Fishing

New York is great for fishing, right? Well, sort of.

New York is a big state. Therefore fisheries near Buffalo likely face different challenges than those in Westchester. The Empire State prides itself in regulations but sometimes has to simplify those rules in order to accommodate such a large area of different terrain. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation made some of those adaptations on Tuesday.

At one point in time, this fish was vital to New York State. By this point, they can hardly be found. New York is looking to bring them back.

State's first Free Fishing Weekend of 2022. On Feb. 19 and 20, freshwater anglers are permitted to fish for free without a license.

There are 45 different fish species classified for state records with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Some of them, like the 69 pound 15 ounce Muskie that Arthur Lawton caught on the St. Lawrence River on September 22, 1957 or the 46 pound 2 ounce Northern Pike that Peter Dubuc caught in the Great Sacandaga Lake on September 15, 1940 may never be broken.

This weekend marks National Hunting and Fishing Day and will also allow New Yorkers to have a full day of free fishing. There are several free fishing days throughout the year and this one will be held Saturday, September 25th in all New York waterways. This free fishing day will be the fifth out of the sixth of the year.

Minimum size limits would be increased and harvest limits reduced on several species of panfish.

The best way to social distance: fishing.

Here's a free opportunity to enjoy fishing

The DEC stocks bodies of water throughout NYS each year.