DEC proposed new freshwater fishing rules

The state Department of Environmental Conservation on Thursday released several proposed changes to rules regarding freshwater sport fishing.

According to DEC, the rule changes are a result of an assessment of fish populations and requests from anglers. Several changes remove special regulations that the department felt were no longer necessary.

The changes, categorized by fish species, cover a wide range of regulations, from catch limits to fishing area restrictions to season dates.

The full text of the draft regulation as well as instructions for submitting comments, can be found on DEC’s website at: www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/propregulations.html.

Public comments on the proposal will be accepted through April 2. Comments can be sent via e-mail to fishregs@gw.dec.state.ny.us, or mailed to Shaun Keeler, New York State DEC, Bureau of Fisheries, 625 Broadway, Albany, N.Y. 12233-4753. If approved, the new rules will take effect Oct. 12.