I FISH NY Programs
I FISH NY serves to increase fishing participation and awareness of the outstanding fishing opportunities that New York has to offer. The program introduces people to the sport of angling through a variety of different approaches.
Look below to find a program that meets your needs.
- Organized Group Fishing Education Programs
- In-School Fishing Education Programs (Downstate only)
- Fishing Rod Loaner Program
- Lesson Plans for Educators
- Free Learn to Fish Clinics
- Getting Started Fishing Guides and Brochures
Organized Group Fishing Education Programs
For: Summer camps, after-school groups, outdoor clubs, and scout programs; All ages and abilities
Locations Offered: Statewide
Details: DEC educators provide fishing instruction and teach about fish species, fish anatomy, fishing regulations, fishing licenses, and more. During these programs, bait is provided and gear is available to borrow for free.
More Information/Scheduling: Contact the DEC Regional Office for your county
In-School Fishing Education Programs
For: Grade school classrooms three and up
Locations Offered: Long Island and New York City only
Details: DEC educators visit classrooms and teach from a variety of lesson plans covering topics on fish anatomy, fish classification and adaptations, and food webs. Students later participate in a fishing trip to a local water body where fishing instruction, gear, and bait are provided. Schools are responsible for student transportation, an adult to student ratio no less than 1:5, and any applicable park use fees.
More Information/Scheduling: Contact the DEC Region 1 or Region 2 Office for your county
Fishing Rod Loaner Program
This I FISH NY program offers opportunities for anglers to borrow fishing equipment (rods, bobbers, and hooks) for free. This is a great way for beginner anglers to get started and familiar with the sport of fishing before purchasing their own equipment.
Borrowing Fishing Equipment
- Find a participating location near you to rent spin casting rods, bobbers, and hooks.
- Individuals 16 years or older must have a valid freshwater fishing license.
- A library card may be required. Please call ahead to the participating location.
- Individuals need to use their own bait and must follow New York's freshwater fishing regulations.
Becoming a Provider
Public libraries and public parks are eligible to participate. Email the Bureau of Fisheries for more information on how to become a participating provider in the rod loaner program.
What DEC Supplies to Providers
- Fishing equipment: spin casting rods, bobbers, and hooks.
- Literature on freshwater sportfish, knot tying, casting a fishing rod, and freshwater fishing regulation guides for patrons to take home and keep.
Responsibilities of Providers
- Loan out fishing rods to eligible patrons (children under 16 years old or people holding a valid New York fishing license).
- Maintain a log on how many fishing rods were loaned.
- Maintain the fishing rods. If you do not have someone who can maintain the equipment, we recommend contacting a local sportfishing group (e.g. Trout Unlimited, B.A.S.S., etc.) and ask if they can help.
- A fee cannot be charged for loaning out the rod; however, late return fees can apply.
Find Participating Providers
Currently, providers who lend fishing equipment are in the following counties statewide:
Albany | Allegany | Cattaraugus | Clinton | Delaware | Essex | Fulton | Genesee | Livingston | Madison | Monroe | Montgomery | Niagara | Oneida | Ontario | Orange | Putnam | Rensselaer | Saratoga | Schenectady | Schoharie | Steuben | Suffolk | Sullivan | Ulster | Yates
Albany County
Albany Public Library (Main), 161 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12210
518-427-4300
Albany Public Library (Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch), 148 Henry Johnson Boulevard, Albany, NY 12210
518-694-0596
Cohoes Public Library, 169 Mohawk Street, Cohoes, NY 12047
518-235-2570
