Cornell Cooperative Extension

Columbia and Greene Counties
brook trout by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Image by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Brook trout!

Get Ready for Fishing Season!

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recently announced they will be stocking 2.2 million catch-able size trout in various lakes and streams. Sport-fishing is projected to generate $2.14 billion in economic activity this year, according to the press release. The complete press release can be viewed on this link.

Safety
While enjoying the outdoors, please continue to follow the CDC/New York State Department of Health guidelines (leaves DEC's website) for preventing the spread of colds, flu, and COVID-19:

Species
Columbia and Greene Counties are home to amazing waterways including the Batavia Kill, Catskill Creek, East Kill, Colgate Lake, Kinderhook Creek, Roeliff Jansen Kill, and Taghkanic Creek. While some of these waterways are stocked with Brown Trout many are also host healthy populations of wild brown trout as well as brook trout.

Trout can be found in a wide variety of habitats from the Great Lakes, to rivers/streams of the Catskills, and isolated ponds of the Adirondacks as well as much of the rest of New York. They can be caught from boats, along the banks of waterways, or while wading, with a wide variety of lures and baits including wet and dry flies, spinners and spoons, and live baits. For a great overview of each species, along with identification image, go to this DEC link.

Licenses
There are three licenses available to New York residents, a 1-day license for $5, a 7-day license for $12, or a year-round license for $25. Youth under the age of 16 does not need a license but must be accompanied by a licensed adult. A senior (over 70 is $5) Non-resident fees range from $10-50 depending on duration of license. You can purchase your licenses online.

The DEC's website offers a complete list of stocked fishing waters in the Great Northern Catskills, details on public & special fishing rights in Greene County, as well as additional information about the Hudson River's catch-and-release regulations.

(Updated 3/31/2020)

Check out this recipe for Brown Trout in Brown Butter Balsamic Sauce From Cornell Cooperative Extension Wild Harvest Table website.

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Last updated May 19, 2021

4-H Natural Resources

Fishing Safely This Season

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Please continue to follow the CDC/New York State Department of Health guidelines for preventing the spread of colds, flu, and COVID-19:

  • Try to keep at least six feet of distance between you and others.
  • Avoid close contact, such as shaking hands.
  • Wash hands often or use a hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid surfaces that are touched often, such as doorknobs, handrails, and playground equipment.

When fishing, DEC recommends avoiding busy waters and following the guidelines on DEC's website about fishing responsibly in New York State. If an angler arrives at a parking lot and there are several cars, they should consider going to another parking lot. If an angler is fishing upstream, they should fish downstream of the other angler or consider fishing another day. Anglers fishing from boats should always be able to maintain at least six feet of distance between one another. For more information about the benefits of being outdoors safely and responsibly, go to DEC's website.