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STATE FRESHWATER REGULATIONS GUIDE Regulations in efect April 1, 2021 Department of Environmental Conservation

New York State has about 300 Complaints are forwarded to an ECO Environmental Conservation Ofcers for investigation. The more detailed (ECOs) and Investigators (ECIs) who work information you provide, the more likely throughout the state, including New the violator will be apprehended. Try to York . ECOs spend most of their time remember the “who, what, where, when, patrolling within their assigned . and how" of the event. The assistance of the public is essential • Keep a distance from the violator. Do to the efective enforcement of state not approach or attempt to confront environmental laws and regulations. If you suspects. They may be dangerous, observe someone violating Environmental destroy evidence, or simply evade Conservation Law or see the results of ofcers if forewarned. a violation, REPORT IT! Poachers and • Who did it? Provide names, ages, sex, polluters are thieves, stealing from you, height, weight, or vehicle our fellow anglers, and future generations. descriptions, and other details. Those who pollute our air or water, destroy • What occurred? What exactly do you our environment, or ignore fsh and wildlife think is the nature of the violation? laws are criminals. Examples — taking over limit of fsh, Contact an Environmental , illegal netting, fshing out of season, trespassing. Conservation Police Ofcer • When did it occur? Provide dates and (ECO) times. Is it still in progress, ongoing, or For general questions, call 1-877-457-5680. something yet to happen? Examples— You will speak with a dispatcher who will happening right now, happens every Fri assist you or connect you to an ECO. For night. best service, let them know the area you • Where did it occur? Provide street are calling from or the area your question addresses, town/county, name of is about. stream, or pond, GPS location. Many fshing violations occur on large Report All Poachers and waterways, so specifc locations are Polluters valuable. Examples — at the north end of the spillway on Smith Creek Dam, near Call 1-844-DEC-ECOS (844-332-3267). You red buoy 32 on Reynolds Channel. will speak to a dispatcher who will assist • How did it occur? What methods or you in fling a complaint. You may ask circumstances were used to commit the to have your name kept confdential, or violations? Provide any other information you may ask to fle the complaint without the ECO may fnd useful. leaving a name (anonymously). Complaints may also be reported online at Environmental Conservation www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/67751.html. Ofcer Rosters

For the current listing of Environmental Conservation Ofcers by Region, please visit https://www.dec.ny.gov/about/28461.html

2 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Department of Environmental Conservation STATE OF NEW YORK CONTENTS Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor Environmental Conservation Police Ofcers ...... 2 NYS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION Using This Guide ...... 5 Basil Seggos, Commissioner Highlights of Changes ...... 5 Katherine Petronis, Deputy Commissioner, Statewide Seasons Natural Resources and Limits ...... 6 Tony Wilkinson, Director, Division of Special Regulations and Wildlife Region 1 Special Regulations ...... 9 Stephen Hurst, Chief, Bureau of Region 2 Special Regulations ...... 11 How to contact us: Region 3 Special Regulations ...... 12 Region 4 Special Regulations ...... 19 NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Tidal Regulations ...... 24 Bureau of Fisheries Region 5 Special Regulations ...... 25 625 Broadway Region 6 Special Regulations ...... 41 Albany, NY 12233-4753 Region 7 Special Regulations ...... 48 [email protected] Region 8 Special Regulations ...... 53 Website: www.dec.ny.gov Region 9 Special Regulations ...... 56 Finger and Regulations ...... 59 ABOUT THIS GUIDE and Tributaries This guide is a summary that is intended Regulations ...... 62 for convenience only. For a complete General Regulations reference, consult New York State Defnitions ...... 70 Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) Taking and Possession of Fish ...... 71 and Volume 6 of the Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York Methods of Taking Fish ...... 73 (NYCRR). Copies can be reviewed online at: Regulations for Harvested Fish ...... 76 • public.leginfo.state.ny.us/lawssrch. Purchase and Sale of Fish ...... 77 cgi?NVLWO: Natural Baits Other Than Baitfsh ...... 78 for ECL Baitfsh Regulations ...... 79 • www.dec.ny.gov/regs/2494.html for NYCRR License Information ...... 88 ID ...... 89 About the Cover: Angler Achievement Awards ...... 92 Jessie Hollenbeck and his daughter Emma NYS Health Advice on Eating with a nice brown . Jessie was a member of an angler focus Fish You Catch ...... 95 group that provided DEC with valuable FAQ/Resources Page ...... 100 information and insight toward the development of the new New York Inland New York’s Trout Stream Trout Stream Management Plan. Management Plan ...... 100

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 3 Department of Environmental Conservation GOVERNOR’S COMMISSIONER’S MESSAGE MESSAGE No matter what region of New York State The Department of Environmental you call home or plan to visit, there is an Conservation (DEC) is here to help make exciting fshing adventure awaiting you fshing an enjoyable and rewarding nearby. Even during the unprecedented activity for everyone, and we’ve taken challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, several actions recently to help make outdoor activities such as fshing the that possible. This new format for the state’s abundant waters remained critical 2021 Fishing Regulations Guide is part to helping hundreds of thousands of of an ongoing efort to make our rules anglers fnd a safe and fun activity close to and regulations easier to access and home. understand. It complements other eforts, including the new interactive trout stream Whether you choose to ice fsh with family fshing map that will be expanded in the and friends or seek socially distanced future to include all DEC-managed waters. solitude along a back-country stream reach, New York State’s fsheries provide DEC is also taking this straightforward every type of experience for anglers. approach to fsheries management, with We continue to work hard to provide improvements on the horizon on the heels resident and visiting anglers with the of fnalizing the Trout Stream Management best fshing experience possible. This Plan last year. After listening to anglers year, the Department of Environmental across the state, DEC developed a plan Conservation is developing a new that embraces simplicity, recognizes a interactive trout stream fshing map I diverse range of needs, encourages proposed in the 2021 State of the State to angler participation, and recognizes the provide anglers ‘one-stop-shopping’ for value of managing trout streams for self- trout stream fshing opportunities. The map sustaining populations of wild trout. We will include easy to use information about are prioritizing habitat management for the access points, applicable regulations, and continuous improvement of trout fsheries, stocking schedules. improving the quality of our stocked fsh, and streamlining fshing rules to make sure As we recover from the COVID-19 fshing is accessible to all New Yorkers. pandemic’s far-reaching impacts, New York will continue to invest in the health and Our state is home to many of the nation’s success of our fsheries, and the countless greatest fshing opportunities and we are environmental and economic benefts committed to taking bold action to attract they provide. Working with the and retain anglers who enjoy and care for community, we will continue to enhance our resources. the experiences New York has to ofer and endeavor to protect our fsheries for future Basil Seggos, Commissioner generations. NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor

4 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Department of Environmental Conservation USING THIS GUIDE HIGHLIGHTS OF CHANGES This guide contains: A new look

• Statewide Species Regulations The Fishing Regulations Guide has been • General Regulations (Defnitions, Taking revised for simpler use. The size of the and Possessing of Fish, Methods of guide has been reduced so it can easily Taking Fish, Regulations for Harvested ft into a tackle . Additionally, special Fish, Purchase and Sale of Fish) regulations are now listed alphabetically • Baitfsh Regulations by individual waters by Region for easier • Special Regulations look-up. • Fish Health Advisories Feedback on the format of the Regulations Guide is always welcome. If you have any To fnd regulations for the suggestions, please send an email to water/species you are fshing: [email protected].

• Review the Special Regulations frst Regulation changes (pages 8–69). Inland Trout Streams are now regulated • If the water you are fshing or the by category as follows: species you are fshing for are not listed in the Special Regulations, then the 1. Statewide inland trout stream Statewide Species Regulations (pages regulation: 5 trout with no more than 2 6–7) apply. over 12" 2. Wild-Premier: 1 trout, any size Review: 3. Wild Quality: 3 trout with no more than • General Regulations for regulations on 1 over 12" how you are allowed to fsh and what 4. Stocked-Extended: 3 trout with no more you can do with your catch including than 1 over 12" methods for taking and transporting fsh. 5. Wild and Stocked: 5 trout with no more • Baitfsh Regulations for information on than 2 over 12". These streams are not the collection and use of baitfsh. listed in the guide. For a full listing of • Fish Health Advisories if you plan to categorized streams, visit consume fsh. www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/111015.html If you have any questions or are unsure of A season for inland any regulations, call or email the nearest trout streams has been established. This DEC Regional Ofce. Contact information can be found in the Special Regulations season runs from Oct 16–Mar 31 and is section of the guide (pages 8–69). limited to use of artifcial lures only. Black regulations with a minimum size limit of 10" or any-size have been changed to the 12" statewide minimum size limit. Trout Stream Management Plan

See back cover for the New York Inland Trout Stream Management Plan.

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 5 Statewide Species Regulations • The following statewide species regulations apply to all fresh waters for which special regulations have not been established. See www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7894.html for fshing regulations in the Marine and Coastal District (page 70). • Special regulations for specifc waters are listed in Special Regulations (pages 8–69). MINIMUM SPECIES OPEN SEASON¹ DAILY LIMIT³ LENGTH² Trout 4,5–except April 1–Oct 15 None 5 Inland Trout Streams 5 with no more than 2 longer April 1–Oct 15 Trout 4,5–Inland Trout than 12" Streams (see page Catch and 70 for defnition) Oct 16–Mar 31 Artifcial lures only Release5 only

Lake Trout April 1–Oct 15 21" 3 Atlantic April 1–Oct 15 15" 3 (Landlocked) Kokanee April 1–Oct 15 None 10

Coho & See Great Lakes & Tributaries Regulations

3rd Sat in June–Nov 30 12" 5 Black Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth) Dec 1–Fri preceding the Catch and Artifcial lures only 3rd Sat in June Release6 only

Muskellunge Last Sat in May–Nov 30 40" 1

Northern Pike 1st Sat in May–Mar 15 18" 5

Pickerel 1st Sat in May–Mar 15 15" 5

Tiger 1st Sat in May–Mar 15 30" 1

Walleye 1st Sat in May–Mar 15 15" 5

Crappie All year 9" 25 (Black and White)

Yellow All year None 50

Sunfsh (, Redbreast, and All year None 50 Pumpkinseed Sunfsh)

6 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Statewide Species Regulations

MINIMUM SPECIES OPEN SEASON¹ DAILY LIMIT³ LENGTH² Whitefish All year None 5 Fishing for (including Catch and Paddlefish, Sauger Closed Release5) or possession prohibited 1 (not less than 18" nor greater than Striped Bass7,8 April 1–Nov 30 28")

American Shad—All All year None 3 inland waters except those listed in special Possession prohibited in Hudson River and tributaries regulations. (page 24)

Hickory Shad Aug 1-Nov 30 Any Size 5 American All year 9" 25 All endangered Fishing for (including Catch and Release) or possession or threatened fish prohibited species (page 72). Snakeheads Possession prohibited (see page 72) (all species) All other species (except those listed in All year None Any number special regulations).

¹ Open Season means the time during which fish may be legally taken. ² Minimum length means the greatest possible length measured from the tip of the fish’s snout to the tip of the tail. The mouth may be open or closed and the tail may be spread or compressed in to achieve the greatest length. ³ Daily Limit • A person may not fish for a species (not even Catch and Release) outside of the open season for that species on a given water. • A person may not have in possession, or intentionally or injure fish other than the sizes specified and allowed for that species on a given water. Any fish in a vehicle used to access a given water counts towards the number and sizes of fish in possession. ⁴ Trout means , , , and hybrids of these species including splake. ⁵ is prohibited in waters inhabited by trout unless specifically allowed. ⁶ Catch and Release means catching and immediately releasing the caught fish without harm. See page 72 for Catch and Release regulations. ⁷ A non-offset (in-line) (page 70) is required when fishing for when using any natural bait (page 70). 8 Applies to Hudson River north of George Bridge

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 7 Special Regulations The following pages (9–69) list Special Special regulations are broken Regulations that deviate from statewide out by region and major regulations. fsheries such as , • A “–” between dates represents “through” and includes the ending date. Great Lakes, and Tidal Hudson River. • Waterbodies are listed alphabetically in each section. The general of the waterbody regulations are as follows: WATERBODY NAME (Species)

⊲ (Open Season), , , (Additional regulations if necessary)

Symbol Key

= Minimum Length = Daily Limit = Ice fshing permitted (see page 73 for ice fshing regulations). If ice fshing is To fnd if the water you are fshing has a permitted, it is permitted for any species special regulation: with an open season for that waterbody. • Check the Region where the water you want to fsh is located. If you are redirected to another section, go there. Example: • If the water you want to fsh is not listed, GREAT then Statewide Species Regulations Trout apply (page 6). ⊲ All year, -None, -5 Special regulation sections:

Ice fshing disclaimer • Region 1-pages 9–10 Lakes and ponds with specifc regulations • Region 2-page 11 are labeled with the ice fshing symbol • Region 3-pages 12–18 (snowfake) shown above. If a lake or pond • Region 4-pages 19–23 does not have a snowfake, ice fshing is not permitted. that specifcally • Tidal Hudson River-page 24 allow ice fshing have been labeled with a • Region 5-pages 25–40 snowfake. For rivers that are not labeled, • Region 6-pages 41–47 ice fshing is not permitted in rivers • Region 7-pages 48–52 inhabited by trout. • Region 8-pages 53–55 • Region 9-pages 56–58 • Finger Lakes and Regulations- pages 59–61 • Great Lakes Regulations-pages 62–69

8 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 1 Regulations REGION 1 COUNTY REGULATIONS Heidi O’Riordan, Regional Fisheries NASSAU COUNTY Manager ALL WATERS Stony Brook University Pickerel 50 Circle Rd. ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 Stony Brook, NY 11790-3409 Black Bass (631) 444-0280 ⊲ 1st Sat in June–April 30, [email protected] Catch and Release only ⊲ Fishing for Black Bass is prohibited May 1–Friday preceding the 1st Sat in June ⊲ All year, -8", -15 ALL PONDS AND LAKES Trout ⊲ All year, -None, -3 SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNTIES: ALL WATERS Yellow Perch NASSAU ⊲ All year, -None, -15 SUFFOLK Black Bass ⊲ 1st Sat in June–Apr 30, -12", -5 ⊲ Dec 1–Mar 15, Catch and Release only ⊲ Fishing for Black Bass is prohibited REGION-WIDE May 1-Friday preceding the 1st Sat in REGULATIONS June ALL WATERS ALL LAKES AND PONDS EXCEPT AS LISTED IN THE INDIVIDUAL WATERS REGULATIONS ⊲ All year, -9", -15 Trout Sunfsh ⊲ All year, -None, -3 ⊲ All year, -None, -15 ALL TIDAL STREAMS ALL STREAMS Rainbow and Brown Trout Brook Trout ⊲ All year, -None, -3 ⊲ All year, Catch and Release only

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 9 Region 1 Special Regulations INDIVIDUAL LAKE AND INDIVIDUAL RIVER AND POND REGULATIONS STREAM REGULATIONS ARTIST LAKE CARMANS RIVER (SOUTHAVEN COUNTY PARK) Black Bass • From LIPA transmission lines at Gate G ⊲ All year, Catch and Release only upstream to Yaphank Avenue BELMONT Black Bass ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, Catch and Release only, Fly fshing only ⊲ All year, Catch and Release only • From Cement Dam upstream to LIPA BLYDENBURGH LAKE transmission lines at Gate G: Black Bass Brown and Rainbow Trout ⊲ 1st Sat in June–Nov 30, -12", -5 ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -3 with no more than 1 longer than 12", Fly fshing only ⊲ Dec 1–June 4, Catch and Release only • From Cement Dam downstream to DEEP POND Hards Lake: Trout Brown and Rainbow Trout ⊲ All year, -12", -3 ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -None, -3 CONNETQUOT RIVER ⊲ All year, Catch and Release only • Within Connetquot River State Parks permit required EAST (SWAN) LAKE ⊲ Trout Trout ⊲ April 1–Nov 30, -10", -3 ⊲ Park Regulations apply NISSEQUOGUE RIVER FORT POND • Within Caleb Smith State Park ⊲ State Parks permit required ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 Trout HARDS LAKE ⊲ Park Regulations apply Brook Trout ⊲ Catch and Release only LAKE RONKONKOMA Walleye ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 LAUREL LAKE Trout ⊲ All year, -12", -3 RANDALL POND Black Bass ⊲ All year, Catch and Release only

10 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 2 Special Regulations REGION 2 INDIVIDUAL WATERS Melissa Cohen, Regional Fisheries Manager REGULATIONS 1 Hunters Point Plaza The following waters have an all year 47-40 21st Street Catch and Release regulation for all species except snakehead (see page 72): City, NY 11101-5407 (718) 482-4922 BAISLEY POND [email protected] BROOKS LAKE CENTRAL PARK – ALL WATERS CLOVE LAKE CROTONA PARK – INDIAN LAKE KISSENA LAKE MEADOW LAKE OAKLAND LAKE PROSPECT PARK LAKE VAN CORTLANDT LAKE COUNTIES: LAKE WILLOWBROOK LAKE BRONX WOLFES POND KINGS ()

NEW YORK ()

QUEENS

RICHMOND ()

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 11 Region 3 Special Regulations REGION 3 INDIVIDUAL LAKE AND Ryan Coulter, Senior Aquatic Biologist POND REGULATIONS 21 S. Putt Corners Rd. ALDER LAKE New Paltz, NY 12561-1696 ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is (845) 256-3161 prohibited [email protected] Trout ⊲ April 1–Sept 30, -10", -3 AMAWALK ⊲ NYCDEP Access Permit required Trout ⊲ All year, -12", -3 ⊲ NYCDEP Access Permit required Trout ⊲ April 1–Nov 30, -12", -3 COUNTIES: Walleye ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 DUTCHESS ASKOTI LAKE ORANGE Trout ⊲ All year, -None, -5 PUTNAM BASHAKILL MARSH ROCKLAND Pickerel SULLIVAN ⊲ All year, -15", -5 Black Bass ULSTER ⊲ All year, -12", -5 WESTCHESTER BLUE LAKE Trout ⊲ All year, -None, -5 COUNTY REGULATIONS ULSTER COUNTY ⊲ NYCDEP Access Permit required ALL WATERS EXCEPT HUDSON RIVER Trout Walleye ⊲ All year, -12", -3 ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 BOYD CORNERS RESERVOIR ⊲ NYCDEP Access Permit required

12 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 3 Special Regulations

Trout Walleye ⊲ All year, -12", -3 ⊲ May 1–last day in Feb, -18", -3 Walleye Pickerel ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 ⊲ All year, -15", -5 RESERVOIR Muskellunge, ⊲ NYCDEP Access Permit required ⊲ All year, -36", -1 Trout Channel Catfsh ⊲ All year, -12", -3 ⊲ All year, -12", -5 Crappie ⊲ All year, -8", -10 ⊲ NYCDEP Access Permit required Trout LAKE ⊲ All year, -18", -1 Trout ⊲ All year, -None, -5 CRYSTAL LAKE ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is HODGE POND prohibited ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is Trout prohibited ⊲ April 1–Sept 30, -10", -3 Trout ⊲ April 1–Sept 30, -10", -3 DIVERTING RESERVOIR ⊲ NYCDEP Access Permit required HONK LAKE Trout Trout ⊲ All year, -12", -3 ⊲ April 1–Nov 30, -None, -5 INDIAN LAKE ⊲ NYCDEP Access Permit required ⊲ Fishing prohibited from April 1 to 6 AM on the 3rd Sat in April Trout Black Bass ⊲ All year, -12", -3 ⊲ 3rd Sat in April (6 AM)–Nov 30, Walleye -12", -6 ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 Pickerel ECHO LAKE ⊲ 3rd Sat in April (6 AM)–Mar 31, ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is -15", -6 prohibited Trout ⊲ NYCDEP Access Permit required ⊲ April 1–Sept 30, -10", -3 Lake Trout GREENWOOD LAKE ⊲ All year, -18", -3 Black Bass Trout ⊲ 3rd Sat in June–Nov 30, -12", -5 ⊲ All year, -12", -3 ⊲ Dec 1–Fri preceding the 3rd Sat in June, Catch and Release only

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 13 Region 3 Special Regulations

Trout INDIVIDUAL LAKE AND ⊲ All year, -12", -3 POND REGULATIONS ⊲ NYCDEP Access Permit required ⊲ NYCDEP Access Permit required Trout ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -12", -3 ⊲ All year, -21", -3 Smelt Trout ⊲ harvest prohibited ⊲ All year, -None, -5 ⊲ NYCDEP Access Permit required ⊲ NYCDEP Access Permit required Trout Lake Trout ⊲ All year, -12", -3 ⊲ All year, -21", -3 RIO RESERVOIR Trout ⊲ Fishing prohibited from Dec 1–Mar 31 ⊲ All year, -None, -5 Walleye LAKE HUNTINGTON ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 Trout ROUND LAKE (ORANGE COUNTY) ⊲ All year, -None, -5 Trout LOCH SHELDRAKE ⊲ All year, -None, -5 Trout ROUNDOUT RESERVOIR ⊲ All year, -None, -5 ⊲ NYCDEP Access Permit required Lake Trout ⊲ NYCDEP Access Permit required ⊲ April 1–Nov 30, -18", -3 Trout Trout ⊲ All year, -12", -3 ⊲ April 1–Nov 30, -12", -3 MONGAUP POND SKANNATATI LAKE ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is Trout prohibited ⊲ All year, -None, -5 Trout ⊲ All year, -None, -5 STERLING LAKE ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is MORGAN LAKE prohibited Trout Lake Trout ⊲ All year, -None, -3 ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -21", -1 SWINGING BRIDGE RESERVOIR ⊲ NYCDEP Access Permit required Walleye ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3

