DEC Announces Finalization of Trout Stream Regulations

March 24, 2021   05:00 p.m.
    Press Release from NYS DEC:

    DEC Announces Finalization of Trout Stream Regulations

    Streamlined Rule Changes will Increase Angling Opportunities, Take
    Effect on April 1 for 2021 Trout Opener

    New Interactive Trout Stream Fishing Map Also Launched Today

    New 2021 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide Now Available Online

    New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
    Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the finalization of new trout
    stream regulations that will take effect on April 1, 2021, and help improve
    the management of inland trout streams across the state. The new
    regulations support the objectives of the five management categories of
    DEC's Trout Stream Management Plan and significantly increase trout
    stream angling opportunities by allowing fishing year-round. In addition,
    DEC launched a new interactive Trout Stream Fishing Map to provide
    anglers with information about how and where to find their preferred type of
    trout angling opportunities.

    "These newly finalized trout stream regulations will help DEC implement our
    ongoing approach to trout stream management, which is based in science
    and developed transparently with public input," Commissioner Seggos said.
    "These regulations not only extend fishing opportunities, but also balance
    the desires of New York State's diverse trout stream anglers with our
    responsibility to manage these resources to their fullest ecological and
    recreational potential. And the new interactive Trout Stream Fishing Map
    launched today adds to the incredible resources available on the DECInfo
    Locator, making it easier than ever before to access information about New
    York's outdoor resources."

    The Trout Stream Management Plan's categories, objectives, and strategies
    were developed to achieve outcomes identified by a diverse audience of
    anglers that participated in more than 20 public meetings held across the
    state. These changes also reflect DEC's continuing efforts to simplify
    regulations whenever possible to make fishing more accessible and
    enjoyable. The rulemaking eliminates more than 20 types of special
    regulations associated with trout stream reaches, reducing 26 regulations to
    four, while sustaining a consistent level of resource protection.

    The new regulations are:

  • Daily creel limit of five trout per day with no more than two longer than
    12 inches statewide and for reaches categorized as Wild or Stocked in
    effect from April 1 through Oct. 15;
  • Daily creel limit of three trout per day with no more than one longer
    than 12 inches for reaches designated as Wild-Quality or Stocked-
    Extended in effect from April 1 through Oct. 15;
  • Daily creel limit of one trout per day, any size, for reaches designated
    as Wild-Premier in effect from April 1 through October 15; and
  • Creation of a statewide catch-and-release trout season in effect from
    Oct. 16 to March 31. During this period anglers are restricted to
    artificial lures only and must promptly release all trout caught.

    Some exceptions apply for certain stream reaches. The new 2021 fishing
    regulations guide lists the new regulations with descriptions of the
    applicable stream reaches. A listing of how publicly accessible trout stream
    reaches are categorized is also available in DEC's Categorization of New
    York State Trout Stream Reaches (PDF), available at DEC's website.

    New Interactive Trout Stream Fishing Map

    To provide additional information about how and where anglers can find
    their preferred type of trout angling opportunities, DEC is launching an
    interactive Trout Stream Fishing Map to provide a one-stop-shop for
    information about stocking, fishing access, season dates, and regulations
    on the DECinfo Locator. All Wild-Quality, Wild-Premier, Stocked, and
    Stocked-Extended reaches are mapped, and DEC will complete the
    mapping of Wild categorized reaches later this year. Links to the Trout
    Stream Fishing Map and a User Guide are available at DEC's website.

    With more than 65 interactive data layers, DECinfo Locator lets users see
    and download permits, former industrial site cleanup plans, water quality
    reports, and more based on where they live, work, or play. DECinfo
    Locator's outdoor activity data lets hikers, campers, hunters, and other
    adventurers plan forays into New York's natural wonders, whether that be
    locating a fire tower and planning a route, setting up a weekend of fishing,
    or just browsing the activities allowed on nearby state lands. Multiple
    information layers can be activated at the same time, allowing users to see
    the many ways DEC is working to protect and enhance the state's
    environment and recreational opportunities.

    New 2021 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide

    New for 2021, DEC streamlined its annual fishing regulations guide. With
    few exceptions, contents in the new guide are limited to only a summary of
    the laws and regulations anglers need to know before hitting the water.
    Taking a no-frills approach, ads and articles have been omitted, allowing for
    a better formatting and simpler lookup. Waterbodies are now listed
    alphabetically by region to make looking up regulations easier. The simpler
    approach also allowed DEC to significantly increase the size of print for
    easier reading. Lastly, the guide now measures 5 ½" x 8 ½" allowing anglers
    to easily keep a copy in their glovebox or tacklebox.

    The new guide can be found at DEC's website for downloading and
    printing at home. Production of hard copies is underway and DEC expects
    to have guides at License Issuing Agents no later than the second week of
    April. Hard copies can be requested by emailing FWFish@dec.ny.gov.
Subscribe to our
YouTube Channel
Copyright 2015 linkinglewiscounty.com  all rights reserved       privacy policy here