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Related Articles 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 New York State Low Income Water Assistance Program Please click here for information regarding New York State Low Income Water Assistance Program. New York State Police Recruitment Information Please click here for information regarding New York State Police Recruitment Information. New York State Burn Ban New York State Burn Ban. DEC Reminds New Yorkers: Annual Residential Brush Burning Prohibition Starts March 16 Spring Burn Ban Reduces Wildfire Risks, Protects Lives, and Property New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning begins March 16 and runs through May 14. Since 2009, DEC has enforced the annual brush burning ban to help prevent wildland fires and protect communities during heightened conditions for wildfires. “While we’re seeing record breaking fires in Texas right now, we’re also at a higher risk here in New York,” Commissioner Seggos said. "Before the annual burn ban goes into effect next month, we’re encouraging New Yorkers who burn woody debris to do it carefully, don't burn on windy days, and have water or equipment ready to extinguish it if needed. All fires must be attended until completely out.” This winter season did not provide typical snow cover across much of New York State, leaving dormant vegetation from last year’s growing season exposed where it is susceptible to the daily fluctuation of spring weather. DEC is advocating extra vigilance before the burn ban goes into effect, as Forest Rangers and local firefighters have already responded to early fires in multiple counties. These fires were caused by debris burning with wind carrying the fire to grassy and wooded areas. Since the ban was established, the eight-year annual average number of spring fires decreased by 42.6 percent, from 2,649 in 2009, to 1,521 in 2018. Warming temperatures can quickly cause wildfire conditions. Open burning of debris is the single-largest cause of spring wildfires in New York State. When temperatures warm and the past fall's debris and leaves dry out, wildfires can start and spread easily, further fueled by winds and a lack of green vegetation. Each year, DEC Forest Rangers extinguish dozens of wildfires that burn hundreds of acres. In addition, local fire departments, many of which are staffed by volunteers, all too often have to leave their jobs and families to respond to wildfires caused by illegal debris fires. DEC will post the Fire Danger Map for the 2024 fire season on DEC's website once there is a moderate risk anywhere in New York. New York first enacted strict restrictions on open burning in 2009 to help prevent wildfires and reduce air pollution. The regulations allow residential brush fires in towns with fewer than 20,000 residents during most of the year, but prohibit such burning in spring when most wildfires occur. Backyard fire pits and campfires less than three feet in height and four feet in length, width, or diameter are allowed, as are small cooking fires. Only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated, or unpainted wood can be burned. People should never leave these fires unattended and must extinguish them. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round in New York State. For more information about fire safety and prevention, visit DEC's FIREWISE New York webpage. Some towns, primarily in and around the Adirondack and Catskill parks, are designated "fire towns." Open burning is prohibited year-round in these municipalities unless an individual or group has a permit from DEC. To find out whether a municipality is a designated fire town or to obtain a permit, contact the appropriate DEC regional office. A list of regional offices is available on DEC's website. Forest Rangers, DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs), and local authorities enforce the burn ban. Violators of the State's open burning regulation are subject to criminal and civil enforcement actions, with a minimum fine of $500 for a first offense. For search and rescue, reporting a wildfire or illegal activity on state lands and easements, call 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264). Declaration of State of Emergency Town of Monroe DECLARATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY TOWN OF MONROE Pursuant to the authority granted to me under New York State Executive Law, Section 24, in order to preserve public safety, I, Anthony Cardone, Town Supervisor of the Town of Monroe hereby declare a state of emergency in the Town of Monroe for a period of time beginning December 30, 2021 at 2:00 p.m and lasting until January 28, 2022 1:59 p.m., unless otherwise extended by an addition order. I hereby direct all departments of the Town of Monroe, to take steps necessary to protect life and property, public infrastructure, and provide such emergency assistance deemed necessary. This state of emergency has been declared due to the ongoing COVID-19 / Coronavirus Disease 2019, which was initially declared a pandemic by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared this disease a world Pandemic on March 11, 2020, the Governor of the State of New York declared a state of emergency for New York State on March 07, 2020 and on March 13, 2020 the President of the United States filed an Emergency Declaration in regard to COVID-19. Subsequently, a recent surge in COVID cases and COVID variants has resulted in new State of Emergency declarations by the Governor of the State of New York, including Executive Order 11 of 2021 (November 26, 2021). This emergency is of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant that certain emergency protective measures to be taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic emergency to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all the Town residents. As a result of this ongoing pandemic the Town may need to take actions to suspend local laws, policies and regulations in order to respond to such pandemic/State of Emergency and Local Emergency Order will be issued as necessary to do so and to ensure the public safety, public property or life, health, and safety of residents require immediate action. These conditions threaten the public safety of the citizens of the Town of Monroe. Dated: December 30, 2021 Anthony Cardone Town Supervisor Town of Monroe (Town Supervisor executes in quadruplicate) Comments are closed.