Catch-and-Release Fishing

The Catch-and-Release fishing program at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center is currently suspended. Please check back for updates on when the program will resume.

The Conservancy has fishing poles to borrow for Park visitors aged from 5-15 at the Dana Center located on the north shore of the Harlem Meer. Instructions and bait (corn kernels) are provided. Poles can be borrowed Wednesday-Sunday, 10:00 am–3:30 pm. All poles must be returned by 4:30 pm.

Group Reservations

Group reservations are available for Park visitors aged 5-15.

Groups of five or more must make reservations online. Group sessions are 90 minutes total, and available at the following times:

• Wednesday–Friday: 10:00 am and 12:00 pm
• Saturday–Sunday: 10:00 am

Group reservations require a $20 credit card deposit that will be refunded.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of your session. Arriving more than 30 minutes late to your scheduled reservation time will result in the forfeiture of your reservation session, and a refund of your deposit fee will be provided.

For more information, or to reschedule or cancel your session, please call 332.240.3256 (Wednesday–Sunday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm).

General Fishing Rules for Central Park

• All persons aged 16 and older must have a valid New York State fishing license and their own pole to fish in Central Park’s Harlem Meer.
• Release fish gently. All fishing is on a "catch-and-release" basis only, meaning that all fish caught must be put back into the water immediately. Please wet your hands before handling fish and release the fish while the fish it is underwater, if possible.
• Use safe fishing equipment. The use of barbs on hooks, lead sinkers, and overhead casting rods is strictly prohibited. Monofilament line should be properly discarded in appropriate containers in the Dana Discovery Center to avoid harming wildlife. Line, hooks, and trash left behind or improperly discarded can injure or kill wildlife, so please be careful and considerate.
• Respect the turtles and waterfowl. If you see a turtle or bird near your hook, please move to another spot to avoid catching it.
• Please fish with complimentary use fish bait (corn kernels) from the Dana Center ONLY. The use of bread products, hot dogs, and other similar food as bait is discouraged as it is harmful to both the wildlife and the water bodies.
• Don't feed the wildlife. Feeding wildlife and digging for worms is strictly prohibited.
• Stay on paths, ramps, and steps next to the water. Do not fish in fenced off areas. Excessive trampling of the natural shoreline and wading in the water kills the grass and causes soil erosion and compaction, which creates poor living conditions for plants, fish, and other Harlem Meer dwellers. The Conservancy works to maintain the Meer as a healthy habitat for many species of plants and animals.