NEW YORK Freshwater FISHING2013–14 OFFICIAL REGULATIONS GUIDE VL O UME 6, ISSUE No. 1, OCTOBER 2013 Fly Fishing the Catskills New York State Department of Environmental Conservation www.dec.ny.gov Most regulations are in effect October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014 MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR New York’s Open for Hunting and Fishing Welcome to another great freshwater fishing season in New York, home to an extraor- dinary variety of waterbodies and diverse fisheries. From the historic Hudson River to the majestic Great Lakes, and with hundreds of lakes and thousands of miles of streams from the Adirondacks to the Fingers Lakes, New York offers excitement and challenges for anglers that cannot be beat! The Bass Anglers Sportsman Society selected five of our waters – Cayuga Lake, Oneida Lake, Lake Champlain, Thousand Islands/St. Lawrence River and Lake Erie for their list of the Top 100 Bass Waters of 2013, with the last two listed in the top 20. This year’s guide is focused on trout fishing in the Catskills, also a nationally renowned destination for trout anglers. We continue our efforts to make New York, which is already ranked 2nd in the United States for recreational fishing economic impact, even more attractive as a tourism destination. My “New York Open for Fishing and Hunting” initiative will simplify the purchase of sporting licenses in 2014 and, most importantly, reduce fees. In addition, we will spend more than $4 million to develop new boat launches and fishing access sites so we can expand opportunities for anglers. Over the past three years New York invested $2.5 million in the development of new boat launching facilities on Cuba Lake in Allegany County, the Upper Hudson River in Saratoga County, Lake Champlain in the City of Plattsburgh, and two new facilities on Lake Ontario - Point Peninsula Isthmus and Three Mile Bay, both in Jefferson County. Major upgrades were also completed on the Woodville Boat Launch on Canandaigua Lake, the Horicon Boat Launch on Schroon Lake, and the Northville Boat Launch on Great Sacandaga Lake. We’ve also made improvements to our hatchery system, including a new visitor center at the state’s Rome Fish Hatchery. Fishing is a great way to enjoy New York’s unparalleled outdoor recreation oppor- tunities. Research has shown that people involved in the sport of fishing also enjoy other outdoor sports such as hiking, camping and wildlife watching. A particular interest of mine is to encourage our children to enjoy nature. I can’t think of a better way to do this than by introducing them to the sport of fishing. I recently signed legis- lation that will expand the number of free sportfishing clinics in New York offered by organizations designated by the Department of Environmental Conservation. These clinics will help people learn about fishing and, most important – how much fun they can have fishing in New York waters! Best of luck on your fishing adventures. If you’re fishing in New York you’ve already made a great catch! Governor Andrew M. Cuomo CONTENTS USING THIS GuIDE 1. Review the Statewide Angling Regulations. – page 14 STOP THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES 2 2. Review the special regulations section which begins on page 16 and includes regulations for specific waters (ie. Lake HIGHLIGHTS OF CHANGES 4 Champlain) or group of waters (ie. Great Lakes). IF THE LICENSE INFORMATION 6 WATER YOU INTEND TO FISH IS NOT LISTED IN THIS SECTION, STATEWIDE ANGLING REGULATIONS APPLY. NYS ENVIRONMENTAL 3. Review: CONSERVATION POLICE Q&A 8 • General Regulations – page 53 FEATURE: MANAGING THE TROUT FISHERIES • Baitfish Regulations – page 57 • Definitions – page 60 OF THE CATSKILLS 10 4. Consult the License Information section to determine if you STATEWIDE ANGLING REGULATIONS 14 need a fishing license. – page 6 SPECIAL REGULATIONS: REGION 1 17 5. Review the NYS Environmental Conservation Police Q&A section which provides answers to some of the more frequently SPECIAL REGULATIONS: REGION 2 18 asked questions concerning the information in this guide. — SPECIAL REGULATIONS: REGION 3 19 pages 8, 17, 31 and 33 SPECIAL REGULATIONS: REGION 4 21 6. Review Health Advisories. – page 67 If you have any questions or are unsure of any regulations, call NEW YORK CITY RESERVOIR REGULATIONS 23 or e-mail the nearest DEC regional office. Contact information TIDAL HUDSON RIVER REGULATIONS 24 can be found in the Special Regulations section of the guide. — pages 16-46 BORDER WATERS REGULATIONS 25 FEATURE: FLY FISHING THE CATSKILLS 26 SPECIAL REGULATIONS: REGION 5 30 This guide is a summary that is intended for convenience only— for a complete reference, consult New York State Environmental LAKE CHAMPLAIN REGULATIONS 35 Conservation Law (ECL) and Volume 6 of the Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR). Copies can be SPECIAL REGULATIONS: REGION 6 36 reviewed at the nearest library with a State Supreme Court refer- ence section, on-line at www.assembly.state.ny.us/leg/ for ECL and SPECIAL REGULATIONS: REGION 7 40 www.dec.ny.gov/regs/2494.html for NYCRR, or by contacting a Regional SPECIAL REGULATIONS: REGION 8 43 DEC Division of Law Enforcement Office. FINGER LAKES AND TRIBUTARY REGULATIONS 45 STATE OF NEW YORK SPECIAL REGULATIONS: REGION 9 46 Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor GREAT LAKES AND TRIBUTARY REGULATIONS 48 NYS Department of Environmental Conservation GENERAL REGULATIONS 53 Joe Martens, Commissioner Kathy Moser, Assistant Commissioner for Natural Resources BAITFISH REGULATIONS 57 Patricia Riexinger, Director, Division of Fish, Wildlife & Marine Resources Phil Hulbert, Chief, Bureau of Fisheries DEFINITIONS 60 How to contact us: WEIGH YOUR FISH WITH A RULER 62 NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Bureau of Fisheries NEW YORK STATE ANGLER 625 Broadway ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 63 Albany, NY 12233-4753 [email protected] HEALTH ADVISORIES 67 Website: www.dec.ny.gov ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION OFFICERS 72 Main cover photo: Rondout Creek (Ulster County), Ed Ostapczuk. Inset cover photos: E sopus Creek & brook trout, Ed Ostapczuk; FRESHWATER FISH IDENTIFICATION 74 fisherman,Jason Dole. PUBLIC FISHING RIGHTS 76 Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources’ Mission: The mission of DEC’s Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources is CATCH & RELEASE GUIDELINES 77 to serve the interests of current and future generations of New Yorkers by using our collective skills, in partnership with the public, to describe, DEC FISH HATCHERIES 78 understand, manage and perpetuate a healthy and diverse assemblage of fish, wildlife and ecosystems. FUNDING FISHERIES MANAGEMENT 80 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 1 NEW YORK A nglers and Boaters Freshwater Help STOP the Spread of Aquatic FISHING 2013–14 OFFICIAL REGULATIONS GUIDE Invasive Species and Fish Diseases VOLUME 6, ISSUE NO. 1, OCTOBER 2013 Fly Fishing the Fish diseases such as viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) and invasive species such as the zebra mussel and Eurasian water milfoil can be spread through the use of boating and fishing equipment Catskills that has not been properly cleaned, dried or disinfected prior to its use in another waterbody. Help stop the spread of these noxious species and diseases by adhering to the following simple guidelines. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation www.dec.ny.gov INP S ECT Most regulations are in effect your boat, trailer and other fishing and October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014 boating equipment, and remove all mud, plants and other organisms that might be clinging to it. Never release plants, fish or animals into a body of water, unless they 1 came out of that body of water. About this Guide This high-quality regulation guide is offered to you by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation through its unique partnership with J.F. Griffin Publishing, LLC. J.F. Griffin is an award winning publishing house D RAIN AND DRY everything that came into contact with water. Many aquatic invasive species and that specializes in producing state fish and wildlife fish diseases are microscopic and can be transported regulation books. J.F. Griffin supports the DEC’s staff 2 in the design, layout and editing of the guides. They in as little as a drop of water. Dry boats for at least 5 days and other equipment for at least 48 hrs before also manage the marketing and sales of advertising use in another waterbody. Difficult-to-dry gear may to appropriate businesses within the book. require even longer drying times. Recommended drying The revenue generated through ad sales significantly times for each month of the year can be calculated at lowers production costs and generates savings. 100thmeridian.org/emersion.asp. Be sure to completely drain your boat, including baitwells and livewells. These savings translate into additional funds for other important fisheries and habitat programs. If you have any feedback or are interested in adver- tising, please contact us at 413.884.1001 or online at www.JFGriffin.com DNISI FECT equipment if you cannot or do not have the time to dry Graphic Design: it before using it in another waterbody. Jon Gulley, Erin Murphy, Evelyn Haddad, Effective disinfectants include water at Chris Sobolowski and Dane Fay least 140° F (hotter than most hot tap water) or steam, 2% bleach solution 3 (3 ounces of household bleach mixed with 1 gallon of water), or household cleansers such as Fantastik®, Formula 409®, or Spray Nine® that contain the 430 Main St. Suite 5 | Williamstown, MA 01267 ingredient alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride. For all materials, J.F. Griffin Publishing, LLC is proud to print the follow label instructions and be sure official New York Freshwater Fishing Regulations to soak equipment for a minimum of Guide on post-consumer recycled paper. 10 minutes.