14 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 3 Special Regulations INDIVIDUAL RIVER AND Trout ⊲ All year, -None, -5 STREAM REGULATIONS RIVER ⊲ NYCDEP Access Permit required Trout Trout ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -None, -1 ⊲ All year, -12", -3 ⊲ Oct 16–Mar 31, Catch and Release only, Artifcial lures only Walleye Black Bass ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 ⊲ 1st Sat after June 11–the Fri preceding UPTON LAKE 1st Sat after April 11, -12", -5 Trout ⊲ 1st Sat after April 11–Fri preceding 1st ⊲ All year, -None, -5 Sat after June 11, Catch and Release only WALTON LAKE Walleye Trout ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 ⊲ All year, -None, -5 Muskellunge and Tiger Muskellunge ⊲ All year, -40", -1 ⊲ NYCDEP Access Permit required Pickerel Lake Trout ⊲ All year -12", -5 ⊲ All year, -21", -3 Striped Bass Trout ⊲ All year, -28" to 35", -1 ⊲ All year, -12", -3 ⊲ A non-ofset (in-line) circle hook (page 70) is required when fshing for ⊲ All year, -18", -1 striped bass when using any natural bait (page 70). WHITE LAKE HUDSON RIVER AND ALL TRIBUTARIES Trout TO THE 1ST BARRIER IMPASSABLE BY ⊲ All year, -None, -5 FISH Lake Trout • See Tidal Hudson River Regulations ⊲ All year, -15", -3 (page 24). WHITE POND Walleye ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 15 Region 3 Special Regulations

• From 1.0 mile downstream of Bridgeville TROUT STREAM Rd. upstream to Wynkoop Brook REGULATIONS • See Catch and Release for additional reach. Trout stream reaches categorized as Wild or Stocked are managed using statewide RAMAPO RIVER trout stream regulations (page 6). • From the downstream end of H. Pierson Regulations for other categorized stream Mapes Flat Rock County Park upstream reaches are listed below. to Arden Rd. * Asterisk represents streams with more than 1 management category. WAPPINGERS CREEK* • From New Hackensack Rd. Bridge in STOCKED-EXTENDED Red Mill upstream to East Branch Wappingers Creek in Hibernia REGUL ATIONS • See Wild-Quality for additional reach. Trout WILLOWEMOC CREEK* ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -3 with no more • From the confuence with the Beaver than 1 longer than 12" Kill upstream to the second Rte. 17 ⊲ Oct 16–Mar 31, Catch and Release Quickway Bridge east of Roscoe only, Artifcial lures only • From 1200 feet upstream of the confuence with Elm Hollow Brook upstream to Parkston Rd. Bridge • From the Delaware-Sullivan county line downstream of Roscoe upstream to the • From the downstream end of the Delaware-Sullivan county line upstream Willowemoc Wild Forest upstream to the of Roscoe confuence with Fir Brook • From the downstream end of the Beaver • See Catch and Release for additional Kill Campground upstream to 0.5 mile reach. upstream of the Beaver Kill covered bridge at the Beaver Kill Campground WILD-QUALITY CALLICOON CREEK NORTH BRANCH* REGUL ATIONS • From the confuence with Callicoon Trout Creek upstream to Gossweyler Pond ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -3 with no more • See Wild-Quality for additional reach. than 1 longer than 12" EAST BRANCH ⊲ Oct 16–Mar 31, Catch and Release • From confuence with West Branch only, Artifcial lures only Croton River upstream to Diverting AMAWALK OUTLET () Reservoir Dam • From Muscoot Reservoir upstream to • From Diverting Reservoir upstream to East Branch Reservoir Dam BEER KILL WEST BRANCH * • From the confuence with Beer Kill • From the Guymard Tpke crossing upstream to Windsor Lake upstream to the Sullivan-Orange county line

16 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 3 Special Regulations CALLICOON CREEK NORTH BRANCH* CATCH AND RELEASE • From Gossweyler Pond upstream to the 1st Lower Weissman Rd. bridge crossing REGUL ATIONS • See Stocked-Extended for additional Trout reach. ⊲ All year, Catch and Release only, Artifcial lures only CEDAR POND BROOK • From the Pyngyp Rd./Rte. 210 NEVERSINK RIVER* intersection upstream to Cedar Flats Rd./ • Neversink River and tributaries within Rte. 210 intersection the Neversink River Unique Area and owned by the people of the State of New York situated in the Towns • From Ashokan Reservoir upstream to of Thompson and Forestburgh and confuence with Lost Clove Creek abutting that reach of the Neversink MONGAUP CREEK River from the Sullivan-Orange county line upstream to its confuence with • From confuence with Willowemoc Mercer Brook, except any portion Creek upstream to confuence with thereof where the right to fsh is the tributary immediately south of the privately owned. Catskill • See Stocked-Extended for additional • Additional regulation from the reaches. confuence with Willowemoc Creek upstream to Mongaup Pond ⊲ The use or possession of baitfsh is • From confuence with East Branch prohibited Croton River upstream to Croton Falls Reservoir Dam ROCHESTER CREEK • From the confuence with Rondout WILLOWEMOC CREEK Creek upstream to confuence with • From the second Rte. 17 Quickway Mettacahonts Creek Bridge east of Roscoe upstream 3.5 miles to 1200 feet upstream of the confuence with Elm Hollow Brook • From confuence with Sundown Creek • See Stocked-Extended for additional upstream to upstream-most crossing of reaches. County Rte. 42 WAPPINGERS CREEK* • From 0.75 mile downstream of Jameson Hill Rd. Bridge in Clinton Corners upstream to Hunts in Stanfordville • See Stocked-Extended for additional reach. WEST BRANCH CROTON RIVER • From Croton Falls Reservoir upstream to West Branch Reservoir Dam

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 17 Region 3 Special Regulations WATERS WHERE SNATCHING IS PERMITTED The taking of fsh by snatching, but not blind snatching (see page 70), is permitted from Jan 1–Mar 15 only as follows: • In Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester counties, suckers may be taken from any stream.

WATERS WHERE IS PERMITTED The taking of fsh by spear (not spear gun) is permitted only as follows: • In Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester counties, suckers may be taken in any stream from Jan 1–May 15

18 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 4 Special Regulations REGION 4 INDIVIDUAL LAKE AND Chris VanMaaren, Regional Fisheries POND REGULATIONS Manager 65561 State Highway 10 ARNOLD LAKE Stamford, NY 12167-9503 Trout (607) 652-7366 ⊲ All year, -12", -3 [email protected] BEARDSLEY LAKE Trout ⊲ All year, -2", -3 BIG POND Trout ⊲ All year, -12", -3 Yellow Perch ⊲ All year, -None, -25 Walleye ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 COUNTIES: ⊲ NYCDEP Access Permit required Trout ALBANY ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -12", -3 COLUMBIA COLGATE LAKE Trout DELAWARE ⊲ All year, -9", -3 GREENE EAST SIDNEY RESERVOIR MONTGOMERY Walleye ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 OTSEGO GILBERT LAKE RENSSELAER Trout SCHENECTADY ⊲ April 1–Nov 30, -12", -3

SCHOHARIE LAKE Trout ⊲ All year, -12", -3

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 19 Region 4 Special Regulations

PEPACTON RESERVOIR INDIVIDUAL LAKE AND ⊲ NYCDEP Access Permit required POND REGULATIONS Trout GOODYEAR LAKE ⊲ April 1–Sept 30, -15", -2 fsh to include only 1 over 21" Yellow Perch ⊲ All year, -None, -25 Sunfsh Trout ⊲ All year, -None, -25 ⊲ All year, -12", -3 GREENS LAKE Trout ⊲ NYCDEP Access Permit required ⊲ All year, -12", -3 Trout ⊲ All year, -12", -3 HOLDING POND Trout SECOND POND (RENSSELAER COUNTY) ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -10", -3 Trout HUGGINS LAKE ⊲ All year, -12", -3 ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is prohibited SHAVER POND Trout Trout ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -12", -2, Artifcial ⊲ All year, - 12", -3 lures only TAGHKANIC LAKE LITTLE POND Walleye Trout ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 ⊲ All year, -12", -3 THOMPSONS LAKE LONG POND Trout (RENSSELAER COUNTY) ⊲ All year, -12", -3 Trout TOMHANNOCK RESERVOIR ⊲ All year, -12", -3 ⊲ Ice Fishing Season Jan 1–Mar 15, MALLET POND daylight hours only. Trout ⊲ City of Troy Access Permit required. ⊲ All year, -12", -3 TROUT POND (CABLES LAKE) MUD POND (TOWN OF COLCHESTER) ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is Trout prohibited ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -12", -3 Trout ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -12", -2, Artifcial lures only Lake Trout ⊲ All year, -23", -1

20 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 4 Special Regulations

HUDSON RIVER INDIVIDUAL RIVER AND • Tidal Hudson River STREAM REGULATIONS ⊲ See Tidal Hudson River Regulations (page 24) • From Troy Dam upstream to Bakers • From Sullivan county line upstream to Falls in the of Hudson Falls and confuence with East and West Branches tributaries in this section to 1st barrier in Hancock: impassable by fsh: Black Bass ⊲ All Species, All year, Catch and ⊲ 1st Sat after June 11–the Fri preceding Release fshing only 1st Sat after April 11, -12", -5 • Upstream of Lock C4 and its associated ⊲ 1st Sat after April 11–Fri preceding 1st dam, near Stillwater, NY: Sat after June 11, Catch and Release ⊲ Use or possession of alewife or only blueback prohibited Walleye BELOW RTE. 32 ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 14, -15", -3 BRIDGE Muskellunge and Tiger Muskellunge All Species ⊲ All year, -40", -1 ⊲ All year, Catch and Release fshing Pickerel only. All fsh shall be returned to the ⊲ All year, -12", -5 water immediately Striped Bass WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER ⊲ All year, -28" to 35", -1 FORMING PA/NY BORDER ⊲ A non-ofset (in-line) circle hook Black Bass (page 70) is required when fshing for ⊲ 1st Sat after June 11–the Fri preceding striped bass when using any natural 1st Sat after April 11, -12", -5 bait (page 70). ⊲ 1st Sat after April 11–Fri preceding 1st Anadromous River Herring (Alewife and Sat after June 11, Catch and Release Blueback Herring) only ⊲ Possession prohibited Walleye • From bridge in Lordville downstream: ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 Trout Muskellunge and Tiger Muskellunge ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -None, -1 ⊲ All year, -40", -1 ⊲ Oct 16–Mar 31, Catch and Release Pickerel only, Artifcial lures only ⊲ All year, -12", -5 • From bridge in Lordville upstream to Striped Bass confuence with East and West Branches ⊲ All year, -28" to 35", -1 in Hancock: ⊲ A non-ofset (in-line) circle hook Trout (page 70) is required when fshing for ⊲ See Trout Stream Regulations striped bass when using any natural bait (page 70).

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 21 Region 4 Special Regulations TROUT STREAM WILD-QUALITY REGULATIONS REGUL ATIONS Trout Trout stream reaches categorized as Wild or Stocked are managed using statewide ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -3 with no more trout stream regulations (page 6). than 1 longer than 12" Regulations for other categorized stream ⊲ Oct 16–Mar 31, Catch and Release reaches are listed below. only, Artifcial lures only * Asterisk represents streams with more than 1 BATAVIA KILL (DELAWARE COUNTY) management category. • From confuence with East Branch Delaware River upstream to source STOCKED-EXTENDED BUSHKILL REGUL ATIONS • From confuence with Dry Brook Trout upstream to confuence with Emory ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -3 with no more Brook and Vly Creek than 1 longer than 12" BUSHNELLSVILLE CREEK ⊲ Oct 16–Mar 31, Catch and Release • From Greene-Ulster county line only, Artifcial lures only upstream to source BEAVER KILL* EAST BROOK • From 1 mile upstream of Iron Bridge • From confuence with West Branch at Horton upstream to the old railroad Delaware River upstream to source trestle 2.5 miles downstream of the Sullivan county line EAST CREEK (A.K.A. ) • From the 1st Sullivan county line crossing upstream of Roscoe upstream • From confuence with Kinderhook to the Rte. 206 bridge Creek south of Rte. 43 in Stephentown upstream to state line • See Catch and Release for additional reaches. EMORY BROOK • From confuence with Bush Kill upstream to source • From confuence with Basic Creek in Freehold upstream to the confuence LITTLE with Fox Creek in Preston Hollow • From confuence with Hoosic River KINDERHOOK CREEK upstream to source • From I-90 upstream to confuence PANTHER CREEK with East Creek south of Rte. 43 in • From Rte. 4 in West Fulton upstream to Stephentown source WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER* RUSSELL BROOK • From East Brook in Walton upstream • From confuence with Beaver Kill 35.5 miles to Town Brook in Hobart upstream to source • See Wild-Premier and Catch and Release for additional reaches.

22 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 4 Special Regulations WILD-PREMIER • See Stocked-Extended for additional reaches. REGUL ATIONS WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER* Trout • From Rte. 17 bridge at Deposit ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -None, -1 downstream 2 miles ⊲ Oct 16–Mar 31, Catch and Release • See Stocked-Extended and Wild-Premier only, Artifcial lures only for additional reaches. DELAWARE RIVER • From bridge in Lordville upstream to confuence with West and East Branches WATERS WHERE of Delaware River SNATCHING IS PERMITTED EAST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER The taking of fsh by snatching, but not • From confuence with West Branch blind snatching (see page 70), is permitted Delaware River upstream to Rte. 206/30 from Jan 1–Mar 15 only as follows: bridge in Downsville • In Delaware County, suckers may be WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER* taken from the West Branch Delaware River, East Branch Delaware River, and • From the confuence with East Branch Charlotte Creek. Delaware River upstream to 2 miles downstream of the Rte. 17 bridge at • In Otsego County, suckers may be taken Deposit from the , Wharton Creek, and Butternut Creek. • From Rte. 17 bridge at Deposit upstream to Stilesville Weir • See Stocked-Extended and Catch and WATERS WHERE Release for additional reaches. SPEARFISHING IS CATCH AND RELEASE PERMITTED REGUL ATIONS The taking of fsh by spear (not spear gun) Trout is permitted only as follows: ⊲ All year, Catch and Release only, • In Montgomery County, suckers may be Artifcial lures only taken from Jan 1–May 15 from Evas Kill, Flat Creek, from the BEAVER KILL* mouth to the dam 0.5 mile above the • From 1.6 miles downstream of Iron mouth, and . Bridge at Horton upstream to 1 mile • In Otsego County, suckers may be upstream of Iron Bridge at Horton taken from Jan 1–May 15 from Herkimer except additional restriction below: Creek, Hyder Creek, Trout (Mink) Creek, ⊲ From Iron Bridge at Horton Hayden Creek from mouth to the downstream to 1st Rte. 17 overpass Shipman Pond Dam, Shadow Brook, • Angling prohibited from July 1– Sand Hill Creek from the mouth to Rte. 7 Aug 31 to protect thermally bridge, Otsdawa Creek from the mouth stressed trout. to Rte. 7 bridge, and Mill Creek from the • From the Sullivan county line downstream mouth to Rte. 7 bridge. of Roscoe downstream 2.5 miles to the old railroad trestle 2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 23 Tidal Hudson River Regulations TIDAL HUDSON RIVER AND ALL Taking of anadromous river TRIBUTARIES TO THE 1ST BARRIER herring with personal use nets IMPASSABLE BY FISH ⊲ No person shall take anadromous Black Bass river herring with a net within Hudson ⊲ 3rd Sat in June–Nov 30, -15", -5 River tributaries and embayments. • From the Bridge Prior to entering a Hudson River to the Troy Dam and all tributaries tributary or embayment, all personal upstream to the 1st barrier impassable use nets must be stowed in a by fsh secured on deck or in a container below deck. Striped Bass ⊲ No person shall take anadromous ⊲ Statewide species seasons and limits river herring from the Hudson River: (page 7) apply north of the • with more than one net when taking with a scap or dip net; American Shad • with a dip net exceeding 14 inches ⊲ Fishing for or possession prohibited. in diameter if it is round form or • From the Battery to the Troy Dam and exceeding 13 inches by 13 inches if all tributaries upstream to the 1st barrier it is square form; impassable by fsh: • with a scap or exceeding 16 American Eel square feet; ⊲ All year, -9"–14" only may be • with a seine net exceeding 36 possessed for bait, -25 square feet; or with a ⊲ No may be possessed for food. exceeding 10 feet in diameter.

HUDSON RIVER ANADROMOUS RIVER HERRING REGULATIONS Open Daily Possession Manner of Location Season Limit Taking 10 per angler, OR a Hudson River tributaries maximum boat limit and embayments, including Mar 15– of 50 per day for a Angling only Mohawk River (see Mohawk June 15 group of boat anglers, River exception on page 33). whichever is lower 10 per angler, OR a Main stem of the Hudson River maximum boat limit Angling or by from Lock 1 near Waterford, Mar 15– of 50 per day for a personal use NY south to the George June 15 group of boat anglers, nets Washington Bridge whichever is lower

24 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 5 Special Regulations REGION 5 COUNTY REGULATIONS Rob Fiorentino, Regional Fisheries FRANKLIN COUNTY Manager ALL WATERS 1115 State Rte. 86 Black Bass P.O. Box 296 ⊲ 3rd Sat in June–Nov 30, -12", -5 Ray Brook, NY 12977-0296 ⊲ Fishing for Black Bass (including (518) 897-1200 catch & release) is prohibited outside [email protected] of the open season. HAMILTON COUNTY ALL WATERS IN EXCEPT FOURTH LAKE OF FULTON CHAIN Black Bass ⊲ 3rd Sat in June–Nov 30, -12", -5 ⊲ Fishing for Black Bass (including catch & release) is prohibited outside of the open season.

INDIVIDUAL LAKE AND POND REGULATIONS COUNTIES: BIG CLINTON ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is prohibited ESSEX Lake Trout FRANKLIN ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -15", -3 FULTON BIGSBY POND ⊲ Fishing prohibited Oct 16–Mar 31 HAMILTON Lake Trout SARATOGA ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -15", -3, Maximum of 3 ice-fshing lines allowed WARREN BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE WASHINGTON Trout ⊲ All year, -None, -5 Lake Trout ⊲ All year, -21", -2 Atlantic Salmon ⊲ All year, -15", -3

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 25 Region 5 Special Regulations INDIVIDUAL LAKE AND CRANE POND ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is POND REGULATIONS prohibited BRANT LAKE Lake Trout Trout ⊲ All year, -15", -3 ⊲ All year, -None, -5 EAGLE LAKE (ESSEX COUNTY) BRANT LAKE MILL POND Trout Trout ⊲ All year, -None, -5 ⊲ All year, -None, -5 EAGLE LAKE (HAMILTON COUNTY) LAKE Trout Lake Trout ⊲ All year, -None, -5 ⊲ All year, -21", -3 Lake Trout Trout ⊲ All year, -21", -2 ⊲ All year, -None, -5 Atlantic Salmon ⊲ All year, -15", -3 CHAZY LAKE Trout ⊲ All year, -None, -5 Trout Lake Trout ⊲ All year, -None, -5 ⊲ All year, -21", -3 FAWN LAKE (TOWN OF LAKE Atlantic Salmon PLEASANT) ⊲ All year, -15", -3 ⊲ Fishing prohibited Oct 16–Mar 31 Lake Trout CONNERY POND (TOWN OF NORTH ELBA) ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -18", -3 Trout ⊲ Maximum of 3 ice-fshing lines allowed ⊲ All year, -None, -5 FIRST LAKE OF ESSEX CHAIN COPPERAS POND ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is ⊲ Fishing prohibited Oct 16–Mar 31 prohibited ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is Lake Trout prohibited ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -15", -3 Lake Trout ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -15", -3 FORKED LAKE ⊲ Maximum of 3 ice-fshing lines Trout allowed ⊲ All year, -None, -5 Lake Trout ⊲ All year, -21", -2 Atlantic Salmon ⊲ All year, -15", -3

26 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 5 Special Regulations

FOURTH LAKE OF FULTON CHAIN INDIAN LAKE (TOWN OF INDIAN LAKE) Trout Trout ⊲ All year, -9", -5 ⊲ All year, -None, -5 Lake Trout Lake Trout ⊲ All year, -21", -3 ⊲ All year, -21", -2 Atlantic Salmon Atlantic Salmon ⊲ All year, -15", -3 ⊲ All year, -15", -3 Black Bass ⊲ Statewide seasons and limits apply JABE POND ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is GILMAN LAKE prohibited Trout Trout ⊲ All year, -None, -5 ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -12", -3, Artifcial Lake Trout lures only ⊲ All year, -21", -2 KIWASSA LAKE Atlantic Salmon Walleye ⊲ All year, -15", -3 ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 LAKE KYSER LAKE Trout Trout ⊲ All year, -None, -5 ⊲ All year, -12", -3 LAKE ABANAKEE Trout (TOWN OF INDIAN LAKE) ⊲ All year, -None, -5 Trout (FULTON COUNTY) ⊲ All year, -None, -5 Lake Trout Lake Trout ⊲ All year, -21", -3 ⊲ All year, -None, -3 Trout ⊲ All year, -None, -5 HARRIS LAKE Walleye ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 HOUR POND ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is prohibited Trout ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -12", -3, Artifcial lures only

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 27 Region 5 Special Regulations

Sunfsh INDIVIDUAL LAKE AND ⊲ All year, -None, -Any number POND REGULATIONS LAKE CLEAR (FRANKLIN COUNTY) AND TRIBUTARIES Trout TO THE 1ST BARRIER ⊲ All year, -None, -5 ⊲ No more than 2 lines per person. Atlantic Salmon Each fshing line may have no more than 2 baited hooks or 2 artifcial ⊲ All year, -15", -3 lures, with or without added natural LAKE COLBY bait. Trout ⊲ No more than 15 ice-fshing lines may be used for ice fshing from Nov 15– ⊲ All year, -None, - 5 April 30. Atlantic Salmon Trout ⊲ All year, -15", -3 ⊲ All year, -12", -3 LAKE EATON Lake Trout Trout ⊲ All year, -15", -3 ⊲ All year, -None, -5 Atlantic Salmon Lake Trout ⊲ All year, -15", -2 ⊲ All year, -21", -2 Black Bass Atlantic Salmon ⊲ 2nd Sat in June–Nov 30, -10", ⊲ All year, -15", -3 -5 ⊲ Dec 1–the Fri preceding the 2nd Sat in June, Catch and Release only, Lake Trout Artifcial lures only ⊲ All year, -23", -2 Walleye Landlocked Salmon ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 ⊲ All year, -18", -2 Sauger Trout ⊲ Possession prohibited ⊲ All year, -None, -5 Smelt ⊲ All year, -20", -5 ⊲ May 16–Mar 31, -None, -25 Muskellunge ⊲ April 1–May 15, Use or possession ⊲ Last Sat in May–Nov 30, -40", -1 prohibited Pickerel ⊲ Dip netting for smelt is prohibited ⊲ All year, -None, -10 LAKE KUSHAQUA Crappie Lake Trout ⊲ All year, -8", -25 ⊲ All year, -21", -3 Yellow Perch ⊲ All year, -None, -Any number

