The major Catskill rivers are famous among the trout-fishing fraternity. But fisheries managers are quick to recommend a sampling of other eastern streams that will be well stocked by opening day. Some of these include Wappinger Creek and Fishkill Creek in Dutchess County; East Branch Croton River in Putnam County; Peekskill Hollow Brook in Putnam and Westchester counties; Tenmile River in Sullivan County; the Ramapo River in Rockland and Orange counties; and Sawmill River in Westchester County.

Anglers should also check out these streams in the region: Butternut Creek, Schenevus Creek and Wharton Creek in Otsego County; Catskill Creek in Albany and Greene counties; Kinderhook Creek in Rensselaer and Columbia Counties; Ouleout Creek in Delaware County; Poesten Kill, Tackawasick Creek and the Walloomsac River in Rensselaer County; Roeliff Jansen Kill and Taghkanic Creek in Columbia County; and Schoharie Creek in Greene County.

LONG ISLAND
Lakes and ponds provide a lot of early-season trout fishing on Long Island, where holdover populations are generously supplemented with hatchery browns.

Waters recommended for opening-day action include Laurel Lake, Upper Lake, East Lake, West Lake, Southards Pond and Argyle Lake in Suffolk County. Nassau County offers Upper Twin Pond, Oyster Bay Mill Pond and Massapequa Reservoir.

Three streams on Long Island provide a rare opportunity for trout fishing in a metropolitan area. These include the Carmans River in Southaven County Park, the Connetquot River in Connetquot River State Park and the Nissequogue River in Caleb Smith State Park. Fishing is strictly controlled by park regulations. For details, call (631) 581-1005 for Connetquot, or (631) 255-1054 for Caleb Smith.

Standard regulations apply to the tidal portions of these rivers, which are good bets for trophy-sized sea-run fish.

For more information on spring trout-fishing opportunities in New York, call the regional office in Allegany at (716) 372-0645, in Avon at (585) 226-5380, in Cortland at (607) 753-3095, in Watertown at (315) 785-2261, in Ray Brook at (518) 897-1291, in Stamford at (607) 652-7367, in New Paltz at (845) 256-3098, or in Stony Brook at (631) 444-0310.

Find more about New York fishing and hunting at: NewYorkGameandFish.com.