Gone Fishing: Trout Season Begins April 1 in New York State

We checked out the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and found a complete list of regulations for the taking and possession of fish. You can check it out here. We recommend you take a look at this comprehensive list of rules to make sure your fishing experience is within the legal limits.

An annual fishing license costs just $25 (ages 16-69) and $5 if you’re 70+. In Oneida County you can get your license at most town offices or at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Gander Mountain, Herb Phillipson’s, Gun Works of CNY, Bass Pro Outdoor World, or at Walmarts. In Herkimer County try the town offices plus Old Forge Hardware, West Canada Creek Campsites, or K-Mart.

And as our Utica area customers and friends gear up for the season, we thought we’d point out some quick safety tips that might save you and your kids some grief this year.

6 Fishing Safety Tips for Central New Yorkers

1. If you’re fishing from a boat, wear a life jacket. This is especially important for kids, whether they can swim or not. A capsized boat or falling overboard is a traumatic experience. You won’t regret the support of a life jacket if you somehow end up in the water.

2. Use caution when baiting and removing hooks. Watch out for the people around you, especially the kids.

3. New anglers should always learn to cast overhead first. This way you can learn the proper technique safer than if you try side casts.

4. Wear shoes. Yes, Huck Finn fished barefoot, but he probably slipped on his raft or the dock more often than you should. Plus the shoreline is full of sharp rocks, old hooks, broken glass and who knows what. A cut foot is a sure way to ruin your fishing day fun.

5. Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 or higher. It’s also a good idea to wear a billed cap to keep the sun off your skin. Plus, the hat keeps you cool in summer and protects your head from hooks from stray casts.

6. Bring water with you. Keeping hydrated on hot days boosts your energy and prevents heat stroke.

How to Get a Fish Eye View of Adirondack Trout, Perch, Pike, and More

We’re reminded with all of this fish talk that it’s usually pretty hard to actually see clearly the fish until you catch one. That is, unless you travel north into the Adirondacks to the Wild Center in Tupper Lake.

The indoor Hall of the Adirondacks exhibit has a huge tank full of fish. The water is clear and you can see everything from speckled and brown trout to bass, pike, perch and much more. This is an up close and personal look at the fish in the lakes we are all familiar with but that are very hard to actually see in the wild.

There’s much more at the Wild Center, including live otters, raccoons, and porcupines, depending on the exhibit that week. Plus the new Trail Across the Treetops just opened last year. This is an amazing platform high up in the trees where you can walk and observe what’s very difficult to see from the ground.

So this year, have a safe fishing season and if you can, get up to Tupper to see some of New York State’s beautiful fish up close and personal.

Until next time,
Your SZW Team

Scalzo, Zogby & Wittig, Inc. is your New Hartford area independent insurance agent. Call us for a quote on insurance for your home, car, business, or life at 315.792.0000. Or request a quote here.