The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has published proposed changes to the coolwater sportfish regulations. Comments are due by April 13, 2026.

Let’s start with the definition of coolwater sportfishing. “Coolwater” occurs at the time of year in the Spring when the Winter ice is breaking up, generally around March and early April. It’s a time when certain species of fish are starting to spawn. “Sportfishing” is the pursuit of larger “sport” species, versus smaller “pan” fish.

The proposed regulation changes have three goals: to protect spawning fish; to eliminate the need for certain special regulations (which are often complicated and confusing and can trip up honest fishermen); and, to increase reproduction of walleye in eastern Lake Ontario.

The proposed changes are for chain pickerel, walleye, tiger musky and northern pike. Many of them are statewide and will affect anglers here in Sullivan County.

One difference will be moving the closing date of the season for the four species back two weeks, from March 15 to March 1 statewide. A second, analogous, change will be to move the prohibited-fishing date back two weeks from March 16 to March 2 on select streams to protect spawning walleye.

Another change would eliminate special regulations on 33 waters. There would be a change in the creel limit on Lake Ontario in Jefferson County to two fish per day with no more than one over 24” long.

These changes are being proposed due to the recent mild winters that we have been having (this year not withstanding in my opinion) and a corresponding change in spawning times that have been observed by fishery biologists.

The full text of the proposed changes and a more complete summary than I have given here are available on the DEC website for review. Please check them out when you have a chance.

As mentioned in the opening paragraph, the DEC is looking for our comments. Please send them your thoughts on these proposed new regulations. Drop them an e-mail at regulations.fish@ny.dec.gov with a subject of “Coolwater Sportfish Regulations”, or send a letter to Inland Fisheries Section, NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4753.

Let’s all enjoy the outdoors!

John S. Van Etten is the current president of the Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County, Inc.