Inland Trout Stream Management in New York
Opportunity to comment on proposed regulations: DEC is taking formal comments on proposed changes to Trout Stream Sportfishing Regulations based on the Trout Stream Management Plan. The comment period is open until January 25, 2021.
New York State Trout Stream Management Plan
The DEC's new Trout Stream Management Plan is founded on angler desires, sound science, and guiding principles that embrace simplicity, encourage angling participation and place value on managing for self-sustaining populations. The plan makes a sharp distinction between wild trout and stocked trout management, using a set of five management categories to clearly define fisheries management objectives. This approach balances the need to manage and restore natural populations while also supplying additional recreational opportunities.
Major Elements of the Plan
- Drawing a clear line between wild fish and stocked trout management;
- Placing greater emphasis on habitat improvement;
- Making management simpler and more understandable;
- Eliminating unnecessary regulations;
- Providing year-round fishing opportunities through the creation of a statewide catch-and-release season;
- Extending the duration of stocking on select stream reaches;
- Increasing the size of stocked fish;
- Ensuring that each stocking contains some fish that are 12 inches or larger;
- Improving the vigor of hatchery brown trout for increased survival;
- Developing an interactive map for information on stream reach management and fishing access locations; and
- Expanding outreach on the significance of wild trout populations and the water they inhabit.
Read the New York State Trout Stream Management Plan (PDF)
Related documents
- Categorization of New York State Trout Stream Reaches (PDF): This document contains the current list of management categories assigned to New York trout stream reaches. It is updated in mid-February of every year starting in 2021.
- Assessment of Public Comments on draft New York State Trout Stream Management Plan (PDF): This document provides a summary of the 489 public comments that were received on the draft plan. General theses to recurring comments were identified (22 total themes); responses to those themes are included in the document. The appendix includes the full text of comments that were received (with personal identifying information removed).
Special Projects
Fisheries Investigation Plan for the Delaware Tailwaters
The Delaware tailwaters are one of New York's premier wild trout fisheries. The information on the biological and angler use characteristics of the wild trout fishery of the Delaware tailwaters is outdated and predates significant changes in the fishery. This Plan outlines the information we will be collecting that will help develop a new trout management plan for the Delaware Tailwaters.
Learn more about the Fisheries Investigation Plan for the Delaware Tailwaters.
Fall 2017 Public Meeting Series
A concise report summarizing the statewide meeting series on trout stream management conducted during the fall of 2017 is available.
Learn more about the meetings and the results.
More about Inland Trout Stream Management in New York:
- Public Perspectives on Trout Stream Management in New York State - Public Perspectives on Trout Stream Management in New York State - Fall 2017 Public Meeting Series Summary
- Fisheries Investigation Plan for the Delaware Tailwaters - Access to PDF documents for the Fisheries Investigation Plan for the Delaware Tailwaters.
