Press Release
March 30, 2007
For Release: Immediate
Press Contact:
Eileen Larrabee
Catherine Jimenez
518.486.1868
New York State Parks Welcomes Anglers
Trout Season Begins April 1
(Albany, NY, March 30, 2007...) Carol Ash, Acting Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, encourages anglers to visit state parks as trout season opens this year. April 1 marks the beginning 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.
"Fishing is yet another aspect of the variety of recreational opportunities in the Empire State," said Ash. "Across New York, our diverse properties provide outdoor enthusiasts with so many wonderful avenues to experience all that our state has to offer. We welcome anglers to come and visit these valuable places for themselves and, as they say, 'wet a line'."
The State Department of Conservation (DEC) plans to stock more than two 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.
Several parks will be hosting special angling events in conjunction with the beginning of the trout season. Saratoga Spa State Park invites families to the park for the stocking of Geyser Creek with Brown Trout on April 11th. Letchworth State Park is offering a Trout Clinic on April 14th where a certified fishing instructor will teach trout fishing basics and then guide participants out to the park's trout pond for hands-on instruction. Letchworth will also be hosting its 8th annual Memorial Day Free Learn to Catch Fish Family picnic over the holiday weekend in May.
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 - Wayne County
Honeoye Lake State Park - Ontario County
Keuka Lake State Park - Yates County
Lodi Point State Park - Seneca County
Long Point State Park - Seneca 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, Copake Falls and Rudd Pond areas - Columbia County
* In addition to New York State Fishing License, this property requires anglers to obtain a special OPRHP permit, issued by the park office.
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