From the April 2007 issue

New York State Trout Fishing Season Begins

April 1 is opening day of the 2007 trout season in New York and, as is true every year, anglers can look forward to another great year of fishing, thanks to the diversity of angling opportunities throughout the state.

Stream Conditions Look Favorable

DEC plans to stock 2.3 million catchable-size trout in New York waters this season

In 2006, stream flows and water temperatures during the summer were generally good for trout survival, which should result in a good number of holdover trout this spring. Severe flooding in the western Catskills significantly altered many trout streams last year, but if the results of a post-event fisheries survey on the West Branch of the Delaware can be extended to other streams in the region, the impact on the trout population may not have been as bad as first feared. Despite significant snow and ice conditions that linger during the early season in the more mountainous areas of the state, 2007 should be another good year for New York trout anglers as spring warms up.

Use extreme caution while wading in high waters early in the season due to the potential for icy banks and high flows in many of the state's rivers and streams. The early season is a great time to try smaller tributaries that have more manageable flows, and are more likely to hold larger populations of wild trout.

Stocking Enhances Fishery

This year, DEC plans to stock 2.3 million catchable-size brook, brown, and rainbow trout in almost 300 lakes and ponds and roughly 3,100 miles of streams across the state. For a complete list of waters planned to be stocked with trout this spring, go to the Trout Stocking web link below.

In addition to stocked waters, New York State has thousands of miles of wild trout streams that provide excellent fishing opportunities. Regional fisheries offices, which are listed in the Fishing Regulations Guide, can offer specific details about these streams.

In addition to stocked waters, New York State has thousands of miles of wild trout streams that provide excellent fishing opportunities

Increasing Public Access

DEC remains committed to increasing public access to New York's cold-water streams. The Public Fishing Rights (PFR) program provides anglers access to New York's rivers and streams. PFR signs mark easements, but anglers are reminded that landowners maintain the right to post these parcels against activities other than fishing. Anglers are encouraged to contact their regional office for maps or directions to PFR holdings. In addition, PFR maps and brochures for DEC regions 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 can be found at the Public Fishing Rights web page. For lake and pond anglers, lake contour maps are available at the Lake Contour Maps web page. Both of these web links are listed below.

Check the Fishing Regulations Guide prior to heading out to ensure you are complying with varying creel limits and season dates. Also, permits are required for fishing New York City reservoirs. Updated information and permit application can be obtained at the New York City Water Supply Fishing Permits web page (see "Related Links" below) or by calling 1-800-575-LAND.

VHS Cautions

New restrictions on use of baitfish and transportation of live fish have been enacted due to the detection of a serious fish disease, viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS). With some specific exceptions, all live baitfish sold for use on New York State waters must be certified to be free of VHS and a number of other potentially serious fish diseases. This restriction does not apply to commercially packaged and preserved dead baitfish such as salted minnows. Personal collection and use of baitfish is permitted, but these baitfish may only be used on the water from which they were collected and may not be transported off the body of water. For more on VHS and how DEC is acting to prevent its spread, go to VHS web page using the link below, and also see the related article in this issue of Environment DEC.

Habitat/Access Stamps and DECALS

When purchasing a fishing license, consider purchasing a Habitat/Access Stamp for $5 from any sporting license issuing agent. Proceeds from the sale of these stamps are used to increase and improve angler access to cold-water streams. Anglers are also reminded they can purchase fishing licenses online through DEC's Automated Licensing System (DECALS), provided that they have purchased a license in the past (see the link to DECALS below). See the link to the complete press release below for much more information about the opening of trout season.

Offsite Links

NYC Water Supply Fishing Permits