Gov. Kathy Hochul declared Wednesday that this weekend will be a “free fishing weekend" across New York State. According to her announcement, “the fishing license requirement is waived for freshwater fishing on New York's waters” on Saturday and Sunday.
These free-fishing days have been a recreational staple in New York since 1991, offering people who may never have fished before a chance to try it out with no or minimal cost. Governor Hochul said she hopes free fishing days inspire a new hobby and encourage New Yorkers to purchase their own fishing license at a later date.
Novice anglers are reminded, however, that “although the requirement for a fishing license is waived during free fishing days, all other fishing regulations remain in effect.”
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation offers plenty of resources for first-time fishermen. They include the “I FISH NY Beginners Guide to Freshwater Fishing,” which has an accompanying video series on the department's YouTube channel, and a “Places to Fish” webpage where people can scope out fishing locations all around the state.
Additionally, the New York State Department of Health website has a page dedicated to providing information on which fish are safe to eat and how often one should eat them. The information can be filtered by county. The page also includes information on potentially harmful chemicals that could be present in the fish.
“There's no better time for aspiring anglers to try freshwater fishing than a free fishing weekend,” Governor Hochul said in a statement. “New York is home to numerous freshwater lakes, ponds, streams and rivers, allowing for memorable fishing experiences for anglers new and novice, as well as friends and family.”
