Highlights of 2010 - 2012 Fishing Regulation Changes

The following is a partial list of fishing regulation changes which will take effect on October 1, 2010. Always be sure the check the regulations on the specific body of water you plan on fishing to make sure the regulations did not change.

As of August 17, 2011, the number of allowable lines, with or without a rod, that may be used for angling in freshwater was increased to 3 lines. Where ice fishing is permitted, 3 hand lines plus 5 tip-ups may be used.
The special allowance for five extra brook trout less than eight inches , principally in DEC Regions 5 and 7, has been eliminated. With the exception of certain water-specific regulations, the daily limit is now five trout of any size.
A 10 fish daily limit has been established for river herring (alewife and blueback herring) on the Delaware River and West Branch Delaware River bordering Pennyslvania.
The 18" minimum size, 3 fish daily limit regulation for walleye on Burden Lake and Dunham Reservoir in Rensselaer County and Muskellunge Lake (Jefferson County) has been eliminated. Statewide regulations now apply.
Fishing has been seasonally prohibited on a section of the Oswegatchie River in St. Lawrence County below the dam in Ogdensburg to protect spawning walleye.
Fishing for or possessing river herring (alewife and blueback herring) on the Mohawk River in Saratoga County between Lock 2 and Guard Gate 2 (Waterford Flight) is now prohibited.
A 1.8 mile catch and release/artificials only section has been established for trout on the Chittenango Creek between Cazenovia and Chittenango in Madison County.
The baitfish use restriction in Weeds Mine Pond in Columbia County has been eliminated.

Selected Long Island Highlights of Changes

The catch and release regulation for all species at Hempstead Lake in Nassau County has been eliminated. County-wide regulations now apply.
The 15 inch minimum size limit for black bass in Fort Pond and Lake Ronkonkoma in Suffolk County has been reduced to 12 inches.
A year-round catch and release season has been established for black bass in Randall Pond in Suffolk County.

Selected Adirondack Highlights of Changes

Special regulations for chain pickerel in various Region 5 waters have been eliminated. Statewide regulations now apply.
Special regulations for northern pike on Adirondack Lake in Hamilton County have been eliminated. Statewide regulations now apply.
Special regulations for yellow perch and sunfish in Clinton, Essex, Franklin and Hamilton Counties, including Schroon Lake have been eliminated. Statewide regulations now apply.
The open season for trout on Glen Lake (Warren County) has been extended to permit ice fishing.
The minimum size limit for lake trout has been reduced from 21" to 18" in Lake Bonaparte (Lewis County).