New York
Esopus Creek at Coldbrook
Current River Rating
Fair · 60
Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Consider
Recommended Window
Sunday, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Why
- Water temperature is within the preferred trout range.
- Air temperature is comfortable for a river trout trip.
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 441 CFS
- Gage Height
- 4.63 ft
- Water Temperature
- 63.9 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:00 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 01362500 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
65°F
Feels like
61°F
Wind
10 mph NW
Wind gust
18 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 1:15 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.12 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Clear
Temp 63°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Sat 8 AM
Clear
Temp 65°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 12 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 73°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Sat 4 PM
Clear
Temp 75°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 8 PM
Overcast
Temp 67°F
Chance 13%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sun 12 AM
Overcast
Temp 64°F
Chance 6%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Heavy rain
High 75°F / Low 62°F
Chance 13%
Precip 0.33 in
Max gust 19 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 70°F / Low 57°F
Chance 14%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 13 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 78°F / Low 55°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 14 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 82°F / Low 58°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 7 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Catskill trout stream in Ulster County. Flow below the Shandaken Tunnel can be influenced by New York City water-supply releases; check live USGS readings and current Region 3 special regulations before fishing.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Esopus Creek.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Upper Esopus Creek Wild Quality trout fishery with predominant wild rainbow trout, common wild brown trout, and brook trout present. DEC states the fishery is sustained without supplemental stockings.
Target species
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
DEC states wild rainbow trout are predominant in the Wild Quality section from Lost Clove Road downstream to Ashokan Reservoir. Coldbrook gauge reach is within this Wild Quality fishery. No supplemental stockings.
Source: NYSDEC
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
DEC describes a decent wild brown trout population in the Wild Quality Upper Esopus stretch; fishery sustained without supplemental stockings.
Source: NYSDEC
Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
DEC notes brook trout are found in Upper Esopus waters; native brook trout opportunities are strongest in the Wild section upstream of Lost Clove Road and in tributaries.
Source: NYSDEC
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Regulated flow
Catskill freestone creek influenced by cold Shandaken Tunnel (Portal) releases from Schoharie Reservoir below Allaben. Coldbrook reach is within the Wild Quality section above Ashokan Reservoir.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Access includes DEC Forest Preserve lands, NYC DEP lands, municipal lands, and Public Fishing Rights. NYC DEP recreation lands require a special access permit. Confirm parking and access on DECinfo Locator / HuntFishNY.
Public Fishing Rights easements exist on some Upper Esopus sections but do not cover the entire river. NYC DEP lands require a separate access permit.
Stocking information
DEC states both Wild and Wild Quality Upper Esopus management areas have enough documented wild trout reproduction to support the fishery without supplemental stockings.
Regulation sections
Legal regulations are summarized below for convenience. Official linked rules control. This app does not determine whether you are physically within a regulation reach.
Upper Esopus Wild Quality
From Ashokan Reservoir upstream to confluence with Lost Clove Creek
Wild Quality inland trout stream category (Lost Clove Road downstream to Ashokan).
- Upstream
- Confluence with Lost Clove Creek / Lost Clove Road area
- Downstream
- Ashokan Reservoir
- Season
- April 1–October 15 harvest season under Wild Quality / Stocked-Extended limits; October 16–March 31 catch and release, artificial lures only.
- Harvest
- Wild Quality: April 1–October 15 daily limit 3 with no more than 1 longer than 12 inches.
Upper Esopus Wild (upstream of Lost Clove)
Upstream of Lost Clove Road Bridge managed as Wild under statewide inland trout stream regulations per DEC Upper Esopus page
Wild management category; statewide Wild trout stream regulations apply upstream of Lost Clove Road.
- Downstream
- Lost Clove Road Bridge in Big Indian
- Season
- Wild category: April 1–October 15 harvest under statewide Wild limits; October 16–March 31 catch and release, artificial lures only.
Official sources
Regulations can change. Always verify current rules on the official NYSDEC page before fishing; linked official regulations control.
Hatch Match
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Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Ulster, New York
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Ulster
DEC Region
3
Management Category
Trout stream
Regulation Scope
Designated Region 3 special-regulation reaches
Regulation Summary
Region 3 special fishing regulations apply on designated Esopus Creek reaches.
Target Species
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout
Flow Regulation
Reach near Coldbrook can be influenced by Shandaken Tunnel / NYC water-supply releases.
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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