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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE11-22

March 31, 2011

CONTACT:

Farrell Sklerov / Michael Saucier (718) 595-6600

Trout Season Opens Tomorrow on NYC Reservoirs

Environmental Protection Commissioner Cas Holloway today announced that trout fishing season starts tomorrow. Approximately 33,500 acres of water surface area on 19 reservoirs are available for trout fisherman by shoreline or boat. The city's water supply provides some of the best fishing in the country, with dozens of streams, its reservoirs and two controlled lakes open for fishing. City-owned reservoirs are open for fishing from shore and with fishing boats and most offer fishing opportunities for both warm-water species such as smallmouth and largemouth bass, as well as cold-water species such as trout.

"Anglers can look forward to the first real sign that spring is here: the opening of trout fishing season," said Commissioner Holloway. "This is a great opportunity to spend time outdoors with family and friends and enjoy first-rate fishing for trout in the beautiful reservoirs, lakes and streams in New York City's watershed. We welcome local residents and visitors to cast their lines in the nearest stream or reservoir. Fishing also has the added benefit of helping the local economy, and we hope this is a banner year for angling in the watershed."

The statewide trout season generally runs until October 15; however, on certain New York City reservoirs, trout fishing is open year-round or closes later than October 15. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation lists statewide fishing regulations at www.dec.ny.gov.

DEP also opens a substantial amount of land for recreation purposes in addition to the 33,500 acres of water surface that is open for public use. Last year, DEP opened 12,000 more acres of land for recreation. The expansion brought the total number of acres of New York City-owned water supply land open for recreation to 71,000, more than double the amount available in 2003. The 71,000 acres includes almost 40,000 acres of property designated Public Access Areas which were opened in the last three years, where public hiking, fishing, hunting and trapping is allowed without DEP permits. The remaining acres require a DEP permit for access. DEP issued 10,561 free access permits in 2010, for a total of approximately 116,000 access permits to date. Permit applications are available online at www.nyc.gov/dep and at DEP offices in the city and throughout the watershed.

Also last year, DEP opened 12.5 acres on the Beaverkill River, a famous trout fishing destination. The site provides public access to the Beaverkill and is adjacent to an existing parking area, for easy access. In addition, DEP and Trout Unlimited restored a key section of Horton Brook, which feeds into the Beaver Kill, and is a known critical spawning area for trout. The restoration project will help reduce erosion of sediments into Horton Brook, reduce sedimentation on trout spawning areas downstream, slow the velocity of the brook when it floods, and reduce the size of the delta at the brook's mouth which, when too large, can prevent trout from reaching the cold brook waters needed for summer survival. 

DEP manages the city's water supply, providing more than one billion gallons of water each day to more than 9 million residents, including eight million in New York City, and residents of Ulster, Orange, Putnam and Westchester counties. Approximately 1,000 DEP employees live and work in the watershed communities. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/dep or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nycwater.

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