MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR FISHING REGULATIONS GUIDE 2004-2006 Few states have more freshwater than NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION New York and none can match the diver- George E. Pataki - Governor Erin M. Crotty - Commissioner sity of fishing opportunities found here. New York State facilities are available to all persons without regard to race, color, national origin or handicap in accordance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Managing such a large resource is no and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This guide is a summary that is intended for easy task and DEC staff continue to work convenience only - for complete reference consult the New York State Environmental Conservation Law and Volume 6 of the Codes, Rules and to protect and improve fishing opportuni- Regulations of the State of New York, Copies can be reviewed at your local ties in New York State. Efforts continue Supreme Court library or by contacting a regional Division of Law Enforcement Office. Be sure to see “How To Use This Guide” and review Highlights of on the Beaverkill and Willowemoc, where Changes on page 81. important fish population, angler use and water quality data are being gathered to HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE improve our management of these famed CONTENTS trout fisheries. Our efforts to improve and expand walleye popu- LICENSE YEAR OCTOBER 1 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30 lations also continue with new or improved walleye fisheries STATEWIDE ANGLING REGULATIONS......................................................................2 LICENSE INFORMATION ....................................................................................4-6 developed in 30 waters, resulting in this valuable sportfish now DEFINITIONS ......................................................................................................7 being found in all of our watersheds, including Long Island. GENERAL ANGLING REGULATIONS.....................................................................8-17 Since 1995, over 60 miles of new public fishing rights to GREAT LAKES ............................................................................................ 18-23 streams have been acquired and more than 70 new boating and FINGER LAKES ........................................................................................... 24-25 LAKE CHAMPLAIN ............................................................................................ 26 fishing access sites have been developed. Over 500,000 acres BORDER WATERS ............................................................................................ 27 of open space has been protected, most of which provide fish- NYC RESERVOIRS ...................................................................................... 28-29 ing, hunting and boating opportunities. The Hudson River HEALTH ADVISORY ..................................................................................... 30-37 remains an important priority of our Administration, and as we ANGLER ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS.....................................................................38-43 SPECIAL REGULATIONS BY COUNTY...........................................................................44-70 approach the 400 year anniversary of Henry Hudson's first voy- HIGHLIGHTS OF CHANGES...................................................................................81 age up the river, I am committed to making the Hudson swim- USING THIS GUIDE mable from its source in the Adirondacks all the way to 1. First, review: Manhattan, as well as ensuring that every community along the STATEWIDE ANGLING REGULATIONS river has at least one new or upgraded access point. 2. Then review: • GENERAL REGULATIONS AND DEFINITIONS I encourage you to take advantage of the many recreational • SPECIAL REGULATIONS BY COUNTY and sport fishing opportunities available throughout New York. • GREAT LAKES - Lake Erie, Niagara River, Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence From the open waters of Long Island Sound to the shores of the River and their tributaries to first barrier • FINGER LAKES - all tributaries to first barrier Great Lakes, whether you’re a resident New Yorker or a visitor, I • LAKE CHAMPLAIN - all tributaries to first barrier know that you’ll agree that Fishing’s Great in New York State. • GREENWOOD LAKE - NY/NJ border water • INDIAN LAKE - NY/CT border water • DELAWARE RIVER & WEST BRANCH DELAWARE - NY/PA border water • NYC RESERVOIRS Governor George E. Pataki 3. If the water you intend to fish is not among the waters named above or in ABOUT OUR COVER the SPECIAL REGULATIONS BY COUNTY, then STATEWIDE ANGLING REGULATIONS apply. 