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Van Cortlandt Lake

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

New York, United States

3.8·679 catches

Top fish species at Van Cortlandt Lake

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Check which species have trophy potential in Van Cortlandt Lake

Van Cortlandt Lake fishing reports

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Largemouth bass

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

length · weight

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Bluegill

length · weight

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General info

Van Cortlandt Lake is a lake located in Bronx, New York, United States. It is most popular for fishing Largemouth bass, Bluegill, and Black crappie.

Location

40°53′27.8″N 73°53′21.5″W
Directions

Official website

www.dec.ny.gov

Amenities

When are Largemouth Bass biting on Van Cortlandt Lake?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Van Cortlandt Lake. Download Fishbrain today to look for new fishing spots, scout new fishing access, or prep for your next trip.

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Fishing regulations at Van Cortlandt Lake, NY

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in New York can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: June 15 - November 30
Largemouth bass

Largemouth bass

Regulation boundaryNew York State Waters
Bag limit5

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size12" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Aggregate limit5

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Restrictions & requirements

Gigging

Harvest by gigging prohibited.

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

Additional information
From Dec 1-June 14, catch and release using only artificial lures is permitted. See here for site specific regulations
Edibility
Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Largemouth Bass by BlueGabe
Synonyms
Micropterus nigricans
Season open: year-round
Bluegill

Bluegill

Regulation boundaryNew York State Waters
Bag limit25

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Restrictions & requirements

Gigging

Harvest by gigging prohibited.

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

Additional information
No season, no minimum sizeSee here for site specific regulations
Synonyms
Banded Sunfish, Bluegill, Bluespotted Sunfish, Dollar Sunfish, Flier, Green Sunfish, Longear Sunfish, Mud Sunfish, Orangespotted Sunfish, Redbreast Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, Redspotted Sunfish, Rock Bass, Shadow Bass, Warmouth
Season open: year-round
Black crappie

Black crappie

Regulation boundaryNew York State Waters
Bag limit25

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size10" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Restrictions & requirements

Gigging

Harvest by gigging prohibited.

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

Additional information
See here for site specific regulations
Edibility
Excellent
Synonyms
Black Crappie, Pomoxis, Pomoxis annularis, Pomoxis nigromaculatus, White Crappie
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Local laws and licenses

New York fishing license

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Reviews of Van Cortlandt Lake

3.8
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37 ratings

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1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Englewood Cliffs

3.1 miles away

Bronx

3.1 miles away

Tenafly

3.8 miles away

Yonkers

4.0 miles away

Englewood

4.4 miles away

Cresskill

5.0 miles away

Fort Lee

5.1 miles away

Alpine

5.1 miles away

Leonia

5.6 miles away

Demarest

5.7 miles away

Bergenfield

6.1 miles away

Teaneck

6.3 miles away

Palisades Park

6.4 miles away

Edgewater

6.4 miles away

Dumont

6.5 miles away

Cliffside Park

7.0 miles away

Ridgefield Park

7.3 miles away

Bogota

7.4 miles away

New Milford

7.4 miles away

Ridgefield

7.7 miles away

Fairview

7.8 miles away

River Edge

8.2 miles away

Hackensack

8.2 miles away

Little Ferry

8.4 miles away

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FAQ about Van Cortlandt Lake fishing

📍 Where is Van Cortlandt Lake located?
Van Cortlandt Lake is a lake located in Bronx, New York, United States. Its coordinates are:
40°53′27.8″N 73°53′21.5″W
.
🎣 Where on Van Cortlandt Lake is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Van Cortlandt Lake by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in Van Cortlandt Lake?
The most common species in Van Cortlandt Lake are:
📢 What are the latest Van Cortlandt Lake fishing reports?
The latest Van Cortlandt Lake fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Van Cortlandt Lake right now?
According to fishing regulations at Van Cortlandt Lake, some of the species in season this November include: Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Northern pike, Striped bass, and Walleye. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Van Cortlandt Lake?

Fishing in New York requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Options include resident and non-resident, annual, daily, and lifetime licenses, available online or at licensed agents statewide.

In New York, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16. Residents 70 and older qualify for a discounted license. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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