Public Fishing Rights And The Landowner
Fishing is a timeless tradition enjoyed by millions of people of all ages. New York State provides some of the finest fishing waters in the nation; however, many of these waters can be difficult to reach because they are privately owned.
Since 1935, DEC has worked with private landowners to acquire public access to these prime fishing waters through Public Fishing Right (PFR) easements. The landowners participating in New York's PFR program are the key to its success.
About PFR and Landowner Rights
- Creates a permanent easement along the streams allowing the public to wade and walk along the streambed and banks for the purpose of fishing, and for no other activity. Usually consists of a 33-foot strip of land along each bank, or along one bank if that is all the landowner owns. Footpath rights-of-way may also be included, especially if purchase of a parking area is also made.
- Granted voluntarily to the People of the State of New York by owners of private land. The landowner continues to own the land affected by the limited fishing rights easement.
- It does not interfere with the landowner's use of the property for purposes such as farming, grazing, water supply, and fishing. Landowners may fence the property, cut trees, or make other improvements.
- Landowners may post their property against hunting and other public use of the land, except fishing.
- Places no obligation on the owner to keep their lands safe for entry or use by anglers or for acts of such persons (see Section 9-103 of NY General Obligations Law).
- Will apply to all future owners of the property.
- The easement gives DEC the right to, when funds are available, do stream improvement work (such as planting trees or shrubs), if needed, to protect and stabilize the stream banks.
- Follows the natural course of the stream should it change, as long as it remains on the landowner's property.
Landowner Benefits of Selling PFR
- Landowners receive a payment based on a rate per bank-mile or proportionate part of a mile that is owned. Rates vary on different waters based on specific criteria.
- Extra money is given if a footpath easement or parking area is acquired. Footpaths are for crossing a landowner's property from a road to the water at a specified location.
- There will be better fishing for you, as well as others, through formal fish management.
- Lands will be protected so that future generations of anglers can enjoy fishing on them.
- Landowners maintain ownership and use of the land, while anglers gain access to productive fishing areas that were otherwise inaccessible.
How to Participate
If you own land along one of the state's waterways, you may qualify to participate and receive the benefits of this program.
If you're interested in finding out more about the sale of fishing rights to the State, please fill out the PFR Information Form (PDF).
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