NEW SEASON EXPANDS TROUT FISHING OPPORTUNITIES 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has established a new catch-and-release trout stream season.  This additional season began on October 16th and ends on March 31, 2022.    Fishing for trout in lakes and ponds is prohibited after October 15, unless exempted under special regulations.   Anglers are only allowed to use artificial lures and must immediately release, unharmed, trout.   

In the past, a portion of the year was traditionally closed to trout stream fishing as a precautionary measure during the reproductive cycle for wild trout.   DEC biologists concluded that fishing during the spawning season would not result in negative fishery impacts.

The DEC will conduct an Angler Use and Wild Trout Young-of-Year Recruitment Study to gauge angling pressure and the abundance of young-of-year trout.   The three year statewide sample survey of 19 wild trout streams will end in 2024  DEC biologists will use the results of the study to evaluate the new regulation and evaluate future fishery management changes.

Cut and paste this link for the DEC Freshwater Fishing Guide https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/fishguide.pdf 

Our Contact Information

New York State Council of Trout Unlimited

185 West John St.
Hicksville, NY 11802

(585) 257-8557