Press Release
March 27, 2008
Contact:
Eileen Larrabee
Dan Keefe
518.486.1868
New York State Parks Welcomes Anglers of All Ages
Trout Fishing Season Begins April 1
Carol Ash, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, welcomed anglers to state parks for the April 1 opening of trout season in the Empire State. Lakes, ponds, streams and creeks in 54 state parks and historic sites promise an outstanding year for fishing across New York.
"State Parks offer trouble-free access to exceptional fishing in beautiful settings across the state," said Ash. "Many parks offer events to help visitors become better anglers or introduce young ones to the joys of exploring the outdoors with a fishing pole in hand. We encourage anglers of all ages to discover the magnificent lakes, ponds, streams and rivers running through New York State Parks."
Parks hosting special angling events in conjunction with trout season include:
- Taconic State Park (Columbia County) will host All About Trout on March 29.
- Belmont Lake State Park (Nassau County) will hold a Spring Family Fishing Festival on April 5, featuring loaner rods, free bait and fish cleaning services, fishing seminars, fly fishing instruction and other family-oriented activities.
- Saratoga Spa State Park (Saratoga County) invites families to the park for the stocking of Geyser Creek with Brown Trout on April 16.
- Letchworth State Park (Livingston/Wyoming counties) is offering a Trout Clinic on April 14 where a certified fishing instructor will teach trout fishing basics and then guide participants out to the park's trout pond and East Koy trout stream for hands-on instruction.
- Letchworth will also be hosting its 9th annual Memorial Day Free Learn to Catch Fish Family picnic over the holiday weekend in May.
- Allegany State Park (Cattaraugus County) will hold the Catch Me If You Can Fishing Derby on June 21 at the Red House Boathouse.
- Hamlin Beach State Park (Monroe County) will hold a Free Fishing Day for families on June 28.
The State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) plans to stock 2.3 million catchable trout across the state. Stocked waters include many streams and lakes located within state parks. Several of these properties also boast wild trout streams where anglers are also encouraged to fish. A complete list of stocking sites, as well as maps for lake and pond anglers, is available on the DEC website at www.dec.state.ny.us.
State Parks officials remind early season anglers to use caution, as ice melt can create swift flow in high waters, unstable ice layers and unstable hiking terrain - particularly in higher elevations where winter snow is lingering.
A New York State fishing license is required and Department of Environmental Conservation rules and regulations apply at all OPRHP properties. Special permits may be required at some state parks and historic sites.
For more information about individual facility requirements, or upcoming angling events at state parks, please call (518) 474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com.
Note: Attached is a regional listing where trout fishing is encouraged. Locations in state parks, listed by region, are as follows:
Allegany Region
Allegany State Park, Cattaraugus County
Long Point on Lake Chautauqua State Park, Chautauqua County Lake Erie State Park, Chautauqua County
Midway State Park, Chautauqua County
Central Region
Bowman Lake State Park, Chenango County
Chenango Valley State Park, Broome County
Chittenango Falls State Park, Madison County
Delta Lake State Park. Oneida County
Gilbert Lake State Park, Otsego County
Glimmerglass State Park, Otsego County
Green Lakes State Park, Onondaga County
Old Erie Canal State Historic Park, Madison County
Pixley Falls State Park, Oneida County
Oquaga Lake State Park, Broome County
Robert V. Riddell State Park, Otsego County
Selkirk Shores State Park, Oswego County
Finger Lakes Region
Beechwood State Park, Wayne County
Buttermilk Falls State Park, Tompkins County
Cayuga Lake State Park, Seneca County
Chimney Bluffs State Park, Wayne County
Dean's Cove State Boat Launch, Seneca County
Fair Haven Beach State Park, Cayuga County
Honeoye Lake State Park, Ontario County
Keuka Lake State Park, Yates County
Lodi Point State Park, Seneca County
Long Point State Park, Cayuga County
Robert H. Treman State Park, Tompkins County
Sampson State Park, Seneca County
Seneca Lake State Park, Seneca County
Taughannock Falls State Park, Tompkins County
Watkins Glen State Park, Schuyler County
Genesee Region
Letchworth State Park, Livingston & Wyoming Counties
Long Island Region
Belmont Lake State Park, Suffolk County
Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, Suffolk County
Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Suffolk County
Hempstead Lake State Park, Nassau County
Niagara Region
Devil's Hole State Park, Niagara County
Earl W. Brydges Artpark, State Park Niagara County
Four Mile Creek State Park, Niagara County
Golden Hill State Park, Niagara County
Joseph Davis State Park, Niagara County
Whirlpool State Park, Niagara County
Palisades Region
Bear Mountain State Park, Orange County
Harriman State Park, Orange and Rockland Counties
Sterling Forest State Park, Orange County
Saratoga/Capital Region
Bennington Battlefield State Historic Site, Washington County
Cherry Plain State Park, Rensselaer County
Grafton Lakes State Park, Rensselaer County
Moreau Lake State Park, Saratoga County
Thompson's Lake State Park, Albany County
Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga County
Taconic Region
Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park, Putnam County
Rockefeller State Park Preserve, Westchester County
Taconic State Park, Columbia and Dutchess Counties
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