Additional Fishing Information

Fishing - Pass It On

Ask anglers about the first fish they caught and chances are they'll remember many details. It's no wonder a lot of adults enjoy helping children try fishing - few lifetime experiences create such lasting memories.

Early angling experiences are not only fun, they help to develop and reinforce patience, persistence, careful observation, the ability to follow instructions and attention to detail. A lifetime sport, fishing can be enjoyed by any age level and with a wide range of abilities.

Not surprisingly, most anglers develop a strong sense of responsibility for the well being of the fish resources that provide so much pleasure. Some even become environmental leaders, helping to ensure that these natural resources remain available to future generations of anglers.

The Division of Fish, Wildlife, and Marine Resources is strongly committed to encouraging today's youth to become those future environmental leaders and stewards of our natural resources. Free fishing days, youth fishing clubs, Outdoor Woman, lifetime and reduced cost senior licenses, are initiatives reflecting that commitment. For information on local programs, such as urban fishing clinics and stream improvement projects, contact your DEC Regional Fisheries Manager (see DEC Regional Offices and Phone Numbers).

The future of fishing depends on you. Help make sure there are future anglers - take a child, non-fishing friend or relative fishing this season; you'll both be glad you did!

Catch-and-Release Fishing

A fresh fish dinner represents the ideal conclusion to a fishing trip to many people. However, as anglers gain experience, they often become increasingly concerned about the effects of fishing activities on their favorite waters. A relatively few skilled anglers can quickly catch a significant portion of a gamefish population. Indiscriminate removal, even within legal seasons and creel limits, may result in less desirable fisheries in sensitive waters. Anglers wanting to minimize their depletion of fisheries should consider releasing a large portion of gamefish caught. If fish are desired for a meal or two, keep just a few medium sized gamefish or, better yet, keep abundant panfish such as yellow perch, bullheads, or sunfish, if they are present. In any event, keep only those fish you are sure that you will use.

Whether the release of fish is dictated by fishing regulations or conservation, follow the simple guidelines for catch and release to be sure that the fish you release have the best possible chance to live and be caught again.

Catch and Release Tips

Quickly play and land fish.
Have necessary tools close at hand.
Unhook fish in water, if possible.
Handle fish carefully to avoid injury.
Cut leaders on deeply hooked fish.
Consider barbless hooks.
Don't "cull" fish.
Use good judgment.
Trout and salmon caught from water depths greater than 30 feet often develop distended air bladders due to the sudden pressure reduction. Learn to release these fish by requesting the pamphlet "Fish for the Future" from DEC Regional Offices (see DEC Regional Offices and Telephone Numbers).

Non-Native Plants and Animals

Many waters in New York State have been affected by the unintentional introduction of non-native plants and animals. Many additional lakes, ponds, and rivers where these unwanted invaders are not yet found are threatened with establishment of non-native species such as zebra mussels, Eurasian water milfoil and water chestnut. Other species of fish such as the round goby and the river ruffe (a small, perchlike fish) have recently become established in the Great Lakes and could spread through New York waters if great care is not taken. When species such as these become newly established in a water body, the absence of natural mechanisms such as predators or diseases to control the population can often result in out-of-control population growth. The invading species may rapidly displace native species through aggressive competition for resources such as food and growing space. The entire natural balance and species composition of the aquatic system can be seriously disrupted.

You can help to prevent the spread of unwanted aquatic species and maintain the best possible fishing in New York's lakes, ponds, and rivers by carefully following the guidelines below.

Stop Aquatic Invaders

Do Remove all mud and aquatic plants from all gear, boats, motors, and trailers before departing from the access site.
Do Drain all water including bilges, live wells, and bait tanks before departing from the access site.
Do Dry boat and equipment thoroughly after use or flush bilges and clean boat with very hot water or steam clean.
Do Not Transport fish from one body of water to another.
Do Not Release unused bait into any body of water.
Do Not Dispose of fish carcasses or by-products in any body of water.
Do Not Assume that a body of water is contaminated and ignore protective measures.

Fish as Bait

The introduction of non-native fish species into a body of water disrupts the established delicate balance of nature. Many of New York's lakes and ponds that once supported outstanding brook trout fisheries are now heavily populated with baitfish or small panfish. Trout populations decrease as introduced species become abundant and compete for food and living space. As these unwanted fish become established in one water body, there is risk of spread to nearby waters throughout the watershed.

DEC fisheries biologists strive to maintain native fish communities, but too often chemical reclamations necessary to remove undesirable fish and return ponds to their native species are impossible. Round whitefish, an Adirondack native species, has become endangered in New York State, largely from aggressive competition of non-native species.

The use and discarding of baitfish and the water in your bait bucket is also a potential means of spreading undesirable aquatic organisms such as zebra mussels and the parasite that causes whirling disease in trout.

