Madison of the East?

**jhouseman** · 11-19-2008, 04:59 PM

Yeah, this is a big surprise for me. I had it from several knowledgeable people that unless otherwise noted there was a year round open "catch and release" season. Apparently it's the reverse. I also called the Livingston County DEC office and they said the same applies to Oatka Creek in our area. So, the premier trout stream in our area is closed until April to all fishing. REally odd since Spring Creek (right next door) has a year round catch & release season - this is a wild trout river whereas Oatka is primarily a stocked system with a percentage of wild fish. Just doesn't make sense to me.

He also mentioned that fishing to other species was open year round. The implications of that are fairly rediculous. So, you can just say you're fishing for Bass and accidentally catching Trout in December? Seems suspect to me. Theoretically, unless I'm wrong again, you could go fish for "Bass" on the East Branch above the Pepacton this weekend!

I'm still following this up with the head DEC office. In my opinion there's no reason not to allow year round catch & release artificial only fishing for trout unless a stream is designated as "no angling allowed" during a certain part of the year to protect spawning trout. I'm still not fully convinced the regulations don't express that and the regional officers just haven't gotten the word yet.

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**jhouseman** · 11-20-2008, 03:04 PM

Here's a reply I got straight from the head DEC office in Albany:

Dejon,
According to New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations "A person may not fish for a species (not even catch and release) during the closed season for that species on a given water." This regulation can be found on page 17 of the current Regulations Guide. Therefore, you would not be able to fish for trout on the East Branch of the Delaware (from Pepacton Reservoir highwater mark upstream) outside of April 1 - September 30. For the special regulation concerning the Pepacton Dam downstream to Shinhopple Bridge where "angling is prohibited from Oct. 16-March 21 to protect spawning trout," this is for ALL angling. You cannot fish in that section for any species during that time. Angling is still permitted from the Pepacton Reservoir highwater mark upstream outside of April 1-September 30, just NOT for trout. You can fish for any species, but you cannot target trout.

If you're interested in fishing for trout in the area, you can try the following waters:
E. Br. Delaware- Shinhopple Bridge downstream to the mouth at Hancock CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY Oct. 16- Nov. 30
There is also a CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY year-round season for the Beaver Kill 1) from Sullivan Co. line (below Roscoe) downstream 2.5 miles to the old railroad trestle and 2) from one mile upstream to 1.6 miles downstream of iron bridge at Horton.

As a side note, please keep in mind, an open season for trout is not considered a "harvest" season. It's simply an open season, where fish may or may not be harvested.

alanb_ct · 11-20-2008, 03:55 PM

"Angling is still permitted from the Pepacton Reservoir highwater mark upstream outside of April 1-September 30, just NOT for trout. You can fish for any species, but you cannot target trout." What???

"Oops, I was targeting yellow perch and accidentally caught a 10lb lake run brown, sorry officer." It's too bad my favorite yellow perch fly is a glo-bug about 1/4in in diameter.

Dejon: would you forward me the email from DEC? I sent you an address in a PM, thanks.

**jhouseman** · 11-20-2008, 04:22 PM

"Oops, I was targeting yellow perch and accidentally caught a 10lb lake run brown, sorry officer." It's too bad my favorite yellow perch fly is a glo-bug about 1/4in in diameter."

Exactly

check yo mail!