DEC designates several dates throughout the year as free fishing days, which allows anyone to recreationally fish without a fishing license in New York State! Saturday, February 18 and Sunday, February 19, 2023 are designated free fishing days for President's Day weekend. This offers the perfect opportunity to try out fishing for the first time, for getting back into the sport after taking a break, or for taking a friend or the whole family along to fish!

Even though a license is not needed, all fishing regulations apply. As a result, be sure to familiarize yourself with the Freshwater Fishing Regulations or Saltwater Fishing Regulations prior to venturing out.

Don't forget to download and use the Tacklebox feature in DEC's HuntFishNY mobile app to find places to fish, including boat launches and parking areas, as well as freshwater fishing regulations, likely fish species, and stocking information per waterbody!

Enjoy winter recreation and exclusive winter access to the preserved buildings of Camp Santanoni. Embark on a 9.8-mile round trip cross-country ski or snowshoe along Newcomb Lake Road from the Gate Lodge Complex to the lakeside Main Camp Complex. Visit both the Gate Lodge and Main Lodge of Camp Santanoni, take interpretive tours with Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) volunteers, and warm up in the Artist's Studio. The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry's (SUNY ESF) Adirondack Interpretive Center (AIC) provides snowshoes free of charge to visitors at the Gate Lodge. These events are hosted by DEC, AARCH, the town of Newcomb, and the SUNY ESF AIC.

Camp Santanoni Historic Area: 58 Newcomb Lake Rd, Newcomb, NY 12852

*This event was canceled due to unsafe ice conditions.*

Participate in a free Beginner's Ice Fishing Clinic co-hosted by NYS DEC and the Washington County Federation of Sportsmen at Carters Pond Wildlife Management Area in the Town of Greenwich, Washington County on Saturday, February 19 from 9 AM - 2 PM. In addition to casting a rod and catching fish, participants can learn about fish identification, ice fishing equipment and techniques, fisheries management, angling ethics, aquatic ecology, and more!

Location/Address: Carters Pond Wildlife Management Area, 532-540 County Rte 40, Greenwich, NY 12865

Visit the Free Learn to Fish Clinics page for more information and other upcoming events near you.

Enjoy winter recreation and exclusive winter access to the preserved buildings of Camp Santanoni. Embark on a 9.8-mile round trip cross-country ski or snowshoe along Newcomb Lake Road from the Gate Lodge Complex to the lakeside Main Camp Complex. Visit both the Gate Lodge and Main Lodge of Camp Santanoni, take interpretive tours with Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) volunteers, and warm up in the Artist's Studio. The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry's (SUNY ESF) Adirondack Interpretive Center (AIC) provides snowshoes free of charge to visitors at the Gate Lodge. These events are hosted by DEC, AARCH, the town of Newcomb, and the SUNY ESF AIC.

Camp Santanoni Historic Area: 58 Newcomb Lake Rd, Newcomb, NY 12852

Snow snake is a traditional Haudenosaunee game played during the winter. The object of the game is to throw your snow snake (a straight tree branch) the farthest along a smooth trough made in the snow. Snow snakes come in various lengths. Five Rivers’ snow snake sessions will demonstrate how to prepare the branch for racing by removing twigs, sanding rough spots, decorating, and waxing. You will head home with a branch, sandpaper, and wax to use for the creation of your own unique snow snake by race day. Race day is February 23, 2023 (snow date February 24), with heats at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

Who? Everyone! Adult individuals, friends, or families with children (6 family members maximum)

When? One-hour storytelling and instruction at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 1:00 PM, December 28–30, 2022 and February 21, 2023

Race Heats at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM on February 23, 2022 (snow date February 24)

Where? In person at Five Rivers’ amphitheater

Fee? Friends Members = $15/individual or $20/family; Non-members = $20/individual plus $5 for each additional participant; fees include materials. Organized groups (Scouts, schools, etc.), please email for rates.

Preregistration is required. For detailed information including fees, or to register, visit FriendsofFiveRivers.org and look under the “Education Programs” tab.   

