Free Fishing Weekend February 18-19

Free Fishing Weekend February 18-19

Free Fishing Weekend February 18-19

The first of New York’s free fishing days for 2017 will be next weekend on Saturday, February 18 and Sunday, February 19.
On these days, New York residents and non-residents are allowed to fish for free without a fishing license.

Please note that fishing regulations remain in effect during these days.

Free fishing days provide an opportunity for new anglers who want to learn more about fishing, as well as, those interested in getting back into the sport.

Additional free fishing days in New York for 2017 include:

  • June 24-25
  • September 23 (National Hunting and Fishing Day)
  • November 11 (Veterans Day)

If you’re new to ice fishing, download the Introduction to Ice Fishing chapter of NY DEC’s new I FISH NY Beginners’ Guide to Freshwater Fishing for information on how to get started with ice fishing. Additional information, including tips on ice fishing safety and a list of waters open to ice fishing, can be found at DEC’s ice fishing web page.

For Governor Cuomo’s press release on the upcoming Free Ice Fishing Weekend visit https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-free-fishing-days-new-york

 

Other Lake Champlain Ice Fishing Articles:

Ice Fishing: Tightlining

Ice Fishing: Tightlining

One ice fishing technique you can try is called tightlining. Tightlining is a technique where you don’t move the line and lure once you’ve dropped them in the water. Instead you watch the line for movement. When the line becomes “tight” you know you have a fish on the line.

When tightlining, you’ll need to use a lure that is heavy enough to let  your line to drop straight down to your desired depth, but not so heavy that your line won’t move when a fish  strikes. This usually requires trial and error to find the right lure.

Some anglers add a spring bobber to their line to help with strike indication. A spring bobber is a piece of metal or wire that extends off the rod tip. Any movement in the line will cause the spring bobber to move alerting them  of a bite.

Check the regulations for the specific body of water that you fish at the sites below!

 

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Waterfowl Hunting Blinds Must Be Removed

Waterfowl Hunting Blinds Must Be Removed From Lake Champlain

 

Waterfowl hunters who have not already removed their hunting blinds from the waters of the state must do so. The deadline is February 15 on Lake Champlain or May 15 on inland waters according to a reminder from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

Vermont state law requires removal of these blinds before these deadlines to protect natural areas and to prevent boating accidents after the ice melts.

“Removal of the blinds and any posts that may be below the surface of the ice is important because of the danger they present when boaters are on the water in the spring,” said State Game Warden Colonel Jason Batchelder.

Batchelder says game wardens have recorded the names and addresses of blind owners and will follow-up with inspections to insure they have been removed.

Ghosts and Legends of Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain is located between New York’s majestic Adirondacks and Vermont’s famed Green Mountains. Yet despite the beauty of this region, it has been the site of dark and mysterious events; it is not surprising that some spirits linger in this otherwise tranquil place. Fort Ticonderoga saw some of early America’s bloodiest battles, and American, French and British ghosts still stand guard.
Champlain’s islands–Stave, Crab, Valcour and Garden–all host otherworldly inhabitants, and unidentified creatures and objects have made appearances on the water, in the sky and in the forests surrounding the lake.
Buy Here

 

 

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Ice Fishing: Tip Ups

Ice Fishing: Tip Ups

Tip-ups is an ice fishing technique as well as a piece of ice fishing equipment. Tip ups are devices that are set on the ice above your hole that dangle bait beneath it. They feature a flag attached that acts as a strike indicator. When a fish takes the bait, the reel turns and releases the line and flag at the same time. The flag “tips up” alerting the angler that a fish is on the line. Tip ups work best with heavier braided line and a larger lure, and typically attract larger game fish.

How to Ice Fish Using Tip Ups

  • Set your tip-up on the surface of the ice above your hole, drop your line in the water until it hits the lake bottom.
  • Raise the line slightly above the lake-bed.
  • The line can  remain still or if you are not in a shelter, you can use the wind to provide a natural jigging-type of movement.

 

Many ice-anglers try all of these techniques at the same time to see which works best for that particular body of water, the species available and the conditions that season. If you use multiple fishing rods or tip-ups, be sure to check the regulations as there may be limits on the numbers of rods an ice angler can use.

Both New York State and Vermont regulations for Lake Champlain allow no more than 15 lines per angler. Be aware that limits on other bodies of water in each state may restrict the number of lines significantly. Check the regulations for the specific body of water that you fish at the sites below!

 

Other Lake Champlain Ice Fishing Articles:

 

Anglers: Put Safety First When Ice Fishing

Anglers: Put Safety First When Ice Fishing

A Minimum of Four Inches of Clear Ice is Safe for Anglers on Foot!

Anglers: Put Safety First When Ice Fishing

Lake Champlain Ice Fishing Perch and Panfish

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reminds ice anglers to use caution and common sense during ice fishing season.Four inches or more of solid ice is considered to be safe for anglers accessing ice on foot. Ice anglers should note that ice thickness can vary on every body of water and even on the same body of water.

“Ice fishing is a popular sport in New York and interest in it increases every year,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Safety is the first thing to consider when taking part in the sport, and we remind people to use good judgement when venturing onto the ice. Ice fishing is great for families looking to try something new, and parents can mix in skating, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, or other activities during ice fishing trips to keep everyone interested and happy.”

Anglers should be particularly wary of areas of moving water and around boat docks and houses where bubblers may be installed to reduce ice buildup. The presence of snowmobile tracks or footprints on the ice should not be considered as evidence of safe ice conditions. Individuals are strongly encouraged to check ice conditions and avoid situations that appear to present even a remote risk. Testing the thickness of ice can be done easily with an auger or ice spud at various spots.

 

Anglers: Put Safety First When Ice Fishing
Lake Champlain Ice Fishing: Northern Pike

 

As part of New York Governor Cuomo’s “NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative”, Feb. 18 and 19 have been designated as a free fishing weekend. The requirement for a fishing license is waived during this period. The free fishing weekend is a great opportunity to try ice fishing for the first time and for experienced anglers to introduce their friends to the sport. Beginning ice anglers are encouraged to download the Ice Fishing Chapter of DEC’s new I FISH NY Beginners’ Guide to Freshwater Fishing for information on how to get started ice fishing.

Additional information, including a list of waters open to ice fishing, can found on the DEC ice fishing web page and the Public Lakes and Ponds map.

The use of fish for bait is popular when ice fishing, and bait fish may be used in most, but not all, waters open to ice fishing. Visit the DEC website for a list of Special Regulations by County to find out where bait fish can and cannot be used, and for other regulations that apply to baitfish available on DEC’s website.

Anglers are reminded to take these important steps when using baitfish while ice fishing:

  • Follow the bait fish regulations to prevent the spread of harmful fish diseases and invasive species (please see: Special Regulations by County).
  • Use only certified disease-free bait fish purchased at a local tackle store, or use only personally collected bait fish for use in the same water body in which they were caught.
  • Do not reuse baitfish in another water-body if the water the fish were purchased in has not been replaced.
  • Dump unused baitfish and water in an appropriate location on dry land.

Anglers are reminded to make sure that they have a valid fishing license before heading out on the ice during non-free fishing weekends. Fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. To learn more, visit DEC’s Sporting Licenses webpage.

 

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