New York
Esopus Creek at Coldbrook
Location Snapshot
Esopus Creek at Coldbrook is a substantial Catskill trout stream flowing through a mountain valley before continuing toward Ashokan Reservoir. Brown and rainbow trout define a coldwater fishery shaped by gravel runs, pools, and the creek’s unusually large mainstem character for a Catskill tributary.
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
Wednesday, 9:00 AM–12:00 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: High
Current Readings
- Flow
- 891 CFS
- Gage Height
- 5.39 ft
- Water Temperature
- 54.1 °F
- Observation Time
- Oct 20, 2026, 9:00 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
51°F
Feels like
42°F
Wind
11 mph W
Wind gust
15 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 5:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 6 AM
Clear
Temp 51°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 11 mph
Tue 10 AM
Clear
Temp 60°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Tue 2 PM
Clear
Temp 65°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Tue 6 PM
Clear
Temp 56°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Tue 10 PM
Clear
Temp 50°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 12 mph
Wed 2 AM
Clear
Temp 47°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Clear
High 65°F / Low 49°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 19 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Overcast
High 62°F / Low 43°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 15 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Partly cloudy
High 63°F / Low 41°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 13 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Overcast
High 58°F / Low 37°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 13 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
The Esopus Creek at Coldbrook is Upper Esopus wild-trout water from Lost Clove Road down to Ashokan Reservoir, a section New York says can carry trout without supplemental stocking.
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
Target species
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: NYSDEC
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: NYSDEC
Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: NYSDEC
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Regulated flow
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
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.
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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