28 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 5 Special Regulations

LAKE LILA LITTLE GREEN POND AND ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is TRIBUTARIES prohibited ⊲ Fishing prohibited to protect hatchery Lake Trout brood stock. ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -15", -3 LITTLE JABE POND LAKE LUZERNE ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is prohibited Trout Trout ⊲ All year, -None, -5 ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -12", -3, Artifcial LAKE PLACID lures only Lake Trout LITTLE TUPPER LAKE ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -15", -3 ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is LAKE PLEASANT prohibited Trout Trout ⊲ All year, -None, -5 ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, Catch and Release only, Artifcial lures only Atlantic Salmon ⊲ All year, -15", -3 LITTLE POND Walleye Walleye ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 LEWEY LAKE LOWER CASCADE LAKE Trout ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is prohibited ⊲ All year, -None, -5 Round Whitefsh Lake Trout ⊲ Possession prohibited ⊲ All year, -21", -2 Atlantic Salmon MEACHAM LAKE Trout ⊲ All year, -15", -3 ⊲ All year, -None, -5 LIMEKILN LAKE Atlantic Salmon Trout ⊲ All year, -15", -3 ⊲ All year, -None, -5 MIRROR LAKE LITTLE CLEAR POND AND TRIBUTARIES Lake Trout ⊲ Fishing prohibited to protect hatchery brood stock. ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -15", -3 LITTLE FISH POND MOOSE POND (TOWN OF ST. ARMAND) ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is prohibited prohibited Lake Trout Lake Trout ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -15", -3 ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -15", -3

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 29 Region 5 Special Regulations INDIVIDUAL LAKE AND PUTNAM POND Walleye POND REGULATIONS ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 MOREAU LAKE RAQUETTE LAKE Trout Trout ⊲ All year, -None, -5 ⊲ All year, -None, -5 MOUNTAIN POND (TOWN OF Lake Trout BRIGHTON) ⊲ All year, -21", -2 Trout Atlantic Salmon ⊲ April 1–Nov 30, Catch and Release ⊲ All year, -15", -3 only, Artifcial lures only ROCK POND (HAMILTON COUNTY) NORTHVILLE POND ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is Trout prohibited ⊲ All year, -None, -5 Trout PALMER POND (WARREN COUNTY) ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, Catch and Release Trout only, Artifcial lures only ⊲ April 1–Nov 30, -None, -5 ROLLINS POND PARADOX LAKE Lake Trout Trout ⊲ All year, -21", -3 ⊲ All year, -None, -5 ROUND LAKE TO THE BOUNDARY Lake Trout WITH LITTLE TUPPER LAKE ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is ⊲ All year, -21", -3 prohibited PEAKED MOUNTAIN POND Brook Trout ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -12", -3, Artifcial prohibited lures only Trout SACANDAGA LAKE ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -12", -3, Artifcial Trout lures only ⊲ All year, -None, -5 PHARAOH LAKE Atlantic Salmon ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is prohibited ⊲ All year, -15", -3 Lake Trout Walleye ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -15", -3 ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 SAGAMORE LAKE Lake Trout Lake Trout ⊲ All year, -21", -2 ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -18", -3

30 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 5 Special Regulations

SARATOGA LAKE ST. REGIS POND Sunfsh ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is prohibited ⊲ All year, -None, -15 Lake Trout SCHROON LAKE ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -15", -3 Trout THIRTEENTH LAKE ⊲ All year, -None, -5 ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is Lake Trout prohibited ⊲ All year, -18", -2 Trout Atlantic Salmon ⊲ April 1–Nov 30, -None, -5 ⊲ All year, -15", -3 Atlantic Salmon SEVENTH LAKE OF FULTON CHAIN ⊲ April 1–Nov 30, -15", -3 Trout TROUT LAKE (WARREN COUNTY) ⊲ All year, -None, -5 Trout Lake Trout ⊲ All year, -None, -5 ⊲ All year, -18", -3 TUPPER LAKE Atlantic Salmon Lake Trout ⊲ All year, -15", -3 ⊲ All year, -21", -3 SIXTH LAKE OF FULTON CHAIN UPPER CASCADE LAKE Trout ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is ⊲ All year, -None, -5 prohibited Lake Trout Round Whitefsh ⊲ All year, -18", -3 ⊲ Possession prohibited Atlantic Salmon UPPER CHATEAUGAY LAKE ⊲ All year, -15", -3 Lake Trout SOUTH POND (HAMILTON COUNTY) ⊲ All year, -21", -3 Atlantic Salmon Trout ⊲ All year, -15", -3 ⊲ All year, -None, -5 Trout Lake Trout ⊲ All year, -None, -5 ⊲ All year, -21", -2 Atlantic Salmon ⊲ Maximum of 3 ice-fshing lines ⊲ All year, -15", -3 allowed ST. REGIS FALLS IMPOUNDMENT Lake Trout Walleye ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -23", -3 ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 31 Region 5 Special Regulations

UTOWANA LAKE • Ausable Boat Basin at the mouth of between posted Trout boundaries: ⊲ All year, -None, -5 ⊲ Fishing prohibited Lake Trout BRANT LAKE OUTLET ⊲ All year, -21", -2 Trout Atlantic Salmon ⊲ All year, -None, -5 ⊲ All year, -15", -3 • From mouth upstream to Wadhams Falls Trout except as listed below: ⊲ All year, -None, -5 ⊲ From June 15–Dec 31 WEST LAKE (FULTON COUNTY) • Maximum hook gap 1/2 inch. Lake Trout • Fishing prohibited from 1/2 hour after ⊲ All year, -21", -3 sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise. Trout • Fishing permitted as follows: ⊲ All year, -None, -5 • with unweighted artifcial fies • unweighted natural baits only (see defnitions) INDIVIDUAL RIVER AND • No supplement weight, such as metal leaders, sinkers, split shot, STREAM REGULATIONS twist-ons, or swivels may be attached to line, leader, or hook. • From the marked boundary 800 feet • From the Rte. 22 bridge in Willsboro west of the 1st road bridge upstream downstream approximately 1500 feet to from Lake Champlain upstream to the marked boundary at the base of the Rainbow Falls: cascades: ⊲ Angling from boats prohibited. ⊲ Fishing prohibited • From D&H Railroad bridge upstream to CHARLEY POND OUTLET Rainbow Falls except as listed below: (WITHIN W.C. WHITNEY AREA) ⊲ From June 15–Dec 31 ⊲ Fishing prohibited July 1–Sept 15 • Maximum hook gap 1/2 inch. • Fishing prohibited from 1/2 hour • From downstream to the after sunset to 1/2 hour before old railroad crossing between Stafords sunrise. and Bryants bridges: • Fishing permitted with unweighted Sunfsh artifcial fies or unweighted natural baits only (see defnitions). ⊲ All year, -None, -15 • No supplemental weight, such GREAT CHAZY RIVER as metal leaders, sinkers, split • From Rte. 9B at Coopersville upstream shot, twist-ons, or swivels may be to Perrys Mills Dam: attached to line, leader, or hook. ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May 32 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 5 Special Regulations

GREAT SACANDAGA LAKE Smelt TRIBUTARIES ⊲ May 16–Mar 31, -None, -25 (EXCEPT ) ⊲ April 1–May 15, Use or possession of • From the stream mouth to 1st highway baitfsh is prohibited bridge: ⊲ Dip-netting for smelt is prohibited ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May LAKE PLEASANT OUTLET HUDSON RIVER • From Lake Pleasant downstream to mouth of the Kunjamuk River: • From Troy Dam upstream to Bakers Falls in the Village of Hudson Falls and ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the tributaries in this section to 1st barrier Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May impassable by fsh: LAKE PLEASANT TRIBUTARIES ⊲ Baitfsh listed on Baitfsh Regulations ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the may be possessed for use as fsh bait. Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May ⊲ Use of tip-ups is permitted Walleye All Species ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 ⊲ All year, Catch and Release fshing MILL BROOK (PORT HENRY) only • From Lake Champlain upstream to falls CREEK west of Rte. 22: • From Saratoga Lake upstream to 1st ⊲ Fishing prohibited from Oct 1–Dec 31 railroad bridge: MOHAWK RIVER ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May • From confuence with Hudson River upstream to Rte. 32 bridge: LACHUTE RIVER All Species (LAKE GEORGE OUTLET) ⊲ All year, Catch and Release fshing • From mouth upstream to Lake George: only. All fsh shall be returned to the ⊲ Lake Champlain Regulations apply water immediately. LAKE GEORGE TRIBUTARIES ⊲ Baitfsh listed on Baitfsh Regulations • From Lake George upstream to 1st may be possessed for use as fsh barrier impassable by fsh: bait. ⊲ Oct 1–Mar 31, Fishing prohibited ⊲ Use of tip-ups is permitted. ⊲ Apr 1–May 15, Fishing prohibited • From Lock 2 to Guard Gate 2 (Waterford between 10 PM and 5 AM Flight): Lake Trout ⊲ Use or possession of alewife or blueback herring is prohibited ⊲ April 1–Sept 30, -23", -2 Landlocked Salmon ⊲ April 1–Sept 30, -18", -2

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 33 Region 5 Special Regulations

NORTH BRANCH BOQUET AND • unweighted natural baits only (see TRIBUTARIES definitions), • From mouth to 1st upstream barrier • floating lures with one free- swinging hook. ⊲ From June 15–Sept 30 • No supplemental weight, such • Maximum hook gap 1/2 inch. as metal leaders, sinkers, split • Fishing prohibited from 1/2 hour shot, twist-ons, or swivels may be after sunset to 1/2 hour before attached to line, leader, or hook. sunrise. • From Hough Brook at Union Falls Flow • Fishing permitted as follows: upstream to Franklin Falls Flow Dam • with unweighted artificial flies ⊲ Fishing is prohibited from • unweighted natural baits only Mar 1-May 15 (see definitions) • No supplemental weight, such as metal leaders, sinkers, split • From Starbuckville Dam downstream: shot, twist-ons, or swivels may be Lake Trout attached to line, leader, or hook. ⊲ All year, -None, -3 ⊲ Fishing prohibited from Oct 1–Dec 31 Atlantic Salmon SACANDAGA LAKE OUTLET ⊲ All year, -None, -3 ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the Trout Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May ⊲ See Stocked-Extended Walleye • From Starbuckville Dam upstream to ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 Schroon Lake: Trout SACANDAGA LAKE TRIBUTARIES ⊲ All year, -None, -5 ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May Lake Trout Walleye ⊲ All year, -18", -2 Atlantic Salmon ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 ⊲ All year, -15", -3 SACANDAGA RIVER • From Schroon Lake upstream to Alder • From Bridge St. in Northville upstream to Meadow Rd. the first crossing of Rte. 30: Trout ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the ⊲ All year, -None, -5 Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May Lake Trout ⊲ All year, -18", -2 • From Catherine St. Bridge upstream to Atlantic Salmon Imperial Dam: ⊲ All year, -5", -3 ⊲ From June 15–Dec 31 • Maximum hook gap 1/2 inch. • Fishing prohibited from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise. ⊲ Fishing permitted as follows: • with unweighted artificial flies,

34 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 5 Special Regulations

CHATEAUGAY RIVER INDIVIDUAL RIVER AND • From end of posted Public Fishing STREAM REGULATIONS Rights 1 mile from US/Canada border upstream to 1.0 mile upstream of the THIRTEENTH LAKE OUTLET Marble River • From Thirteenth Lake downstream to • From the Chasm Dam impoundment dam at Thirteenth Lake Rd.: upstream to High Falls Dam ⊲ Use or possession of baitfish is prohibited HUDSON RIVER Trout • From the confluence of Raymond Brook upstream to the confluence with ⊲ April 1–Nov 30, -None, -5 Thirteenth Brook Atlantic Salmon KAYADEROSSERAS CREEK ⊲ April 1–Nov 30, -15", -3 • From Galway Rd. upstream to 0.5 mile upstream of crossing at intersection of TROUT STREAM N. Creek Rd. and Squashville Rd. REGULATIONS Trout stream reaches categorized as Wild • From Lower Turnpike Bridge in North or Stocked are managed using statewide Granville upstream to state line trout stream regulations (page 6). NORTH BRANCH GREAT CHAZY RIVER Regulations for other categorized stream • From confluence with Great Chazy reaches are listed below. River upstream to Lake Roxanne Rd. in * Asterisk represents streams with more than 1 Ellenburg Depot management category. SARANAC RIVER* STOCKED-EXTENDED • From 1500 ft east of Pup Hill Rd. Bridge crossing upstream to the marked REGULATIONS boundary 100 yards upstream of its Trout confluence with the North Branch Saranac River ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -3 with no more than 1 longer than 12" • See Catch and Release for additional reach. ⊲ Oct 16–Mar 31, Catch and Release only, Artificial lures only (FRANKLIN COUNTY)* BATTENKILL* • From Rte. 37 Bridge in Westville Center upstream to Flat Rock Rd. Bridge • From confluence with Whittaker Brook upstream to Rexleigh Bridge • From 200 yds. downstream of Cargin Rd. Bridge upstream to Lamica Lake • From County Rte. 61 bridge in Shushan Dam upstream to County Rte. 64 bridge • See Catch and Release for additional • See Wild-Quality and Catch and Release reach. for additional reaches. SCHROON RIVER • From Bolton Landing-Riverbank Rd. • From foot path bridge off of W. upstream to Starbuckville Dam Montgomery St. upstream to Co. Highway 122 2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 35 Region 5 Special Regulations

ROCK POND OUTLET STREAM TROUT STREAM BETWEEN ROCK POND & LITTLE REGULATIONS TUPPER LAKE Trout WEST BRANCH AUSABLE RIVER* ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, Catch and Release • From confluence with East Branch only, Artificial lures only. Ausable River upstream to the Rte. 86 ⊲ Use or possession of baitfish is bridge at the flume prohibited • From the Whiteface Ski Center bridge upstream to the DEC sign 2.2 miles SARANAC RIVER* downstream of Monument Falls • From the Millstone Monument located • See Catch and Release for additional at the intersection of Sand Rd. and NYS reach. Rte. 22B in Morrisonville upstream to Kent Falls Dam WILD-QUALITY • From marked boundary 100 yards upstream of its confluence with the REGULATIONS North Branch Saranac River upstream 1.4 Trout miles to Stord Brook ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -3 with no more • See Stocked-Extended for additional than 1 longer than 12" reach. ⊲ Oct 16–Mar 31, Catch and Release SALMON RIVER (FRANKLIN COUNTY* only, Artificial lures only • From Flat Rock Rd. Bridge upstream to BATTENKILL* 200 yards downstream of the Cargin Rd. • From County Rte. 64 bridge upstream to Bridge covered bridge in Eagleville • See Stocked-Extended for additional • See Stocked-Extended and Catch and reach. Release for additional reaches. WEST BRANCH AUSABLE RIVER* TRUE BROOK • From the Rte. 86 bridge at the flume • From confluence with Saranac River upstream to the Whiteface Ski Center upstream to Smithkill Brook (0.8 mile bridge west of Number 37 Rd.) • From DEC sign 2.2 miles downstream of Monument Falls upstream to confluence CATCH AND RELEASE with Holcomb Pond Outlet • See Stocked-Extended for additional REGULATIONS reach. Trout ⊲ All year, Catch and Release only, Artificial lures only BATTENKILL* • From covered bridge at Eagleville upstream to Vermont state line • See Stocked-Extended and Wild-Quality for additional reaches.

36 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 5 Special Regulations

WATERS WHERE WATERS WHERE SNATCHING IS PERMITTED SPEARFISHING IS The taking of fsh by snatching, but not blind snatching (see page 70), is permitted PERMITTED from Jan 1–Mar 15 only as follows: The taking of fsh by spear (not spear gun) is permitted only as follows: • In Fulton, Saratoga, Washington, Franklin, Warren, Clinton, Essex, and • In Clinton County, bowfn, , , Hamilton counties, suckers may be freshwater , gar, redhorse, and taken from any stream except the suckers may be taken from Mar 20–Sept Mohawk River, the Hudson River 30 from Corbeau Creek and Scomotion downstream of Bakers Falls including Creek from the mouth upstream to tributaries upstream to the 1st barrier, or Beekmantown town line. tributaries to Lake Champlain and Lake • In Lake Champlain, bowfn, burbot, carp, George upstream to the 1st barrier. freshwater drum, gar, redhorse, and suckers may be taken from Mar 20–Sept 30. • In Franklin County, bowfn, burbot, carp, freshwater drum, gar, redhorse, and suckers may be taken from Mar 20–Sept 30 from Big Salmon River from Canada upstream to the Rte. 37 bridge in Fort Covington, Lawrence Brook from the county line upstream to County Rte. 6 west of Moira, Little Salmon River from the mouth upstream to County Rte. 32 in South Bombay, Pike Creek from Canada upstream to State Rte. 95 west of Bombay, St. Regis River from Canada upstream to the dam at Hogansburg, and Farrington Brook from the mouth upstream to U.S. Rte. 11. • In the Hudson River, carp and suckers may be taken from Mar 20–Sept 30 from Bakers Falls in the Village of Hudson Falls upstream to the confuence of Stony Creek in Warren County.

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 37 Region 5 Special Regulations

• First, Second, Third & TOWN OF NORTH ELBA BAITFISH Fourth Lakes of Essex • Big Cherry Patch Pond PROHIBITED Chain • Cameras Pond • Hewitt Pond • McKenzie Pond WATERS • Jackson Pond • Tom Peck Pond • Mud Pond (north of Use of baitfsh is prohibited • Upper & Lower Clear Pond) in the following waters and Preston Ponds • Mud Pond (north of Units: Third Lake in Essex TOWN OF NORTH HUDSON CLINTON COUNTY Chain) • Nate Pond • Bass Lake TOWN OF BLACK BROOK • Pine Lake • Bloody Pond • Cranberry Pond • Rankin Pond • Boreas Pond • Mud Pond (2 miles • Little Rankin Pond • Challis Pond southwest of • Courtney Pond Riverview) • Sherman Pond • Deer Pond • Mud Pond • Stony Pond • Twenty Ninth Pond • Howard Pond TOWN OF DANNEMORA • Moose Mountain Pond TOWN OF NEWCOMB • Mud Pond • Triangle Pond • Beaver Pond (south of ESSEX COUNTY Lake Andrew) • Lower Twin Pond • Giant Mountain • Cheney Pond • Upper Twin Pond Wilderness (northwest of Split • White Lily Pond • High Peaks Wilderness Rock Lake) TOWN OF ST. ARMAND • Hofman Notch • Chub Pond • Moose Pond Wilderness • Clear Pond TOWN OF SCHROON • Hudson Gorge • Fifth Lake Essex Chain • Cotters Pond Wilderness Area • Eighth Lake Essex (except Hudson River) Chain TOWN OF WILLMINGTON • McKenzie Mountain • Jackson Pond • Morgan Pond Wilderness (except • Lake Andrew (Cooperkill) West Branch of Ausable River) • Mud Pond (north of TOWN OF MORIAH Clear Pond) • Pharaoh Lake • Goose Puddle Wilderness • Newcomb Lake • Trout Pond (including Upper and • Sentinel Range Lower Duck Hole) FRANKLIN COUNTY Wilderness (except • St. Regis Canoe Area East Branch of • Seventh Lake Essex Ausable River) Chain • High Peaks Wilderness • Sixth Lake Essex Chain (except TOWN OF JAY and Saranac River) • Unnamed Pond • Clements Pond (north of LeClaire TOWN OF BELLMONT TOWN OF MINERVA Brook) • Drain Pond • Barnes Pond • Upper & Lower TOWN OF BRIGHTON Preston Ponds • Black Pond • Barnum Pond • Henderson Lake • Center Pond • Black Pond (on Visitors • Clear Pond Interpretive Center • Corner Pond Property) • Deer Pond

38 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 5 Special Regulations

• Long Pond (north of TOWN OF SANTA CLARA FULTON COUNTY Black Pond) • Bad News Pond (1,000 TOWN OF BLEECKER • Loon Pond feet northwest of • Holmes Lake • Lost Pond (0.4 mile Polliwog Pond) • County Line Lake southwest of Mountain • Black Pond (between Pond) Square Pond and • Mud Lake • Mountain Pond Whey Pond) TOWN OF CAROGA • Slush Pond • Duck or Echo Pond • Fish Hatchery Pond • Star Mountain Ponds • Duell Pond (0.25 mile • Indian Lake (2) south of Little Green • Otter Lake Pond) • Upper Spectacle Pond • Stewart Lake • East Copperas Pond TOWN OF DUANE • Federation Pond (0.25 TOWN OF STRATFORD • Buck Pond mile southeast of East • Conglin Lakes • Clear Pond Pine Pond) • Fourth Lake • Debar Pond • Pond (650 feet • Goose Egg Lake • Skif Pond north of Polliwog Pond) • House Pond • Winnebago Pond • Grass Pond (1.25 mile • Knapps Long Lake TOWN OF FRANKLIN northeast of Benz • Long Pond Pond) • Fishhole Pond • Third Lake • Little Black Pond • Hope Pond (between Black and HAMILTON COUNTY • Little Hope Pond Square ponds) • Blue Ridge Wilderness • No Hope Pond (300 • Green Pond (north of • Buell Brook Primitive feet north of Hope Follensby Clear Pond) Area Pond) • Horseshoe Pond • Five Ponds Wilderness TOWN OF • Little Polliwog Pond • High Peaks Wilderness HARRIETSTOWN • Madawaska Pond (except Raquette • Bear Pond • Polliwog Pond River) • Meadow Pond (0.5 • Rat Pond • Hudson Gorge mile northwest of Lake • Sunday Pond Wilderness Area Clear) (southeast of Rat (except Hudson River) • Panther Pond Pond) • Pigeon Lake • Porkchop Pond (0.6 • Sunrise Pond (east of Wilderness mile east of Upper Follensby Clear Pond) • Siamese Ponds Saranac Lake) • Track Pond (0.75 Wilderness • St. Germain Pond (0.5 mile northeast of • Silver Lake Wilderness mile north of Lake Floodwood Pond) (except Sacandaga Clear) • Twelfth Tee or Gordon River) TOWN OF MALONE Pond (400 feet north • Little Moose • Malone Village Ice of Green Pond) Wilderness Pond • Whey Pond • West Canada Lakes Wilderness TOWN OF TUPPER LAKE TOWN OF WAVERLY • William C. Whitney • Rag Pond (200 feet • Balsam Pond (2 miles Wilderness north of West Pine west of Duck Pond) Pond) • Benz Pond • West Pine Pond • Little Clear Pond • Long Pond

