DEC Freshwater Fisheries Insider: Spring 2015
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 05/08/2015 09:59 AM EDT
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| Welcome to DEC Freshwater Fisheries Insider. The Insider is a new newsletter that is intended to help keep New York's anglers informed about fishing opportunities, provide information anglers should know, and what the DEC is doing to improve New York's fisheries. We plan to release the newsletter quarterly. Please forward to anyone you think is interested in fishing in New York. | |
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Highlights of fishing regulation changes for 2015/16 The DEC does a major modification of its freshwater fishing regulations every two years. Changes are made to the regulations governing sportfishing and related activities to address management needs in specific waters, as well as to accommodate angler and other stakeholder desires. Highlights of the freshwater fishing regulation changes are available online to review. As always, check the freshwater fishing regulations before you go out to fish. |
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Fishing forecasts Spring brings us the start of the open water fishing season. Our fishing forecasts can help guide you during this upcoming fishing season: 2015 Coldwater Fishing Forecast 2015 Warmwater Fishing Forecast |
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Trout stocking update This past winter was a long cold one, but our western and southern hatcheries started stocking trout the week of March 19. Our northern hatcheries started stocking the first week of April and, with the recent mild temperatures, the stocking continues throughout the state. One change that has occurred this spring is the purchase of 16 new Freightliner large stocking trucks on the road. Using New York Works 3 Funding, the hatchery system was able to purchase these trucks. About half have been outfitted with new stocking tanks and aeration systems and are presently being used for stocking throughout the state. 2015 spring trout stocking Lists 2014 fish stocking lists |
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Public fishing streams Looking for a stream to trout fish? Try a public fishing stream! New York has purchased permanent easements (called Public Fishing Rights) along some of the best trout streams in the state, giving anglers the right to fish and walking along the bank. Generalized location maps of public fishing streams are available as PDF downloads. |
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Learn more about trout fishing and management For many, trout fishing heralds spring. Here are a few ways you can enjoy fishing for trout: Fishing for Stream Trout Guide to Brook Trout Fishing in Adirondack Ponds Managing the trout fisheries of the Catskills |
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Free fishing clinics Free fishing clinics are family fishing clinics where participants can fish for free; no freshwater fishing license or enrollment in the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry is required. In addition to fishing, participants can learn about fish identification, fishing equipment and techniques, fisheries management, angling ethics and aquatic ecology. Find a free fishing clinic near you. |
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Record walleye in Ashokan Reservoir? On April 21, DEC fisheries staff captured a 32-inch, 17 pound Walleye that weighed more than the current state record. Read more |
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Renew your fishing license If you did not purchase your fishing license when you purchased your hunting license last fall, please remember to buy your fishing license prior to heading out this spring. Now that combination licenses are no longer available, anglers who traditionally bought their fishing privilege as part of a sportsman or other combination license in the Fall need to remember to purchase their fishing license separately. New York’s license is a better buy than it ever has been, given that it is now good for 365 days from the date of purchase. The $25 resident fee and $50 non-resident fee is also one of the cheapest in the northeast and covers all freshwater fishing with no additional trout or other stamps required. Renew your license |
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New boating facilities to open this spring Upgrades to the DEC boat launch facilities at Forge Pond (Suffolk County), Upper Saranac Lake (Franklin County) and Lake George Beach (Warren County) are on schedule and all facilities should be ready for use by June 1 or earlier. In addition to other improvements, all locations will have a brand new ramp and boarding docks for boaters to enjoy. The new Lake George Beach site will now be open year-round, except during the annual Americade event during the first week of June (June 1-6, 2015). |
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Help us stop the spread of aquatic invasive species With boating season upon us once again, boaters and anglers need to be sure to clean, drain and dry their boat after use, particularly if they intend to use it in another waterbody. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) can be transported in as much as a drop of water, so it is paramount that you follow this simple but effective procedure each time you boat. Don't know what AIS are found in the water you are boating in? Check out the DEC Boat Launches page for AIS that have been detected in waters with public boat launches. |