New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan today reminded anglers that the April 1, 2006, opening day of trout season is just around the corner. As is true every year, anglers can look forward to a great year of fishing, thanks to the natural diversity of angling opportunities within New York State.

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Most of New York State experienced a hot, dry summer in 2005 that likely impacted growth and survival of trout, especially in streams that are typically prone to high water temperatures. However, winter conditions have been wet and mild with little anchor ice and as a result, trout over-wintering survival rates are expected to be high. Also, low snowfall amounts should produce only minor increases in stream levels during spring melt thus improving fishing conditions for anglers. In many areas, ice fishing was severely limited this year, which should leave more trout for spring angling in lakes and ponds.

Due to the potential for icy banks and high flows in many of the State's rivers and streams on opening day, anglers are urged to use extreme caution while wading in high water. The early season is a great time to try some of the smaller tributaries. Smaller streams typically have more manageable flows, and are also more likely to hold larger populations of wild trout.

For tactics, early season anglers may improve their success by fishing deep and slow, and by using natural baits such as worms and minnows where permitted. Anglers who prefer fly- fishing may consider using weighted nymphs and large, flashy streamers, possibly coupled with a sink-tip line. Once the water temperatures rise to approximately 50 degrees, the potential for dry- fly fishing improves. Pond fishing is often best immediately after the winter ice melts. Since most Adirondack and Catskill ponds are likely to remain frozen for the April 1 opener, anglers should scout out areas beforehand where the possibility of frozen waters may exist. Prime areas to fish are those that warm the earliest, including tributary mouths and shallow shoreline areas. It should also be noted that ice fishing is prohibited in trout waters except as noted in the Fishing Regulations Guide.

Trout stocking of catchable-size fish generally commences in late March and early April in the lower Hudson Valley, Long Island, and western New York, and then proceeds to the Catskills and Adirondacks. This year, DEC plans to stock 2.39 million catchable-size brook, brown, and rainbow trout in nearly 300 lakes and ponds and roughly 3,100 miles of streams across the state. Spring stockings include 1.8 million brown trout, 436,000 rainbow trout and 154,000 brook trout. DEC will again include 2-year-old brown trout in the spring stocking program. These fish average 12-13 inches in length, with some as large as 15 inches. Approximately 97,000 of these larger fish will be stocked into lakes and streams statewide. In addition, more than 2 million yearling lake trout, steelhead, landlocked salmon, splake and coho salmon will be stocked this spring to provide exciting angling opportunities over the next several years. For those who prefer a quieter, more remote setting, approximately 346,000 brook trout fingerlings will be stocked in 333 lakes and ponds this fall, primarily by helicopter, providing unique angling opportunities for future years.

For a complete listing of stocked waters in New York State, access http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/fish/stokintr.html at DEC's website.

In addition to stocked waters, New York State has thousands of miles of wild trout streams that provide excellent fishing opportunities. Regional fisheries offices, which are listed in the Fishing Regulations Guide, can offer specific details about these streams.

DEC remains committed to increasing public access to New York's coldwater streams. The Public Fishing Rights (PFR) program, which provides angler access to New York rivers and streams, continues to benefit from the consistent funding provided by the State's Environmental Protection Fund. PFR signs mark easements, but anglers are reminded that landowners maintain the right to post these parcels against activities other than fishing. Anglers are encouraged to contact their regional office for maps or directions to PFR holdings. In addition, PFR maps and brochures for DEC regions 5, 6, 8, and 9 can be found at www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/fish/pfr on the DEC website. For lake and pond anglers, lake contour maps are available at www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/fish/lakemaps/index.html

The general creel limit for brook, brown and rainbow trout is five fish. The open season for trout in most New York State waters runs from April 1 through October 15, but there are exceptions in all DEC regions, so anglers should check the Fishing Regulations Guide prior to heading out on the water. Anglers are also reminded that permits are required for fishing New York City reservoirs.