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DEC is proposing to amend sportfishing regulations that include a multitude of changes to clarify, simplify and clean up fisheries regulations based on public feedback and fishery expert review of the regulations associated with management of the State’s fisheries.
Highlights of the proposals include:
- Creating distinct regulations for Brook Trout versus Brown and Rainbow Trout in ponded waters, which consolidates 143 waterbody and 33 county-wide special regulations into the new proposed statewide regulations (PDF).
- Removing the statewide closed season restriction on lake trout (PDF) and Atlantic salmon (PDF).
- Simplifying ice fishing regulations in most of the state.
Changing opening dates for selected warmwater and coolwater species fishing seasons from Saturdays to hard numerical dates. Regulation adjustments, deletions and additions for individual water bodies are also included. Visit DEC’s website for more information on all of the proposals.
DEC is seeking public input on the proposed changes. Comments on the proposals should be submitted via e-mail to [email protected] or via mail to the Inland Fisheries Section, NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4753; subject line “Fishing Regulations Proposal Comments.” Comments will be accepted through February 6, 2022.
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While there are some good points to these proposed regulations, those that are concerned about wild brook trout should be very concerned about the fact that protections for heritage strain fish, wild fish, and recovering acid rain impacted ponds are being stripped in lieu of a ‘one size fits all’ approach to pond management. Also, a five fish daily limit which is being proposed universally for all brook trout ponds is still too high for sustaining wild brook trout in the face of continued acidic deposition, warming climate and angling pressure. I encourage folks to email DEC with any misgivings they have regarding this plan.
I agree. Brook trout are the Adirondack’s native trout (char actually). Focus on their re-introduction and preservation. The Delaware and other fisheries outside of the Park can focus all they want on non-natives, but the Park should focus on the cold waters it has and try to revitalize streams ruined by 19th and 20th century industrialization – dams, deforestation, erosion, and river damage from floating logs.
There is some work underway to re-wild the East Branch Ausable, which is a terrible reminder of what neglect can do to a river. Repairing riparian damage to rivers and ponds will potentially add a great deal of brook trout habitat. We need to step up those efforts to remediate damage to these rivers and ponds.
But you cannot be successful with brook trout reintroduction efforts when you place nonnative species in the same waters that are known to out-compete with them. Until brook trout are reestablished again, why are we encouraging harvesting them at all?? Within the Park, we should be pushing native species in the the few cold-water fisheries that remain, not stocking with their direct competitors just to sell fishing licenses. Outside the Park is another story.
These regulation changes are designed to benefit anglers, not fish. We need to get our priorities straight – at least WITHIN the Park. We don’t introduce nonnative mammals to the Park to compete with native whitetail deer, bear, moose, etc. just to sell hunting licenses – why do it with fish? Where are our priorities??
I hope you sent something in. They’ve been getting plenty of criticism for this plan. We’re hoping to push this back to the drawing board with some sound scientific input for the next round.
I basically sent a copy of my comment.
But I must say I have been sending in the same comment for about 20 years now. Obviously not getting much traction. DEC needs a rethink of the Adirondack Park fishery.