New York Fishing Regulations Guide: 2017-18
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NEW YORK Freshwater FISHING 2017–18 O cial Volume 9, Issue No. 1 April 2017 Regulations Guide Fishing Lake Champlain www.dec.ny.gov Most regulations are in eect April 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018 Message from the Governor New York: A State of Angling Opportunity If you are an angler, you know how lucky you are to live in New York. The Empire State is unmatched in the quality and diversity of our fish species, and ranks fifth in the nation for total acreage of freshwater fishing locations. There are so many opportunities to get out and enjoy this important sport, and I have made it a priority to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to the State’s abundant fishing resources. That is why the NY is Open for Fishing and Hunting initiative has provided more than $4 million over the last three years to rehabilitate existing boat launches and construct new launches across the state. In addition, New York continues to make great progress toward our goal of establishing 50 new or improved land and water access sites. In 2016, we opened new universally accessible fishing piers and hand carry launches on the Esopus Creek in Ulster County and Looking Glass Pond in Schoharie County. We refurbished the Dunkirk Harbor Fishing Pier in Chautauqua County, which now provides access for users of all abilities to the outstanding fishing found in this area of Lake Erie. 2017 will see the opening of a brand new boat launch on Meacham Lake in Franklin County and updated facility on the northern end of Cayuga Lake. The State’s 12 fish hatcheries are an important component of our freshwater fisheries management program, and we have invested $11 million to make much-needed repairs to these facilities. In 2016, we improved our Chateaugay, Rome, Salmon River, and South Otselic fish hatcheries, which are enhancing our stocking programs across the state. New York continues to reach out to anglers in the state with new and better sources of information. This past year, we were pleased to unveil a brand new Beginners Guide to Freshwater Fishing that provides all the information anglers need for a quality fishing experience in New York State. This guide, along with a host of other information, can be downloaded from the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/fishing.html. In addition, our I FISH NY program enjoyed another banner year reaching out to aspiring anglers young and old. Nearly 18,000 individuals passed through these DEC- sponsored programs in 2016. And thanks to 2013 legislation that provided for an unlimited number of free fishing clinics in New York State, more than 20,000 people participated in 195 free sportfishing clinics conducted in 2016—a 500-percent increase since 2013. This is just a small snapshot of the progress New York is making every year to grow this economically important sport and ensure residents and visitors can enjoy all the amazing opportunities New York has to oer. I wish you all a safe and successful fishing season! Andrew M. Cuomo Governor, State of New York Ticonderoga Boat Launch 2017–2018 New York Freshwater Fishing Guide Contents Stop the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species ..................2 Using This Guide Highlights of Changes ............................................................5 1. Review the Statewide Angling Regulations. — page 13 2. Review the Special Regulations section, which begins on page 14 License Information .................................................................6 and includes regulations for specific waters (i.e., Lake Champlain) NYS Environmental Conservation Police Q&A ...............8 or group of waters (i.e., Great Lakes). If the water you are fishing or the species you are fishing for is not listed in this section, statewide Feature: Fisheries Management on Lake Champlain...... 10 angling regulations apply. Statewide Angling Regulations ..........................................13 3. Review: General Regulations — page 50 Special Regulations: Region 1 ...........................................15 » » Baitfish Regulations — page 55 Special Regulations: Region 2 ..........................................16 » Definitions — page 54 4. Consult the License Information section to determine if you need a Special Regulations: Region 3 ..........................................17 fishing license. — page 6 Special Regulations: Region 4 ..........................................19 5. Review the NYS Environmental Conservation Police Q&A section, 21 which provides answers to some of the more frequently asked ques- New York City Reservoir Regulations .............................. tions concerning the information in this guide. — page 8 Tidal Hudson River Regulations .......................................22 6. Review Health Advisories. — page 67 Border Waters Regulations ................................................23 If you have any questions or are unsure of any regulations, call or e-mail Special Regulations: Region 5 .........................................24 the nearest DEC regional oce. Contact information can be found in the Lake George and Lake Champlain Regulations ..........29 Special Regulations section of the guide. — pages 14–49 Feature: Fishing Lake Champlain ....................................30 This guide is a summary that is intended for convenience only. For a com- Special Regulations: Region 6 .........................................34 plete reference, consult New York State Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) and Volume 6 of the Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New Special Regulations: Region 7 .........................................38 York (NYCRR). Copies can be reviewed at the nearest library with a State Special Regulations: Region 8 ..........................................41 Supreme Court reference section, on-line at www.assembly.state.ny.us/leg/ for ECL and www.dec.ny.gov/regs/2494.html for NYCRR, or by contacting Finger Lakes and Tributary Regulations.........................43 a Regional DEC Division of Law Enforcement Oce. Special Regulations: Region 9 .........................................44 Great Lakes and Tributary Regulations ..........................46 State of New York General Regulations ............................................................50 Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor Definitions ...............................................................................54 NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Baitfish Regulations .............................................................55 Basil Seggos, Commissioner Kathy Moser, Deputy Commissioner for Natural Resources Freshwater Fish Identification ...........................................58 Tony Wilkinson, Director, Division of Fish and Wildlife Weigh Your Fish With A Ruler............................................60 Edward Woltmann, Acting Chief, Bureau of Fisheries How to contact us: New York State Angler Achievement Awards ..............61 NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Catch & Release Guidelines ..............................................65 Bureau of Fisheries 625 Broadway Public Fishing Rights ............................................................66 Albany, NY 12233-4753 Health Advisories.................................................................. 67 fwfi[email protected] Website: www.dec.ny.gov Environmental Conservation Ocers ............................. 72 Main cover photo: Bob Wither in search of bass on Lake Champlain DEC Fish Hatcheries ............................................................ 74 76 Division of Fish and Wildlife Mission: Funding Fisheries Management ....................................... The mission of DEC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife is to serve the interests of current and future generations of New Yorkers by using our collective skills, in partnership with the public, to describe, understand, manage and perpetuate a healthy and diverse assemblage of fish, wildlife and Free Fishing Days ecosystems. During the following dates, • June 24–25, 2017 anyone can fish the fresh or • November 11, 2017 marine waters of New York State and no license is required! • February 17–18, 2018 The advertisements contained herein o¢set the cost of this guide, are provided for informational purposes only, and do not constitute Since no license is required, it’s the perfect time to take a friend or relative fishing. an endorsement by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Additional free fishing days are under consideration. Visit www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/89821.html for the latest information. J.F. Grin Publishing, LLC is proud to print the ocial New York For a list of DEC-sponsored Fishing Clinics, visit e Freshwater Fishing Regulations summary on post-consumer www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27123.html recycled paper. 2017–2018 New York Freshwater Fishing Guide 1 Protect Your Waters Help Stop the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species and Fish Diseases Williamstown, MA | Birmingham, AL Follow these simple guidelines to properly clean boats and fishing equipment. About This Guide INSPECT your boat, trailer and other fishing and This high-quality guide is offered to you boating equipment and by the New York State Department of remove all plant and animal Environmental Conservation through 1 its unique partnership with J.F. Griffin material clinging to it. Publishing, LLC. The revenue generated through ad sales significantly lowers production costs and generates savings. These savings translate DRAIN AND DRY into additional funds for other important everything that came into agency programs. contact with water. Dry If you have any feedback or are