Fishing Rod Loaner Program
Purpose
Reduce barriers to fishing participation by providing fishing rods, bobbers and hooks to public libraries and parks to loan out to patrons.
Who can participate?
People interested in borrowing a fishing rod
- Children under 16 years old or people holding a valid New York fishing license can borrow a fishing rod at a participating location.
- If you plan to borrow a fishing rod from a library, you may need a library card from that library to borrow a rod. Please call ahead if you plan to borrow a fishing rod.
- People borrowing a fishing rod must provide their own bait and follow New York's fishing regulations.
Organizations interested in loaning out fishing rods
Public libraries and public parks are eligible to participate.
What DEC provides to rod loaners
- Fishing equipment: spin casting rods, bobbers and hooks.
- Literature on freshwater sportfish, knot tying, casting a fishing rod and freshwater fishing regulations for patrons to take home and keep.
Responsibilities of a rod loaner
- 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 out. This allows us to report back to our funding source on grant related activities.
- The rod loaner is responsible for maintaining the fishing rods. If you do not have someone who can maintain the equipment, we recommend that you contact a local sportfishing group (e.g. Trout Unlimited, B.A.S.S., etc.) and ask if they can help maintain the equipment.
- A fee cannot be charged for loaning out the rod. Late fees can apply.
How to become a rod loaner
For more information on how to become a rod loaner, please contact the Bureau of Fisheries by sending an email to fwfish@dec.ny.gov.
Participating Locations
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
Delaware County
Fairview Public Library, 43 Walnut Street, Margaretville, NY 12455
845-586-3791
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
Madison County
Cazenovia Public Library, 100 Albany Street, Cazenovia, NY 13035
315-655-9322
Monroe County
Monroe County Library System, Sully Branch, 530 Webster Avenue, Rochester, NY 14609
585-428-8208
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
Wood Library, 134 North Main Street, Canandaigua, NY14424
585-394-1381
Honeoye Public Library, 8708 Main Street, Honeoye, NY 14471
585-229-5020
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
Pulteney Public Library, 9226 County Route 74, Pulteney, NY14874
607-868-3652
Yates County
Modeste Bedient Memorial Library, 3699 Route 54A, Branchport, NY14418
315-595-2899
Funding Source
Funds for this program come from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Federal Aid in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration.
