NEW YORK Freshwater FISHING

1 NEW YORK. Freshwater FISHING 2018 19 Official Regulations Guide Volume 10, Issue No. 1. April 2018. New York: A State of Angling Opportunity New York's Fishiest 50 DEC's I FISH NY Program page 10 page 30. Message from the Governor Start Your FISHING Adventure in New York State Welcome to another wonderful season of FISHING in New York State. With more than 7,500 lakes and ponds and 70,000 miles of rivers and streams, FISHING in the Empire State offers a world-class experience that is second to none. FISHING has a long and proud tradition in New York, and the State has undertaken comprehensive efforts over the past several years to raise awareness of and improve access to opportunities to enjoy New York's unparalleled natural resources.

2 To better connect New Yorkers and visitors with these peerless FISHING resources, earlier this year we launched Adventure NY which is working across the state to: Expand access to healthy, active outdoor recreation;. Connect people with nature and the outdoors;. Protect New York's natural resources; and Boost local economies. Already, we're making great progress with new and renovated boat launches on Lake George in Warren County, Meacham Lake in Franklin County, and Forge Pond in Suffolk County that are enhancing the State's Freshwater FISHING experiences. Over the next three years, Adventure NY's goal is to complete an additional 75 projects, from additional boat launches like these to renovating FISHING access sites.

3 New York is committed to providing residents and visitors with a good FISHING experi- ence. Each year, the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) fish hatchery system raises more than 850,000 pounds of fish that stock nearly 1,200 public water- bodies across New York. Recognizing the importance of the FISHING industry, New York has invested more than $14 million dollars to modernize our fish hatcheries statewide, including the newly renovated visitor center at the Salmon River Fish Hatchery and significant improvements made to water supply wells at the Bath Hatchery. In addition, four new trucks were added to New York's hatchery fleet and are anticipated to travel more than 500,000 miles every season.

4 DEC's popular I FISH NY program continues to educate thousands of New York's avid anglers each year on where and when to find the hottest spots. In 2017, DEC held a special Outdoor Day at the New York State Fair and granted free fair admission to anyone with a New York State sporting license. DEC also sponsored our first-ever Learn to Fish program and introduced more than 500 New Yorkers to the wonders of FISHING . We look for even more exciting outdoor activities at the fair in 2018. I encourage you to join us and experience the joys of FISHING New York's waters. Wishing you a safe and successful FISHING season. Andrew M. Cuomo Governor, State of New York Ticonderoga Boat Launch 2018 2019 New York Freshwater FISHING Guide Contents Stop the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species 2 Using This Guide License Information 6 1.

5 Review the Statewide Angling Regulations. page 13. 2. Review the Special Regulations section, which begins on page 14. NYS Environmental Conservation Police Q&A 8 and includes regulations for specific waters ( , Lake Champlain). Feature: New York's Fishiest 50 10 or group of waters ( , Great Lakes). If the water you are FISHING or the species you are FISHING for is not listed in this section, statewide Statewide Angling Regulations 13 angling regulations apply. Special Regulations: Region 1 15 3. Review: Special Regulations: Region 2 16 General Regulations page 50. Baitfish Regulations page 55. Special Regulations: Region 3 17 Definitions page 54.

6 Special Regulations: Region 4 19 4. Consult the License Information section to determine if you need a FISHING license. page 6. New York City Reservoir Regulations 21 5. Review the NYS Environmental Conservation Police Q&A section, Tidal Hudson River Regulations 22 which provides answers to some of the more frequently asked ques- tions concerning the information in this guide. page 8. Border Waters Regulations 23 6. Review Health Advisories. page 67. Special Regulations: Region 5 24. If you have any questions or are unsure of any regulations, call or e-mail Lake George and Lake Champlain Regulations 29 the nearest DEC regional office.

7 Contact information can be found in the Feature: DEC's I FISH NY Program 30 Special Regulations section of the guide. pages 14 49. Special Regulations: Region 6 34. This guide is a summary that is intended for convenience only. For a com- Special Regulations: Region 7 38 plete reference, consult New York State Environmental Conservation Law Special Regulations: Region 8 41 (ECL) and Volume 6 of the Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR). Copies can be reviewed at the nearest library with a State Finger Lakes and Tributary Regulations 43 Supreme Court reference section, online at Special Regulations: Region 9 44 for ECL and for NYCRR, or by contacting a Regional DEC Division of Law Enforcement Office.

8 Great Lakes and Tributary Regulations 46. General Regulations 50. Definitions 54. State of New York Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor Baitfish Regulations 55. NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Freshwater Fish Identification 58 Basil Seggos, Commissioner Weigh Your Fish With A Ruler 60 Kathy Moser, Deputy Commissioner for Natural Resources Tony Wilkinson, Director, Division of Fish and Wildlife New York State Angler Achievement Awards 61. Steve Hurst, Chief, Bureau of Fisheries Catch & Release Guidelines 65 How to contact us: Public FISHING Rights 66 NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Bureau of Fisheries Health Advisories 67 625 Broadway Environmental Conservation Officers 72 Albany, NY 12233-4753.

9 DEC Fish Hatcheries 74 Website: Funding Fisheries Management 76. Main cover photo: Patrick Hildenbrand with the 8 lb. 4 oz. smallmouth bass he caught from the St. Lawrence River, Jefferson County on August 28, 2016 that tied the New York State record. Division of Fish and Wildlife Mission: We Need Your E-mail Address The mission of DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife is to serve the interests The Bureau of Fisheries routinely uses e-mail to provide of current and future generations of New Yorkers by using our collective information to anglers and gather input on important fisher- skills, in partnership with the public, to describe, understand, manage ies issues.

10 Reminders are also provided to anglers when their and perpetuate a healthy and diverse assemblage of fish, wildlife and annual FISHING license is about to expire. If you did not provide ecosystems. a valid e-mail address at the time you purchased your license, please do the following: Call the NYS DEC Call Center at 1-866-933-2257 The advertisements contained herein offset the cost of this guide, (Monday-Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm) or the License Sales are provided for informational purposes only, and do not constitute hotline at 866-472-4332 (Monday-Friday, an endorsement by the New York State Department of Environmental 8:00AM 4:00PM), OR Conservation.