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 39 Region 5 Special Regulations

HAMILTON COUNTY TOWN OF LAKE TOWN OF JOHNSBURG PLEASANT • Crane Mountain Pond TOWN OF ARIETTA • Panther Pond • Christian Lake • Eagle Pond • G Lake TOWN OF LONG LAKE • Kibby Pond • Iron Lake • Bog Pond • Thirteenth Lake (2 • Jockeybush Lake • Clear Pond • Unnamed Pond • High Pond miles east of Kibby • Lower Sargent Pond Pond) • Middle Sargent Pond • Loon Pond TOWN OF STONY CREEK • Red Louse Lake • Lost Pond • Mays Pond • New Lake TOWN OF HOPE • Mosquito Pond • Wilcox Lake • Bennett Lake • Owls Head Pond TOWN OF THURMAN • Middle Lake • Raquette Lake • Little Joe Pond • Murphy Lake Reservoir • Lixard Pond TOWN OF INDIAN LAKE • Round Lake • Shiras Pond • Barker Pond TOWN OF MOREHOUSE • Unnamed Pond (1 mile • Bullhead Pond • Bochen Lake northwest of Lixard • First Lake (Essex Chain Pond) • Squaw Lake of lakes) • Unnamed Pond (0.25 TOWN OF • Grassy Pond mile southwest of WARRENSBURG • Little Grassy Pond Squaw Lake) • Gay Pond • Lower Helms Pond • Viele Pond • Middle Helms Pond WARREN COUNTY • OK Slip Pond • Pharaoh Lake WASHINGTON COUNTY Wilderness • Pine Lake TOWN OF DRESDEN • Siamese Ponds • Pine Pond (west of • Black Mountain Ponds Wilderness Blue Mt. Lake) (2) • Tirrell Pond TOWN OF BOLTON • Bumps Pond • Unknown Pond • Brown Pond • Fishbrook Pond • Unnamed pond (0.75 TOWN OF CHESTER • Greenland Pond mile east of Barker • Clear Pond • Lapland Pond Pond) • Palmer Pond TOWN OF FORT ANN • Upper Helms Pond TOWN OF HAGUE • Inman Pond TOWN OF INLET • Buttermilk Pond TOWN OF JACKSON • Bug Lake • Jabe Pond • Dead Lake • Eagles Nest Lake • Little Jabe Pond TOWN OF WHITEHALL • Unnamed pond (a.k.a.: • Racket Ponds High Rock Pond) (1 • Clear Pond • Spectacle Ponds (2) mile east of Eighth • Sawmill Pond Lake) TOWN OF HORICON • Spruce Pond • Icehouse Pond • Duck Pond • Lost Ponds (3) • Long Pond • Mitchell Ponds (2) • Round Pond

40 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 6 Special Regulations REGION 6 ALL BAITFISH-PROHIBITED WATERS LISTED ON PAGE 47 EXCEPT AS LISTED Jana Lantry, Regional Fisheries Manager BELOW OR INLAND TROUT STREAMS Dulles State Ofce Bldg. Trout 317 Washington Street ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -None, -5 Watertown, NY 13601-3787 (315) 785-2263 COUNTY REGULATIONS [email protected] JEFFERSON COUNTY ALL WATERS EXCEPT AS LISTED IN THE INDIVIDUAL WATERS REGULATIONS Black Bass ⊲ 3rd Sat in June–Nov 30, -12", -5 ⊲ Fishing for Black Bass (including catch & release) is prohibited outside of the open season. ALL WATERS EXCEPT SANDY POND Yellow Perch & Sunfsh ⊲ All year, -None, -Any number ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY COUNTIES: ALL WATERS EXCEPT AS LISTED IN THE HERKIMER INDIVIDUAL WATERS REGULATIONS Black Bass JEFFERSON ⊲ 3rd Sat in June–Nov 30, -12", -5 LEWIS ⊲ Fishing for Black Bass (including catch & release) is prohibited outside ONEIDA of the open season.

ST. LAWRENCE INDIVIDUAL LAKE AND REGION-WIDE POND REGULATIONS REGULATIONS ALLEN POND ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is ALL WATERS EXCEPT INLAND TROUT prohibited STREAMS, BAITFISH-PROHIBITED Trout WATERS LISTED ON PAGE 47, OR AS LISTED BELOW ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -12", - 3 Trout BEARDSLEY LAKE ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -5 with no more Trout than 2 longer than 12" ⊲ All year, -12", -3,

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 41 Region 6 Special Regulations

FOURTH LAKE OF FULTON CHAIN INDIVIDUAL LAKE AND Trout POND REGULATIONS ⊲ All year, -9", -5 Lake Trout BEAVER LAKE (LEWIS COUNTY) ⊲ All year, -21", -3 BLACK LAKE Atlantic Salmon Black Bass ⊲ All year, -15", -3 ⊲ 3rd Sat in June–Nov 30, -15", -5 FRANCIS LAKE ⊲ Fishing for Black Bass (including catch & release) is prohibited outside GRASS LAKE of the open season. Walleye Walleye ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 HIDDEN LAKE BUTTERFIELD LAKE ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is Walleye prohibited ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 Trout CLEAR LAKE (JEFFERSON COUNTY) ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -None, -3, Artifcial lures only Walleye ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 HINCKLEY RESERVOIR Trout ⊲ All year, -12", -3 Northern Pike ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -None, -5 HORN LAKE ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is DELTA RESERVOIR prohibited EVERGREEN LAKE Trout ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -None, -3, prohibited Artifcial lures only Trout HORSESHOE LAKE ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -none, -3, Walleye Artifcial lures only ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 FIRST LAKE OF FULTON CHAIN HYDE LAKE Trout Walleye ⊲ All year, -9", -5 ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 Lake Trout ⊲ All year, -21", -3 KAYUTA LAKE Atlantic Salmon KYSER LAKE ⊲ All year, -15", -3 Trout FORESTPORT RESERVOIR ⊲ All year, -12", -3

42 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 6 Special Regulations

MASSAWEPIE CONSERVATION NORTH LAKE EASEMENT - ALL WATERS EXCEPT Trout INLAND TROUT STREAMS ⊲ All year, -12", -3 ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is prohibited OLD FORGE POND Trout Trout ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -12", -3 ⊲ All year, -9", -5 LAKE BONAPARTE Lake Trout Trout ⊲ All year, -21", -3 ⊲ All year, -9", -5 Atlantic Salmon Lake Trout ⊲ All year, -15", -3 ⊲ All year, -18", -3 EAST OF RTE. 81 BRIDGE LAKE-OF-THE-WOODS Walleye Lake Trout ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -15", -3 ⊲ All year, -21", -3 Atlantic Salmon PEAKED MOUNTAIN LAKE ⊲ All year, -15", -3 ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is prohibited LAKE AND TRIBUTARIES TO Trout 1ST BARRIER ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -None, -3, • See Great Lakes & Tributaries Artifcial lures only Regulations on pages 62-69. PERCH LAKE LAKE OZONIA ⊲ Closed to all fshing from Mar 2–Nov Trout 30 ⊲ All year, -12", -3 ⊲ Ice fshing permitted from Dec 1–Mar 1 Atlantic Salmon PLEASANT LAKE (TOWN OF MACOMB) ⊲ All year, -15", -3

LIMEKILN LAKE Walleye Trout ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 ⊲ All year, -None, -5 PROSPECT RESERVOIR MILLSITE LAKE Trout Trout ⊲ All year, -12", -3 ⊲ All year, -12", -3 SANDY POND (JEFFERSON COUNTY) Lake Trout ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -21", -3 Yellow Perch & Sunfsh Atlantic Salmon ⊲ All year, -None, -50 of each ⊲ All year, -15", -3 MOSHIER RESERVOIR

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 43 Region 6 Special Regulations

TAMARACK POND INDIVIDUAL LAKE AND ⊲ Use or possession of baitfsh is POND REGULATIONS prohibited Trout SECOND LAKE OF FULTON CHAIN ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -12", -3 Trout ⊲ All year, -9", -5 THIRD LAKE OF FULTON CHAIN Lake Trout Trout ⊲ All year, -21", -3 ⊲ All year, -9", -5 Atlantic Salmon Lake Trout ⊲ All year, -21", -3 ⊲ All year, -15", -3 Atlantic Salmon SIXBERRY LAKE ⊲ All year, -15", -3 Lake Trout ⊲ All year, -21", -3 TOOLEY POND Black Bass Atlantic Salmon ⊲ 3rd Sat in June–Nov 30, Catch and ⊲ All year, -15", -3 Release only, Artifcial lures only SIXTOWN POND ⊲ Fishing for Black Bass (including Walleye Catch and Release) is prohibited ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 outside of the open season. SOFT MAPLE RESERVOIR TROUT LAKE (ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY)

STAR LAKE Trout Trout ⊲ All year, -12", -3 ⊲ All year, -12", -3 Lake Trout Lake Trout ⊲ All year, - 21", -3 ⊲ All year, -21", -3 TUPPER LAKE Atlantic Salmon Lake Trout ⊲ All year, -15", -3 ⊲ All year, -21", -3 STERLING POND WHETSTONE MARSH POND STILLWATER RESERVOIR WOODHULL LAKE Trout Lake Trout ⊲ All year, -12", -3 ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -18", -3 SYLVIA LAKE Trout ⊲ All year, -12", -3 Lake Trout ⊲ All year, -21", -3

44 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 6 Special Regulations INDIVIDUAL RIVER AND INDIAN RIVER • From falls in Rossie downstream to the STREAM REGULATIONS confuence with the Oswegatchie River: BARGE (ERIE) AND Black Bass TRIBUTARIES ⊲ 3rd Sat in June–Nov 30, -15", -5 • From Oneida Lake upstream to Lock 22: ⊲ Fishing for Black Bass (including Walleye Catch and Release) is prohibited outside of the open season ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -15", -3 Walleye BLACK RIVER ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 • From Dexter Dam upstream: • At Rossie from west side (downstream) Walleye of County Rte. 8 bridge upstream to ⊲ Statewide seasons and limits apply highest point of Rossie Falls: • Downstream of Mill St. in Watertown ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May ⊲ See Great Lakes regulations on pages 62-69 MOHAWK RIVER EAST BRANCH FISH CREEK • From Delta Lake upstream to bridge in Westernville: • From mouth upstream to the Rte. 69 bridge in Taberg: ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May ONEIDA LAKE TRIBUTARIES FISH CREEK (ONEIDA COUNTY) • Upstream to 1st barrier impassable by fsh: • From Barge Canal upstream to junction of East and West Branches of Fish Walleye Creek: ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -15", -3 ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the OSWEGATCHIE RIVER Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May • From north side of the lowermost bridge, FISH CREEK (ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY) State Rte. 68, upstream to the dam in • From west side (downstream) side of Ogdensburg: State Rte. 58 bridge upstream to highest ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the point of Fish Creek Falls in Pope Mills: Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the ST. LAWRENCE RIVER AND Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May TRIBUTARIES TO 1ST BARRIER GRASS RIVER • See Great Lakes & Tributaries • From the downstream side of the Regulations on pages 62-69. ALCOA Rd. Bridge upstream to the WEST BRANCH OF FISH CREEK upstream side of the Main Street Bridge in the Village of Massena: • From mouth upstream to dam in McConnellsville: ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 45 Region 6 Special Regulations TROUT STREAM WILD-QUALITY REGULATIONS REGUL ATIONS Trout Trout stream reaches categorized as Wild or Stocked are managed using statewide ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -3 with no more trout stream regulations (page 6). than 1 longer than 12" Regulations for other categorized stream ⊲ Oct 16–Mar 31, Catch and Release reaches are listed below. only, Artifcial lures only * Asterisk represents streams with more than 1 CRYSTAL CREEK management category. • From confuence with the Black River upstream to Crystal Pond Dam STOCKED-EXTENDED • From Crystal Pond upstream to Erie REGUL ATIONS Canal Rd. Trout ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -3 with no more CATCH AND RELEASE than 1 longer than 12" REGUL ATIONS ⊲ Oct 16–Mar 31, Catch and Release Trout only, Artifcial lures only ⊲ All year, Catch and Release only, MOHAWK RIVER Artifcial lures only • From Delta Dam downstream to 1st SOUTH BRANCH GRASS RIVER confuence with Barge Canal • From 0.5 mile downstream of Rte. 3 * upstream to Grass River Flow • From Bridge St. in Middleville upstream WEST CANADA CREEK* to the 1st bridge (Comstock Bridge) downstream of the mouth of Cincinnati • From the 1st bridge (Comstock Bridge) Creek downstream of the mouth of Cincinnati Creek upstream to Trenton Falls dam • See Catch and Release for additional reach. • See Stocked-Extended for additional reach.

46 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 6 Special Regulations

LEWIS COUNTY TOWN OF FINE BAITFISH • Ha-De-Ron-Dah • Long Lake PROHIBITED Wilderness • Nicks Pond TOWN OF CROGHAN • Round Lake WATERS • Clear Pond • Streeter Lake Use of baitfsh is prohibited • Rock Pond TOWN OF PARISHVILLE in the following waters: • Seepage Pond • Clear Pond * Note: Statewide Species • Trout Pond • Long Pond Seasons and Limits (page 6) TOWN OF DIANA • Lilypad Pond apply to most of the Baitfsh Prohibited Waters. A select few • Green Pond TOWN OF PIERCEFIELD have their own special trout • Sealy Pond • Big Trout Pond regulation. Review the Region • Silver Dawn Lake • Black Pond 6 Regulations to fnd out which • Little Silver Dawn Lake regulation applies. • Bottree Pond TOWN OF GREIG • Bridgebrook Pond HERKIMER COUNTY • Pitcher Pond • Deer Pond • Five Ponds Wilderness TOWN OF WATSON • Horseshoe Pond • Ha-De-Ron-Dah • Cleveland Lake • Little Trout Pond Wilderness • Evies Pond • Long Pond • Pepperbox Wilderness • Long Lake • Lows Lake ( • Pigeon Lake upstream of dam Wilderness • Payne Lake above Hitchens Pond) • West Canada Lake ONEIDA COUNTY • Massawepie Lake Wilderness TOWN OF FORESTPORT • Pine Pond TOWN OF WEBB • Brandy Lake • Round Pond • Bear Lake • Round Pond • Townline Pond • Bubb Lake ST. LAWRENCE • Brewer Lake • Buck Lake (0.5 mile COUNTY north of Hog Pond) • Five Ponds Wilderness • Buck Pond (1 mile west • Raquette-Boreal Wild of Thirsty Pond) Forest • Clear Pond TOWN OF CLARE • Moss Lake • Allen Pond • Nicks Lake TOWN OF COLTON • Big Otter Lake • Burntbridge Pond • Quiver Pond • Church Pond • Razorback Pond • Clear or Hedgehog • Sis Lake Pond • Tied Lake • Curtis Pond • Twitchell Lake • Dog Pond • West Pond (0.6 mile • Townline Pond southwest of Big • Big Trout Pond Moose Lake) • Little Trout Pond • Wheeler Pond • Woods Lake

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 47 Region 7 Special Regulations REGION 7 INDIVIDUAL LAKE AND Jim Everard, Senior Aquatic Biologist POND REGULATIONS 1285 Fisher Ave. ARCTIC LAKE Cortland, NY 13045-1090 Trout (607) 753-3095 ⊲ All year, -5 with no more than 2 [email protected] longer than 12" CASTERLINE POND Trout ⊲ All year, -5 with no more than 2 longer than 12" AND TRIBUTARIES TO 1ST BARRIER • See Finger Lakes & Tributary Regulations. COUNTIES: Walleye BROOME ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3

CAYUGA CROSS LAKE Northern Pike CHENANGO ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -22", -5 CORTLAND Walleye ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 MADISON DERUYTER RESERVOIR ONONDAGA Walleye OSWEGO ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 EATON BROOK RESERVOIR TIOGA Trout TOMPKINS ⊲ All year, -5 with no more than 2 longer than 12" REGION-WIDE Walleye ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 REGULATIONS GOODALE LAKE ALL WATERS EXCEPT INLAND TROUT Trout STREAMS OR AS LISTED BELOW ⊲ All year, -5 with no more than 2 Trout longer than 12" ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -5 with no more than 2 longer than 12"

48 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 7 Special Regulations

GREEN LAKE IN GREEN LAKES STATE NANTICOKE LAKE PARK Trout Trout ⊲ All year, -5 with no more than 2 ⊲ April 1–Nov 30, -5 with no more longer than 12" than 2 longer than 12" ONEIDA LAKE EAST OF RTE. 81 BRIDGE GREENWOOD LAKE Trout Walleye ⊲ All year, -5 with no more than 2 ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -15", -3 longer than 12" AND TRIBUTARIES TO GUILFORD LAKE 1ST BARRIER Trout • See Finger Lakes & Tributary ⊲ All year, -5 with no more than 2 Regulations. longer than 12" AND TRIBUTARIES TO JAMESVILLE RESERVOIR 1ST BARRIER Walleye • See Finger Lakes & Tributary Regulations. ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 REDFIELD RESERVOIR AND TRIBUTARIES TO 1ST BARRIER Trout • See Great Lakes & Tributaries ⊲ All year, -5 with no more than 2 Regulations. longer than 12" Walleye LEBANON RESERVOIR ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 Trout ⊲ All year, -5 with no more than 2 AND TRIBUTARIES longer than 12" TO 1ST BARRIER • See Finger Lakes & Tributary Regulations. LELAND PONDS Trout TRI-COUNTY POND ⊲ All year, -5 with no more than 2 Trout longer than 12" ⊲ All year, -5 with no more than 2 longer than 12" LITTLE YORK LAKE Trout WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR ⊲ All year, -5 with no more than 2 Walleye longer than 12" ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 MILL BROOK RESERVOIR Trout ⊲ All year, -5 with no more than 2 longer than 12"

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 49 Region 7 Special Regulations

ONEIDA LAKE TRIBUTARIES INDIVIDUAL RIVER AND UPSTREAM TO THE 1ST BARRIER STREAM REGULATIONS IMPASSABLE BY FISH Walleye BARGE (ERIE) CANAL & TRIBUTARIES ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -15", -3

• From Oneida Lake to Lock 22: Walleye • From mouth upstream to Whitney Point Reservoir Dam: ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -15", -3 ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May • From Rte. 31 bridge upstream to • From Whitney Point Reservoir upstream Thruway: to Cortland County Rte. 169 bridge at ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the Landers Corners: Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May Walleye ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 • Broome and Chenango counties OWASCO LAKE OUTLET Muskellunge and Tiger Muskellunge Lake Trout ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -40", -1 of ⊲ All year, -15", -3 either species American Shad SCRIBA CREEK ⊲ All year, Catch and Release fshing • From mouth upstream to Fish Hatchery only. All American Shad shall be Dam: returned to the water immediately. ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May • From mouth upstream to Conrail railroad SENECA : Northern Pike ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -22", -5 Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May • From Plainville Rd. upstream: COWASELON CREEK Walleye • From mouth upstream to Rte. 13: ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May FINGER LAKES TRIBUTARIES • See Finger Lakes and Tributary Regulations. LITTLE CHOCONUT CREEK • From mouth to Goudey Station Building: ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May

50 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 7 Special Regulations

SUSQUEHANNA RIVER • Tioga, Broome, and Chenengo counties TROUT STREAM Muskellunge and Tiger Muskellunge REGULATIONS ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -40", -1 of Trout stream reaches categorized as Wild either species or Stocked are managed using statewide American Shad trout stream regulations (page 6). Regulations for other categorized stream ⊲ All year, Catch and Release fshing reaches are listed below. only. All American Shad shall be * Asterisk represents streams with more than 1 returned to the water immediately management category. • From the railroad bridge 0.65 mile downstream of Rte. 201 bridge in Johnson City to Murphys Island (0.5 mile STOCKED-EXTENDED upstream of Harold Moore Park): REGUL ATIONS ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the Trout Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -3 with no more • Between Rock Bottom Dam and than 1 longer than 12" Exchange St. Bridge in Binghamton: ⊲ Oct 16–Mar 31, Catch and Release ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the only, Artifcial lures only Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May BUTTERNUT CREEK • From Kinne Rd. upstream to Jamesville • Broome County Reservoir Muskellunge and Tiger Muskellunge • From Jamesville Reservoir upstream to ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -40", -1 of Rte. 80 either species CHITTENANGO CREEK* American Shad • From Russell St. in Chittenango ⊲ All year, Catch and Release fshing upstream to the mile marker 1237 south only. All American Shad shall be of the Village of Chittenango village line returned to the water immediately. • From the Town of Fenner-Town of • From New York Rte. 26 bridge to U.S. Sullivan town line at mile marker 1219 Rte. 11 bridge: upstream to Rte. 20 in Cazenovia • See Catch and Release for additional ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 16 until the reach. Fri preceding the 1st Sat in May CREEK • From upstream to Rte. 80 NINEMILE CREEK* • From Amboy Dam upstream to the dam at Rte. 174/Glover Rd. junction • See Catch and Release for additional reach. ONONDAGA CREEK • From Rte. 20 upstream to the second Tully Farms Rd. crossing

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 51 Region 7 Special Regulations

OTSELIC RIVER GENEGANTSLET CREEK • From South Otselic Hatchery Angler • From 1st Rte. 220 bridge north of Parking Lot upstream to Rte. 80 Smithville Flats upstream to mouth of Five Streams WEST BRANCH LIMESTONE CREEK NINEMILE CREEK* • From confuence with Limestone Creek upstream to No. 2 West Rd. • From upstream to Amboy Dam WILD-PREMIER • See Stocked-Extended for additional reach. REGUL ATIONS OQUAGA CREEK Trout • From the new Rte. 17 bridge west of ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -None, -1 Deposit upstream 3 miles to the Old Rte. ⊲ Oct 16–Mar 31, Catch and Release 17 bridge east of McClure only, Artifcial lures only SKANEATELES CREEK OLD • From the Jordan Rd. Bridge in the • From upstream to Rte. Village of Jordan upstream 10.2 miles to 20 bridge the Old Seneca Turnpike Bridge north of Village of Skaneateles: ORISKANY CREEK • Additional species regulation • From Rte. 12B bridge upstream to Old Atlantic Salmon Chenango Canal ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, Catch and Release WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER only, Artifcial lures only • From NY/PA border upstream to 2 miles WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER downstream of the Rte. 17 bridge at Deposit • From Rte. 17 bridge at Deposit downstream 2 miles • From Rte. 17 bridge at Deposit upstream to Stilesville Weir WATERS WHERE CATCH AND RELEASE REGUL ATIONS SNATCHING IS PERMITTED The taking of fsh by snatching, but not Trout blind snatching (see page 70), is permitted ⊲ All year, Catch and Release only, from Jan 1–Mar 15 only as follows: Artifcial lures only • In Chenango and Madison counties, suckers may be taken from the CHITTENANGO CREEK* Chenango River downstream of • From the mile marker 1237 south of Randallsville and the Unadilla River the Village of Chittenango village line downstream of South Edmeston. upstream to the Town of Fenner-Town of • In Cortland County, suckers may be Sullivan town line at mile marker 1219 taken from the Otselic River from • See Stocked-Extended for additional the State Rte. 23 bridge in Lower reach. Cincinnatus to the County Rte. 169 bridge in Landers Corners and in the Tioughnioga River from the County Rte. 121 bridge in Blodgett Mills to the State Rte. 221 bridge in Marathon.

