Fish must be taken during their respective open season by angling or ice fishing in New York State waters in accordance with New York State Fishing Regulations. Angling does not include any method by which the fish are foul hooked. Fish showing signs of foul hooking, gill nets, tampering or foreign objects will be disqualified.
Qualifying fish must be entered on an official entry form (PDF) (60 KB) or facsimile. All applicable portions of the entry form must be completed.
Entry forms must be received by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Bureau of Fisheries within 30 days of the catch.
All entries must be accompanied by a clear, side-view photograph of the fish or the angler with the fish (if possible). Information provided on the entry form and any associated photographs become the property of the DEC and may be used for promotional purposes. Photographs cannot be returned.
The number of pins awarded annually will be limited to one pin per angler per species.
To enter a fish in the Annual Award category:
Make sure the fish is one of the 45 species designated under the Annual Award category.
Make sure the fish is weighed on a certified scale by the owner or an employee of the business where the scale is located. Certified scales can be found at post offices, supermarkets and bait shops, just to name a few. Fish weighed on personal handheld scales will not be accepted.
Make sure sections A - C & G of the entry form are completed.
Make sure a side view photograph of the fish (angler with the fish, if possible) is enclosed with the entry form. Photograph must be taken at the catch site; entry forms accompanied by photographs taken at the angler's home, bait shop, etc. will be disqualified.
Make sure the fish is handled properly. Fish should be measured, photographed and released quickly. Improper handling (i.e. fish hanging from stringers or scales) will result in disqualification. Fish not released promptly (i.e. weighed off-site prior to release) are not eligible for Catch and Release consideration.
To enter a fish in the State Record category:
Make sure the fish is one of the 45 species designated for State Record consideration.
b. Make sure the fish is weighed on a certified scale by the owner or an employee of the business where the scale is located.
Make sure weighing is observed by one witness other than the scale owner or business employee.
Fish must exceed previous record by a minimum of 1 oz. in order to qualify as a new state record.
Make sure sections A - G of the entry form are completed.
Make sure a side view photograph of the fish (angler with the fish if possible) is enclosed with the entry form.
Make sure the fish is identified and examined by a DEC fisheries biologist or a designee prior to any cutting of the fish or removal of entrails. Section F will be completed by the person verifying the fish.
Fish fed or otherwise grown with the intention of breaking a state record will be disqualified.
Completed entry forms [for fish entered in the Annual Award or Catch and Release categories] should be sent directly to: NYSDEC, Bureau of Fisheries, New York State Angler Achievement Awards, 625 Broadway, 5th Floor, Albany, NY 12233-4753. (Completed entry forms for fish entered in the State Record category should be sent directly to DEC's Bureau of Fisheries Regional Office nearest you.)
The DEC Bureau of Fisheries reserves the right to reject any Angler Achievement Award Application on the basis of erroneous species identification, improper handling, illegal fishing methods, evidence of tampering or foreign objects, or inability to adequately document any of the circumstances relating to the catch.
