule Brewery in Claryville and try the Bourbon Vanille Stout. Fishing at Toronto Reservoir? Head to the tap room at Shrewd Fox Brewery. Try the Highland Lager. The newest brewery on the trail is Bridge and Tunnel Brewery in Liberty. It’s a community gathering spot and the second location of this family-run brewery featuring various styles. Try the Ol Gilmartin Mik and Oatmeal Stout, TAP NY’s gold medal winner.

Go cast about, lift a glass, and drink responsibly in New York’s Sullivan Catskills. To plan your trip, visit SullivanCatskills.com.

The Roundout Waterfront, Ulster County.

ULSTER COUNTY: IRRESISTIBLE FISHING

Ulster County boasts legendary fishing as an irresistible draw for anglers from all over the world. Plan your next fishing trip in Ulster County!

Esopus Creek

The upper section of Esopus Creek has cool water that trout love. As you go lower down the creek, the water warms for panfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and common carp. Access this lower stretch via the Village of Saugerties Park with shore access and a boat launch.

The Ashokan Reservoir is great for brown trout.

Ashokan Reservoir

The Ashokan Reservoir is restocked with brown trout every spring, which are joined by abundant wild brown, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, common carp, and white perch. We know many anglers who say there are some trophy walleye and largemouth bass, too. A NYC DEP fishing permit is required.

Rondout Creek and Reservoir

The colder reservoir release at Roundout Creek and Reservoir makes the upper parts of this tributary perfect for summer fishing. Public access is limited. There is a stretch between the Hudson and Rondout easy to access with herring, smallmouth bass, and walleye!

Wallkill River

This slow-moving, murky river is one of the least-known but best places to catch walleye, smallmouth bass, and carp. If you can’t see the fish clearly, they can’t see you either!

Learn more about Ulster County here: visitulstercountyny.com.