Guilderland Public Library, 2228 Western Avenue, Guilderland, NY 12084
518-456-2400
Rensselaerville Library, 1459 County Road 351, Rensselaerville, NY 12147
518-797-3949
Allegany County
Belmont Free Library, 2 Willets Avenue, Belmont, NY 14813
585-268-5308
Bolivar Free Library, 390 Main Street, Bolivar, NY 14715
585-928-2015
Cuba Library, 39 E Main St, Cuba, NY 14727
585-968-1668
Genesee Library, 8351 NY-417, Little Genesee, NY 14754
585-928-1915
Whitesville Public Library, 500 Main, Whitesville, NY 14897
607-356-3645
Wide Awake Club Library, 22 N Genesee St, Fillmore, NY 14735
585-567-8301
Cattaraugus County
Blount Library, 5 North Main Street Franklinville, New York 14737
716-676-5715
Clinton County
Dannemora Free Library, 40 Emmons St, Saranac, NY 12981
518-492-7005
Delaware County
Fairview Public Library, 43 Walnut Street, Margaretville, NY 12455
845-586-3791
Essex County
Paine Memorial Free Library, 2 Gilliland Lane, Willsboro, NY 12996
518-963-4478
Fulton County
Gloversville Public Library, 58 E. Fulton St, Gloversville, NY 12078
518-725-2819
Johnstown Public Library, 38 S Market Street, Johnstown, NY 12095
518-762-8317
Genesee County
Woodward Memorial Library, 7 Wolcott Street, LeRoy, NY 14482
585-768-8300
Livingston County
Dansville Public Library, 200 Main Street, Dansville, NY 14437
585-335-6720
Livonia Public Library, 2 Washington Street, Livonia, NY 14487
585-346-3450
Madison County
Cazenovia Public Library, 100 Albany Street, Cazenovia, NY 13035
315-655-9322
Monroe County
Chili Public Library, 3333 Chili Avenue, Rochester, NY 14624
585-889-2200
Hamlin Public Library, 1680 Lake Road, Hamlin, NY 14464
585-964-2320
Monroe County Library System, Sully Branch, 530 Webster Avenue, Rochester, NY 14609
585-428-8208
Parma Library, 7 West Avenue, Hilton, NY 14468
585-392-8350
Montgomery County
Fort Hunter Free Library, 167 Fort Hunter Rd, Amsterdam, NY 12010
518-829-7248
The Fort Plain Free Library, 19 Willett St, Fort Plain, NY 13339
518-993-4646
Margaret Reaney Memorial Library, 19 Kingsbury Ave, St. Johnsville, NY 13452
518-568-7822
Niagara County
Wilson Community Library, 265 Young Street, Wilson, NY 14172
716-751-6070
Oneida County
Jervis Public Library, 613 North Washington Street, Rome, NY 13440
315-336-4570
Ontario County
Honeoye Public Library, 8708 Main Street, Honeoye, NY 14471
585-229-5020
Victor Farmington Library, 7 West Avenue, Victor, NY 14564
585-924-2637
Wood Library, 134 North Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424
585-394-1381
Orange County
Greenwood Lake Public Library, 79 Waterstone Rd, Greenwood Lake, NY 10925
845-477-8377
Putnam County
Putnam Valley Library, 30 Oscawana Lake Rd, Putnam Valley, NY 10579
845-528-3242
Rensselaer County
Brunswick Community Library, 4118 State Highway 2, Troy, NY 12180
518-279-4023
Saratoga County
Town of Greenfield, 7 Wilton Road, Greenfield Center, NY 12833
518-893-7432
Waterford Public Library, 117 Third St. Waterford, NY 12188
518-237-0891
Schenectady County
Scotia Branch Library, 14 Mohawk Avenue, Scotia, NY 12302
518-386-2247
Schoharie County
Middleburgh Library, 323 Main Street, Middleburgh, NY 12122
518-827-5142
Steuben County
Avoca Free Library, 18 North Main Street, Avoca, NY 14809
607-566-9279
Cohocton Public Library, 8 Maple Avenue, Cohocton, NY 14826
585-384-5170
Pulteney Public Library, 9224 County Route 74, Pulteney, NY 14874
607-868-3652
Wayland Free Library, 101 W Naples St, Wayland, NY 14572
585-728-5380
Suffolk County
Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave, Brentwood, NY 11717
(631) 273-7883
Huntington Public Library (Main), 338 Main St, Huntington, NY 11743
631-427-5165
Huntington Public Library (Branch), 1335 New York Ave, Huntington Station, NY 11746
631-421-5053
Sullivan County
Woodridge Village Clerk's Office, 2 Dairyland Rd, Woodridge, NY 12789
845-434-7447
Ulster County
Highland Public Library, 14 Elting Place, Highland, NY 12528
845-691-2275
Yates County
Modeste Bedient Memorial Library, 3699 Route 54A, Branchport, NY 14418
315-595-2899