52 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 8 Special Regulations REGION 8 REGION-WIDE Webster Pearsall, Regional Fisheries REGULATIONS Manager 6274 East Avon-Lima Rd. ALL WATERS EXCEPT INLAND TROUT STREAMS OR AS LISTED BELOW Avon, NY 14414-9519 Trout (585) 226-2466 ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -5 with no more [email protected] than 2 longer than 12"

INDIVIDUAL LAKE AND POND REGULATIONS AND TRIBUTARIES TO 1ST BARRIER • See Finger Lakes & Tributary Regulations. AND TRIBUTARIES TO 1ST BARRIER • See Finger Lakes & Tributary Regulations. COUNTIES: CAYUGA LAKE AND TRIBUTARIES TO CHEMUNG 1ST BARRIER • See Finger Lakes & Tributary GENESEE Regulations. LIVINGSTON CAYUTA LAKE Walleye MONROE ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 ONTARIO AND TRIBUTARIES TO ORLEANS 1ST BARRIER • See Finger Lakes & Tributary SCHUYLER Regulations. SENECA AND TRIBUTARIES TO 1ST BARRIER STEUBEN • See Finger Lakes & Tributary Regulations. WAYNE AND TRIBUTARIES TO YATES 1ST BARRIER • See Finger Lakes & Tributary Regulations.

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 53 Region 8 Special Regulations

KEUKA LAKE AND TRIBUTARIES TO FINGER LAKES TRIBUTARIES 1ST BARRIER • See Finger Lakes and Tributary • See Finger Lakes & Tributary Regulations. Regulations. KEUKA OUTLET FROM 1ST BARRIER LAKE ONTARIO AND TRIBUTARIES TO UPSTREAM 1ST BARRIER Trout • See Great Lakes & Tributaries ⊲ All year, -5 with no more than 2 Regulations. longer than 12" PARK STATION POND NORTH MCMILLAN CREEK Trout ⊲ Fishing is prohibited Mar 1 until the Fri ⊲ All year, -None, -5 preceding the 1st Sat in May AND TRIBUTARIES TO 1ST BARRIER Northern Pike • See Finger Lakes & Tributary ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -22", -5 Regulations. Walleye WATERPORT RESERVOIR ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 Walleye TIOGA RIVER ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3 Muskellunge and Tiger Muskellunge ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -40", -1 of INDIVIDUAL RIVER AND either species STREAM REGULATIONS AND TRIBUTARIES TROUT STREAM • Chemung and Steuben counties: REGULATIONS Muskellunge and Tiger Muskellunge Trout stream reaches categorized as Wild ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -40", -1 of or Stocked are managed using statewide either species trout stream regulations (page 6). Regulations for other categorized stream • Chemung County reaches are listed below. American Shad * Asterisk represents streams with more than 1 ⊲ All year, Catch and Release fshing management category. only. All American Shad shall be returned to the water immediately STOCKED-EXTENDED CONESUS INLET FISH AND WILDLIFE REGUL ATIONS MANAGEMENT AREA Trout • From Conesus Lake south to the dam, except the canal west of Conesus Inlet ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -3 with no more and that portion of the inlet north of the than 1 longer than 12" canal: ⊲ Oct 16–Mar 31, Catch and Release ⊲ Fishing prohibited Mar 1 until the only, Artifcial lures only Friday preceding the 1st Saturday in May 54 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 8 Special Regulations

CAYUTA CREEK SPRING CREEK • From Tioga county line upstream to • From confuence with Oatka Creek Swan Hill Rd. upstream to source, except additional restriction below: * • On Caledonia State Fish Hatchery • From Veterans Ave. Bridge (Bath) property as posted upstream to County Rte. 39A (Atlanta) ⊲ Angling prohibited from 3:30 PM to • See Wild-Quality for additional reach. 8:00 AM OATKA CREEK* • From Monroe county line upstream to CATCH AND RELEASE Circular Hill Rd. REGUL ATIONS • See Wild-Quality and Catch and Release for additional reaches. Trout ⊲ All year, Catch and Release only, WILD-QUALITY Artifcial lures only REGUL ATIONS OATKA CREEK* • From Union St. upstream 1.7 miles to Trout Wheatland Center Rd. ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -3 with no more • See Stocked-Extended and Wild-Quality than 1 longer than 12" for additional reaches. ⊲ Oct 16–Mar 31, Catch and Release only, Artifcial lures only COHOCTON RIVER* WATERS WHERE • From County Rte. 39A (Atlanta) upstream SPEARFISHING IS to source • See Stocked-Extended for additional PERMITTED reach. The taking of fsh by spear (not spear gun) is permitted only as follows: MILL CREEK • In Wayne County, bullhead and suckers • From confuence with Canaseraga Creek may be taken from Jan 1–May 15 from to County Rte. 90 (Patchinville) Black Creek Bay and Red Creek Bay. NEIL CREEK • From confuence with Cohocton River upstream to the end of Public Fishing Rights section 1500 feet upstream of Mattoon Rd. OATKA CREEK* • From Bowerman Rd. upstream to Union St. • From Wheatland Center Rd. upstream to the confuence with Spring Creek • See Stocked-Extended and Catch and Release for additional reaches.

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 55 Region 9 Special Regulations REGION 9 INDIVIDUAL LAKE AND Michael Clancy, Regional Fisheries POND REGULATIONS Manager 182 East Union St., Suite 3 Allegany, NY 14706 • State Park regulations may apply, check with Park Police (716) 372-0645 [email protected] ALLEN LAKE Trout ⊲ All year, -5 with no more than 2 longer than 12" LAKE Trout ⊲ All year, -5 with no more than 2 longer than 12" AND ITS TRIBUTARIES Muskellunge and Tiger Muskellunge ⊲ Last Sat in May–Nov 30, -40", COUNTIES: -1 HARWOOD LAKE ALLEGANY Trout CHAUTAUQUA ⊲ All year, -5 with no more than 2 longer than 12" CATTARAUGUS AND TRIBUTARIES TO 1ST ERIE BARRIER IMPASSABLE BY FISH • See Great Lakes & Tributaries NIAGARA Regulations. WYOMING LAKE ONTARIO AND TRIBUTARIES TO 1ST BARRIER • See Great Lakes & Tributaries REGION-WIDE Regulations. LAKE REGULATIONS Trout, ALL WATERS EXCEPT INLAND TROUT ⊲ All year, -5 with no more than 2 STREAMS OR AS LISTED BELOW longer than 12" Trout ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -5 with no more than 2 longer than 12"

56 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Region 9 Special Regulations QUAKER LAKE TROUT STREAM Trout ⊲ All year, -5 with no more than 2 REGULATIONS longer than 12" Trout stream reaches categorized as Wild or Stocked are managed using statewide RED HOUSE LAKE trout stream regulations (page 6). Trout Regulations for other categorized stream ⊲ All year, -5 with no more than 2 reaches are listed below. longer than 12" * Asterisk represents streams with more than 1 management category. RUSHFORD LAKE Trout STOCKED-EXTENDED ⊲ April 1–Nov 30, -5 with no more than 2 longer than 12" REGUL ATIONS Trout INDIVIDUAL RIVER AND ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -3 with no more than 1 longer than 12" STREAM REGULATIONS ⊲ Oct 16–Mar 31, Catch and Release only, Artifcial lures only AND TRIBUTARIES TO 1ST BARRIER IMPASSABLE BY FISH CATTARAUGUS CREEK • See Great Lakes & Tributaries • From confuence with Elton Creek Regulations. upstream to 1.0 mile upstream of Java Lake Rd. BUTTERMILK CREEK FROM MOUTH TO FOX VALLEY RD. EAST KOY CREEK • Fishing prohibited all year • From Wyoming county line upstream to Green Bay Rd. CATTARAUGUS CREEK DOWNSTREAM OF SPRINGVILLE DAM * • See Great Lakes & Tributaries • From Belmont Dam in Belmont upstream Regulations. to County Rte. 29 near York’s Corners CHADAKOIN RIVER TO WARNER DAM • From State Rte. 19 bridge in Shongo upstream to state line Muskellunge and Tiger Muskellunge • See Catch and Release for additional reach. ⊲ Last Sat in May–Nov 30, -40", -1 GOOSE CREEK AND TRIBUTARIES TO • From State Rte. 474 in Ashville upstream THE 1ST BARRIER to Wall St. • See Great Lakes & Tributaries Regulations.

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 57 Region 9 Special Regulations WILD-QUALITY TROUT BROOK • From confuence with REGUL ATIONS upstream to 0.1 mile upstream of Hillside Trout Rd. ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -3 with no more than 1 longer than 12" WILD-PREMIER ⊲ Oct 16–Mar 31, Catch and Release REGUL ATIONS only, Artifcial lures only Trout ELM CREEK ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -None, -1 • From confuence with Little Conewango ⊲ Oct 16–Mar 31, Catch and Release Creek upstream to State Rte. 394 only, Artifcial lures only ELTON CREEK CLEAR CREEK (ARCADE) • From State Rte. 16 upstream to former • From confuence with Cattaraugus bridge on Swanson Hill Rd. Creek upstream to NYS Rte. 98 crossing FENTON BROOK (AKA MUD CREEK) near Phillipi Rd. • From Conewango Creek upstream to CLEAR CREEK (ELLINGTON) County Rte. 6 downstream of Fancher Hill Rd. • From confuence with Conewango Creek upstream to bridge at Cockaigne FLYNN (SPRING) BROOK Ski Area • From confuence with Cattaraugus LIME LAKE OUTLET Creek upstream to Youngers Rd. • From confuence with Elton Creek HOSMER (SARDINIA) BROOK upstream to Lime Lake • From confuence with Cattaraugus WISCOY CREEK Creek upstream to Genesee Rd. • From confuence with Genesee River MANSFIELD CREEK upstream to Flynn Rd. • From 0.5 mile upstream of the western- most County Rte. 13 (Maples Rd.) CATCH AND RELEASE crossing upstream to Hinman Hollow Rd. crossing near Poverty Hill Rd. REGUL ATIONS MCKINSTRY CREEK Trout • From confuence with Lime Lake Outlet ⊲ All year, Catch and Release only, upstream to source Artifcial lures only

NORTH BRANCH WISCOY CREEK GENESEE RIVER* • From confuence with Wiscoy Creek • From County Rte. 29 near York’s Corners upstream to State Rte. 362 upstream to State Rte. 19 bridge in Shongo THE RAM • From confuence with Elm Creek upstream to State Rte. 394

58 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Finger Lakes and Tributary Regulations FINGER LAKES HONEOYE LAKE Black Bass REGULATIONS ⊲ 3rd Sat in June–Mar 15, -12", -5 ALL FINGER LAKES ⊲ Mar 16–Fri preceding the 3rd Sat Northern Pike in June, Catch and Release only, Artifcial lures only ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -22", -5 Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Walleye Landlocked Salmon ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -18", -3, ⊲ All year, -15", -5 in combination (see Honeoye Lake for exception) ⊲ Catch shall include no more than CANADICE LAKE, 1 Rainbow Trout or 3 Landlocked CANANDAIGUA LAKE, Salmon CONESUS LAKE, Walleye HEMLOCK LAKE, ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -15", -3 , AND SENECA LAKE Alewife (sawbellies) ⊲ Possession prohibited Black Bass OTISCO LAKE ⊲ 3rd Sat in June–Mar 15, -12", -5 Tiger Muskellunge ⊲ Mar 16–Fri preceding the 3rd Sat in June, Catch and Release only, ⊲ 1st Sat in May–Mar 15, -36", -1 Artifcial lures only Trout Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, ⊲ All year, -12", -5 Landlocked Salmon OWASCO LAKE ⊲ All year, -15", -5 in combination Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, ⊲ Catch shall include no more than Landlocked Salmon 1 Rainbow Trout or 3 Landlocked Salmon ⊲ All year, -15", -5 in combination ⊲ Catch shall include no more than 3 CAYUGA LAKE Brown Trout, 3 Rainbow Trout, or 3 Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Landlocked Salmon Landlocked Salmon SKANEATELES LAKE ⊲ All year, -15" except 18" for Landlocked Salmon, -5 in Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, combination Landlocked Salmon ⊲ Catch shall include no more than 3 ⊲ All year, -15", -5 in combination Brown Trout, 3 Rainbow Trout, or 3 ⊲ Catch shall include no more than 3 of Landlocked Salmon any species. Alewife (sawbellies) ⊲ Possession prohibited

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 59 Finger Lakes and Tributary Regulations

FALL CREEK (CAYUGA LAKE) FROM FINGER LAKE TRIBUTARY THE DOWNSTREAM EDGE OF THE RAILROAD BRIDGE BELOW RTE. 13 TO REGULATIONS ITHACA FALLS ALL TRIBUTARIES TO CANADICE LAKE, Lake Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, CANANDAIGUA LAKE, HEMLOCK Landlocked Salmon LAKE, KEUKA LAKE, AND SENECA ⊲ April 1–Dec 31, -15" except 18" LAKE UPSTREAM TO THE 1ST BARRIER for Landlocked Salmon, -3 in IMPASSABLE BY FISH combination Lake Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, ⊲ Jan 1–Mar 31, Catch and Release only, Landlocked Salmon Artifcial lures only ⊲ April 1–Dec 31, -15", -3 in ⊲ Angling prohibited between sunset combination and sunrise from Oct 1–May 15 ⊲ Catch shall include no more than 1 Rainbow Trout SPAFFORD CREEK (OTISCO LAKE) Trout ALL TRIBUTARIES TO OWASCO LAKE, OTISCO LAKE, AND SKANEATELES ⊲ April 1–Oct 15, -5–with no more LAKE UPSTREAM TO THE 1ST BARRIER than 2 longer than 12" IMPASSABLE BY FISH EXCEPT TRIBUTARIES TO ALL FINGER LAKES SPAFFORD CREEK UPSTREAM TO THE 1ST BARRIER Lake Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, IMPASSABLE BY FISH Landlocked Salmon All other species ⊲ April 1–Dec 31, -15" except 9" for ⊲ Open season, daily limit, and Brown Trout, -3 in combination minimum length regulations that are ALL TRIBUTARIES TO CAYUGA LAKE in efect for the Finger Lakes UPSTREAM TO THE 1ST BARRIER IMPASSABLE BY FISH EXCEPT FALL CREEK Lake Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Salmon ⊲ April 1–Dec 31, -15" except 18" for Landlocked Salmon, -3 in combination

60 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Finger Lakes and Tributary Regulations Additional Tributary Regulations Stream Sections for Which Additional Tributary Regulations A. Any action to frighten fsh and move them from concealment, including B, C, D, E, F, and G above Do herding, driving, kicking, and stoning is Not Apply: prohibited. Trout season is closed Jan 1–March 31 in B. Angling is prohibited from Jan 1–Mar 31, these sections. except for those stream sections listed below and Fall Creek downstream of • Barge Canal from Seneca Lake Ithaca Falls. upstream to northernmost Rte. 14 bridge in Montour Falls, Schuyler County C. Angling is prohibited between sunset and sunrise from April 1–May 15 and • Cayuga Inlet and food control channel Oct 1–Dec 31 except for those stream from Cayuga Lake upstream to posted sections listed to the right. “NO FISHING" boundary below the fshway in Tompkins County D. Angling is prohibited all year in Cayuga Inlet for a distance of 500 feet up and • Fall Creek from Cayuga Lake to the downstream of the dam located within downstream edge of the railroad. bridge the food control channel and Coy below Rte. 13 in Ithaca, Tompkins County Glenn Creek from Cayuga Inlet up to • Guyanoga Creek from Keuka Lake and including the second check dam in upstream to Rte. 54A bridge, Yates Tompkins County. County E. Use of more than one line with a single • Old Seneca Inlet in the southeast corner hook point is prohibited except for of Seneca Lake upstream of State Rte. those stream sections listed to the 414 right. • Owasco Inlet from Owasco Lake F. Possession of hooks with a gap greater upstream 0.7 mile to marked boundary than ½" is prohibited except for those at old railroad bed in Cayuga County. stream sections listed to the right. • Sucker Brook from Canandaigua Lake G. Possession of landing nets larger upstream in Ontario County than 50 inches around the frame or • from Canandaigua Lake with handles longer than 20 inches upstream in Ontario County is prohibited except for those stream • Yawgers Creek from Cayuga Lake sections listed to the right. upstream to abandoned railroad bridge in Cayuga County

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 61 Great Lakes and Tributaries Regulations

These regulations apply to the New York waters of Lake Erie, the Upper and LAKE ERIE AND Lower Niagara River, Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, and designated sections TRIBUTARIES of the tributaries to these waters. REGULATIONS • Tributary sections subject to these regulations are generally defned as the Lake Erie tributary seasonal bridge closest to the mouth upstream to fshing regulations the 1st barrier impassable to fsh. • Tributaries with diferent boundaries and Portions of Lake Erie tributaries where exemptions are listed separately. seasonal regulations apply • Note that there are also seasonal tackle restrictions and restrictions on night CATTARAUGUS CREEK fshing in the tributaries. From the Aldrich Street Extension Bridge in Gowanda upstream to Springville Dam REGULATIONS FOR BUFFALO RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES From the I-90 (NYS Thruway) bridge ALL GREAT LAKES & upstream to 1st barrier impassable by fsh TRIBUTARIES ALL OTHER LAKE ERIE TRIBUTARIES Regulations for all Great Lakes waters, From bridge closest to the mouth upstream including Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, the to the 1st barrier impassable by fsh Upper and Lower Niagara River, St. Season Lawrence River, and tributaries to these waters. Seasonal fshing regulations apply Sept 1–Mar 31. At all times: Fishing hours ⊲ Snatching (page 71) and attempting to Fishing only permitted 1/2 hour before snatch is prohibited. sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset (fshing at ⊲ All foul-hooked fsh must be night is prohibited). immediately released without Hook, leader, and weight regulations unnecessary injury. ⊲ The distance between a hook’s shaft ⊲ Use or possession of gaf hooks is and point cannot exceed 1/2 inch. prohibited except when ice fshing. ⊲ Hooks attached to any lure must be ⊲ Any action to frighten fsh and move free-swinging, except on an artifcial them from concealment, including fy (page 70). herding, driving, kicking or stoning, is prohibited. ⊲ Use of hooks with added weight is prohibited, except for artifcial fies

⊲ The use of eggs for is (page 70) and jigs weighing no more prohibited (page 78). than 1/8 oz are permitted. ⊲ The distance between the hook, artifcial fy or lure and any weight attached to the line or leader, whether fxed or sliding, shall not exceed four feet.

62 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Great Lakes and Tributaries Regulations

LAKE ERIE AND TRIBUTARIES SEASONS AND LIMITS* Minimum Species Open Season Daily Limit Length Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout 3 in any (including Steelhead), Coho All year 12" combination Salmon, Chinook Salmon Lake Trout All year 12" 1 Northern Pike 1st Sat in May–Mar 15 22" 5 Walleye 1st Sat in May–Mar 15 15" 6 Muskellunge, Tiger 3rd Sat in June–Nov 30 54" 1 Muskellunge December 1–Fri preceding 20" 1 Black Bass the 3rd Sat in June 3rd Sat in June–Nov 30 12" 5

* Regulations apply from Lake Erie upstream to Springville Dam for Cattaraugus Creek.

Catch and Release Regulations for Chautauqua and Eighteenmile Creeks

Catch and Release Regulations ⊲ Catch and Release only for trout and salmon in creek sections described below ⊲ Only Artifcial lures can be used in Catch and Release sections ⊲ Seasonal regulations regarding hooks, leaders, and weights apply.

Stream reaches where Catch and Release regulations apply

CHAUTAUQUA CREEK ⊲ From bridge on South Gale St. upstream 1.3 miles to the upper Village of Westfeld water intake dam EIGHTEENMILE CREEK (ERIE COUNTY) ⊲ Main branch of creek (excluding South Branch) contained within Eighteenmile Creek County Park

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 63 Great Lakes and Tributaries Regulations NIAGARA RIVER REGULATIONS UPPER NIAGARA RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES SEASONS AND LIMITS

Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout (Including 3 in any All year None Steelhead), Coho combination Salmon, Chinook Salmon Lake Trout All year 12" 1 Northern Pike 1st Sat in May–Mar 15 22" 5 Walleye 1st Sat in May–Mar 15 15" 6 Muskellunge and Tiger 3rd Sat in June–Nov 30 54" 1 Muskellunge Black Bass (north of the Statewide Angling Regulations Apply Peace Bridge)

Statewide gear restrictions apply in Upper Niagara River and tributaries.

