NYS trout fishing opens April 1
Anglers promised well-stocked waters

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty encourages anglers to make the proper preparations for the start of trout season Tuesday, April 1. "New York has a wide variety of trout waters that offer anglers wonderful opportunities for successful fishing on opening day," Commissioner Crotty said. "However, due to the large winter snowfalls experienced over much of the state, this year's opener may find many streams with high water levels. As such, anglers may want to try some of the smaller streams and tributaries."

DEC suggests that early season anglers can improve their success by fishing deep and slow, and by using natural baits such as worms and minnows, where permitted. Pond fishing is often best immediately after the winter ice melts. Prime areas to fish are those that warm the earliest, including tributary mouths and near surface and shallow shoreline areas.

DEC plans to stock approximately 2.35 million catchable-size brook, brown and rainbow trout in more than 650 lakes, ponds and streams across the state. The 2003 spring mix will include approximately 1.8 million brown trout, 440,000 rainbow trout and 115,000 brook trout.

DEC will again include 2-year-old brown trout in the spring stocking program. These fish average 12-13 inches in length, with some as large as 15 inches. Approximately 97,000 of these larger fish will be placed in 187 lakes and streams statewide, providing additional opportunities for anglers to catch larger fish early in the season.

In addition, DEC will also stock New York waters with more than 2 million yearling lake trout, steelhead, landlocked salmon, splake ad coho salmon this spring to provide exciting fishing opportunities over the next several years. With fingerling and smaller fish included, DEC plans to stock more than 7.7 million trout and salmon in state waters this year. This includes more than 350,000 brook trout fingerlings going to over 330 lakes and ponds. For a complete listing of stocked waters in New York state, access DEC's website at www.dec.state.ny.us/index.html.

In addition to stocked water, New York state has thousands of miles of wild trout streams that provide excellent fishing opportunities. Regional Fisheries offices, which are listed in the Fishing Regulations Guide, can offer specific details about these streams. DEC also remains committed to increasing public access to New York's coldwater streams. Since 1935, DEC has worked with private landowners to secure more than 1,2000 miles of public fishing rights to prime trout waters. The streams are marked with public fishing rights signs, and anglers may also contact local Regional Fisheries offices for a list of these sites and directions to the accessible sections. Any landowners who want to work with DEC to provide access to trout streams should contact their local DEC office.

Anglers are reminded that the general creel limit for brook, brown and rainbow trout is five. The open season for trout in most New York state waters runs from April 1 through October 15, but there are exceptions in all DEC regions, so anglers should check the Fishing Regulations Guide prior to heading out on the water. Updated information and permit applications can be obtained at nyc.gov/html/dep/html/watershed.html or by calling 800-575-LAND.

When purchasing a fishing license, anglers are reminded to also consider purchasing a Habitat Stamp. Recent legislation signed by Governor Pataki has established this new stamp, which is available to anyone for $5 from any sporting license issuing agent. Proceeds from the sale of the stamps will be deposited in a newly created Habitat Account, and will be used to support DEC's efforts to conserve habitat and increase public access for fish and wildlife-related recreation.

Regional opening day highlights follow.

Central New York(DEC Region 7)
Steelhead anglers heading for tributaries to Lake Ontario do not have to wait until April 1, because there is no closed season for trout and salmon in these waters up to the first barrier impassable to fish. The peak of this run generally occurs in mid to late March with steelhead averaging eight to ten pounds and some as large as 20 pounds. The Salmon River at Pulaski is the best area steelhead stream. Other productive areas are Little Sandy Creek, Grindstone Creek and the Oswego River.

Lake Ontario shoreline fishing is expected to be productive. Hot spots will be at Fair Haven, Oswego Harbor, and Mexico Bay.

Trout fishing on the Finger Lakes also should be productive. Good fishing already is occurring and expected to carry through to mid April on Cayuga and Owasco Lakes. Both offer fishing for brown trout, rainbow trout and lake trout, with Cayuga also having landlocked salmon. Skaneateles Lake offers good fishing for lake trout and rainbow trout as well as landlocked salmon.

For good fishing on Finger Lake tributaries (which open to trout fishing on April 1) try Salmon Creek, Cayuga Inlet, Yawgers Creek and Fall Creek on Cayuga Lake; Hemlock Creek and Owasco Inlet on Owasco Lake; and Grout Brook on Skaneateles Lake.

Other steams provide excellent early trout fishing as well. Most notable are: Nine Mile, Limestone and Butternut Creeks in Onondaga County; Oquaga Creek in Broome County; the Otselic River in Chenango and Cortland Counties; Genegantslet Creek in Chenango County; Chittengango Creek in Madison County; the west branch of Tioughnioga River in Cortland County; Fall and Virgil Creeks in Tompkins County and the east and west branches of Owego Creek in Tioga County.

Anglers are reminded that most waters in Region 7 are managed under a five trout daily creel limit, with no more than two fish being more than 12 inches. Anglers may keep five additional brook trout less than 8" in most Region 7 waters. Be sure to check the Fishing Regulations Guide for exceptions to these regulations.

Finger Lakes (DEC Region 8)
Early season Finger Lakes tributary rainbow trout fishing should be good. For opening day, try fishing for rainbows throughout all reaches of tributaries such as Naples Creek and Catharine Creek. Stocked and wild brown trout can also be caught in a number of the region's streams. Quality fishing can be found at Oatka and Spring Creeks near Caledonia (Livingston and Monroe Counties), throughout the Cohocton River from Cohocton to Bath (Steuben County), and Cayuta Creek near Odessa (Schuyler and Chemung Counties).

Anglers are reminded that a new regulation for Region 8 trout streams went into effect October 1. The general limit on trout is now five fish per day of any size, with no more than two longer than 12 inches. Check the guide for other changes to the special regulations for other waters in the region.

Lake Ontario tributaries such as Oak Orchard Creek, Genesee River and Irondequoit Creek should provide good steelhead fishing prior to the traditional April 1 opener. Most Lake Ontario tributaries are open for fishing year round.

Early April should offer opportunity for near-shore fishing on Lake Ontario. Brown trout, rainbow trout, coho salmon and a few chinooks should be available near shore. Pier fishing and shallow water trolling in mid to late April should be very productive. Look for trout and salmon "hot spots" in warm water pockets from Rochester to Sodus and vicinity. Even small reaches having only two or three degree warmer surface temperatures attract these fish.

Western New York (DEC Region 9)
Best bets for the opener include the Genesee River, Ischua Creek, Goose Creek, East Koy Creek, Upper Cattaraugus Creek and the six inland trout lakes (Allen, Case, Harwood, New Albion, Quaker, and Red House).

Great Lakes waters, open year-round for salmon and trout, should continue to provide good angling. Steelhead and rainbows will be available in Twelve Mile Creek, Keg Creek, Eighteen Mile Creek and the Lower Niagara River in Niagara County. Lake Erie tributaries that will have steelhead and rainbow runs are Chautauqua Creek, Canadaway Creek, Cattaraugus Creek and Eighteen Mile Creek. Brown trout and coho salmon will be near shore in Lake Ontario, and in the harbors at Fort Niagara, Wilson and Olcott.

Anglers fishing the section of Cattaraugus Creek that runs through the Seneca Nation of Indian lands must have a Seneca Nation fishing license.