Please carefully review the Special Regulations by County in this Guide for waters where the use and possession of baitfish is prohibited and remember:

Never use baitfish in waters where their use is prohibited.
Never release live bait from your bait bucket into any of New York's waters.
Never stock any species of fish in any water without first obtaining a free Fish Stocking Permit from your Regional Fisheries Manager.
Always dispose of water from your baitbucket on land, never pour it into a lake, pond, or stream.
Always encourage others to follow these guidelines to help New York's native fish populations to remain healthy and keep fishing productive.

Non-Toxic Sinkers

The loss of sinkers and lures is a routine part of fishing. Unfortunately, lost sinkers, especially split shot, may be mistaken for food or grit and eaten by waterbirds such as ducks, geese, swans, gulls, or loons. Toxic effects of even a single lead sinker can cause birds to sicken and increases the risk of death through predation, exposure, or lead poisoning.

As responsible anglers, we should seek to reduce the unintended effects on the natural environment and leave no trace of our presence. A trip to your favorite tackle shop will reveal a variety of alternatives to lead split shot, sinkers and jig heads. By switching to non-toxic sinkers with your next purchase, you can assure that your fishing tackle choices are helping to reduce the risk of lead poisoning to birds.

New York State passed legislation that will prohibit the sale of certain lead sinkers. Beginning in May 2004, the sale of lead fishing sinkers (including "split shot") weighing one-half ounce or less will not be permitted.

The new legislation (Environmental Conservation Law, Section 11-0308) regarding the ban of sale of small lead fishing sinkers states:

S 11-0308.* Sale of small lead fishing sinkers prohibited.

1. No person shall sell at retail or offer for retail sale lead fishing sinkers weighing one-half ounce or less. Each day of sale or offering for sale shall constitute a separate violation of this section.
2. For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(a) "sinker" shall mean any device that is designed to be attached to a fishing line and intended to sink the line. Such term shall not include artificial lures, weighted line, weighted flies or jig heads.
(b) "sell at retail" or "retail sale" shall mean the sale to any person in the state for any purpose other than for resale.
3. The department shall provide notice of the prohibition of the retail sale or offering for sale of lead fishing sinkers weighing one-half ounce or less in the state fishing regulations guide.
* NB Effective May 7, 2004

Reporting Violations

How to Report a Violation

If you observe someone violating the Environmental Conservation Law, or see the result of a violation, report it! Poachers are not sportsmen - they are thieves. Those who pollute our air and water, and destroy our environment, are criminals.

We all need to support our Environmental Conservation Police and Turn in Poachers and Polluters (TIPP). There are 300 Environmental Conservation Police Officers and Investigators in New York State. They each must patrol an average of 400 square miles. That's a lot of ground and water to cover! Clearly, assistance from all of New York State's responsible sportsmen and women, along with other concerned citizens, is vital.

You can help by reporting every Environmental Conservation Law violation seen or suspected:

When a violation is observed, keep a distance from the violator. Do not approach or attempt to confront the suspects. They may be dangerous, could destroy evidence, or simply evade the officers if forewarned.
Write everything down. Make notes on what the poachers or polluters are doing. How many people are involved?
What did they look like? Determine and record identifying features such as age, sex, height, weight, hair color, and any other marks, scars, or characteristics that would aid in identifying the person(s).
How were they dressed? Note the type and color of the suspect's hat, coat, trousers, and shoes or boots.
What kind of vehicle was involved? Jot down license numbers, color, make, model, year, and anything else to help authorities track down the violator.

How to Contact the Environmental Conservation Police

Call 1-877-457-5680 to contact Environmental Conservation Police Officers through DEC's dispatch system. Officers work out of their homes and patrol an area in most cases about the size of the county in which they are located.

TIPP DEC

Stop poachers and polluters in their tracks! Call: 1-800-TIPP DEC. It's toll free and confidential.

TIPP DEC (1-800-847-7332) is available 24 hours a day to report Environmental Conservation Law violations. Cash rewards are made available to callers whose information leads to an arrest. The identify of all TIPP informants is kept confidential.

Turn in Poachers and Polluters (TIPP) is jointly funded by TIPP NY (not-for-profit corporation) and DEC.

Donations to TIPP NY, Inc., are invited. Organizations can become TIPP members for $50/year (allows one voting position on the TIPP Board of Directors). Individuals can donate any amount - $5 qualifies for individual membership and $25 qualifies as an associate member (both non-voting). Additional donations are welcomed and needed to continue the worthwhile TIPP NY work. All donations are tax deductible under 501 C3 of the IRS Code of US.

Send your contribution to:
TIPP NY, Inc.
PO Box 12786
Albany, NY 12212-2786