The Winter Raptor Survey is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy Five Rivers and the wildlife that live here while helping biologists save these inspiring birds. Outdoor surveys occur every other week (weather permitting) throughout the winter. They start 30 minutes before sunset and end 30 minutes after. Volunteers meet at the visitor center and walk in teams to monitoring sites at Five Rivers. Volunteers do not need experience or to make a winter-long commitment. Study dates are subject to change due to weather conditions. 

Pre-registration is required. Call 518-475-0291 or email 5Rivers@dec.ny.gov for more information or to register.

Tentative Survey Dates:

(Weather dependent; subject to change at the last minute.)

Jan. 10 – Meet at 3:45 PM. Survey begins at 4:12 PM.
Jan. 24 – Meet at 4:00 PM. Survey begins at 4:29 PM.
Feb. 7 – Meet at 4:15 PM. Survey begins at 4:47 PM. 
Feb. 21 – Meet at 4:30 PM. Survey begins at 5:05 PM.
March 7 – Meet at 4:45 PM. Survey begins at 5:22 PM.
March 21 – Meet at 6:00 PM. Survey begins at 6:39 PM.   

*This event is canceled due to unsafe ice conditions and will not be rescheduled this year*

Participate in a free Beginner's Ice Fishing Clinic co-hosted by NYS DEC and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historical Preservation (OPRHP) in Cooperstown, Otsego County on Wednesday. February 22 from 9 AM - 3 PM. In addition to casting a rod and catching fish, participants can learn about fish identification, ice fishing equipment and techniques, fisheries management, angling ethics, aquatic ecology, and more!

Location/Address*: Glimmerglass State Park (Otsego Lake) 1527 County Hwy 31, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or Baker's Beach (Canadarago Lake) 8114 State Highway 28, Richfield Springs, NY, 13439

*Location dependent on ice conditions.

Rain Date: 2/23/23

Visit the Free Learn to Fish Clinics page for more information and other upcoming events near you.

A legislative hearing pursuant to 6 NYCRR Part 621 (Uniform Procedures) to receive unsworn comments from the public on the ASF applications was held on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. The hearing was conducted electronically through Webex.

Written statements and comments on the application are encouraged, and any statements and comments may be filed no later than the deadline for written comments, which is February 22, 2023. 

Individuals and parties may file written comments to the Contact Person or may submit comments electronically at DEPEnergy@dec.ny.gov.

Join us as we monitor the birds at Five Rivers. Meet outside the visitor center. After a brief introduction, we'll head out on the trails. Beginners are welcome. Bring binoculars if you have them. We have a few to loan.

 In case of inclement weather, this program will be canceled. For more information, call 518-475-0291.   

Learn the basics of cross-country skiing before going on a short, guided ski tour. $15/person, $10 for Friends members. 

We welcome those who have any type of physical challenge to all our programs. If you call ahead to let us know your needs, we will be happy to learn how we can serve you.

PLEASE NOTE

• Registration is required for ALL programs unless otherwise indicated; call 716-683-5959 to register. 
• If you call outside of normal business hours, you will receive a call confirming your registration or waitlist status. PLEASE SPEAK CLEARLY when leaving your name and phone number as our system does not have caller ID. Unless you receive a callback, you are not registered. 
• Registration is limited to two programs/month. If you want to sign up for additional programs, you will be added to the waitlist. No limit for virtual programs.
• Social distancing and mask protocols are subject to change with current COVID guidelines.
• If you or a family member feels ill, is waiting for COVID test results or have COVID symptoms, please stay at home.
• In case of poor weather, programs may be cancelled.
  
• We cannot accommodate organized youth/civic groups at these programs. Please call to make other arrangements.

Snow snake is a traditional Haudenosaunee game played during the winter. The object of the game is to throw your snow snake (a straight tree branch) the farthest along a smooth trough made in the snow. Snow snakes come in various lengths. Five Rivers’ snow snake sessions will demonstrate how to prepare the branch for racing by removing twigs, sanding rough spots, decorating, and waxing. You will head home with a branch, sandpaper, and wax to use for the creation of your own unique snow snake by race day. Race day is February 23, 2023 (snow date February 24), with heats at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

Who? Everyone! Adult individuals, friends, or families with children (6 family members maximum)

When? 

