B-Roll of fishing in New York State available here

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced that New York State’s trout and salmon fishing season will open on April 1. Ahead of the season opening, anglers can start planning their first outing on the I LOVE NY website, which features information on freshwater, saltwater and fly fishing as well as highlights ideal locations for fishing.

“New York is home to some of the best fishing opportunities in the world, and we are proud to kick off yet another season for trout and salmon," Governor Cuomo said. "Hundreds of thousands of visitors come to this state every year to enjoy the beautiful natural resources we have to offer, and I encourage all anglers to start planning their first fishing trip of the season right here in New York."

New York boasts 7,500 lakes and ponds and 70,000 miles of riversand streamsfor resident and visiting anglers to enjoy. The state is home to an estimated 1.9 million total anglers, while 297,000 non-resident anglers come to New York to fish, according to a study by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. New York’s sport fishing industry generates an estimated $1.96 billion in economic activity annually, supporting nearly 17,000 jobs.

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens said, “Some of the best fishing of the year can be found in lakes and ponds immediately following ice out. Enjoy opening day while using caution when fishing in high, cold water and icy banks and streambeds, common during the early season this time of year. To get ready for another great season of fishing in New York, the Department of Environmental Conservation plans to stock over 2.3 million catchable-size brook, brown and rainbow trout in 312 lakes and ponds and roughly 2,900 miles of streams across the state.”

Fishing Forecast & Conditions

Given the record-breaking cold winter New York has experienced, opening day conditions will be best on Long Island and in the lower Hudson Valley, which typically warm up earlier than other areas of the state and have fishable stream flows. Anglers will have the best success using bait and lures, such as spinners.

Early season trout fishing recommendations by the Department of Environmental Conservation can be found in the 2015 Coldwater Fishing Forecast at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/63598.html. The website also includes a map of recommended fishing locations at www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/42978.html and specific locations on streams where the Department of Environmental Conservation has purchased fishing easements at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9924.html. In addition, the free New York Fishing, Hunting & Wildlife mobile app provides up-to-date information on fishing, hunting, wildlife watching and other outdoor adventure opportunities in New York and gives both novice and seasoned outdoorsmen and women essential information in the palm of their hand.

Fishing Licenses

Before heading out for opening day, make sure you have your license. Anyone 16 years of age and older who desires to fish in New York must have a New York State fishing license. New York State reduced license fees in 2014 for both resident and non-resident anglers, making fishing in New York more affordable than ever.

Buying a license has also been made more convenient. Anglers can purchase their license and print them for immediate use on their home computer at www.licensecenter.ny.gov/. Anglers can also purchase their license by phone by calling 1-866-933-2257, or from the numerous license issuing agents across the state. Fishing licenses are now valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.

Those interested in purchasing a lifetime fishing license should consider a New York State Adventure license, which is incorporated on their NY Driver’s License and provides a free fishing themed license plate.

Regulations Changes

A number of regulation changes relating to trout fishing will take effect on April 1. These include the following special regulations:

• a new catch and release season for trout on designated sections of the Salmon River (Franklin County) and Ninemile Creek (Onondaga County);
• a year-round trout season, with catch and release fishing only from October 16 through March 31, on the following streams in Western New York: Chenunda Creek, Oatka Creek, Clear Creek, Fenton Brook, Prendergast Creek and waters in Allegany State Park; and
• a daily creel limit of five fish with no more than two fish longer than 12 inches, for some waters in Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida, and St. Lawrence counties, as well as for Little River and Oswegatchie River in St. Lawrence County and Oriskany Creek in Oneida County.

Anglers should use the 2015 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide available at all sporting license sales outlets, or at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7917.html. Anglers should also review the statewide trout regulations at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7917.html to determine whether any special regulations apply to the waters they intend to fish.

Fish Stocking

The Department of Environmental Conservation plans to stock over 2.3 million catchable-size brook, brown and rainbow trout in 312 lakes and ponds and roughly 2,900 miles of streams across the state. Spring stockings will include 1.74 million brown trout, 431,000 rainbow trout and 141,000 brook trout. Approximately 97,000 two-year-old brown trout 13-14 inches in length will also be stocked into lakes and streams across the state.