LOWER NIAGARA RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES SEASONS AND LIMITS

Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout 15", except 21" for (including Steelhead), All year Rainbow Trout 3 (Trout & , Salmon) in any Chinook Salmon combination, None, except only not to include 1 Lake Trout may more than Lake Trout Dec 1–Sept 30 be between 25" 1 Atlantic and 30" Salmon or 2 Lake Trout Atlantic Salmon All year 25"

Muskellunge and 3rd Sat in June–Dec 15 54" 1 Tiger Muskellunge Northern Pike 1st Sat in May–Mar 15 22" 5 1st Sat in May–Dec 31 18" 3 Walleye Jan 1–Mar 15 18" 1 American Eel Closed Possession prohibited

Statewide gear restrictions apply in Lower Niagara River and tributaries.

64 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Great Lakes and Tributaries Regulations LAKE ONTARIO, ST. LAWRENCE RIVER, AND TRIBUTARIES REGULATIONS LAKE ONTARIO, ST. LAWRENCE RIVER, AND THEIR TRIBUTARIES* SEASONS AND LIMITS** Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit 3 in combination, not to include 15" except for more than 2 Rainbow Trout (or Rainbow Trout or Steelhead) in the lake, and not Brown Trout, All year Steelhead: 21" in to include more than 1 Rainbow Rainbow Trout the lake and 25" in Trout (or Steelhead) and 1 (including tributaries Steelhead), Brown Trout in the tributaries Coho Salmon, Except 9" and 3 fsh daily for Brown Trout in upstream Chinook Salmon of the south side of Rte. 286 bridges, Lindsey Creek and Skinner Creek (Oswego and Jeferson counties), and the Black River from Dexter Dam to Mill Street Dam (Jeferson County) None (except no more than 1 shall be Lake Trout Dec 1–Sept 30 2 between 25" and 30") Atlantic Salmon All year 25" 1 Northern Pike 1st Sat in May– 22" 5 (Lake Ontario) Mar 15 Northern Pike (St. Lawrence River 1st Sat in May– and tributaries 22" 3 Mar 15 downstream of Tibbets Point) Statewide Species Regulations apply except that fshing for black bass (including Catch and Release) is prohibited Dec 1–Fri preceding the 3rd Black Bass Sat in June in Lake Ontario and tributaries in Jeferson Co. and the St. Lawrence River and tributaries. 1st Sat in May– Walleye 18" 3 Mar 15 Muskellunge and 3rd Sat in June– 54" 1 Tiger Muskellunge Dec 15 American Eel Closed Possession prohibited 50 of each Yellow Perch, Except Yellow Perch and All year None Sunfsh Sunfsh may be taken in any number in Jeferson County * These species seasons and limits do not apply to St. Lawrence River tributaries in Clinton and Franklin counties. See Statewide Species Regulations and Region 5 special regulations for these tributaries. ** See Region 6 special regulations for seasonal closures on the Oswegatchie and Grasse rivers.

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 65 Great Lakes and Tributaries Regulations Lake Ontario Tributary Seasonal Sections of Lake Ontario Tributaries Fishing Regulations Except Subject to Seasonal Tributary Regulations the Lower Niagara River and The following tributary sections are subject Salmon River to seasonal fshing regulations described below during the period Sept 1–Mar 31: Lake Ontario Waters and Tributaries BLACK RIVER Exempted from Seasonal Tributary ⊲ From the upstream tip of the Regulations lowermost island to Mill St. Dam in The following waters are exempt from Watertown Lake Ontario tributary seasonal fshing CREEK regulations: ⊲ From the mouth upstream to dam at BUCK POND County Rte. 1 ⊲ Lake Ontario Seasons and Limits EIGHTEENMILE CREEK (NIAGARA apply COUNTY) CRANBERRY POND ⊲ From the Rte. 18 bridge upstream to ⊲ Lake Ontario Seasons and Limits Burt Dam apply ORCHARD CREEK ⊲ From the 1st power lines that are ⊲ Lake Ontario Seasons and Limits 1.9 miles upstream (south) of Rte. 18 apply bridge upstream to Waterport Dam LONG POND GENESEE RIVER ⊲ Lake Ontario Seasons and Limits ⊲ From the State Rte. 104 bridge apply upstream to the Lower Falls NIAGARA RIVER ⊲ Upper Niagara River or Lower ⊲ From the Utica St. Bridge upstream to Niagara River Regulations apply the Varick Dam ROUND POND STERLING CREEK ⊲ Lake Ontario Seasons and Limits ⊲ From Old State Rd. to 1st impassable apply barrier upstream of Rte. 104A SALMON RIVER: STERLING VALLEY CREEK ⊲ See page 68 ⊲ From McIntyre Rd. to 1st impassable barrier upstream of Rte. 104A SODUS BAY ALL OTHER TRIBUTARIES ⊲ Lake Ontario Seasons and Limits apply ⊲ From the bridge closest to the mouth upstream to 1st barrier impassable SOUTH SANDY POND by fsh ⊲ Lake Ontario Seasons and Limits apply

66 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Great Lakes and Tributaries Regulations

Lake Ontario Tributaries with Seasonal Floating lures: Closures ⊲ A foating lure is a lure that foats at rest in water with or without any LITTLE SANDY CREEK (OSWEGO weight attached to the lure, leader, COUNTY) or line. ⊲ Fishing is prohibited from Mar 16–the ⊲ Can have multiple treble hooks. 1st Sat in May from the State Rte. 3 bridge downstream 850 feet to the ⊲ Any hooks on a foating lure must intersection of the channelized area be attached to the lure by a ring or and upstream 1.0 mile from the bridge swivel except for artifcial fies. to the Public Fishing Rights section. ⊲ The distance between the body of a foating lure and the points of any Lake Ontario Tributary Seasonal Fishing attached hooks shall not exceed 1 1/2 Regulations inches. SEASON Leaders and weights: Seasonal fshing regulations apply Sept 1 ⊲ The distance between the hook, to Mar 31. artifcial fy or lure and any weight attached to the line or leader, FISHING HOURS whether fxed or sliding, shall not Fishing from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 exceed four feet. hour before sunrise is prohibited except ⊲ Any weight added to the line, leader, in the Black River (Jeferson County) from swivels, artifcial fy or lure shall not Lake Ontario upstream to the Rte. 180 hang lower than the hook when the bridge in Dexter, where fshing is permitted line or leader is held vertically. at all times. EXAMPLES OF LEGAL SEASONAL FISHING RIGS HOOK, LEADER, AND WEIGHT REGULATIONS Legal leaders Legal foating lure Hooks: and weights confguration for ⊲ Only one hook with a single hook (All Lake Ontario Salmon River only point is permitted, except as outlined Tributaries) (Aug.15–Oct.31) below for foating lures and artifcial Added fies weight is four feet or Single hook ⊲ Hooks attached to any lure must be less from point not more free-swinging, except on an artifcial hook lure, than 3.5 inches or fy fy (page 70). from lure body 4' ⊲ An artifcial fy (page 70) can only Added weight does have a single hook with no more than not hang below two hook points. Tandem artifcial fies hook, lure, or fy are not permitted. when suspended vertically ⊲ The gap between a hook’s shaft and point cannot exceed 1/2 inch. Hook gap ⊲ Use of hooks with added weight is Single point hook prohibited, except artifcial fies (page with 5/8 inch gap 70) and jigs weighing no more than or less 1/8 oz. Hook gap is 1/2 inch or less

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 67 Great Lakes and Tributaries Regulations Special Regulations by Section for Salmon River and Tributaries (Oswego County)

SALMON RIVER DOWNSTREAM OF RTE. 52 BRIDGE IN ALTMAR From the upstream-most navigation buoy located between the breakwalls at the mouth of the river upstream to the County Rte. 52 bridge in Altmar. Efective Regulations Dates

April 15–Aug 14 Statewide gear restrictions apply.

• Fishing is prohibited at night from ½ hr. after sunset to ½ hr. before sunrise except as permitted below. • Only one hook with a single hook point and a gap not exceeding ½ inch is permitted except on foating lures as noted below. • Hooks attached to any lure, except an artifcial fy, must be free swinging and unweighted. Artifcial fies with no more than 1/8 oz. of added weight may be used. The method by which weight is added to a hook does not afect Aug 15–April 14 classifcation as an “artifcial fy" provided the conditions of the defnition of an artifcial fy (page 70) are met. • The distance between the hook, artifcial fy or lure and any weight attached to the line or leader, whether fxed or sliding, shall not exceed 4 ft. • Weight shall not be added to the line, leader, swivels, artifcial fy or lure in any manner that the weight hangs lower than the attached hook when the line is suspended vertically from the rod.

Additional Regulations for Floating Lures Apply • A bead chain may be attached to the foating lure with a ring. • The bead chain may not exceed a distance of 3 1/2 inches between the Aug 15–Oct 31 body of the foating lure and the hook point. • 1 hook with a single hook point and a gap of no more than 5/8 in. may be attached to the bead chain or directly to the lure.

Nov 1–April 14 Multiple single, double, and treble hooks are permitted on foating lures April 1–Aug 14 Fishing at night is permitted from Lake Ontario to Rte. 3 bridge

Salmon River fy fshing Catch and Release sections

FISHING HOURS, SEASON DATES, AND LOCATIONS ⊲ Angling Permitted: From 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. ⊲ Lower Fly Section: Open Sept 15–May 15, from County Rte. 52 Bridge in Altmar upstream 0.25 mile to the marked boundary at Beaverdam Brook. ⊲ Upper Fly Section: Open April 1–Nov 30 from a marked boundary upstream of the New York State Fish Hatchery property to a marked boundary 0.6 mile upstream at the Lighthouse Hill Reservoir tailrace. ⊲ Fishing is prohibited outside the open season. 68 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Great Lakes and Tributaries Regulations

CATCH AND RELEASE Leaders: The total length of the leader All fsh must be immediately released ⊲ including the tippet shall not exceed without unnecessary injury. 15 feet. TACKLE RESTRICTIONS ⊲ From May 1–Aug 31: sinking and Tackle is restricted to a traditional fy rod, metal leaders are prohibited. fy reel, fy line, and artifcial fy (page 70). Additional weight: Restrictions on fy lines, fies, attractors, ⊲ From May 1–Aug 31: the use of leaders and supplemental weight are as supplemental weight such as split follows: shot, sinkers, metal leaders, twist-ons, Fly lines: or swivels attached to the leader, ⊲ Use of less than 20 feet of foating, tippet, fy line or fy is prohibited. sinking, or combination foating/ ⊲ From Sept 1–April 30: the use of sinking fy line or shooting head supplemental weight is permitted with immediately behind the leader, and the following restrictions: in front of any running line or other • The combined weight of any backing is prohibited. supplemental weight and fy may ⊲ From May 1–August 31: Floating fy not exceed 1/8 of an ounce. lines only. • The maximum distance between ⊲ From Sept 1–April 30: Floating, the artifcial fy and any added sinking, and sink tip fy lines are weight to the line, leader or tippet permitted. shall not exceed four feet. Flies: • Weight added to the line, leader, ⊲ From May 1–August 31: a single swivels, or artifcial fy in any manner unweighted artifcial fy having one such that the weight hangs lower hook point with a 1/2 inch maximum than the attached fy is prohibited. gap only permitted. Beaverdam Brook in Altmar fshing ⊲ From Sept 1–April 30: a single unweighted or weighted artifcial Fishing in Beaverdam Brook and its fy with no more than 1/8 oz. added tributaries, Oswego County, is prohibited weight, having one hook point with a from their mouths to the upstream 1/2 inch maximum gap only permitted. boundary of the Salmon River Hatchery Attractors: property. ⊲ The use of added baits or attractors such as, but not limited to, fsh eggs, , beads, spoons, spinners, plugs, or similar devices on the line above the artifcial fy is prohibited.

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 69 Defnitions Ice-fshing line means any device used for DEFINITIONS fshing through the ice, including but not Angling means taking fsh by hook and limited to hand line, tip-up, tip down, etc. line. This includes bait and fy fshing, Inland Trout Streams shall mean all rivers , , and the use of landing and streams inhabited by trout except as nets to complete the catch. Snatching, follows: lifting, hooking, and use of tip-ups are not angling. • Great Lakes tributaries to the 1st impassible barrier; Artifcial lures or bait means artifcial imitations of natural bait, man-made fies, • Finger Lakes tributaries to the 1st spinners, spoons, plugs, jigs, and other impassible barrier; lures, including those that may contain • Lake Champlain tributaries to the 1st some natural substances such as deer hair impassible barrier; and feathers. • Tidal stream reaches Artifcial fy means a hook with no more Marine and Coastal District includes than two points dressed with feathers, waters of the within 3 miles hair, , tinsel, or any similar material of the coastline and all other tidal waters, to which no additional hooks, spinners, including the Hudson River upstream to spoons, or similar devices have been the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. added. Minimum length means the greatest Black Bass means both largemouth and possible length measured from the tip of . the fsh’s snout to the tip of the tail. The Blind snatching means the taking of fsh mouth may be open or closed and the tail by snatching when the fsh is not visible to may be spread or compressed in order to the angler. achieve the greatest length. Catch and Release means catching and Natural bait means all baits which entice immediately releasing the caught fsh or might be ingested or swallowed without harm. by fsh including, but not limited to, Chumming means depositing in the water fsh (dead or alive), fsh eggs, worms, any substance, not attached to a hook, shellfsh, crustacea, amphibians (frogs which may attract fsh. and toads), insects (including all stages of development such as larvae, pupae, Closed Season means the time during etc.), rinds, , , corn or other which fsh may not legally be taken. vegetable matter, tapioca, candy, cheese, Fishing means the taking, killing, netting, bread and putty or dough-like scented capturing, or withdrawal of fsh by any baits. means. This includes every attempt to take Night means ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour fsh, plus assisting another person in taking before sunrise. or attempting to take fsh. Non-ofset (in-line) circle hook means a Foul-hooked means not hooked in the fshing hook designed and manufactured mouth. so that the point and barb of the hook Hook gap means the distance from the are not ofset from the plane of the to the point of the hook. shank and bend, and the point is turned Ice fshing means fshing through the ice perpendicularly back towards the shank to on frozen waters. form a circular or oval shape. Open Season means the time during which fsh may be legally taken.

70 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Taking Possession of FIsh

Snatching means taking fsh not attracted by bait or artifcial lure with hooks, gangs TAKING AND POSSESSION or similar devices whether or not baited. Snagging, lifting, and single hook snagging OF FISH are types of snatching. Possession and daily limits Spearfshing or “spear" means taking a fsh with a hand-propelled single or multiple • A person may not have in possession, or pronged pike, blade or . It does not intentionally kill or injure fsh other than include the mechanically propelled device the sizes specifed and allowed for that commonly called a spear gun. species on a given water. Any fsh in a Sunfsh means bluegill, pumpkinseed and vehicle used to access a given water redbreast sunfsh. counts towards the number and sizes of fsh in possession. Trout means brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, and hybrids of these species • A person may not possess, kill, or including splake. unnecessarily injure fsh in excess of the daily limit for that species. • Any fsh an angler catches and immediately releases uninjured will not be counted as part of the daily limit for that species. • A person may continue to fsh for a species while in possession of a daily limit for that species provided all fsh of that species subsequently caught are immediately returned to the water. See below for special provisions made for largemouth and smallmouth bass. • A single, uninjured or smallmouth bass that an angler is landing, measuring, or in the process of releasing from a recirculating or aerated livewell is not considered to be part of the daily limit.

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 71 Taking Possession of FIsh Catch and Release Snakehead

• Catch and Release angling is only Any snakehead caught while angling permitted during the open season for a cannot be released back into the water. particular fsh species. They must be immediately killed and • Measuring, weighing, and reported to DEC. photographing the fsh are permitted as long as the fsh is not removed from the Foul hooking water for an extended period or handled in a manner that could cause harm. All foul-hooked trout, lake trout, coho salmon, Chinook salmon, , • Fish may not be placed in a bucket, , and landlocked salmon must be released livewell, on a string or any other holding without unnecessary injury to the fsh. device. All foul-hooked walleye in Oneida Lake • Catch and Release angling for and the tributaries to 1st bridge upstream endangered or threatened fsh species from the lake must be released without is prohibited. unnecessary injury to the fsh. Closed season restriction Use of gafs

A person may not fsh for a species (even Use or possession of gafs or gaf hooks if immediately released) during the closed is prohibited when fshing in freshwater, season for that species on a given water. including the Hudson River upstream of Fish caught during the closed season must the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, except when be unhooked and released immediately. ice fshing. They may not be handled for any other purpose. Endangered and threatened fsh

It is illegal to fsh for, or possess fsh that are ofcially listed by DEC as endangered or threatened: • Endangered: silver chub, bluebreast darter, deepwater sculpin, gilt darter, pugnose shiner, round whitefsh, shortnose sturgeon, Atlantic sturgeon, and spoonhead sculpin • Threatened: , lake chubsucker, lake sturgeon, northern (longear) sunfsh, mooneye, gravel chub, banded sunfsh, longhead darter, swamp darter, spotted darter, and mud sunfsh Any unintentionally caught threatened or endangered fsh species must be unhooked and released immediately. They may not be handled for any purpose other than removing the hook and placing them back into the water.

72 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Methods of Taking Fish • The operator must be in immediate METHODS OF TAKING FISH attendance when ice-fshing lines are in the water. Angling • Between May 1 and Nov 14, only hand Angling means taking fsh by hook and lines (including rod and reels) may be line. This includes bait and fy fshing, used while ice fshing. casting, trolling, and the use of landing Ice shanties nets to complete the catch. • Anglers must be in immediate Ice shanties must be marked on the attendance when their lines are in the outside with the owner’s name and water. address in letters at least 3 inches high. ⊲ The use of set lines where the angler Shanties must be removed from all waters is not in immediate attendance is by Mar 15 to prevent them from falling prohibited. through the ice and becoming hazards to navigation. • An angler may operate no more than 3 lines with or without a rod. For the purposes of this regulation, ⊲ each line is limited to not more than portable shelters used and removed from 5 lures or baits or a combination of the ice on a daily basis are not considered both. ice shanties. ⊲ in addition, each line shall not exceed 15 hook points in any combination of Bowfshing single, double or treble hooks. • Carp may be taken by a longbow • Snatching, lifting, hooking, and use of (recurve or compound) in any number tip-ups are not angling. or size from May 15–Sept 30 from any water where fshing and the discharge of Ice fshing a bow is permitted. Ice fshing (see Defnitions) is permitted in • A person must have either a fshing the following waters: license, a hunting license, or is entitled to fsh without a fshing license to take • All non-trout* waters unless otherwise carp with a longbow. prohibited. • No other fsh may be taken with a bow. • Certain trout waters* listed in the special • Taking fsh by a crossbow is prohibited regulations section designated as at all times. ice fshing permitted by the following symbol: • The Fish Carcass Disposal Law (page 76) must be followed. * If you are unsure whether a water is considered trout or non-trout, contact the DEC Regional Ofce for that area. Snatching

Ice fshing regulations • The taking of fsh by snatching, but not blind snatching (see page 70), is • No more than 7 ice-fshing lines (see prohibited except on certain waters Defnitions) in any combination of between Jan 1–Mar 15. See Special devices may be used, unless otherwise Regulations for waters where snatching noted in Special Regulations. is permitted. • No person shall operate an ice fshing • Blind snatching is prohibited at all times. line that has more than 5 lures or baits in total or has more than 15 hook points in total. 2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 73 Methods of Taking Fish Spearfshing Use of nets

The taking of fsh by spear (not spear gun) Nets may only be used to take fsh as is prohibited except only on certain waters follows: (see Special Regulations on pages 8-69) • The use of a landing net to complete the and as follows: catch while angling is permitted. • Use of is prohibited in the • Personally harvested baitfsh may freshwaters of New York. be collected with the various nets as • Spears may not be used within 275 described on page 82. yards of eel weirs. • Smelt, suckers, alewives, and blueback • Spears may not be possessed on any herring may be collected by dip nets as water in the or within described on pages 74-75. 200 feet of the high water mark of these • No other use of nets to collect fsh is waters. permitted. • Possession of spears is prohibited on all waters except where the taking of fsh Dip nets by spear is permitted. Any person who has a fshing license, Taking baitfsh or is entitled to fsh without a license, may operate one dip net as specifed See Baitfsh Regulations (page 79). in the tables below. These are the only circumstances where dip-netting is Use of fsh traps permitted unless a commercial license has been obtained. Fish () traps may only be used See page 24 for regulations specifc to dip to take baitfsh. See Baitfsh Regulations net use for alewife and blueback herring (page 82) for minnow trap specifcations. on the Hudson River. Note: Smelt, suckers, alewives, and blueback herring are the only fsh that may be taken with a dip net.

