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• DEC Announces Free Fishing Day in New York State

  DEC Announces Free Fishing Day in New York State Freshwater Fishing License Not Required on National Hunting and Fishing Day, Sept. 27, 2025 New Yorkers Encouraged to “Get Offline, Get Outside” and Try Freshwater Fishing at No Cost The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced Sept. 27 will mark the next Free Fishing Day in New York State. “The September 27th free fishing day is particularly special because it coincides with National Hunting and Fishing Day, a celebration of the incredible angling opportunities our state provides,” said DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “Free fishing days are the perfect time for newcomers to learn to freshwater fish or for experienced anglers to bring others outdoors to enjoy the many abundant waterways across New York.” This annual Free Fishing Day coincides with National Hunting and Fishing Day, which was designated by Congress in 1972. The day helps encourage people to experience, understand, and appreciate traditional outdoor sports and recreation and abundant natural resources, while also recognizing hunters and anglers for their leadership in fish and wildlife conservation. Free Fishing Days further support Governor Hochul's “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative that promotes physical and mental health by helping encourage New York’s children and families to put down their phones and computers, take a break from social media, and enjoy recreation and outdoor social gatherings. In addition to designated free freshwater fishing days, DEC and its partners also hold free fishing clinics throughout the year. Participants learn about local fishing opportunities and are taught about the fish they can catch, fishing safety, how to cast a fishing rod, aquatic resource stewardship, and New York’s fishing regulations. A full list of programs is available on DEC’s website. Check the list regularly as new events are added throughout the year.   No rod? No problem. DEC partners with libraries across the state to provide a fishing rod lending program. Along with borrowing a book, library patrons can sign out a fishing rod. This affordable program provides an opportunity for people to try fishing before deciding to purchase their own gear. For more information on the program and a list of participating libraries visit DEC’S website. For beginning anglers interested in getting started, the I FISH NY Beginners' Guide to Freshwater Fishing provides information on everything from rigging up a fishing rod to identifying your catch and understanding fishing regulations. DEC's Places to Fish webpages are a reliable source of information for those ready to plan their next fishing trip. The “Tackle Box” feature in DEC’s official app, HuntFishNY, contains freshwater fishing regulations, boating access and stocking information within a map-based interface from the convenience of a smart phone. Other features include driving directions to state-operated boat launch sites and an offline feature that allows users to access information when cell coverage isn't available. The HuntFishNY app is available for download through Google Play or the App store. For more information visit DEC’s website. The final free fishing day for 2025 will take place on Veterans Day, November 11. On Free Fishing Days, New York residents and non-residents alike may fish for free without a fishing license. Free Fishing Day participants are reminded that, although the requirement for a fishing license is waived during free fishing days, all other fishing regulations remain in effect. When not participating in Free Fishing Days, anyone 16 years of age and older must have a current New York State fishing license to fish. Fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. More information on purchasing a fishing license can be found on DEC's website. The New York State Department of Health (DOH) provides advice to anglers about what fish are safe to eat and how often. Visit DOH’s website to search by waterbody location.   https://dec.ny.gov/news/press-releases

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  The Fishing Line - Free Fishing Day, 11/11/22

  Freshwater Fishing, Fisheries Management, and Fishing Access News

  Friday, November 11th marks the sixth and final Free Fishing Day of the year. Selected to coincide with Veterans Day, it’s a nice way to pay tribute to America’s veterans. Through their service and sacrifice, we continue to have the opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy our state’s great fisheries.

  So, honor that special veteran in your life and head to your favorite local fishing hole to cast a line next Friday.

  Not sure where to go? Visit our Places to Fish webpages or download the HuntFishNY app and tap on the new “Tackle Box” feature to plan your fishing trip.

  During designated Free Fishing Days anglers do not need a fishing license to fish New York’s fresh waters. All other fishing regulations are in effect.

• Orange County News: District Attorney David Hoovler Announces the Fourth Orange County District Attorney’s Office Youth Fishing Derby

  “Get Hooked on Fishing, Not Drugs”

  Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, announced the launch of the fourth District Attorney’s Office Youth Fishing Derby. The Derby will run from April 1, 2024 through September 2, 2024 and is open to children between the ages of four and eighteen who are children or grandchildren of Orange County residents.

  The fishing is great in Orange County, so give it a try! In 2015, almost 45,000 fishing licenses were sold in Orange County. That year, of the 62 counties in New York State, only two counties sold more fishing licenses than Orange County. Last year, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation stocked about 38,880 trout in Orange County waters. In addition, the Orange County Federation of Sportsmen stocked trout in waters with public fishing access. There are 86 named lakes in Orange County and hundreds more unnamed lakes and ponds that contain several species of fish of interest to the angler. Orange County also has many miles of rivers and streams to fish as well. The Hudson, Delaware, Neversink, Ramapo, and Wallkill Rivers and several small streams have public access to good fishing. If you do not own a boat, no problem. There is plenty of shore fishing in many state, county, and town parks in Orange County.

  Fish, large and small, call Orange County home. There are large striped bass in the Hudson River during the spring run. The New York State freshwater record striped bass, which weighed 60 pounds, was caught in the Hudson River in Orange County in 2014. Greenwood Lake has muskellunge, walleye, and bass ready to test your skills as an angler. The Wallkill River is loaded with smallmouth bass and rock bass. Try small topwater lures here for exciting action! If you are a novice or first-time angler, Orange County lakes, ponds, and streams are heavily populated with panfish that are easy to catch. Bluegills, pumpkinseeds, yellow perch, bullheads, and crappies are found in almost all the lakes and ponds in the county. Try worms under a bobber using light tackle and do not be surprised if a large bass or pickerel grabs your bait instead! Try Rutgers, Moodna, or Woodbury creeks for trout. Flies, small spinner baits, worms, or salmon eggs are used to catch rainbow and brown trout in those streams.

