Statewide Musky Fishing Regulations Updated

LIVINGSTON COUNTY – Significant muskellunge regulation changes are in effect on New York waters for the season opener on May 30, the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reminds anglers.

The freshwater sportfishing season for walleye, northern pike, pickerel and tiger muskellunge opened on May 2 in New York State. Saturday, May 2 also marked the opening of the special trophy black bass season on Lake Erie where an angler can keep one 20-inch or longer fish per day through June 20. Anglers can also take advantage of the black bass catch and release season now underway in many waters throughout the state.

“Although New York has become a destination for bass anglers from around the country, great fishing does not stop with bass,” said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. “Fishing for muskellunge, northern pike, walleye and channel catfish is expected to be outstanding across the state this year.”

Statewide (general) regulation changes for muskellunge covering most inland waters are:
· Opening date moved to the last Saturday in May (May 30, 2015).

· Minimum length limit increased to 40 inches.

· Special regulations that differ from the statewide regulations remain in effect on some inland waters such as the Delaware River, Susquehanna River, Chenango River and Greenwood Lake.
For Great Lakes and tributaries:
· Opening date remains the same: third Saturday in June (June 20, 2015).

· Minimum size limit has been increased to 54 inches on Lake Ontario and the Niagara and St. Lawrence rivers to make it consistent with Lake Erie.
Besides the muskellunge regulation changes, a number of other regulations changes became effective April 1. These can be found in the 2015-16 Freshwater Fishing Regulations guide now available at all sporting license sales outlets and in PDF format here.

Bass anglers should check the New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide here to ensure that the water they desire to fish is open to catch and release angling. The regular (harvest) season for black bass opens June 20.

Other popular springtime targets include yellow perch, sunfish and crappie. These species are common throughout the state and provide easy fishing for even novice anglers. A complete listing of 2015 warmwater fishing hotspots recommended by DEC biologists can be found here on the DEC website.

PHOTO CAPTION: “The Field and Stream crew hits a nice lunge.” (Photo/alleghenyguideservice.com/recent catches)

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