DEC modifies freshwater sportfishing regulations approximately every two years as part of DEC’s commitment to enhance fishing opportunities and protect the State’s freshwater resources.
“New York provides some of the best fishing in the nation, and the continuous assessment and modification of sportfishing regulations ensure that this remains the case for generations to come,” said Commissioner Seggos. “I encourage anglers to review what is being proposed and provide input during the public comment period.”
DEC assessed the status of existing freshwater sportfish populations and the desires of anglers in developing these proposed regulations. Many of the proposed changes are the result of an effort to consolidate regulations and eliminate special regulations that are no longer warranted or have become outdated. The new freshwater sportfishing regulations are scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2017 to be included in the 2017-18 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide.
Comments on the proposed regulations should be sent by email to regulations.fish@dec.ny.gov or mailed to Gregory Kozlowski, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Bureau of Fisheries, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4753. Comment deadline is Oct. 7.
Proposals affecting WNY-area waterways:
- Define the portion of Cattaraugus Creek subject to Lake Erie and tributary fishing regulations from Lake Erie upstream to the Springville Dam.
- Expand the Lake Erie and tributaries 20-inch minimum size limit one fish daily limit black bass regulation to December 1 through the Friday before the third Saturday in June.
- Improved language for interpreting combined trout and salmon creel limit in Lake Ontario.
- Establish an 18-inch minimum size limit and daily creel limit of three walleye for the Waterport Reservoir and portions of the Seneca River.
- Eliminate 18-inch minimum size limit and daily creel limit of three walleye in Chautauqua Lake
- Allow for ice fishing in Rushford Lake in Allegany County.
- Several non-substantive regulation modifications are also proposed to remove duplicate regulations and to make structural changes designed to allow for easier modification of regulations in the future.
The full text of the proposed regulations are also available on DEC’s website at www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/propregulations.html.
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