The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and its partners celebrated Earth day by opening a new universally accessible fishing pier on Wiscoy Creek in the Town of Pike, Wyoming County.

“Together with our partners, we are pleased to announce the completion of a new fishing platform that improves public fishing opportunities on Wiscoy Creek and provides universal access to a wild trout resource,” said DEC Regional Director Abby Snyder.  “On Earth Day and every day, we encourage the public to take advantage of our region’s excellent fishing opportunities and enjoy some quality time outdoors.”

“This platform increases the opportunity for Sportsmen/women of all ages and ability to enjoy this very valuable resource,” said Town of Pike Supervisor Sandra King. “We look forward to continued long term use and enjoyment by anglers from throughout the State and beyond.”

“On behalf of the Wyoming County Wildlife Federation and our membership clubs, groups and organization, we applaud the Town of Pike, DEC, and everyone who had a hand in making this stream access pier a reality,” said Brian Krawczyk, President of the Wyoming County Wildlife Federation.  “We stand behind all efforts to preserve and improve habitat, conserve our natural renewable resources and provide access opportunities to our local sportsmen and women."

The new platform, located along Wiscoy Creek at the Wyoming County Fairgrounds, was constructed on town property and provides the region’s first universal fishing access to a wild trout resource.

“The Town of Pike deeded conservation fishing rights to the State on two contiguous portions of the Wiscoy Creek for the use and benefit of the public in the years 1965 and 1980 respectively,” said Supervisor King.  “The Town Board of Pike on behalf of our residents was pleased to also enter into a recent agreement with the DEC for the State to construct a universally accessible fishing platform with a ramp to accommodate those with disabilities as well as others.”

Together, Wiscoy Creek, its North Branch and Trout Brook form one of the most productive watersheds for wild brown trout in New York State. Recent DEC surveys estimate an impressive 400 to 1,100 adult wild brown trout per stream mile in the Wyoming County section of Wiscoy Creek.  Funding to construct the 12 by 20 foot universally accessible platform was through the Environmental Protection Fund.

Wiscoy Creek is open to fishing year-round with the period from April 1 – October 15 managed with a 10 inch minimum size limit and three fish per day creel limit.  From October 16-March 31^st fishing is catch and release only and tackle is limited to artificial lures only.

Wiscoy Creek begins in south-central Wyoming County and flows southeasterly over 15 miles into Allegany County, passing through the Villages of Bliss and Pike. Trout Brook and North Branch Wiscoy Creek are two high quality tributaries of Wiscoy Creek. Combined, there are 14.3 miles of public fishing rights easements on these three streams.

DEC publishes weekly fishing hotlines (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/fishhotlines.html) to help provide anglers with timely fishing information on local waterways.  Early season trout fishing recommendations by DEC staff in each region can be found in the 2016 Coldwater Fishing Forecast . Anglers searching for places to fish will be interested in the I FISH NY Guide to Freshwater Fishing in New York State, which provides information on over 320 lakes and pond and 110 rivers. DEC's website provides Public Fishing Rights Maps identifying streams where DEC has purchased fishing easements. New York’s Free Fishing weekend, which enables anyone to fish New York waters without a license, will take place on June 25^th & 26^th, 2016, and is a great time to introduce someone to the sport of fishing.