SUCKERS MAY BE TAKEN IN A DIP NET NOT EXCEEDING 14 INCHES IN DIAMETER, OR 13 X 13 INCHES IF SQUARE, AS FOLLOWS: Open Water Daily Limit Tributaries Season All tributaries from the lake upstream to Cayuga Lake All year Any number the 1st impassable barrier by fsh Seneca Lake All year Any number All except All except Naples Creek where netting is Canandaigua All year Any number prohibited upstream of old Lehigh Valley Lake Railroad bridge Hudson River All from river upstream to 1st barrier upstream to All year Any number impassable by fsh Troy Dam

74 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Methods of Taking Fish

SMELT MAY BE TAKEN IN ANY SIZE DIP NET AS FOLLOWS: Water Open Season Daily Limit Tributaries Lake Erie All from lake upstream to 1st Lake Ontario All year 8 quarts barrier impassable by fsh Niagara River

SMELT MAY BE TAKEN IN A DIP NET NOT EXCEEDING 14 INCHES IN DIAMETER, OR 13 X 13 INCHES IF SQUARE, AS FOLLOWS: Daily Open Water Hours & Tributaries Season Limit Anytime/8 Lake and Bog River upstream to Tupper Lake All year quarts Rte. 421 Canandaigua Lake Anytime/8 All from lake upstream to 1st barrier All year Canadice Lake quarts impassable by fsh Hemlock Lake Keuka Lake Exceptions: no dipping in Catharine Creek and L’Hommedieu Seneca Lake Diversion channel (Seneca Lake) and upstream of old Lehigh Valley Cayuga Lake Railroad. bridge at Naples Creek (Canandaigua Lake) Owasco Lake Indian Lake Fulton Chain All from lake upstream to 1st barrier 5 AM to 10 (except Seventh April 1– impassable by fsh. No dipping in PM Lake) May 15 Mead Creek from mouth upstream 8 quarts East Caroga Lake to State Rte. 29A West Caroga Lake Hudson River from Anytime/ Mario M. Cuomo All from river upstream to 1st barrier All year Any Bridge upstream to impassable by fsh number the Troy Dam

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 75 Regulations for Harvested Fish REGULATIONS FOR Transportation Transportation of fsh is permitted as HARVESTED FISH follows:

Fish cleaning Fish caught in New York State • All legally harvested fsh may be gilled • Salable fsh (page 77) may be or gutted while on the water. transported in any number. • Possession of the following fsh that • No more than two days’ legal take have been , dismembered, flleted, of nonsalable fsh (page 77) may be skinned, or otherwise altered so that transported unless a permit is obtained the species and total length of such from a DEC Regional Ofce, or the fsh fsh cannot be easily determined is are frozen, processed, and packaged for prohibited: storage. ⊲ Walleye, • Smelt, suckers, alewives, and blueback herring taken for human consumption ⊲ Black Bass, purposes only may be transported at ⊲ Brook trout, any time. ⊲ Lake trout, and • Baitfsh transportation regulations can ⊲ Atlantic salmon. be found on page 80. • Other species of fsh may be flleted Fish caught outside of New York State provided that the skin is not removed from the fllets. Fish caught outside of NY may be transported into New York in any manner, Fish carcass disposal except parcel post, in the number that may be legally exported from the place of It is illegal to discard any fsh carcass, or taking. parts thereof, into the freshwaters of the state within 100 feet of shore or upon any Non-salable fsh transported by carrier public or private lands contiguous to and A tag must be attached showing name and within 100 feet of such water, except: address of both taker and consignee, and • On private lands by owners of such contents of the package. lands; • If properly disposing into suitable garbage or refuse collection systems or by burial; • Where incidental cleaning of fsh for consumption is permitted. However, resulting waste may not be disposed of within 100 feet of any public launching or docking site unless into a suitable refuse collection system; and • Fish required to be returned to the water by regulation or law.

76 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Purchase and Sale of Fish PURCHASE AND SALE Fish that are non-salable Fish that are non-salable are fsh that have OF FISH a minimum length or a closed season.

Fish that are salable Exceptions: Fish that are salable at any time include • Black bass, landlocked salmon, those species in the Statewide Seasons muskellunge, and trout taken on a and Limits table for which there is no licensed fshing preserve or private closed season and no minimum length. A hatchery and properly tagged or baitfsh license is required to sell baitfsh documented may be sold in NY. • Sale of catfsh taken in Lake Ontario and its tributaries upstream to the 1st Exceptions: barrier impassable by fsh and in the St. The following fsh only if taken outside of Lawrence River is prohibited. New York State: • Sale of American eel from the Hudson, ⊲ Coho, Chinook, and pink salmon, Harlem, and East rivers is prohibited, ⊲ Atlantic salmon, except for use as bait. ⊲ Lake trout, • Eggs taken from Chinook salmon and coho salmon caught in Lake Ontario, the ⊲ Pickerel, St. Lawrence River, or their tributaries ⊲ Crappie, upstream to the 1st impassable barrier ⊲ Northern pike, and may be sold by only sport fshermen for use as bait. ⊲ Walleye. Additional regulations may apply to the sale of these imported fsh; contact a DEC Regional Ofce for more information. Exception: American eel is the only fsh taken from the portion of Lake Champlain and the that may be transported into and sold in New York State.

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 77 Natural Baits Other Than Baitfsh Fish eggs NATURAL BAITS OTHER • No person shall possess more than one THAN BAITFISH quart total of fsh eggs from ⊲ Trout, Salamanders and snakes ⊲ Lake trout, or Native salamanders and snakes cannot be ⊲ Atlantic salmon collected or used as bait. while on the waters of the state or the shores thereof. Fish eggs which are still Aquatic insects inside the carcass of an intact, legally caught and possessed fsh shall not be No aquatic (or any insect that lives in the water during any of its life stages) shall counted towards the one-quart total. be taken from waters inhabited by trout, or • No person shall take or attempt to take from the banks of those waters at any time. any fsh by means of chumming (page 70) with fsh eggs. Rusty crayfsh Taking and possession of frogs • Rusty crayfsh may not be purchased and/or transported to a waterbody (page • Any person who has a hunting or fshing 79) for use as bait or to be released. license or is entitled to fsh without a • Rusty crayfsh may not be transported license may take frogs with a spear, club, away from or within a waterbody (page hook, or by hand. 79). • A small hunting license is required to take frogs with a gun or a longbow. • Frogs may be taken in any number S-shaped, Tips with and at any time from June 15–Sept 30, movable claw black bands except that no person shall use a gun to take frogs between sunset to sunrise. • Frogs may be imported, bought, and sold at any time. An importer must keep Oval gap a record of names and addresses of when closed buyers and sellers. Exception: Leopard frogs may not Claw be taken in NYC, Nassau, or Sufolk grayish-green counties. Northern cricket frogs or eastern to spadefoot toads may not be taken reddish-brown anywhere in New York State.

Carapace with pair of dark, rust-colored spots

78 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Baitfsh Regulations

• Oneida Lake and Erie Barge Canal BAITFISH REGULATIONS downstream to Lock E23 and upstream to Lock E22, and the Waters where the use of baitfsh downstream to Caughdenoy Dam; is prohibited • Mohawk River from Barge Canal in Rome upstream to Delta Dam; Waters where the use of baitfsh is • Erie Barge Canal from Lock E22 east to prohibited can be found in the Special Lock E6; Regulations (pages 8-69). • Lake Champlain, including the Waterbody defnition north of Lock 12; • Hudson River from the For the purposes of the Baitfsh at Troy to Bakers Falls in the City of Regulations section: Hudson Falls, and the Champlain Canal Waterbody shall mean any lake, river, up to but not above Lock 7 in Fort pond, stream, or any other distinct mass Edward, and the Erie Barge Canal up to of water existing in the State of New York, but not above Lock E6 in Waterford; whether publicly or privately owned, • Hudson River downstream from the including the banks and shores thereof. A Federal Dam at Troy to the Battery at the waterbody shall also include all tributaries southern tip of Manhattan Island; upstream to the 1st barrier impassable • downstream of to fsh, including the banks and shores dam in Oakland, , and the thereof. For the purposes of this defnition, Chenango River; locks and dams shall be considered impassable barriers. In addition, each of • Saranac Chain of Lakes from Lake the following 12 combined waterbodies, Flower upstream to Barlett Carry Dam. including all tributaries up to the 1st impassable barrier, shall be considered the Purchased baitfsh same waterbody except that border waters shall only include the portion inside New Green list baitfsh York: The following baitfsh are the only species • Lake Ontario in combination with that can be purchased and used in any the Lower Niagara River and the St. waterbody (page 79) in New York where it Lawrence River; is legal to use fsh as bait. • Lake Erie in combination with the Upper • Golden shiner Niagara River, Black Rock Canal, and • Emerald shiner waters of the Erie Barge Canal from • Common shiner the Upper Niagara River to Lock E35 in Lockport; • • Oswego River from Lock 7 to junction • Banded killifsh with Oneida River and Seneca River at • Fathead minnow Three Rivers; • Bluntnose minnow • Oneida River downstream of • Eastern silvery minnow Caughdenoy Dam and Erie Barge Canal from Lock E23 to the junction with • Northern redbelly dace Oswego and Seneca Rivers; • Stonecat • Tadpole madtom

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 79 Baitfsh Regulations

• Blacknose dace • Blueback herring and Atlantic • Longnose dace menhaden: Hudson River downstream from Lock C4 and its associated dam in • Stillwater to the Battery at the southern • Northern hogsucker tip of Manhattan Island; and the Mohawk • Creek chub River and tributaries to the 1st barrier • Fallfsh impassable by fsh. • Logperch • American eel: Delaware River and tributaries to the 1st barrier impassable • Margined madtom by fsh, 9-inch minimum size limit; and • Brindled madtom the Hudson River downstream from the Federal Dam at Troy to the Battery at Other baitfsh the southern tip of Manhattan Island, The following baitfsh may be purchased between 9 and 14 inches. and only used in specifed waters and their tributaries to the 1st impassable barrier. Use, possession, and • Alewife: Canandaigua Lake; Canadice transportation of purchased Lake; Cannonsville Reservoir; Cayuga baitfsh Lake; Cayuta Lake; Conesus Lake; Hemlock Lake; ; Hudson Certifed baitfsh River downstream from Lock C4 and its associated dam in Stillwater to the • Certifed baitfsh are those that have Battery at the southern tip of Manhattan been tested and found to be free of Island; Keuka Lake; Otsego Lake; Otisco specifed diseases. Lake; Owasco Lake; Lake Ontario; • Certifed baitfsh purchased from a bait Lake Erie; ; Pepacton dealer can be transported overland in Reservoir; Seneca Lake; St. Lawrence a motorized vehicle and used in any River; Niagara River; Mohawk River, waterbody where it is legal to do so. and all waters in Dutchess, Orange, • For baitfsh to be considered certifed, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and the seller must provide a receipt that Westchester counties. contains: • Rainbow smelt: Canadice Lake; ⊲ the seller’s name, Canandaigua Lake; Cayuga Lake; ⊲ date of sale, Cayuta Lake; Conesus Lake; First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth lakes ⊲ the species of fsh, and of the Fulton Chain; Hemlock Lake; ⊲ the number of each species sold. Honeoye Lake; Keuka Lake; Lake The buyer must retain that receipt while Champlain; Lamoka Lake; Lake Ontario; in possession of the baitfsh. Lake Erie; Owasco Lake; Seneca Lake; Star Lake (St. Lawrence County); Waneta • Baitfsh without a receipt or with a Lake; the St. Lawrence River; and the receipt that is older than 10 days shall be Niagara River. considered uncertifed bait. • Mummichog: Hudson River and tidal portion of Hudson River tributaries downstream of the Federal Dam at Troy; and all waters in Nassau and Sufolk counties.

80 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Baitfsh Regulations

Uncertifed baitfsh • Baitfsh or other legally taken fsh • Uncertifed baitfsh are those that have species intended to be used as bait may not been tested to verify that they are only be used in the same waterbody free of specifed diseases. (page 79) from which they were caught for bait in hook-and-line fshing. These • Uncertifed baitfsh purchased from a fsh may only be used in a waterbody bait dealer can only be used on the where it is legal to use fsh as bait. same that they were

collected in. • Transportation of personally harvested baitfsh overland by a motorized vehicle • Uncertifed baitfsh cannot be is prohibited except within a designated transported overland by a motorized overland transportation corridor (page vehicle (e.g., car) except within a 84). designated overland transportation

corridor. • Smelt, suckers, alewives, and blueback herring taken for human consumption • The seller of uncertifed baitfsh outside only may be transported at any time. of an overland transportation corridor is required to provide the same receipt Baitfsh collection exceptions information as for certifed baitfsh and • Possession or use of minnow traps and also include the name of the waterbody nets is prohibited on units of state land/ in which the uncertifed bait fsh can be waters where the use or possession used and a warning to the purchaser of baitfsh is prohibited (see Special that the baitfsh may not be transported Regulations pages 8–69). overland by motorized vehicle. • In the Hudson River downstream of the Collection, use, and Troy Dam and in Lake Champlain, Upper transportation of personally and Lower Saranac Lakes, Lake Clear (Franklin Co.), Chazy Lake, and their harvested baitfsh tributaries to the 1st barrier, smelt may be taken only by angling • Any person who has a fshing license or is entitled to fsh without a license Species that may not be used may collect (except carp, goldfsh, or endangered or threatened for bait species), killifsh, mudminnows, darters, Carp, goldfsh, larvae, round goby, , stonecats, smelt, alewives, as well as species listed as endangered or and suckers for personal use in hook- threatened in New York State may not be and-line fshing only (sale prohibited) by used for bait. angling and with the gear types listed in the Gear for Taking Baitfsh Table (page 82). All other species must be immediately returned to the water. • Special regulations associated with personally harvesting alewife and blueback herring in the Hudson River can be found on page 24.

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 81 Baitfsh Regulations

GEAR FOR TAKING BAITFISH Gear Time Water Seine or scap net: Sunrise All non-trout waters maximum size 36 square feet to sunset Minnow trap: maximum length 20", maximum entrance diameter 1", must Anytime Waters open to baitfsh use be marked with owner’s name and address Lakes Erie & Ontario excluding their inlets, outlets, bays Seine: maximum size 36 square feet Anytime Niagara River Hudson River below Troy Dam Cast net¹ maximum 10 feet in diameter Anytime Hudson River below Troy Dam In addition, alewives are the only fsh that may be taken as follows: Gill nets: maximum length 25 feet, Canadice, Canandaigua, Cayuga, maximum area 200 square feet, Anytime Hemlock, Keuka, Owasco, Otisco, maximum size 1" bar and Seneca lakes.

Stunning may be used to collect stonecats. Stunning means tapping a stone with an implement or other stone. ¹ The only place where cast nets may be used is in the Hudson River below the Troy Dam.

Use of dead fsh as bait Overland transportation Any dead fsh, or parts thereof excluding corridors eggs, that are legal to possess and are not prohibited for use as bait, that have Three defned overland transportation been packaged for commercial sale and corridors were designated for the have been preserved by methods other purposes of allowing the transport and use than by freezing only (e.g., salted minnows) of uncertifed baitfsh by anglers in specifc can be used in any waterbody where it is areas of the state. The three overland legal to use fsh as bait and do not require transportation corridors are intended to a receipt. Each package of dead bait fsh primarily serve anglers fshing three major must be individually labeled, identifying waterbodies: the name of the packager/processor, the • the Lake Erie-Upper Niagara River; name of the species, the quantity of fsh • the Lower Niagara River-Lake Ontario-St. contained, and the means of preservation. Lawrence River; and Restrictions on use and • the Tidal Hudson River. possession of marine baitfsh Uncertifed baitfsh are only allowed to be used on the same body of water where Baitfsh collected in the Marine and they were collected within these corridors. Coastal District (page 70) may be transported overland only for use in the Marine and Coastal District in the following counties: , Kings, Richmond, New York, Bronx, Sufolk, Nassau, Rockland, and Westchester. 82 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Baitfsh Regulations

Transportation of purchased uncertifed baitfsh within an Overland Transportation Corridor Uncertifed baitfsh purchased from a bait dealer may be transported within a designated overland transportation corridor provided a receipt, issued by the seller and retained by the purchaser while in possession of the baitfsh, contains • the seller’s name, • date of sale, • the species of fsh, • the number of each species sold, • the waterbody the baitfsh must be used in, • the overland transportation corridor the baitfsh must be transported within, and • a warning that the baitfsh may only be transported within that overland transportation corridor.

Transportation of personally collected baitfsh within an Overland Transportation Corridor Personally collected baitfsh taken from a waterbody within an overland transportation corridor may be transported within that corridor. These baitfsh may only be used in the same waterbody (page 79) they were collected in.

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 83 Baitfsh Regulations

Designated Overland Transportation Corridors The three overland transportation corridors are defned as follows: 1. Upper Niagara River/Lake Erie Overland Transportation Corridor shall mean the geographical area associated with the New York portion of Lake Erie and the Upper Niagara River west of and including a line starting at I-90 at the Pennsylvania border, then continuing east to its intersection with I-290, then continuing north along I-290 to its intersection with State Rte. 62, then continuing west to its intersection with I-190, then north to its intersection with the Lower Niagara River. Baitfsh collected from the New York portion of the Upper Niagara River/Lake Erie waterbody may be transported within this corridor.

Lake Ontario 2. Hudson River Overland Transportation Corridor shall mean the geographical area associated with the Hudson River south of the Federal Dam at Troy starting at the eastern shore of the Hudson River at the Federal Dam in Troy, continuing east on W. Glenn Ave. in Troy to its intersection with State Rte. 4, then continuing south on State Rte. 4 to its intersection with State Rtes. 9 & 20, then Lake Erie continuing easterly to its intersection with State Rte. 9, then continuing east on State Rte. 82, to its intersection with the Taconic State Parkway, then continuing south on the Taconic State Parkway to its intersection with the Sprain Brook Parkway, then continuing south on the Sprain Brook Parkway to its intersection with I-287, then continuing west on I-287 across the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge to I-87 North, then continuing north on I-87 to where State Rte. 9W crosses I-87 in Greene County, then continuing north on State Rte. 9W to where State Rte. 9W crosses I-87 in Albany

84 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Baitfsh Regulations

County, then continuing north on I-87 with State Rte. 104, then continuing to its intersection with State Rte. 7, then eastward to its intersection with State continuing east on State Rte. 7 to its Rte. 3, then continuing east on State intersection with I-787, then continuing Rte. 3 to its intersection with State Rte. north on I-787 to its intersection with 104, then continuing eastward on State Tibbets Ave., then continuing east on Rte. 104 to its intersection with State Tibbets Ave. to its intersection with Rte. 11, then continuing north on State Delaware Ave., then proceeding in a Rte. 11 to its intersection with State Rte. straight line to the west edge of the Troy 56, then continuing north along State Dam. Baitfsh collected from the New Rte. 56 to its intersection with State York portion of the Tidal Hudson River Rte. 37, then continuing east along waterbody may be transported within State Rte. 37 to its intersection with this corridor. Racquette Point Rd., then continuing 3. Lower Niagara River/Lake Ontario/ north on Racquette Point Rd. to its St. Lawrence River Overland intersection with Ransom Rd., and then Transportation Corridor shall mean continuing west on Ransom Rd. and the geographical area associated with terminating at the St. Lawrence River. New York portion of the Lower Niagara Baitfsh collected from the New York River, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence portion of the Lower Niagara River/Lake River starting at the intersection of Ontario/St. Lawrence River waterbody I-190 and the Lower Niagara River, then may be transported within this corridor continuing eastward to its intersection

NYPA Power Reservoir Lake Ontario

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 85 License Information License requirements • Resident patients at U.S. Department of Veteran’s Afairs hospitals or state- Everyone must have a valid fshing license funded facilities can obtain a free fshing in their possession while fshing or helping license through their hospital or facility; someone to fsh except: • Native Americans who are members • Persons under 16 years of age; of the Shinnecock and Poospatuck • NYS-resident owners, lessees and tribes or the Six Nations residing members of their immediate families on reservations in New York State occupying and cultivating farm lands, may obtain a free fshing license by when fshing on their own lands; contacting their reservation or DEC’s License Sales Ofce at (518) 402-8843. • Persons holding farm fsh pond licenses and members of their immediate Residency families, when fshing on waters covered by their licenses; To qualify for an annual resident license, • Resident patients at Dept. of Mental a person must live in New York State for Health institutions and Dept. of Health more than 30 days immediately preceding rehabilitation hospitals, and inmates at the date of application. When purchasing Division of Youth rehabilitation centers. a lifetime license, you must show proof of License exemptions must be requested residency for one full year. for such persons through the hospital/ Land ownership in New York does not institution by writing NYSDEC License make you a resident. Residency is that Sales Unit, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY place where a person maintains a fxed, 12233-4790, or by emailing permanent, and principal home (regardless [email protected]; of where temporarily located), such as • When fshing on licensed fshing where a person is registered to vote. If preserves. under 18, the residence of parents or legal guardian shall be deemed such person’s Free licenses residence. For a complete list of valid residency proof documents, please see The following individuals are eligible for www.dec.ny.gov/permits/95452.html#Res. a free fshing license and may obtain a Active members of the U.S. Armed Forces license at any license issuing outlet: stationed in New York and full-time college • New York State residents who are legally students in residence in the state during blind and provide a doctor’s note to the the school year (proof required) qualify for License Issuing Agent; annual resident licenses. • New York State residents who are active service members of the NYS Organized Militia (i.e., National Guard), or U.S. Reserve Forces; • New York State residents stationed outside of New York who are on full time active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and are on leave in NY for no longer than 30 days;

86 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 License Information License privileges Free fshing days

Persons holding a freshwater fshing During the following dates, anyone can license may take freshwater fsh by fsh the freshwaters of New York State and angling, spearing, hooking, longbow, nets, no license is required! traps and tip-ups; take frogs by spearing, • June 26–27, 2021 catching with the hands, or by use of a • September 25, 2021 club or hook; and take baitfsh for personal use, all as permitted by law or DEC. • November 11, 2021 • The holder of a license, tag, or stamp • February 19–20, 2022 shall have such license, tag, stamp, or Since no license is required, it’s the perfect other valid proof (see below) on his/her time to take a friend or relative fshing. person while exercising any privilege of For a list of DEC-sponsored Fishing Clinics, that license. visit www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27123.html. • The holder of a license, tag, or stamp shall exhibit it on demand to any police LICENSES ofcer, peace ofcer, or the owner, Resident Annual lessee, or other person in control of the lands or waters on which the license Fishing (16–69) * $25 holder is present. Fishing (70+) * $5 • No license or stamp authorizes the 7-day (16+) $12 holder to trespass upon private lands 1-day (16+) $5 or waters or interfere with property belonging to another person. Fishing (military/disabled)** $5 • A freshwater fshing license does not Marine Registry * $0 allow for the taking of migratory marine Non-Resident Annual fsh. See Recreational Marine Fishing Fishing (16+) * $50 Registry (below). 7-day (16+) $28 Recreational Marine Fishing 1-day (16+) $10 Registry Marine Registry * $0 Anglers 16 years of age and older who Lifetime Fishing (available to NYS fsh in the Marine and Coastal District residents only) of New York (page 70) or for migratory Lifetime Fishing (0–69) $460 marine species; such as striped bass, Lifetime Fishing (70+) $65 hickory shad, and river herring from all waters of the state, including the Hudson * Valid for 365 days after purchase or River and Delaware River; must enroll in efective date provided to issuing agent. the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry ** Military Disabled persons with a 40% or wherever licenses are sold (below). more service-related disability annually pay $5.00 for the frst of the following For additional information concerning 3 privileges: fshing, hunting, . the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry, Subsequent purchases of the other 2 contact the DEC Division of Marine privileges are free within the calendar year. Resources at (631) 444-0430 or visit the Questions should be directed to DEC website at 518-402-8843. www.dec.ny.gov/permits/54950.html.

