RANDOLPH – Regardless of the COVID-19 outbreak, and the social distancing restrictions in place, anglers across New York State hit the streams for the first day of trout season Wednesday.
The State’s Department of Environmental Conservation is encouraging those who are going out to fish, to stay six feet apart from one another and avoid close contact like shaking hands.
Furthermore, the DEC suggests avoiding touching surfaces like doorknobs, handrails and playground equipment.
“Fishing is good for the mind and body,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “While this winter’s mild conditions offered ample opportunities for hardcore or novice trout and salmon anglers to pursue their favorite gamefish on waters open to year-round fishing, springtime remains the main event.”
“Water temperatures are rising, causing trout to feed more aggressively, and present a perfect opportunity for anglers,” furthered Seggos. “I encourage all anglers, novice and expert, to get outside and fish, but to act responsibly by practicing social distancing and staying safe.”
If you’re fishing from a boat, the DEC says to keep a distance of six feet between your boat and another boat. To limit the spread of the coronavirus, DEC officials are asking that if you’re going to purchase a sporting license, to do so online.
In total, 1.68 million brown trout, 424,860 rainbow trout and 156,970 brook trout will be stocked into waterways. Almost 1.6 million lake trout, steelhead, landlocked salmon, splake and coho salmon will also be stocked.
Of the waterways, 307 lakes and ponds and roughly 2,845 miles of streams across the state will also be supplied.
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