For Release: Thursday, April 30, 2009
Fishing Season to Open for Several Prized Freshwater Species
Walleye, Northern Pike, Pickerel, and Tiger Muskellunge Season Opens on May 2; Catch-and-Release Bass Season is Open on Many of the State's Waters
With the opening of the season for many popular warm-water and cool-water gamefish species, fishing season in New York State is now in full swing. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is providing tips for anglers for the May 2 opening day for Walleye, Northern Pike, Pickerel, and Tiger Muskellunge, as well as the catch-and-release bass season already in progress on most state waters.
"Our surveys continue to indicate that warm-water fish draw the most attention from our anglers," said DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis. "We have the good fortune in New York to have fantastic fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and other popular warm-water species, often closer to home than people might think."
The DEC's fishing homepage provides a wealth of information on freshwater fishing including hotlines/news for current fishing tips, fishing regulations and a listing of warmwater fishing locations in each DEC region. In addition, DEC suggests regional hotspots that should provide excellent fishing in 2009.
Help Stop the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species and Fish Diseases
Anglers are reminded of the important role that they play in preventing the spread of potentially damaging aquatic invasive species and fish diseases. Fishing equipment, particularly waders and wading shoes, should be dried for at least 48 hours before moving from water to water. If drying is not possible, equipment must be disinfected. One of the easiest and safest ways to disinfect gear is by soaking it for 10 minutes in a cleanser/disinfectant containing the ingredient alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride. This ingredient is found in most common household antiseptic cleansers such as Fantastic®, Formula 409® and Spray Nine®. For more information request the new brochure "Stop the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species and Fish Diseases in New York State" from your local DEC office.
Fish diseases can also be spread through the careless use of baitfish. Anglers are reminded that a new "Green List" of baitfish species that can be commercially collected and/or sold for fishing in any water body in New York where it is legal to use fish as bait has now been established in regulation. In most cases, these fish must also be certified disease free. For a complete discussion of these regulations and how to identify these approved baitfish species, download the new brochure "Baitfish of New York State" (PDF,1.1 Mb) at www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/baitfishofny.pdf. Personal collection and use of baitfish other than those on the "Green List" is permitted, but only on the water from which they were collected and they may not be transported overland by motorized vehicle.
