Catch-and-release fishing in Central Park is allowed at three specific locations including Harlem Meer, Central Park Lake, and Central Park Pond. The best place to fish is probably Harlem Meer located on the northeast corner. But fishing is NOT allowed at the reservoir or at the Turtle Pond.

Some of the fish living in the Meer include largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, bluegill sunfish, carp, and chain pickerel. The Conservancy has fishing poles for Park visitors to borrow available at the Charles A.

Spanning 106 acres and at 40 feet deep, the Reservoir holds more than one billion gallons of water. At the time of its construction, it was the world's largest man-made water body. Along the shores of the Reservoir are three gatehouses, which house pipes and other infrastructure.

Fishing license (required) Everyone aged 16 and older needs a fishing license for freshwater fishing. For fishing license information, visit the NYS DEC website. Lost or discarded lead weights dissolve slowly over time. Exposure to low amounts of lead is toxic to both humans and wildlife.