I FISH NY - New York City, Long Island and Southeastern NY
These programs are offered in addition to those on the I FISH NY Program webpage.
Community Group Programs
Recreational fishing is all-inclusive, allowing people of all ages and abilities to participate*. I FISH NY provides free fishing programs to a variety of community groups including summer camps, after-school groups, outdoors clubs and scout programs. Fishing instruction, equipment and bait is provided, as well as information on fish species, fish anatomy, fishing regulations and fishing licenses. Contact the DEC Regional Office for your county for more information or to schedule a fishing program.
* Contact appropriate DEC Regional Office for information about accessibility.
Public Fishing Clinics
I FISH NY conducts several fishing clinics every year, usually in partnership with local organizations.
These clinics are free and open to the public. Information on casting basics and safety, aquatic ecology, sportfish identification, fishing regulations and fish consumption advisories are covered. Since most are designated "free fishing events," participants will not need to enroll in the Marine Registry or possess a NYS fishing license while fishing during an I FISH NY event.
In-school Programs - Long Island and New York City
The I FISH NY in-school program is free to grades three and up on Long Island and in New York City. DEC educators visit classrooms and teach from a variety of lesson plans covering topics such as fish anatomy, fish classification and adaptations, and food webs. Students later participate in a free fishing trip to a local water body where fishing instruction, equipment 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. Contact the DEC Regional Office for your county for more information or to schedule a program.
I FISH NY Lesson Plans for Educators
DEC Regional Office Contact Information
Long Island - Nassau and Suffolk Counties
NYSDEC Fisheries, Region 1
50 Circle Road
Stony Brook, NY 11790
631-444-0283
IfishNY@dec.ny.gov (I FISH NY only)
fwfish1@dec.ny.gov (all other inquiries)
New York City - Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island
NYSDEC Fisheries, Region 2
47-40 21st Street
Long Island City, NY 11101
718-482-4941
fwfish2@dec.ny.gov
Southeastern NY - Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester Counties
NYSDEC Fisheries, Region 3
21 South Putt Corners Road
New Paltz, NY 12561
845-256-2204
fwfish3@dec.ny.gov
Partner Programs Offering Free Fishing Opportunities
(All links below leave the DEC website)
Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk Counties)
Fire Island National Seashore
New York State Parks
Suffolk County Parks
Town of Brookhaven
Town of Islip
Town of Riverhead
Village of Valley Stream
Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge
New York City
Battery Parks City Parks Conservancy
Central Park Conservancy
Hudson River Park Trust
Lower East Side Ecology Center
NYC Department of Parks and Recreation
Prospect Park Audubon Center
Rockaway Waterfront Alliance
The River Project
Randall's Island Park Alliance
