DEC Announces June 27-28 is Free Fishing Weekend in New York State

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L EWIS COUNTY BUSINESS DIRECTORY

DEC Announces June 27-28 is Free Fishing Weekend in New York State

June 26, 2020 01:00 p.m.

Press Release from NYS DEC (June 17, 2020):

DEC Announces June 27-28 is Free Fishing Weekend in New York State

All New Yorkers Encouraged to Explore Local Fishing Opportunities

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)

Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced a Free Fishing Weekend for June

27 - 28. The event is the second of six Free Fishing Days offered in New York

State every year.

"This free fishing weekend could not have come at a better time," Commissioner

Seggos said. "Amid the uncertainty of these challenging times, being home

together has allowed many families to get outdoors and experience new

activities. Free fishing days provide the perfect opportunity for all New Yorkers-

from Brooklyn to Buffalo and from Montauk to Mt. Marcy-to try fishing for the first

time and encourage those who have fished before to dust off their fishing rods

and get outside."

DEC encourages all anglers, new and experienced, to recreate locally and seek

out fishing opportunities close to home.

DEC's Places to Fish

webpages are a

reliable source for those ready to plan their next fishing trip. For beginning

anglers interested in getting started, the

I FISH NY Beginners' Guide to

Freshwater Fishing

provides information on everything from rigging up a fishing

rod, to identifying your catch, and understanding fishing regulations.

Additional Free Fishing Days in 2020/2021 include: National Hunting and Fishing

Day (Sept. 26); Veterans Day (Nov. 11); and President's Day Weekend (Feb. 13-

14). During these designated free fishing days, New York residents and non-

residents are permitted to fish for free without a fishing license. Free fishing day

participants are reminded that although the requirement for a fishing license is

waived during free fishing days, all other

fishing regulations

remain in effect.

New York State is encouraging people to engage in responsible recreation

during the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis. DEC recommendations

incorporate guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and

the New York State Department of Health for reducing the spread of infectious

diseases and encourage New Yorkers to recreate locally, practice physical

distancing, show respect, and use common sense to protect themselves and

others. Use the

DECinfo Locator

to find a DEC-managed resource near you and

visit the

State Parks

website for information about parks and park closures. For

information about engaging in responsible recreation this summer

, visit

DEC's website.

DEC reminds anglers to

maintain safe social distancing while fishing

(PDF) this

year to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Guidelines to protect yourself and

others include:

Fish local: Stay close to home. Keep your fishing trip short. Avoid high-traffic
destinations.
Be safe: Avoid crowds and groups. Keep a distance of six feet or more from
others. When fishing from a boat, make sure it's large enough so persons
on board are at least six feet from one another.
Stay home: If you're not feeling well, stay home. Anyone 70 and older or
with a compromised immune system should postpone their trip.
Be adaptive: Move quickly through parking lots and paths. If crowded,
choose a different fishing location, or time to visit.

Anglers fishing from boats should be able to maintain at least six feet of distance

between one another. For more information on boating guidelines and safety, go

to State Parks website and DEC's website.