New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced the April 1 start of the spring trout fishing season, which provides excellent angling opportunities for wild and stocked trout.
"New York’s season opener is a welcome sign of spring for trout anglers,” Commissioner Lefton said. “I encourage anglers to introduce someone new to recreational fishing this year and enjoy Getting Offline and Getting Outside to experience some of the greatest freshwater fishing opportunities in the nation."
Spring Trout Stocking
DEC trout stocking is in full swing with more than 1.7 million catchable-size brook, brown, and rainbow trout stocked in waters across the state from mid-March through early June.
Drought conditions at Catskill Fish Hatchery during the late summer and autumn of 2025 reduced the water supply to a level that inhibited brown trout growth. Therefore, on average, yearling trout from this facility will be shorter than the 9-inch target size at stocking. Growth rates can be expected to recover at Catskill Fish Hatchery with normal rainfall.
Stocked-Extended streams, specified in the Inland Trout Streams Regulations section of the Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide, will receive fish every other week for two months to provide season-long opportunities for angler success. Most stream stockings include larger trout (12 inches or more) as 10% of the total number. Spring trout stocking lists, including the scheduled week of stocking for trout streams, can be found on DEC's website.
Trout Stream Fishing Opportunities
The popular Trout Stream Fishing Map on DECinfo Locator allows anglers to view trout stream reaches, color-coded by management category, as well as fishing access associated with those reaches. Links to the Trout Stream Fishing Map and a User Guide are available on DEC's website.
Anglers can also use their smart phones to find trout fishing opportunities around the state by accessing the Tackle Box feature in DEC’s HuntFishNY app. The Tackle Box provides one-stop-shopping for information on access sites, stocking, regulations and more. Information on how to download the app can be found on DEC’s website. Anglers are encouraged to check out these valuable resources when planning their next fishing trip.
Recreational fishing supports Governor Hochul's “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative promoting physical and mental health by encouraging New York’s children and families to put down their phones and computers, take a break from social media, and enjoy recreation and outdoor social gatherings. One of the ways teens and youth can find ideas to get offline is through DEC’s Get Offline, Get Outside Challenge, which offers 50 fun and interesting activities for youth to complete by the age of 19.
To help make fishing more affordable and help inspire the next generation of anglers, DEC has also partnered with libraries across the state to provide a Fishing Rod Lending Program. While borrowing a book, library patrons can sign out a fishing rod. This program offers an opportunity for people to try fishing before deciding to purchase their own gear. For more information and a list of the more than 80 participating libraries, visit DEC’s website.
Safe Fish Consumption
The New York State Department of Health (DOH) provides advice to anglers about what fish are safe to eat and how often. Visit DOH’s website to search by waterbody location.
2026 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide and Buying a License
A digital version of the new guide is available to download on the DEC website. Hard copies of the guide are available wherever sporting licenses are sold. For locations visit the DEC website.
Renewing or buying a fishing license for the first time is easier than ever. Anglers can call, go online, or visit their nearest license issuing agent. When purchasing a license, anglers can also consider purchasing a Habitat & Access Stamp for just $5. This small donation directly supports habitat restoration projects and recreational access to New York’s public lands.
