The spring trout fishing season gets underway April 1, providing excellent angling opportunities thanks to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) annual stocking program and wild trout fisheries. DEC’s extensive spring stocking includes nearly 1.9 million trout in waters statewide, enhancing the diversity of fishing opportunities available to anglers across New York State.
“While anglers willing to brave the cold can enjoy catch-and-release fishing for inland trout all year, the April 1 opener of the harvest season is still a much-anticipated date in New York,” said DEC Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “This is the true beginning of a long-awaited spring and a perfect time to get outside and enjoy time along a waterway near you.”
DEC trout stocking is in full swing with 1,873,980 catchable-size brook, brown, and rainbow trout stocked in ponds and streams across the state from mid-March through early June. ‘Stocked-Extended’ streams, specified in the Inland Trout Streams Regulations section of the Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide (https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations), will receive fish every other week for two months to provide season-long opportunities for angler success. Most stream stockings will include larger stocked trout (12 inches or greater) as 10 percent of the total number. Spring trout stocking lists, including the scheduled week of stocking for trout streams, can be found at https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/stocking/spring-trout-stocking.
The popular Trout Stream Fishing Map on DECinfo Locator allows anglers to view trout stream reaches, color-coded by management category, as well as fishing access associated with those reaches. Links to the Trout Stream Fishing Map and a User Guide are available at https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/places-to-fish/trout-stream-fishing-map-guide.
Anglers can also use smart phones to find trout fishing opportunities around the state by accessing the Tackle Box feature in DEC’s HuntFishNY app. The Tackle Box provides one-stop-shopping for information on access sites, stocking, regulations and more. Information on how to download the app can be found on DEC’s website. Anglers are encouraged to check out these valuable resources when planning their next fishing trip.
A digital version of the 2025 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide is available to download at https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations. Hard copies of the guide are available wherever sporting licenses are sold. For locations visit DEC’s website.
To help make fishing more affordable and help inspire the next generation of anglers, DEC partners with many libraries across the state to provide a free fishing rod lending program. In addition to borrowing a book, library patrons can sign out a fishing rod. Locally, the Chili and Hamlin libraries participate in the program.
DEC offers a host of resources for those interested in getting started in fishing. The I FISH NY Beginners’ Guide to Freshwater Fishing provides information on everything from rigging up a fishing rod, to identifying catch, and understanding fishing regulations. There’s also a video series on the DEC’s YouTube channel that complements the Beginners’ Guide. Information about ‘learn to fish’ clinics and other mentoring opportunities are also available on DEC’s website.
The New York State Department of Health (DOH) offers health advice on eating fish caught across New York’s waterways. More information on New York State Fish Consumption Advisories and advice by specific waterbody location can be found on DOH’s website: https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/outdoors/fish/health_advisories/.
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