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 87 License Information

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS FOR BORDER WATERS Does a New York State fshing license entitle holder to fsh the out-of-state portion of waters listed below? Water State/Province Yes/No Lake Ontario Ontario No Lake Erie Ontario, Pennsylvania No St. Lawrence River Ontario, Quebec No Niagara River Ontario No Quebec No Lake Champlain Vermont Yes a Delaware River & West Branch Delaware River (along Pennsylvania Yes boundary) Greenwood Lake New Yes b Indian Lake Yes b

a All Vermont portions of Lake Champlain with the exception of The Inland Sea (including “The Gut"), Mallett’s Bay, and all rivers. (See map at https://www.dec.ny.gov/per- mits/6411.html) b New York license permits fshing out-of-state portion from boat or ice only.

VALID PROOF OF FISHING LICENSE

License type Valid Proof of Fishing License

Plastic “Freshwater" Adventure License lifetime Fishing License Hunt license on ofcial Online 8 Digit DEC card Fish license printable License NY license Transaction # Recreational App (Valeron) Marine N/A N/A Fishing Registry

LICENSE OR REGISTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR FISHING IN THE TIDAL HUDSON RIVER OR MARINE AND COASTAL DISTRICT Location Species Fishing For License or Registry “Freshwater" Freshwater Species North of Mario M. Cuomo Bridge Fishing License Migratory Marine Species Recreational Marine South of Mario M. Cuomo Bridge All Species Fishing Registry (Marine and Coastal District) Please do not laminate your license. The heat from this process will cause it to become unreadable.

88 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Warmwater Sportfsh of New York

LARGEMOUTH BASS Irregular blotches Deep notch Red eye on upper half

Faint horizontal Upper jaw extends Dark horizontal lines on lower half past eye band 7 or 8 SMALLMOUTH BASS Curved snout dorsal spines A Shallow notch B

Flat, diamond Dark mottled shaped body patches Upper jaw does not extend past eye Note: (not shown) can be similar in coloration to black crappie. They can best be told apart by comparing the distance from the eye to the front of the dorsal fn (A) with the length of the base of the BLUEGILL dorsal fn (B). In white crappie, B is signifcantly shorter Dusky spot at rear of dorsal fn than A, while the lengths are pretty much equal in black crappie. Black crappie also have 7–8 dorsal spines, while white crappie usually have 6 (rarely 7).

Bluish gill Faint vertical dark cover bars Dark barbels Square tail PUMPKINSEED under chin Red spot on gill cover

Wavy turquoise Dark barbels Forked tail, less bands on sides of head and cheek under chin noticeable in larger fsh

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 89 Warmwater Sportfsh of New York NORTHERN PIKE TIGER MUSKELLUNGE Light spots on a Irregular vertical bars on light background dark background

T.Knepp/USFWS 5 to 8 pores on 5 or fewer Cheek and underside pores on of jaw underside upper half of gill Cheek and cover scaled upper half of gill of jaw cover scaled WALLEYE CHAIN PICKEREL Two separate Black spot at rear of dorsal fns edge of frst dorsal fn Chain-like markings on sides

Dark vertical bar under eye White tip on lower lobe of tail Cheek and gill cover fully scaled SAUGER

MUSKELLUNGE Dark vertical bars on light background

YELLOW PERCH Two separate dorsal fns

6 to 9 pores on Upper half of underside cheek and gill of jaw cover scaled

Dark vertical bars on yellow sides

90 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Coldwater Sportfsh of New York BROOK TROUT COHO SALMON* Worm-like markings Bright red/orange Spots on dorsal fn and upper lobe of tail spots

Leading white edge Black mouth with white gums

BROWN TROUT CHINOOK SALMON Red/orange spots Spots on tail restricted Spots on dorsal fn and upper lobe of tail (pale halos around to upper edge dark spots)

Upper jaw extends Nearly square tail Black mouth with white gums past the eye

Well-developed ATLANTIC SALMON vomerine teeth Few spots on back and sides on roof of mouth in zig-zag pattern

Vomerine teeth illustrations provided by New York Sea Grant, Artwork by Peter Thompson Upper jaw extends Slightly forked tail RAINBOW TROUT to edge of eye Spots on dorsal fn, Small vomerine tail, and back teeth on roof of mouth in single row

Vomerine teeth illustrations provided by New York Sea Grant, Pink line Artwork by Peter Thompson

LAKE TROUT RAINBOW SMELT Large mouth Adipose fn

Light spots on dark Forked tail background * Pacifc salmon (Coho and Chinook Salmon) are characterized by an anal fn that is longer along the body than it is away from the body

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 91 Angler Achievement Awards ANGLER ACHIEVEMENT Rules of entry: (Before submitting your entry, be sure AWARDS to check the complete set of rules by Each year numerous anglers take to the scanning the QR code or visiting water in hope of catching a trophy-sized www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7727.html.) fsh. For those lucky enough to land a • Fish must be taken during their large fsh, one way of marking the event is respective open season by angling or to enter the fsh in DEC’s New York State ice fshing in NYS waters in accordance Angler Achievement Awards Program. with NYS fshing regulations. Awards are given for catching any of 42 diferent eligible freshwater fsh species. • Entries must be received within 30 days You can enter your catch in any of three of catch. categories—Annual Award, Catch and • All entries must be accompanied by Release, and State Record. a clear, side-view photograph of the fsh or if possible, the angler with the fsh. Information provided on the entry form and any associated photographs become the property of DEC and may be used for promotional purposes. • awarded annually will be limited to one per angler per species. • Fish entered in the Annual Award and State Record Categories need to be weighed on a certifed scale (post ofces, supermarkets, bait shops, etc.). • Fish entered in the Catch and Release Category should be measured from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. Fish must be photographed at the catch site and promptly released. Fish not released promptly, improperly handled, or in poor condition will result in disqualifcation. • To qualify as a new state record, fsh must exceed previous record by a minimum of 1 oz. The fsh must be identifed and examined by a DEC Fisheries Biologist (or designee) prior to any cutting of the fsh or removal of entrails. • Send completed entry forms and photos to: NYS DEC Bureau of Fisheries, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4753 or email to [email protected].

92 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Angler Achievement Awards

Ofcial Entry Form Section A: Entry Category Fish is being entered in (check one) Catch and Release Category Annual Award Category State Record (complete (complete sections B, C, G) (complete sections B, C, D, E, G) sections B, C, D, E, F, G) Section B: Angler Information Name of Angler: Phone:

Address:

Email: City/Town:

Fishing License # (for people 16 years of age or older): State: Zip Code:

Section C: Catch Information Fish Species: Kept: Released:

Date of Catch: Time of Catch: AM PM (Circle one) Name of Water Body: County:

Nearest Town: Length:

Lure/Bait Used: Lure Color/Size: Brief description of how fsh was caught:

Section D: Weight Information: (Annual Award or State Record entries only) Name of Weigher: Business Name:

Address of Business:

City/Town: Scale Certifcation Number:

State: Zip Code: Date Last Certifed: 2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 93 Angler Achievement Awards

Section E: Witness Verifcation (Annual Award or State Record entries only) Name of Witness: Witness Signature:

Address of Witness: Phone:

City/Town: State: Zip Code: Date:

Section F: Species Information (State Record Entries Only—to be completed by a DEC Fisheries Biologist or Designee) I have examined the fsh described above and confrm that it is a:

Name of DEC Fisheries Biologist or Designee:

Signature: Date:

Section G: Angler Signature (all entries) and Notarization (State Record Entries only) I hereby swear that the information provided on this form is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and that the taking of the fsh described above was in accordance with the rules of the New York State Angler Achievement Awards Program. Furthermore, I release to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation the right to use the above information and any enclosed photographs for promotional purposes, although I understand that this does not restrict my use of the same information and photographs. Signature of Angler (all entries):

Signature of Notary (State Record entries only):

Sworn before me this day of: Year:

Notary Seal (State Record Entries Only) Miscellaneous Notes

94 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 2020–2021 Health Advice for Eating Sportfsh NYS Department of Health's advice about eating sportfsh (fsh you catch) helps people reduce their exposures to chemicals and get the health benefts from eating fsh. Advice That Applies to All NYS Freshwaters (General Advice) Everyone can eat up to four, half-pound meals of fsh from waters without specifc advice. Waters with specifc advice are listed alphabetically below and by region at www.health.ny.gov/fsh. Adirondack and Catskill Waters There is also specifc advice for Adirondack and Catskill Region waters including popular fshing spots like Great Sacandaga Lake and the Ashokan Reservoir. View Adirondack and Catskill waters advice at www.health.ny.gov/fsh. Adirondack and Catskill Regional Advice When there is no specifc advice for waters: • Women under 50 and children under 15 do not eat: yellow perch greater than 10", northern pike, pickerel, walleye, large and smallmouth bass. • Everyone in the family can eat up to 4 meals/month of: yellow perch less than 10", bluegill sunfsh, brook trout, bullhead, brown trout, pumpkinseed sunfsh, rainbow trout, rock bass. Waters with Specifc Advice For Adirondack and Catskill waters, visit www.health.ny.gov/fsh. Specifc advice also apply to connected waters if there are no barriers to stop fsh from mov- ing upstream or downstream. This is because chemicals remain in fsh when they move from one waterbody to another. Women under 50 years of age and children under 15 years of age should not eat any fsh from the waters listed below. All others should follow this advice: New advice listed in blue. Amawalk Reservoir (Westchester), Chenango River (Multiple), Walleye over Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass over 16" 1 22" 1 meal/month meal/month Chodikee Lake (Ulster), Black River, from Carthage State Dam Largemouth Bass over 15" 1 meal/month to Dam (Jeferson), Carp 1 meal/ (Westchester), month Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass over 16" 1 Bog Brook Reservoir (Putnam), meal/month Walleye over 21" 1 meal/month Delaware Park/Hoyt Lake (Erie), Carp 1 Boyd Corners Reservoir (Putnam), meal/month Largemouth Bass over 16" & Walleye Delta Lake (Oneida), Walleye over 23" 1 1 meal/month meal/month Breakneck Pond (Rockland), Largemouth Diverting Reservoir (Putnam), Walleye Bass over 15" 1 meal/month 1 meal/month Bufalo River/Harbor (Erie), Carp DON'T Dunham Reservoir (Rensselaer), Walleye EAT; Channel Catfsh 1 meal/month DON'T EAT; Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month Canadice Lake (Ontario), Lake Trout over (Rensselaer), Largemouth Bass 23" DON'T EAT; Brown Trout & smaller Lake 1 meal/month Trout 1 meal/month East Branch Reservoir (Putnam), Walleye 1 Carmans River, above Southaven Dam meal/month (Sufolk) See Waters with Family Advice Eighteenmile Creek, above/below Burt Cayuga Creek (Niagara), All species Dam (Niagara), All species DON'T EAT DON'T EAT

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 95 Waters with Specifc Advice For Adirondack and Catskill waters, visit www.health.ny.gov/fsh. Women under 50 years of age and children under 15 years of age should not eat any fsh from the waters listed below. All others should follow this advice: New advice listed in blue. Erie Canal, between Lockport and Niagara at Catskill to NYC Battery (Bronx, River (Erie/Niagara), Carp 1 meal/month Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, New Freeport Reservoir (Nassau), Carp 1 meal/ York, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, month Westchester), Channel Catfsh, Gizzard Fresh Pond, Shad, Walleye, White Catfsh, DON'T (Sufolk), Largemouth Bass over 15" 1 meal/ EAT; Blue 1 meal/week (~6 month crabs), DON'T EAT tomalley; Striped Goodyear Lake (Otsego), Walleye over 22" Bass, Bluefsh, Brown Bullhead, Carp, 1 meal/month Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, , Rainbow Smelt, Atlantic Grant Park Pond (Nassau), Carp Needlefsh, Goldfsh 1 meal/month 1 meal/month Kinderhook Lake (Columbia), American Eel to Massena Power Canal (St. 1 meal/month Lawrence), All species DON'T EAT Koppers Pond (Chemung), Carp 1 meal/ Hall’s Pond (Nassau), Carp & Goldfsh month DON'T EAT Lake Capri (Sufolk), American Eel & Carp 1 Hoosic River (Rensselaer), Brown Trout meal/month over 14" & Carp 1 meal/month Lake Champlain, whole lake (Multiple), Hudson River, Upstream from Corinth Lake Trout over 25" & Walleye over 19" 1 Dam (Palmer Falls Dam) (Warren, Essex, meal/month Saratoga, Hamilton), follow Adirondack Regional Advice • Bay within Cumberland Head Southwest to Peru Boat Launch (Clinton, Essex), • Corinth Dam (Palmer Falls Dam) to Same as whole lake AND; American Eel & South Falls Dam at Rte. 9 Bridge Yellow Perch DON'T EAT; Northern Pike 1 (Warren, Saratoga), Smallmouth Bass meal/month over 14", up to 1 meal/month; Carp 1 meal/ month Lake Ontario See Waters with Family Advice • South Glens Falls Dam at Rte. 9 Bridge Lewiston Reservoir/Power Reservoir to Hudson Falls Dam at Bakers Falls (Niagara), Carp DON'T EAT (Warren, Washington, Saratoga), All fsh Loft’s Pond (Nassau), Carp & Goldfsh DON'T EAT 1 meal/month • Hudson Falls Dam at Bakers Falls to Upper Massapequa Reservoir (Nassau), Federal Dam at Troy (Rensselaer, Albany, Carp & White Perch 1 meal/month Washington, Saratoga), All fsh, Catch Massena Power Canal (St. Lawrence), and Release fshing ONLY per DEC Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month regulations. Take No Fish. Eat No Fish. Mohawk River, between Lock E21 at New • Federal Dam at Troy to Rip Van Winkle London and Lock E20 at Whitesboro Bridge at Catskill (Rensselaer, Albany, (Oneida), Carp 1 meal/month Columbia, Greene), Alewife, Blueback • Between Lock E20 at Whitesboro and Herring, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch 1 meal/ Lock E18 at Jacksonburg (Herkimer & month; All other fsh (including Striped Oneida), Carp DON'T EAT; Largemouth Bass and Walleye) DON'T EAT Bass & Tiger Muskellunge 1 meal/month • Hudson River, • Mohawk River, between Lock E18 at

(Note: harvest/possession of Hudson River American Eel for food and American Shad is prohibited per DEC regulations).

96 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Waters with Specifc Advice For Adirondack and Catskill waters, visit www.health.ny.gov/fsh. Women under 50 years of age and children under 15 years of age should not eat any fsh from the waters listed below. All others should follow this advice: New advice listed in blue. Jacksonburg and Fivemile Dam below Lake Champlain, Bay within Cumberland Little Falls (Herkimer), Carp 1 meal/month Head Southwest to Peru Boat Launch (Orange), Channel & White Salmon River Reservoir (Oswego), Catfsh, Gizzard Shad, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/ Walleye DON'T EAT; Blue Crab meat 1 meal/ month month (~6 crabs), DON'T EAT tomalley; All , Mohawk River to Old other fish 1 meal/month Mill Dam (near New Hartford/Paris town Mud Creek (Oneida), Brown Trout & White line) (Oneida), Brown Trout & White Sucker Sucker DON'T EAT DON'T EAT Nassau Lake (Rensselaer), All species (Westchester), American Eel DON'T EAT 1 meal/month Newburgh Area Waters, Beaverdam Seneca River, Downstream of Lock 24 at Lake, Stream from Stewart State Forest Baldwinsville (Onondaga), See Onondaga to Beaverdam Lake, Crestview Lake, Lake advisories Lockwood Basin/Masterson Park Pond, Sheldrake River (Westchester), American Moodna Creek upstream of Firtheclif Dam, Eel DON'T EAT; Goldfsh 1 meal/month Recreation Pond, Silver Stream, Washington Six Mile Creek, Downstream of Gulf Rd. to Lake (Orange), All fsh DON'T EAT mouth of Mohawk River (Oneida), All fsh Niagara River See Waters with Family Advice DON'T EAT Onondaga Lake (Onondaga), Largemouth Skaneateles Creek See Waters with Family & Smallmouth Bass over 15", Walleye, Carp, Advice Channel Catfsh & White Perch DON'T EAT; Smith Pond at Rockville Centre (Nassau), Brown Bullhead & Pumpkinseed 4 meals/ American Eel, Carp, Goldfsh & White Perch month; Smaller Smallmouth Bass, Smaller 1 meal/month Largemouth Bass & all other fsh not listed 1 Smith Pond at Roosevelt Park (Nassau), meal/month American Eel DON'T EAT; Carp & Goldfsh 1 Oswego River, Varick Dam at Oswego meal/month (Lock #8) to upper dam at Fulton (Lock #2) Spring Lake, Middle Island (Sufolk), Carp & (Oswego), Channel Catfsh 1 meal/month Goldfsh DON'T EAT • Mouth to Varick Dam at Oswego (Lock Stark Falls Reservoir (St. Lawrence), #8) See Lake Ontario in Waters with Family Northern Pike over 26" DON'T EAT Advice Thayers Pond, Hoosick Falls Area (Jeferson), Walleye 1 meal/month (Rensselaer), All fsh DON'T EAT Ridders Pond (Nassau), Goldfsh DON'T Threemile Creek (Oneida), White Sucker EAT 1 meal/month Rushford Lake (Allegany), Walleye 1 meal/ Titicus Reservoir (Westchester), White month Perch 1 meal/month Unadilla River (Multiple), Walleye over 22" 1 St. Lawrence River meal/month See Waters with Family Advice Upper Twin Pond (Nassau), American Eel & Salmon River, Mouth to Salmon River Carp 1 meal/month Reservoir (Oswego), Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month (and Lake Ontario Advice) Valatie Kill, between County Rte. 18 and Salmon River (Clinton), Same advice as Nassau Lake (Rensselaer), All species DON'T EAT 2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 97 Waters with Specifc Advice For Adirondack and Catskill waters, visit www.health.ny.gov/fsh. Women under 50 years of age and children under 15 years of age should not eat any fsh from the waters listed below. All others should follow the listed advice.

e Latest A Valatie Kill, between Nassau Lake and h th dvic atc e Kinderhook Lake (Rensselaer & Columbia), C American Eel, Bluegill & Redbreast Sunfsh health.ny.gov/fsh 1 meal/month West Branch Reservoir (Putnam), Walleye 1 To view all advice by region meal/month Whitney Park Pond (Nassau), Carp & Goldfsh 1 meal/month

Waters with Family Advice Waters with new advice listed in blue. Men Over 15 Women Under 50 Women Over 50 Children Under 15 Carmans River, above Southaven Dam (Sufolk) American Eel 1 meal/month DON'T EAT Brown Bullhead 4 meals/month 4 meals/month All other fsh 4 meals/month 1 meal/month Lake Erie and Niagara River upstream of Niagara Falls (Erie, Niagara) Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Burbot 4 meals/month 4 meals/month Carp, Channel Catfsh 1 meal/month DON'T EAT All Other Fish 4 meals/month 1 meal/month Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River (excluding area listed below) (Franklin, Jeferson, St. Lawrence) Brown Bullhead, Rainbow Smelt, Rock 4 meals/month 4 meals/month Bass, White Sucker, Yellow Perch Lake Trout over 25" and Brown Trout 1 meal/month 1 meal/month over 20" Carp 1 meal/month DON'T EAT Channel Catfsh 1 meal/month 1 meal/month Smaller Lake Trout and Brown Trout, 4 meals/month 1 meal/month and All other fsh (including Chinook and Coho Salmon) St. Lawrence River, from South Channel Bridge (including Turtle Creek Cove) downstream to north end of Raquette Point (Navigation Light Number 11) (St. Lawrence) All species DON'T EAT DON'T EAT Niagara River, downstream of Niagara Falls (Niagara) Same advice as Lake Ontario except Lake Trout Lake Trout DON'T EAT DON'T EAT

98 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021 Waters with Family Advice Waters with new advice listed in blue.

Men Over 15 Women Under 50 Women Over 50 Children Under 15 Skaneateles Creek, Skaneateles Lake Dam at Skaneateles to Seneca River (Onondaga, Cayuga) Brown and 1 meal/month 1 meal/month Rainbow Trout All other fsh 4 meals/month 4 meals/month Owasco Lake (Cayuga) Smallmouth Bass, Walleye 1 meal/month DON'T EAT Rainbow Smelt, Rainbow Trout smaller 4 meals/month 4 meals/month than 20", and Yellow Perch smaller than 10" Rainbow Trout over 20", 4 meals/month 1 meal/month Yellow Perch over 10", All other fsh

Tips for Healthier Eating • To reduce exposures to mercury, avoid or eat less largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, pickerel, walleye, and larger yellow perch, particularly in the Adirondack and Catskill regions. • To reduce exposures to PCBs, dioxin, mirex, DDT, chlordane, and dieldrin, avoid or eat less American eel, bluefsh, carp, lake trout, salmon (chinook, coho), striped bass, weakfsh, white and channel catfsh, and white perch because these fsh tend to have higher levels of these contaminants. Follow the and skin recommendations in the diagram to further reduce these chemicals. • When deciding which sportfsh to eat, choose smaller fsh within a species because they may have lower contaminant levels. • Visit www.health.ny.gov/fsh/tips for more helpful tips.

More Information New York State Department of Health For information on contaminants in www.health.ny.gov/fsh sportfsh: 518-402-7800; 800-458-1158 DEC Bureau of Ecosystem Health [email protected] 518-402-8920

2021  New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide 99 Important DEC Webpages Fishing NEW YORK’S INLAND www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/fshing.html TROUT STREAM MANAGEMENT PLAN New York’s Trout Stream Management Plan sets a course for managing trout streams based on their biological and recreational potential through sound science. The approach is bold, yet DEC Delivers (The ) pragmatic. By diferentiating between wild trout and stocked trout management, www.dec.ny.gov/public/65855.html it balances our duty to manage and restore natural populations with the need to supply expanded recreational opportunities to meet angler needs. This will be done under a categorical approach to management that is transparent and simple to understand. The categories set angler expectations and serve as • When choosing topics, select “The goals for enhancement through habitat Fishing Line" management practices. For more information: Learn to Fish content www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/111015.html • New York’s Trout Stream www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/44804.html Management Plan • Categorization of New York State Trout Stream Reaches document Trout Stream Fishing Map

www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/122444.html

Boat Launch Sites www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7832.html

100 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2021