Over 42 million people visit Central Park every year, which has more than 800 acres of beautiful scenery. Some people go to the park to take a slow summer walk or to lay out in the sun on the large green areas, but there is another activity that not many people know about.
The Harlem Meer, the Central Park Lake, and the Central Park Pond are all places in Central Park where you can fish “catch and release.”
Black crappies, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Chain Pickerel, Catfish, Bass, Carp, Bluegill Sunfish, and Crayfish are some of the fish that anglers can catch.
People who come to the Dana Center and use the fishing gear do not need a fishing ticket. People who want to fish and bring their gear must have a fishing ticket. There are some rules that everyone must follow:
- Use safe fishing equipment. Barbs on hooks, lead sinkers, and overhead casting rods are prohibited.
- Properly discard monofilament lines to avoid harming wildlife.
- Only use fish bait (corn kernels) such as that from the Dana Center.
- Don’t feed wildlife
Special Programs
The Harlem Meer, located in Central Park’s northeast corner, hosts a catch-and-release fishing program tailored for youth, fostering an educational and recreational environment.
Restricted Areas
It’s important to note that fishing is not permitted at the Turtle Pond or the Reservoir within Central Park.