Nearly 3.7 million yearling lake trout, steelhead, landlocked salmon, splake, Chinook salmon and coho salmon will be also be stocked this spring to provide exciting angling opportunities over the next several years. For those who prefer a quieter, more remote setting, more than 330,000 brook trout fingerlings will be stocked in 338 lakes and ponds this spring and fall, providing unique angling opportunities for future years. For a complete list of waters planned to be stocked with trout this spring, go to www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/30465.html. A listing of waters stocked with trout last year can be found at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/30467.html.

The Department of Environmental Conservation’s stocking program traditionally commences in late March and early April with the stocking of catchable-size trout in the lower Hudson Valley, Long Island and Western New York. It then proceeds, as weather and stream conditions permit, to the Catskills, Adirondacks and other portions of the state. The thick ice cover on lakes and ponds in many areas of the state may delay the stocking of these waters this year. Stream stockings may also be delayed depending upon snow and ice conditions that may impede access for stocking trucks. Anglers are encouraged to contact the regional Department of Environmental Conservation office in the area they intend to fish for up to date stocking information.

Fishery & Access Improvements

As part of Governor Cuomo’s NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative aimed at increasing outdoor recreational opportunities in New York, significant improvements to the Department of Environmental Conservation’s fish hatchery system and waterway access facilities have been made. In 2014, $4 million in funding went to hatchery improvements, which included repaving and painting at Caledonia Hatchery and the acquisition of 16 new large stocking trucks and associated fish transport equipment. Other projects initiated in 2014 and slated for completion this year are replacement of fish rearing raceways (Chateaugay and Caledonia hatcheries), installation of new water treatment and heating equipment (Chautauqua and Oneida hatcheries) and replacement of the roof at Salmon River Hatchery.

In the 2015 Opportunity Agenda, Governor Cuomo proposes an additional $8 million for state land access projects and an additional $4 million for the state’s hatcheries in NY Works funding. The budget also proposes to create a new capital account which along with federal Pittman-Robertson funds will be used to manage, protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat, and to improve and develop public access for fish and wildlife-related recreation.

Since 2011, New York has invested more than $6 million in developing new and renovating existing boat launches. These projects include new boat launch facilities on Cuba Lake (Allegany County), Round Lake (Saratoga County) and Point Peninsula Isthmus and Three Mile Bay on Lake Ontario (Jefferson County). Boat launch renovations have been completed on Second Pond (Lower Saranac Lake) in Franklin County, Great Sacandaga Lake in Saratoga County, Lake Champlain (Peru Docks) in Clinton County and Schroon Lake (Horicon) in Warren County. By the beginning of the 2015 boating season, reconstruction of boat launches on Upper Saranac Lake (Franklin County) and Forge Pond – Peconic River (Suffolk County) will be done. A new boat launch at Lake George Beach on Lake George will also be completed this spring.

Clean, Drain and Dry: Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species

To help slow the spread of both aquatic and terrestrial invasive species, all citizens should clean, drain and dry watercraft and gear after boating and fishing. Anglers are reminded to be sure to disinfect their fishing equipment, including waders and boots before entering a new body of water. Since 2007, Didymo, an invasive algae species, has been discovered in the Battenkill and Kayderosseras Creek in Department of Environmental Conservation Region 5, Esopus Creek and Rondout Creek in Region 3 and the Little Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River and East Branch Delaware River in Region 4. Didymo can attach to waders, particularly felt soles, and this is believed to be the primary mechanism for its spread from its initial discovery location. Wading anglers are encouraged to use readily available alternatives to felt-soled waders and wading boots. All gear should be dried and/or disinfected before it is used in a new body of water. Methods to clean and disinfect fishing gear can be found at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/50121.html.

B-roll of fishing in New York State can be downloaded at: http://youtu.be/j2xE8HpJ36c.