Trout season is almost back in New York State

NEW YORK STATE (WETM) — April is just around the corner, and so is trout season in New York State.

Trout season officially begins in New York on April 1 and runs through Oct. 15. Fishers have been able to catch and release trout while using artificial lures only since the end of the 2023 trout season, but the official season will allow New Yorkers to take home their catches.

“The mild winter afforded New Yorkers some trout fishing opportunities during the catch-and-release season,” said Department of Environment Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos. “However, April 1, the traditional opening day of inland trout fishing season, brings the excitement to another level as spring arrives and the state’s streams and ponds are stocked to provide additional opportunities for anglers.”

The DEC started stocking trout in streams and ponds across the state in March and will continue to do so through early June. The DEC plans to place a total of 1,909,450 catchable-sized brook, brown, and rainbow trout in New York waters this spring. All of these fish were raised in wild trout fisheries in New York State. Lists of stocking locations, dates, and the number of fish set to be released for each county are available on the DEC’s website.

Anglers aged 16 and older must have a fishing license to fish in New York State (with some exceptions). Each angler is limited to catching up to five brown, brook, and rainbow trout per day, and no more than two of them can be longer than 12 inches. There is no minimum size required for these catches.

A full list of New York State fishing regulations and exceptions and a downloadable guide can be found on the DEC’s website. Hard copies of the 2024 fishing guide are available wherever fishing licenses are sold.

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