Freshwater Fishing, Fisheries Management, and Fishing Access News
In this issue:
Although catch and release opportunities may be available year-round for inland trout, April 1 will always mark the traditional opening day for trout anglers across the state. Check out the helpful resources below to help you plan your first trip out on the water!
Additional Information – I FISH NY “How to” brochures:
I FISH NY Guide to Brook Trout Fishing in Adirondack Ponds (PDF)
I FISH NY Guide to Trout Fishing in Streams (PDF)
I FISH NY Guide to Trout Fishing with Synthetic Bait (PDF)
An electronic PDF version of the new 2024 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide is now available to download from the DEC website. Hard copies of the guide are also available wherever sporting licenses are sold or can be requested by emailing fwfish@dec.ny.gov. (Be sure to provide your name and mailing address.)
2024 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide
The Dunkirk Harbor fishing platform in Dunkirk (Chautauqua County) was recently reconstructed after it irreparably damaged by a Lake Erie storm surge in 2020. Now open for use, it features slip-resistant decking, two benches, solar-powered lighting, and parking for eight cars.
Located on the west side of Dunkirk Harbor, the fishing platform offers anglers access to a variety of Lake Erie sportfish throughout most of the year. Smallmouth bass, steelhead, walleye, channel catfish, bullhead, white bass, and yellow perch are the main targets, with greatest species availability during the spring months.
The Dunkirk Harbor fishing platform is in the City of Dunkirk on the north side of Lakeshore Drive (Route 5), across from Brigham Road.
Due to forecasted inclement weather, the Lake Champlain “State of the Lake Fisheries” Meeting scheduled for Saturday, March 23 has been rescheduled to April 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Whallonsburg Grange, 1610 NY-22, Essex, New York.
A recording of the meeting will be available at a later date.
Do you fish for striped bass in the Hudson River? Whether you catch-and-release or take home a keeper, you can be part of the Hudson River Cooperative Angler Program. Share your fishing trip information and help biologists understand and manage our striped bass fishery.
Here's how it works: Fill out a logbook we provide or record your trips on your smartphone using DEC's Hudson River online logbook (PDF) whenever you fish on the tidal Hudson River (by boat or on the shore). Record general location, time, gear used, and what you caught (or if you didn't catch anything) and return the logbook when you are done fishing. You'll receive an annual newsletter summarizing the recreational fishery information, in addition to the latest news regarding the Hudson River and its regulations.
For more information on the angler program and instructions on installing the Survey123 App to access the online logbook, visit DEC's website or email hudsonangler@dec.ny.gov. The striped bass fishing season begins April 1, 2024. For information about fishing regulations, visit DEC's Freshwater Fishing Regulations webpage.
Note: If you primarily fish for striped bass in New York waters south of the George Washington Bridge, please visit DEC’s Striped Bass Cooperative Angler Program or contact the Diadromous Fish Unit at sbcaprogram@dec.ny.gov or (631) 380-3320.
Location: Southwest Staten Island, Richmond County, NY.
Size: 16 acres
Average Depth: ~4 feet
Maximum Depth: ~5 feet
Primary Sportfish: black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, common carp, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, and white perch.
The Fishery:
Wolfe’s Pond is a picturesque waterbody on the outskirts of New York City, with great fishing opportunities and a salty past.
Situated adjacent to Raritan Bay, the berm at Wolfe’s Pond was breached in 1991 and 2011, releasing its freshwater contents into the marine environment. The berm on both occasions was repaired, most recently in 2019, and the pond restocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, and fathead minnows by New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks).
Recent NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) fish surveys found both largemouth bass and black crappie populations have been increasing in size over the past three years. In addition to the stocked fish, brown bullhead, golden shiner, white perch, pumpkinseed, gizzard shad, American eel, and common carp were also found to be present in the pond.
The fishery and aquatic habitat at Wolfe’s Pond offer enough variety to satisfy anglers of all skill levels, targeting a variety of fish species. If you are in the area, stop by and wet a line, you might be pleasantly surprised by this gem in New York City.
Access:
Wolfe’s Pond is located within Wolfe’s Pond Park and is accessible by car, public transport, or even foot if you are close by. Parking is available in a lot on the west end of Chester Ave. MTA bus lines S55, S56, S59, S78, SIM2 stop on Hyland Blvd where an additional walk is needed to get to the pond.
The most accessible area to fish is the pond’s eastern shoreline near the parking lot. There are fishing access points on the western shoreline off Holten Ave and on the north shoreline via Wolfe’s Pond Park trails.
Current Management/Research:
DEC statewide and special fishing regulations stipulate catch and release only, open to fishing all year, and a DEC Freshwater Fishing License required for those 16 years of age and older at Wolfe’s Pond. NYC Parks have additional fishing regulations prohibiting barbed hooks and lead weights ½ oz or less.
The pond has been sampled by DEC on four occasions since 2008 and stocked once by NYC Parks in 2020. DEC hopes to regularly monitor the bass and sunfish population going forward.
More information on Wolfe’s Pond.
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