What You'll Find at Croton Point Park

Croton Point Park sits where the Croton River meets the Hudson, and it's one of the most accessible fishing spots in Westchester County. The park gives you two distinct fisheries: the Hudson River proper, where striped bass and shad move through on seasonal runs, and the Croton River inlet, where largemouth bass, catfish, and sunfish hold year-round. The Hudson side is tidal and deeper; the Croton side is shallower and more protected, so your choice depends on what you're after and what the season is.

The park itself is a 146-acre preserve with a mile of waterfront. There's a boat launch, a fishing pier, and shoreline access along both the Hudson and the Croton. Parking is free, and the grounds are open dawn to dusk. You'll need a New York State fishing license, but there's no special permit required just to fish from the shore or the pier.

Key Takeaways

  • Croton Point has a public boat launch and a fishing pier on the Hudson, plus shoreline access on both the Hudson and Croton River sides.
  • Spring and fall bring striped bass and shad to the Hudson side; summer is better for largemouths in the Croton inlet and along the shallows.
  • The Croton River inlet is calmer and shallower than the main Hudson channel, making it easier to fish from shore or a small boat.
  • Parking is free and the park is open dawn to dusk; you need only a New York State fishing license to fish.
  • Tides matter on the Hudson side—incoming tide pushes stripers and shad closer to the shoreline, while outgoing tide concentrates them in the deeper channel.

Striped Bass and Shad in Spring and Fall

Striped bass move through the Hudson in two main windows: April through early June on the spring run, and September through November on the fall run. They follow the shad, which spawn in the Croton River itself. During these periods, the Hudson side of Croton Point becomes productive, especially around the pier and along the deeper water near the boat launch.

Spring stripers are often larger and hungrier after winter, but the water is cold and the bite can be finicky. Live shad or herring work best if you can get them; if not, white bucktails, small swimbaits, or topwater plugs in low light will draw strikes. The fall run is usually more reliable and lasts longer—fish are feeding hard before winter and the water temperature is more stable.

Tides are critical here. Incoming tide pushes stripers and shad toward the shallows and the Croton inlet mouth; outgoing tide concentrates them in the main channel. Fish the last two hours of incoming and the first two hours of outgoing for the best window. Check tide tables for the Hudson at Croton before you go—they're free online and change daily.

Largemouth Bass and Catfish in the Croton Inlet

The Croton River inlet is shallower and calmer than the main Hudson, and it holds largemouth bass year-round. Summer is peak season—June through August—when the water warms and the bass move into the shallows to hunt. Fish the edges where the inlet meets the Hudson, around any submerged structure, and along the shoreline vegetation on the Croton side.

Largemouths here respond to topwater lures early and late in the day, and to soft plastics and crankbaits during midday. The inlet is also home to channel catfish, which feed at night and in low light. If you want catfish, bring chicken liver, cut shad, or commercial stink bait and fish the deeper holes in the inlet after dark.

The Croton side is also where you'll find sunfish and occasional carp. Sunfish bite all summer on small spinners, wet flies, or live crickets. Carp are less predictable but show up in spring and fall; they prefer corn, dough balls, or pack bait fished on the bottom in the deeper sections of the inlet.

How to Access the Water

The boat launch is at the southern end of the park, near the parking area. It's a concrete ramp suitable for small boats and kayaks. If you're launching a kayak or canoe, this is your best entry point for exploring both the Hudson and the Croton inlet. The launch fee is included in the park's free parking.

The fishing pier extends into the Hudson and is open to shore anglers. It's a good spot for stripers and shad during the spring and fall runs, and it requires no boat. The pier can get crowded on weekends during peak season, so arrive early if you want space.

Shoreline access runs along both sides of the park. The Hudson side is rockier and deeper; the Croton side is muddier and shallower. Both are fishable from shore. Wear wading boots if you plan to wade—the bottom is uneven and can be slippery, especially on the Hudson side.

Seasonal Patterns and Best Times to Fish

Spring (April to May) brings striped bass and shad to the Hudson. Water temperatures are cold, so fish move slowly and bite windows are shorter. Early morning and late afternoon are best. The Croton inlet starts to warm and largemouths begin to move shallow.

Summer (June to August) is peak season for largemouths in the Croton inlet and for catfish at night. The Hudson side is slower during the heat of the day, but early morning and evening can still produce stripers. Sunfish bite all day.

Fall (September to November) brings the second striped bass run and is often more productive than spring. Shad are abundant and stripers are aggressive. The Croton inlet cools and largemouths move deeper, but they're still catchable along structure and drop-offs.

Winter (December to March) is slow. The Hudson freezes in some years, and stripers move to deeper water. The Croton inlet stays open longer and can hold largemouths and catfish, but the bite is unpredictable. Many anglers skip winter here and fish elsewhere.

What to Bring and What to Know

Bring a New York State fishing license—you can get a short-term license online or at most tackle shops. You'll need it for any species you keep or land. Catch-and-release does not require a license, but you should carry one anyway.

The park has no tackle shop, so bring your own gear. For stripers, bring medium to medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting rods with 15- to 20-pound line. For largemouths, a 6.5- to 7-foot medium-power rod with 12- to 15-pound line works well. Bring a headlamp if you plan to fish at dawn or dusk, and wear polarized sunglasses to spot fish in the shallows.

Parking is free and plentiful. The park has restrooms and a picnic area. There's no food vendor, so bring water and snacks. The park closes at dusk, so plan your day accordingly—if you want to fish the evening bite, you'll need to leave before dark.

Nearby Alternatives if Croton Point Is Crowded

If the park is packed on a weekend, the Croton River itself upstream offers quieter water and similar fish. You can fish from the Croton Dam or from the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail, which runs along the river. Access is free, but parking is limited.

Teatown Lake, a few miles north, holds largemouths and sunfish and is less crowded than Croton Point. It's a smaller body of water, so it fills up faster on nice days, but it's worth trying if you want to avoid the Hudson crowds.

The Hudson itself north and south of Croton Point has other access points, though most require a boat or a long walk. Croton Point is the easiest launch and shore access in the immediate area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a boat to fish Croton Point?

No. The fishing pier and shoreline access let you fish from shore without a boat. A boat gives you more water to cover and access to deeper channels where stripers hold, but it's not required. Many anglers fish the pier and the Croton inlet from shore and do well.

What's the best time of day to fish here?

Early morning and late afternoon are usually best, especially for stripers and largemouths. Tides matter more than time of day on the Hudson side—fish the last two hours of incoming tide and the first two hours of outgoing. Catfish bite best at night.

Can I keep what I catch?

Yes, if it meets New York's size and bag limits. Striped bass must be at least 18 inches; largemouths must be at least 12 inches. Check the current regulations on the New York Department of Environmental Conservation website before you fish, as limits change.

Is there a launch fee for the boat ramp?

No. Parking and the boat launch are both free. The park is open dawn to dusk, and you need only a New York State fishing license to fish.

What if the Hudson is too rough to fish?

The Croton River inlet is calmer and shallower than the main Hudson. On windy days, fish the inlet side instead. You'll catch largemouths, catfish, and sunfish instead of stripers, but the water will be fishable when the Hudson is not.