4. Consult the LICENSE INFORMATION section to determine if you need a fishing Sunset at Cranberrry Lake taken by Joelle Meschino. Seven thousand acre Cranberry Lake is one of over 3,000 lakes and ponds, and over 30,000 miles license. of rivers and streams found within NY’s Adirondack Park. An angler’s para- 5. Review information on health advisories, possession and transportation, dise, these waters contain a wide variety of sportfish species including large buying and selling, dip netting, snatching, spears and longbows. and smallmouth bass, Atlantic salmon, brook trout, walleye, northern pike and 6. If you have any questions or are unsure of any regulations, call the nearest a host of panfish species. For more info on recreational opportunities in the Adirondacks go to: www.adk.com DEC REGIONAL OFFICE. - 1 - STATEWIDE ANGLING REGULATIONS MARINE RECREATIONAL FISHING REGULATIONS OPEN MINIMUM DAILY Recreational fishing regulations for marine fish species are subject to fre- SPECIES SEASON LENGTH LIMIT quent changes in response to rapid changes in fishing conditions and TROUT- development of interstate management strategies for these species. For BROOK, BROWN, RAINBOW AND APRIL 1 - ANY SIZE 5 THE HYBRIDS OF THESE SPECIES; OCTOBER 15 complete and accurate information on current New York marine recre- AND SPLAKE ational fishing regulations, contact the DEC Bureau of Marine Resources, APRIL 1- LAKE TROUT 21” 3 Finfish and Crustacean Unit (631) 444-0435 or visit the DEC website at: OCTOBER 15 APRIL 1- LANDLOCKED (LL)/ATLANTIC SALMON 15” 3 OCTOBER 15 www.dec.state.ny.us/dfwmr/marine/lawsregs.html APRIL 1- KOKANEE ANY SIZE 10 OCTOBER 15 COHO, CHINOOK, PINK SALMON SEE GREAT LAKES REGULATIONS BLACK BASS 3RD SATURDAY IN 12” 5 LARGEMOUTH, SMALLMOUTH JUNE - NOV. 30 3RD SATURDAY IN MUSKELLUNGE 30” 1 JUNE - NOV. 30 1ST SATURDAY IN NORTHERN PIKE 18” 5 MAY - MARCH 15 1ST SATURDAY IN PICKEREL 15” 5 MAY - MARCH 15 1ST SATURDAY IN TIGER MUSKELLUNGE 30” 1 MAY - MARCH 15 1ST SATURDAY IN WALLEYE 15” 5 MAY - MARCH 15 CRAPPIE ALL YEAR 9” 25 ATLANTIC, SHORTNOSE, CLOSED POSSESSION PROHIBITED LAKE STURGEON, PADDLEFISH WHITEFISH ALL YEAR ANY SIZE 5 FISHING HOTLINES STRIPED BASS - IN THE HUDSON REGULATION CHANGE PENDING CONTACT (631) 444-0435, OR RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES NORTH OF WWW.DEC.STATE.NY.US/DFWMR/MARINE/SWFLAWS.HTML FOR GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE MORE INFORMATION WARRENSBURG 518-623-3682 RAY BROOK 518-891-5413 AMERICAN SHAD ALL YEAR ANY SIZE 6 REGION 7 607-753-1551 YELLOW PERCH ALL YEAR ANY SIZE 50 ORLEANS COUNTY 585-589-3220 SUNFISH - ALL YEAR ANY SIZE 50 LAKE ERIE (DUNKIRK) 716-679-ERIE BLUEGILL, PUMPKINSEED, REDBREAST LAKE ERIE (BUFFALO) 716-855-FISH AMERICAN EEL- ALL YEAR 6” 50 ALL WATERS EXCEPT HUDSON RIVER ERIE COUNTY (EXT 4142) 716-844-1111 AMERICAN EEL- EELS 6-14” ONLY MAY BE POSSESSED IN NIAGARA COUNTY 716-433-5606 HUDSON RIVER FROM THE BATTERY ANY NUMBER FOR BAIT. NO EELS ALL YEAR TO TROY AND ALL TRIBUTARIES GREATER THAN 14” MAY BE POSSESSED. WAYNE COUNTY 315-946-5466 UPSTREAM TO THE FIRST BARRIER NO EELS MAY BE POSSESSED FOR FOOD. ALL OTHER SPECIES ALL YEAR ANY SIZE ANY NUMBER ARTIST CREDIT THIS GUIDE IS A SUMMARY THAT IS INTENDED FOR CONVENIENCE Many of the illustrations in this year's Fishing Regulations Guide were ONLY - FOR A COMPLETE REFERENCE, CONSULT THE NEW YORK donated by Mr. Jack Pangburn. In addition to being a talented artist, Jack STATE ENVIRONMENTAL CONVERSATION LAW AND VOLUME 6 OF is a fly tying instructor and frequently fishes for trout throughout southeast- THE CODES, RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE STATE OF NEW ern New York. In 2001, Mr. Pangburn was awarded Trout Unlimited's YORK. COPIES CAN BE REVIEWED AT YOUR LOCAL SUPREME COURT Silver Trout Award in recognition of his service to the conservation of cold LIBRARY OR BY CONTACTING A REGIONAL DIVISION OF LAW water fisheries. For information on purchasing color pencil art or reproduc- ENFORCEMENT OFFICE. tions, Jack can be contacted by e-mail at [email protected] . - 2 - - 3 - LICENSE INFORMATION License Fees LICENSE REQUIREMENTS Native Americans who are members LIFETIME LICENSES Everyone must have a valid fishing of the Shinnecock and Poospatuck license in their possession while tribes or the Six Nations residing on Resident fishing, except: reservations in New York State may Buy a lifetime license and obtain a free fishing license by con- Senior (65+) $ 5 • Persons under 16 years of age. never worry about future tacting their reservation or the DEC Annual Fishing $ 19 fee increases. Lifetime • When fishing waters of the Marine License Sales Office at (518) 402- 7 Day fishing $ 12 licenses are available only District or in the Hudson River south 8843. of Troy Barrier Dam. Includes Fishing: to New York State residents LOST LICENSE REPLACEMENT NOTE: A fishing license is required on Sportsman1 $ 37 A lost license may be replaced for but remain valid even if you entire length of all Hudson River $5.00 for each