From the June 2004 issue

Fishing Season Is Underway

The fishing opportunities in New York
are second to none

The seasons for walleye, northern pike, pickerel and tiger muskellunge, as well as the special early season for black bass in Lake Erie, opened as of May 1. This year, black bass season opens in most New York State waters on June 19, 2004.

Free Sportfishing Clinics

DEC is celebrating fishing season all summer by offering Free Sport Fishing Clinics. No license is required to fish while participating in these clinics. Please come and join us on the dates and times below:

June 9, 2004- Suffolk County at the Girl Scout Family Fishing Clinic, Camp Edey, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Registration is required; contact Claudia Bowers at (631) 472-1625, extension 208.

June 12, 2004- Erie County at the Family Fishing Day Clinic, Tift Nature Preserve, Fuhrmann Blvd, Buffalo, from 10:00 AM to 2:00. Contact Partricia Nelson at (716) 851-7010.

June 13, 2004- Cayuga County at the Falcon Sportsmen Kid's Fishing Derby, Falcon Sportsmen Club, Turnpike Road, Auburn, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Contact Tim Noga at (315) 252-1321.

June 13, 2004- Otsego County at the Kids Fishing Clinic, Hodges Pond, Neahwah Park, Oneonta, from 12:00 PM to 3:30 PM. Contact the DEC Regional Fisheries Unit at (607) 652-2620.

June 26, 2004- Suffolk County at the Family Fishing Festival, Lake Ronkonkoma, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Contact the DEC Regional Fisheries Unit at (631) 444-0280.

July 17, 2004- St. Lawrence County at the Sea Way Festival, St. Lawrence and Oswegatchie rivers, Ogdensburg. Call for clinic time. Contact the DEC Regional Fisheries Unit at (315) 785-2262.

August 21, 2004- Nassau County at the Hempstead Lake Family Fishing Clinic, Hempstead Lake State Park, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Contact the DEC Regional Fisheries Unit at (631) 444-0280.

October 23, 2004- Nassau County at the Hempstead Lake Family Fishing Clinic, Hempstead Lake State Park, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Contact the DEC Regional Fisheries Unit at (631) 444-0280.

Free Fishing Days

In addition to fishing clinics, DEC has designated the last weekend in June, June 26 and 27, as Free Fishing Days in New York State. During those two days, anyone can legally fish New York State waters without a fishing license. Since no license is required, it is the perfect time to take a friend or relative.

First time anglers, as well as those who have drifted away from the sport, should take advantage of this opportunity to see how much fun fishing can be. For more information about Free Fishing Days, contact your DEC Regional Fisheries Office.

Check Regulations Before Heading Out

Check the latest fishing
rules and regulations
before heading out

Before heading out, anglers should be sure to carefully check current fishing regulations because there may be exceptions to the statewide regulations in certain areas. This information is available in the Fishing Regulations Guide, 2002-2004, which was issued with your license. Anglers are responsible for having the current year's fishing license before hitting the water.

Unleaded Sinkers, Please

Anglers and New York State fishing tackle retailers also are reminded that the sale of small lead sinkers weighing one-half ounce or less is now prohibited in New York State. Although the law does not prohibit the use of lead sinkers of this size, anglers are encouraged to seek non-lead alternatives which are readily available in tackle stores. Ingestion of lead sinkers has been linked to the death of waterfowl and loons. Jig heads, weighted flies, artificial lures or weighted line are not included in this prohibition.

Habitat/Access Stamps on Sale

Your purchase of a Habitat/Access Stamp
helps to improve and maintain fish habitat

DEC also encourages all anglers to consider buying a $5 Habitat/Access Stamp when purchasing or renewing a fishing license. Revenue from the sale of the new optional habitat stamp goes into a dedicated account within the Conservation Fund to be used for projects to both protect and improve habitat and provide public access for fishing and other wildlife-related recreation.