Next weekend, Feb. 18 – 19, brings the first of several Free Fishing Days scheduled by New York State. The Free Fishing Days program is offered to give those interested in casting a line a chance to give fishing a try without having to invest in a fishing license. A one-year New York State general fishing license is normally $25 for residents and $50 for non-residents.
With lakes and ponds throughout the Lake George region frozen over, this first weekend will be an ice fishing event. While smaller ponds and lakes have been frozen for weeks, there is still open water on Lake George. The Department of Environmental Conservation urges anglers to check ice conditions before heading out onto the lake. FISH307.com posts weekly ice condition updates throughout the winter, although ice depth can vary within an area and your best measure, according to the DEC, is test different spots with an auger or ice chisel.
The DEC offers comprehensive information about ice fishing in its I Fish NY Beginners’ Guide to Freshwater Fishing. Here you will learn where to ice fish, which species you will fish for and the unique gear and clothing you will need to fish on ice. Unlike fishing in the summer, when anglers may sneak off to a private fishing hole, ice fishing has a social aspect. Expect to be on the ice with a community of like-minded sportsmen and women working together fill a pail with pickerel and pike.
If you prefer fishing open waters in warmer weather, the next Free Fishing Days will be held June 24 and 25, prime time for trout and bass fishing. Sept. 23, National Hunting and Fishing Day, and Nov. 11, Veterans Day, are also Free Fishing Days in 2017.