Public Fishing Rights

Fishing is a timeless tradition enjoyed by millions of people of all ages, and New York State has some of the finest fishing waters in the nation. Many of these waters, however, can be difficult to reach because they are privately owned.

Since 1935, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has worked with private landowners to ensure access to these prime fishing waters. During that time, more than 1,280 miles of public fishing rights (PFR) easements and 250 points of access (parking areas and footpath rights-of-way) have been purchased on more than 350 streams across the state.

Public Fishing Rights (PFRs) are permanent easements purchased by the NYSDEC from landowners, giving sportsman the right-of-way to fish and walk along the bank (usually a 33-foot strip on one or both banks of the stream). Fishing rights also allow the public to park in designated parking areas and to access the stream via marked footpaths.

Public fishing rights do not include public access for other purposes including trapping, hunting, camping, boating or picnicking. These other activities may be enjoyed only with permission from the landowner. PFR does not interfere with the landowner's use of the property for purposes such as farming, grazing, water supply and fishing.

More about Public Fishing Rights:

Public Fishing Rights Information Request Form - To request information about selling fishing rights easements to the state.
PFR on Selected Waters in New York - Maps for Public Fishing Rights on selected waters in the state (DEC Regions 3, 6, 7, 8 and 9).
Public Fishing Rights and the Landowner - Explanation of Public Fishing Rights and the landowner benefits of selling PFR.

PFR Adirondacks/Lake Champlain - Maps and brochures showing location of Public Fishing Rights in Region 5.