The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner today reminded New Yorkers that trout and salmon fishing season opens on Wednesday, April 1.

The DEC has also announced a statewide brush-burning ban through May.

The state has also released guidance urging people to avoid bear conflicts.

Trout and Salmon Season

New York’s coldwater lakes and streams offer springtime trout anglers the opportunity to pursue trout in a wide array of settings across the state. During the current COVID-19 public health crisis, getting outdoors and connecting with nature while angling in New York’s waters is a great way to help maintain mental and physical health, said a press release from the DEC.

New York’s diverse and abundant trout and salmon fishing results in a cumulative five million days spent fishing the state’s freshwater fisheries and contributing economically to local communities, the press release said.

Anglers looking forward to pursuing stocked trout can visit the DEC website to find a complete list of this spring’s planned trout stocking for 2.27 million catchable-size brook, brown, and rainbow trout in 307 lakes and ponds and roughly 2,845 miles of streams across the state.

Spring stockings will include 1.68 million brown trout, 424,860 rainbow trout, and 156,970 brook trout. Approximately 98,000 two-year-old brown trout 13-14 inches in length are included in the brown trout total.

Nearly 1.6 million yearling lake trout, steelhead, landlocked salmon, splake, and Coho salmon will be also be stocked by DEC this spring to provide exciting angling opportunities over the next several years. Almost 307,000 brook trout fingerlings will be stocked in more than 300 Adirondack lakes and ponds this spring and fall to provide unique angling opportunities for future years.

While enjoying the outdoors, please continue to follow the CDC/New York State Department of Health guidelines for preventing the spread of colds, flu, and COVID-19:

• Try to keep at least six (6) feet of distance between you and others.

• Avoid close contact, such as shaking hands, hugging, and kissing.

• Wash hands often or use a hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.

• Avoid surfaces that are touched often, such as doorknobs, handrails, and playground equipment.

When fishing, DEC recommends avoiding busy waters and following the guidelines on DEC’s website about fishing responsibly in New York State. If an angler arrives at a parking lot and there are several cars, they should consider going to another parking lot. If an angler is fishing upstream, they should fish downstream of the other angler or consider fishing another day. Anglers fishing from boats should be able to maintain at least six feet of distance between one another. For more information about the benefits of being outdoors safely and responsibly, go to DEC’s website.

To further limit the community spread of COVID-19, DEC is encouraging hunters, trappers, and anglers to purchase sporting licenses online. Sporting licenses may be purchased online at any time, and anglers may use their privileges immediately by simply carrying their transaction number (DEC-LS#) with them while afield.

Anglers, hunters, and trappers may also use the HuntFishNY mobile app to display an electronic copy of their license. The HuntFishNY app is available for download through the Apple App or Google Play stores. Back tags and carcass tags must still be mailed, and customers should allow 10-14 days for receipt of their tags.

Burn Ban

Statewide residential brush burning prohibited through May 14

The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has instituted a statewide ban on residential brush burning which started Monday, March 16 and lasting until Thursday, May 14.

With spring approaching, DEC says conditions for wildfires are heightened in springtime.

Even though areas of the state remain blanketed in snow, warming temperatures can quickly cause wildfire conditions to arise, said DEC. Currently, fire conditions in most of the state are low risk.

Open burning of debris is the largest single cause of spring wildfires in New York State, said the DEC. When temperatures are warmer and the past fall's debris and leaves dry out, wildfires can start and spread easily and be further fueled by winds and a lack of green vegetation.

Residents complying with the burn ban prevents unnecessary burdens on and dangers to state resources and local responders, DEC said.

Campfires using charcoal or untreated wood are allowed, but people should never leave such fires unattended and must extinguish them. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round.

Avoiding Bear Conflicts

State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today reminded New Yorkers to take steps to reduce conflicts with bears.

Feeding bears either intentionally, which is illegal, or unintentionally through careless practices around properties, has consequences for entire communities.

DEC advises everyone who lives in or visits bear habitat, which is much of Upstate New York, to remove items that are attractive to bears. People should take down bird feeders by April 1, store garbage inside secure buildings, and feed pets indoors.

These actions are necessary to live responsibly with black bears, protect people, property, and bears. Allowing bears to find food naturally keeps them out of trouble and reduces negative interactions with people and property, DEC said.

“After a relatively mild winter, bears are emerging from their dens and have begun seeking out food sources,” Seggos said in a prepared statement. “Unfortunately, people sometimes make it easy for bears to find food near their homes. Fish and Wildlife staff at DEC have received reports of bears getting into garbage and pulling down bird feeders to eat the seed. It’s important that homeowners take measures to prevent bears from easily accessing these unnatural food sources.”

For more information about how to reduce human/bear conflicts, visit DEC's website at https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/6995.html .