The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) I FISH NY Program and Freshwater Fisheries Unit and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) today announced the annual Fall Family Fishing and Children's Festival at Hempstead Lake State Park will be held Saturday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"The Hempstead Lake fishing festival is one of the highlights of the fall for the DEC Long Island Region," said DEC Regional Director Cathy Haas. “All are welcome to attend this free event, from experienced anglers to first timers. The numerous activities will engage families and children and give all who attend a chance to enjoy the outdoors and try their hand at the great sport of freshwater fishing."

"Once again we thank DEC and welcome this family event to Hempstead Lake State Park," said State Parks Long Island Regional Director George Gorman. "The Fall Family Fishing Festival really ushers in the season and hooks children and families on the joys of fishing. We hope they will also explore the recently completed multi-year project that includes new trails that are Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant, an observation deck and other vital infrastructure improvements to make the park safer and more resilient to future storms.”

Festival activities include fishing with free loaner rods and bait, fishing instruction, casting instruction, and fish-cleaning services. In addition to fishing opportunities, the festival features a children's casting for pumpkins contest, live animal show, magician, pumpkin decorating, fish printing, and a children's slide, in addition to DEC and State Parks displays.

The fishing license requirement for all anglers over the age of 16 is suspended for this festival, and admission and parking are free. The children's casting for pumpkins contest will be held for as long as pumpkins last, during which kids can "catch" a pumpkin and "hook" a prize. Casting contest prizes are provided by I FISH NY and State Parks.

Prior to the festival, State Parks will stock South and McDonald ponds in Hempstead Lake State Park with brook and rainbow trout. DEC stocks brown trout in several other waterbodies in Nassau and Suffolk counties, including Upper Twin Pond, Oyster Bay Mill Pond, Massapequa Reservoir, and 12 additional Suffolk County lakes. These stockings will occur by Oct. 27, and provide excellent prospects for fall fishing. A second DEC stocking will occur in early November.

For more information about the festival, call DEC's I FISH NY Program at (631) 444-0283 or Hempstead Lake State Park (516) 766-1029 for event status. There is no rain date for this event. For more information about the fall trout stocking program in Nassau and Suffolk counties, call the DEC Bureau of Fisheries at (631) 444-0280. General information on freshwater fishing on Long Island can be found at DEC's Long Island/NYC Fishing webpage and more info. at DEC's Fishing webpage.