The first of several free fishing days in New York will take place this weekend.

This weekend, February 16th and 17th, residents and visots are permitted to fish without a license.

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said:

Presidents' Day weekend was specifically selected as one of New York's free fishing weekends because so many kids are out of school and families are looking for fun activities to do together. Ice fishing is a great way to reconnect with the outdoors and can easily be combined with ice skating, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, or other activities for a fun and healthy day outside. To continue the fun and support the sport, New Yorkers are encouraged to purchase a NYS fishing license.

The free fishing program is part of Governor Andrew Cuomo's NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative and the upcoming free fishing days are the first of several planned for 2019, including June 29-30, Sept. 28 (National Hunting and Fishing Day), and Nov. 11.

Winter anglers can catch a variety of fish while ice fishing including: primarily perch, sunfish, pickerel, northern, and walleye. In addition, many waters throughout New York State are open to fishing for trout, lake trout, and landlocked salmon.

More information can be found on the DEC Website.

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