Free Fishing Days Across New York State This Weekend
New Yorkers interested in taking advantage of both freshwater and saltwater fishing this weekend can do so without license or registration as part of the NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative. The period of free fishing lasts from June 28-June 29 in all New York waters announced Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr.
Usually, residents are required to obtain licenses for freshwater fishing. To fish in saltwater bodies, there is no charge, but anglers must enroll in the Recreational Fishing Marine Registry. This weekend, neither of these obligations will be in place. All other fishing regulations still apply.
Governor Andrew Cuomo’s initiative is intended to increase opportunities for both residents and visitors to enjoy fishing across the state. The increased fishing is also meant to boost tourism by attracting visitors to New York’s natural resources. Freshwater fishing spans the over 7,500 lakes and ponds through New York and approximately 50,000 miles of rivers and streams.
Additionally, Cuomo has worked to lessen license feeds and provide more hunting options for interested participants as part of his initiative.
Specifically, the Free Fishing Days program started in 1991 and has since evolved into an added series of free events. These events are intended to be educational and provide isolated opportunities for residents and visitors to fish.
Organized by the Department of Environmental Conservation, 25 different events will take place across the state throughout the summer and into mid-October. Eight of those educational events will take place in Suffolk County.
Captree State Park in Bay Shore will be host to events on July 4, July 12, August 2 and August 30. Other East End Free Fishing Days include ones at Peconic Riverfront Part in Riverhead on August 18 and Corey Creek Town Park by Patchogue Bay.