  Fishing teaches many life lessons, such as patience and how to deal with success and failure. Several U.S. presidents were accomplished fishermen and used fishing to relax from the stress and responsibilities of their office. Participants will also learn to enjoy and respect nature and, by spending more time with family and friends, will alleviate some of the boredom and anxiety caused by the stress in life. It is that boredom and anxiety that has led so many of our young people to turn to drug use or gang activity. Sports and other worthwhile activities can help deter young people from those bad choices. The Derby will encourage our young people to go fishing and enjoy the outdoors and hopefully avoid drug use.

  The Fishing Derby is part of District Attorney Hoovler’s community outreach program. This contest began during COVID-19 and continues to help young anglers make good choices. Participation in fishing skyrocketed with New Yorkers during the COVID-19 crisis, because that activity could be enjoyed at almost any age, in the outdoors with friends and family, while social distancing. The Fishing Derby will encourage the youth of Orange County to participate in an exciting outdoor sport that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. Remember, any fish entered in the Derby, big or small, has an equal chance to win a prize for the contestant.

  CONTEST RULES: Entry into the Youth Fishing Derby is free. All fish entered in the contest must be legally caught from anywhere in New York State. Contestants must adhere to all current New York State fishing regulations. Fresh and saltwater fish are eligible to be entered into the contest. To enter, email a photo of the contestant holding the fish, as well as the child’s first name and an adult contact phone number, to [email protected]. Each angler can enter up to three fish during the contest, to have multiple chances to win. Ten winners will be drawn at random from all entries received during the contest dates. Each angler is limited to one prize package. All photos entered in the Youth Fishing Derby becomes the property of the Derby.

  PRIZE PACKAGE: Each winner will receive an Orange County District Attorney’s Office limited t-shirt and a Mystery Tackle Box Bass Fishing Kit.  Bonus prize: The first winner drawn will also receive a $100 gift card.  Prizes can be picked up at the District Attorney’s Office by the winners in Goshen or will be mailed to them at the conclusion of the contest.

  “I wish good luck to all our young anglers,” said District Attorney Hoovler, “and I hope that you enjoy your time in our great outdoors. Please always remember safety! Wear a life vest when in a boat or near deep water. Be careful with hooks and other fishing tackle. Look where you cast and behind you, to avoid hooking someone by mistake. Remember sunglasses to protect your eyes from both the sun and from hooks that might pop loose from a hooked fish. Remember that good anglers don’t litter, because it hurts our wildlife habitat and can lead to the loss of public access for fishing. Have fun and stay safe, and maybe I’ll see you on the water this year!”

  
  DA Hoovler helping the Orange County Federation of Sportsmen to stock trout

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  Free New Tool To Help Property Owners

  FREE NEW TOOL TO HELP PROPERTY OWNERS

  
  
  The Orange County Clerk's Office is providing a free new tool to help property owners protect one of their most valuable assets.
  With Fraud Alert, residents can sign up to receive alerts whenever a document, such as a deed or a mortgage, is recorded under your name. Documents can then be viewed online or at the Clerk's Office.
  "This is an easy way for homeowners to have peace of mind at no cost to them" said County Clerk Kelly Eskew.
  You can sign up for free at https://searchiqs.com/fraudalert/?CC=NYORA. Please note there may be other property owners in the County that share the same name.

• 
  Town Board Re-Org Meeting and Special Joint meeting with Palm Tree Monday, January 5, 2026, at 7:00 PM (Monroe Town Hall 1465 Orange Tpke., Monroe)

  Town Board Re-Org Meeting and Special Joint meeting with Palm Tree  Monday, January 5, 2026, at 7:00 PM (Monroe Town Hall 1465 Orange Tpke., Monroe)

  Please click link below to view Agenda.
  https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/w1s0rdxj368755v1uzu99/Agenda-Packet-January-5-2026-Re-Org-Meeting-and-Joint-Special-Meeting-with-Palm-Tree-2.pdf?rlkey=y0t25iionckpci74hn5p2r07s&st=4p1r2dv7&dl=0

• The Orange County Department of Motor Vehicle offices will be closed beginning Thursday, February 12th, 2026

  Orange County Clerk, Kelly A. Eskew, announces all Orange County DMV’s will be temporarily closed for the new State licensing modernization program.

  The Orange County Department of Motor Vehicle offices will be closed beginning Thursday, February 12^th, 2026(President’s Holiday) and is tentatively scheduled to reopen on Wednesday February 18, 2026, at 9:00am.

  County Clerk Kelly A. Eskew encourages residents to make necessary arrangements in advance due to the upcoming New York Statewide DMV closure, beginning on Friday February 13, 2026. The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles will be implementing the new Licensing DRIVES application. During this time all DMV transactions, including in-person, online and telephone services, will be temporarily unavailable while the large-scale system upgrade is completed. The office will reopen to the public as soon as the State confirms system readiness and we will communicate any changes to the reopening schedule.

  During the initial weeks following reopening, please allow extra time for your transactions to be completed as staff and customers adjust to the new system. Your patience and understanding during this transition are greatly appreciated.

  Please note: This DMV closure will not affect the other operations of the Orange County Clerk’s Office, which will remain open for all non-DMV services.