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Fishing Delaware River (Upper): what the data says
Hancock to Callicoon. big wild rainbows and browns on the main stem, smallmouth below. The river tops out around 10 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Rainbow Trout fishing at Delaware River (Upper)
Start shallow in spring: rainbow trout sit in 3 to 10 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 10 ft. The spot to know is Junction Pool (East/West Branch), a inflow / creek mouth in about 8 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 2 to 10 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Brown Trout fishing at Delaware River (Upper)
Spring brown trout on Delaware River (Upper) hold shallow, usually 1 to 10 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 1 to 10 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Junction Pool (East/West Branch): a inflow / creek mouth around 8 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is after dark and early morning. A spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night) covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Stickbait off planer boards (shallow), Small spoon along mud lines |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | night & dawn | Spoon at the thermocline, Deep stickbait (night) |
| Fall | 2 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | Jerkbait over gravel, Casting spoon |
| Winter | 1 to 10 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Small stickbait (slow) |
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Delaware River (Upper)
Spring smallmouth bass on Delaware River (Upper) hold shallow, usually 3 to 10 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. Riffle & run (mile 2.5) is the standout, a rock pile at roughly 4 ft, rated prime for spring smallmouth bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Notable structure
- Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- Junction Pool (East/West Branch): inflow / creek mouth, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 4.3): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 6.5): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 8.7): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 10.8): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 13.9): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 20.4): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 24.1): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 26.9): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Tailout eddy (mile 0.3): eddy pocket, around 6 ft
- Current seam (mile 16.1): current seam, around 6 ft
- Current seam (mile 18.6): current seam, around 6 ft
- Riffle & run (mile 2.5): rock pile, around 4 ft
Common questions
How deep is Delaware River (Upper)?
Delaware River (Upper) is about 10 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Delaware River (Upper)?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, brown trout on Delaware River (Upper).
Where is the best fishing spot on Delaware River (Upper)?
Junction Pool (East/West Branch) is the top-rated area: a inflow / creek mouth in about 8 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Delaware River (Upper)?
For rainbow trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Cannonsville Reservoir · Pepacton Reservoir · Neversink Reservoir · Goodyear Lake · Rondout Reservoir · Honk Lake
See how Delaware River (Upper) stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in New York · best rainbow trout lakes in New York · best brown trout lakes in New York
Browse all New York fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.