Safety Tips for Freshwater Fishing in Beautiful New York State

We noticed in the Utica OD the other day a column by John Pitarresi about the New York State DEC I Fish NY Beginners’ Guide to Freshwater Fishing. So we took a look and were very impressed with the Guide.

We went first to the section called, “Safe and Responsible Angling.” As insurance agents, we are here for our clients in case of accidents or natural disasters. But we also want to help you prevent bad things from happening so you can enjoy your life…and your quiet time fishing.

Here are some boating laws in New York State that you’ll want to keep in mind:

• Everyone must wear a life jacket between November 1st and May 1st while riding in a moving boat that is less than 21-feet long. This is one we weren’t entirely aware of.
• Children under 12 must wear a life jacket while in a moving boat less than 65 feet long, unless in an enclosed cabin.
• And now, any person born on or after May 1, 1996 is required to successfully complete a boater education course in order to operate a motorboat. Approved courses are offered by NYS Parks, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, or the U.S. Power Squadron. Check out more info on courses here.

Aside from legal requirements to operate a boat, there is boating etiquette that fishermen, fisherwomen, and fisherkids should be aware of:

• Give shore anglers plenty of space to fish, especially if you’re in a power boat.
• If you’re motoring by fishermen/women, give them plenty of space, too. Large wakes can be dangerous and they’re annoying for those trying to catch fish.

“Safe and Responsible Angling” also offers tips on health and eating fish. Mercury is an issue along with other pollutants in NYS fresh water. This is a good section to review.

Plus, there’s advice on getting your boat cleaned to avoid spreading invasive species. One of our friends just took a road trip up to Lake Placid and he noticed a boat inspection station just below Old Forge. This is also a serious issue at Lake George and most other Adirondack lakes.

The last thing to remember is to be careful about your baitfish. The advice is to never release baitfish into water you are fishing. They can start a new and maybe harmful fish population or spread fish diseases. So if you use purchased baitfish, dispose of the ones you don’t use on land. If you use bait you raised, let it go in the same body of water you got it from.

Speaking of fishing boats, if you have any questions about boat insurance, let us know. We represent some insurance companies that do a very good job of covering the things unique to your fishing boat. That includes any sophisticated equipment you might have such as sonar and high-end fishing tackle.

And you can call us about your camp insurance, too. We’ll be sure you have the right amount of coverage for the building and contents at a good price.

So happy fishing and email us a picture of your catch…we’ll post it on our Facebook page so you can prove that big fish is no fish story!

Until next time,
Your SZW Team

Another post on fishing you might be interested in:

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

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.