The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (NYSDEC) I FISH NY program in conjunction with the National Park Service will conduct a free fishing clinic at Gateway National Recreation Area, Staten Island Unit, Ft. Wadsworth, on August 3 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The clinic is part of the Service’s “History Social” which will include a living history exhibition covering American history between the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, free Tango and Flamenco dancing lessons, a bird-walk, a goat-herder with goats and other activities for children.

“Under Governor Cuomo’s New York is Open for Fishing and Hunting initiative, this clinic will allow New Yorkers to experience fishing for the first time,” DEC Regional Director Venetia Lannon said. “The clinic will offer guidance so those with no fishing experience can learn about the sport.”

This is a DEC-sponsored event where participants can learn about fish identification, fishing equipment and techniques, angling ethics and aquatic ecology. The event is free, and no registration with the marine registry is required to fish during the program. Fishing rods, tackle, bait and educational materials will be provided. The event is catch and release only. Children under age 16 must be supervised.

During the regular fishing seasons, all anglers 16 years of age and older are required to have a fishing license to fish the freshwaters of New York State or join the free Marine Registry to fish NYS’s marine waters.  Licenses and marine registration can be obtained by phone at 1-866-933-2257, at license issuing agents throughout the state or on-line at http://licensecenter.ny.gov/.  On-line Licenses can be printed from a home computer. 

The NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative is an effort to improve recreational opportunities for sportsmen and women and to boost tourism activities throughout the state. This initiative includes streamlining fishing and hunting licenses, reducing license fees, improving access for fishing and increasing hunting opportunities in New York State.

In support of this initiative, this year’s budget includes $6 million in NY Works funding to support creating 50 new land and water access projects to connect hunters, anglers, bird watchers and others who enjoy the outdoors to more than 380,000 acres of existing state and easement lands that have not reached their full potential. These 50 new access projects include building new boat launches, installing new hunting blinds and building new trails and parking areas. In addition, the 2014-15 budget includes $4 million to repair the state's fish hatcheries; and renews and allows expanded use of crossbows for hunting in New York State.

This year's budget also reduces short-term fishing licenses fees; increases the number of authorized statewide free fishing days to eight from two; authorizes DEC to offer 10 days of promotional prices for hunting, fishing and trapping licenses; and authorizes free Adventure Plates for new lifetime license holders, discounted Adventure Plates for existing lifetime license holders and regular fee Adventure Plates for annual license holders.

The Free Fishing Days program began in 1991 allowing all people the opportunity to sample the incredible fishing New York State has to offer. New York State designates the last full weekend in June as Free Fishing Days. During those two days, anyone can fish New York State waters, and no fishing license or marine registration is required. Additional statewide free fishing events throughout New York State are posted on the DEC website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27123.html.

For more information contact the DEC I FISH NY program at 718-482-4922 or visit the NYSDEC website at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27123.html.