03-26-2010, 11:11 AM
With the traditional kickoff to New York's annual freshwater fishing seasons fast approaching, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has some tips and reminders for anglers in every region.
Trout, lake trout, landlocked Atlantic salmon and kokanee salmon seasons all begin on April 1. Best early season fishing can usually be found on Long Island, the lower Hudson Valley and Western New York, which tend to warm up earlier than other sections of the state. Other good bets are the smaller tributaries to major trout waters.
Most rivers and streams outside of Long Island, the lower Hudson Valley and Western New York are typically cold and swollen with runoff in early April - making early season fishing very difficult. Prime areas to fish are those that warm the earliest, including tributary mouths and areas along the shoreline and surface of lakes and ponds. Anglers are advised to fish deep and slow with bait, or weighted nymphs and streamers.
Those who enjoy dry fly fishing will find best success once the waters warm to at least 50 degrees. Best fishing in ponds can be found immediately after ice out, but anglers are reminded to scout out waters in advance - and that ice fishing is prohibited in most trout waters. Early season anglers are reminded to be extra cautious when wading or hiking along icy/snow-covered stream banks.
"The relatively wet and cool summer we experienced last year was excellent for trout survival and we anticipate that anglers will catch quite a few fish that survived the summer and winter months once the waters warm and stream flows become more manageable," said DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis. "Fishing is great in New York and I encourage anglers to take someone fishing this year and let them experience this wonderful way to get connected to the outdoors."
Stocking Programs
DEC's stocking of catchable-size trout generally commences in late March and early April in the lower Hudson Valley, Long Island, and western New York, and then proceeds to the Catskills and Adirondacks. This year, DEC plans to stock 2.34 million catchable-size brook, brown and rainbow trout in more than 300 lakes and ponds and roughly 2,990 miles of streams across the state. Spring stockings will include 1.78 million brown trout, 409,500 rainbow trout and 153,000 brook trout. Approximately 100,000 two-year-old brown trout 12-13 inches in length will also be stocked into lakes and streams across the state.
More than 2.1 million yearling lake trout, steelhead, landlocked salmon, splake and coho salmon will be stocked by DEC this spring to provide exciting opportunities over the next several years. Plans are to stock approximately 330,000 trout fingerlings in 342 lakes and ponds this fall, providing unique angling opportunities in future years. For a complete list of waters to be stocked with trout this spring, go to www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/30465.html. A listing of waters stocked with all sizes of trout last year can be found at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/30467.html.
Maps and Hot Spots
Early-season hot spots, along with suggestions of where anglers may find opportunities to fish for wild trout can be found in the 2010 Coldwater Fishing Forecast at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/63598.html. Stream anglers are also reminded that maps of most of the agency's public fishing rights holdings are posted on the DEC website and can be downloaded at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9924.html. DEC's Bureau of Fisheries web pages contain a wealth of information that anglers will find helpful. Anglers are also encouraged to contact the DEC Regional Office in the region they plan on fishing for additional information.
Buying a License
Anglers 16 years old and older must have a New York State fishing license. Licenses are available online at www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6101.html, by calling 1-86-NY-DECALS, or by purchasing one from the 1,500 license issuing agents located throughout the state (town and county clerks, some major discount stores and many tackle and sporting goods stores). To help people locate the most convenient license issuing agent, a new feature has been added to the DEC website that includes the location of all active license issuing agents: www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6101.html.
Habitat Stamps
Commissioner Grannis urges all outdoor enthusiasts to please consider purchasing a Habitat/Access Stamp to help fund important access and habitat projects. Recent projects of interest to trout anglers include an accessible fishing platform on the Salmon River in Malone and a fisherman parking area and footpath on Felts Mill Creek in Jefferson County. For more information on the Habitat/Access Stamp Program visit www.dec.state.ny.gov/public/329.html.
Preventing Invasive Species
Anglers are reminded to be sure to disinfect their fishing equipment, including waders and boots before entering a new body of water. This is the only way to prevent the spread of potentially damaging invasive plant and animal species and fish diseases such as didymo, zebra mussels, didymo, VHS and whirling disease. Methods to clean and disinfect fishing gear can be found at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/50121.html.