Race Heats at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM on February 23, 2022 (snow date February 24)

Where? In person at Five Rivers’ amphitheater

Fee? Friends Members = $15/individual or $20/family; Non-members = $20/individual plus $5 for each additional participant; fees include materials. Organized groups (Scouts, schools, etc.), please email for rates.

Preregistration is required. For detailed information including fees, or to register, visit FriendsofFiveRivers.org and look under the “Education Programs” tab.   

What: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) 13-member Climate Justice Working Group (CJWG), established under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), will hold a meeting on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. The Climate Justice Working Group is tasked with establishing criteria for identifying Disadvantaged Communities for the purposes of co-pollutant reductions, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, regulatory impact statements, and the allocation of investments pursuant to the CLCPA.  

This meeting will include the vote on the final Disadvantaged Communities criteria. Members of the public are welcome to attend in person or listen to the meeting via webcast. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged and can be done by clicking the WebEx link below.

Where: Virtual - WebEx meeting and registration link

Webinar password: cjwg2.23.23 (25942123 from phones)

Audio: Dial 1-518-549-0500; Access code: 2349 827 6746

In-Person: Event locations, times, and partners:

• NY Green Bank, Alistair W.C. Clark Boardroom, 1333 Broadway, Suite 300, New York, NY 10018
• New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) 15 Columbia Circle, Plattsburgh Conference Room, Albany, NY 12203 
• DEC Region 5 Office, 1115 NYS Rt. 86, Ray Brook, NY 12977
• DEC Region 8 Office, 6274 East Avon-Lima Rd., Avon, NY 14414

This meeting will also be recorded and posted on the Climate Act website within three days, or as soon as practicable. 

It’s National Invasive Species Week!

Join DEC and the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets to learn about spotted lanternfly (SLF) control and what you can do right now to help manage SLF in your backyard. There will be two opportunities to join in. 10 AM on Facebook Live, and 11 AM on Instagram Live. A short Q&A session will follow each presentation.

It’s National Invasive Species Week!

Join DEC and the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets to learn about spotted lanternfly (SLF) control and what you can do right now to help manage SLF in your backyard. There will be two opportunities to join in. 10 AM on Facebook Live, and 11 AM on Instagram Live. A short Q&A session will follow each presentation.

Search for signs of wildlife and learn how these animals survive the winter.

We welcome those who have any type of physical challenge to all our programs. If you call ahead to let us know your needs, we will be happy to learn how we can serve you.

PLEASE NOTE

• Registration is required for ALL programs unless otherwise indicated; call 716-683-5959 to register. 
• If you call outside of normal business hours, you will receive a call confirming your registration or waitlist status. PLEASE SPEAK CLEARLY when leaving your name and phone number as our system does not have caller ID. Unless you receive a callback, you are not registered. 
• Registration is limited to two programs/month. If you want to sign up for additional programs, you will be added to the waitlist. No limit for virtual programs.
• Social distancing and mask protocols are subject to change with current COVID guidelines.
• If you or a family member feels ill, is waiting for COVID test results or have COVID symptoms, please stay at home.
• In case of poor weather, programs may be cancelled.
  
• We cannot accommodate organized youth/civic groups at these programs. Please call to make other arrangements.

Take a quiet stroll through the woods and listen to the sounds of winter wildlife. For adults and children ages 12 and older.

We welcome those who have any type of physical challenge to all our programs. If you call ahead to let us know your needs, we will be happy to learn how we can serve you.

PLEASE NOTE

• Registration is required for ALL programs unless otherwise indicated; call 716-683-5959 to register. 
• If you call outside of normal business hours, you will receive a call confirming your registration or waitlist status. PLEASE SPEAK CLEARLY when leaving your name and phone number as our system does not have caller ID. Unless you receive a callback, you are not registered. 
• Registration is limited to two programs/month. If you want to sign up for additional programs, you will be added to the waitlist. No limit for virtual programs.
• Social distancing and mask protocols are subject to change with current COVID guidelines.
• If you or a family member feels ill, is waiting for COVID test results or have COVID symptoms, please stay at home.
• In case of poor weather, programs may be cancelled.
  
• We cannot accommodate organized youth/civic groups at these programs. Please call to make other arrangements.