Media Contact
Lori Severino (518) 402-8000
Trout, lake trout, landlocked Atlantic salmon and kokanee salmon seasons all begin on April 1. Best early season fishing can usually be found on Long Island, the lower Hudson Valley and Western New York, which tend to warm up earlier than other sections of the state. Other good bets are the smaller tributaries to major trout waters.
Most rivers and streams outside of Long Island, the lower Hudson Valley and Western New York are typically cold and swollen with runoff in early April - making early season fishing very difficult. Prime areas to fish are those that warm the earliest, including tributary mouths and areas along the shoreline and surface of lakes and ponds. Anglers are advised to fish deep and slow with bait, or weighted nymphs and streamers.
Those who enjoy dry fly fishing will find best success once the waters warm to at least 50 degrees. Best fishing in ponds can be found immediately after ice out, but anglers are reminded to scout out waters in advance - and that ice fishing is prohibited in most trout waters. Early season anglers are reminded to be extra cautious when wading or hiking along icy/snow-covered stream banks.
"The relatively wet and cool summer we experienced last year was excellent for trout survival and we anticipate that anglers will catch quite a few fish that survived the summer and winter months once the waters warm and stream flows become more manageable," said DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis. "Fishing is great in New York and I encourage anglers to take someone fishing this year and let them experience this wonderful way to get connected to the outdoors."
Stocking Programs
DEC's stocking of catchable-size trout generally commences in late March and early April in the lower Hudson Valley, Long Island, and western New York, and then proceeds to the Catskills and Adirondacks. This year, DEC plans to stock 2.34 million catchable-size brook, brown and rainbow trout in more than 300 lakes and ponds and roughly 2,990 miles of streams across the state. Spring stockings will include 1.78 million brown trout, 409,500 rainbow trout and 153,000 brook trout. Approximately 100,000 two-year-old brown trout 12-13 inches in length will also be stocked into lakes and streams across the state.
More than 2.1 million yearling lake trout, steelhead, landlocked salmon, splake and coho salmon will be stocked by DEC this spring to provide exciting opportunities over the next several years. Plans are to stock approximately 330,000 trout fingerlings in 342 lakes and ponds this fall, providing unique angling opportunities in future years. For a complete list of waters to be stocked with trout this spring, go to www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/30465.html. A listing of waters stocked with all sizes of trout last year can be found at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/30467.html.
Maps and Hot Spots
Early-season hot spots, along with suggestions of where anglers may find opportunities to fish for wild trout can be found in the 2010 Coldwater Fishing Forecast at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/63598.html. Stream anglers are also reminded that maps of most of the agency's public fishing rights holdings are posted on the DEC website and can be downloaded at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9924.html. DEC's Bureau of Fisheries web pages contain a wealth of information that anglers will find helpful. Anglers are also encouraged to contact the DEC Regional Office in the region they plan on fishing for additional information.
Buying a License
Anglers 16 years old and older must have a New York State fishing license. Licenses are available online at www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6101.html, by calling 1-86-NY-DECALS, or by purchasing one from the 1,500 license issuing agents located throughout the state (town and county clerks, some major discount stores and many tackle and sporting goods stores). To help people locate the most convenient license issuing agent, a new feature has been added to the DEC website that includes the location of all active license issuing agents: www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6101.html.
Habitat Stamps
Commissioner Grannis urges all outdoor enthusiasts to please consider purchasing a Habitat/Access Stamp to help fund important access and habitat projects. Recent projects of interest to trout anglers include an accessible fishing platform on the Salmon River in Malone and a fisherman parking area and footpath on Felts Mill Creek in Jefferson County. For more information on the Habitat/Access Stamp Program visit www.dec.state.ny.gov/public/329.html.
Preventing Invasive Species
Anglers are reminded to be sure to disinfect their fishing equipment, including waders and boots before entering a new body of water. This is the only way to prevent the spread of potentially damaging invasive plant and animal species and fish diseases such as didymo, zebra mussels, didymo, VHS and whirling disease. Methods to clean and disinfect fishing gear can be found at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/50121.html.
Media Contact
Lori Severino (518) 402-8000