NY DEC to Host Trout Fishing Public Meeting

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will host a public meeting to discuss Delaware River Tailwater and Main Stem trout fishing regulations at the Hancock High School, 67 Education Lane, Hancock, on Wednesday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m. The upper Delaware River system is made up of two tailwater rivers, the East and West branches, which converge in Hancock to form the Main Stem of the Delaware River.

The meeting will outline the recent history of fishing regulations for the area’s trout streams and gather public input on ways to improve the regulations. DEC Fisheries and Law Enforcement staff will be on hand to provide information and answer questions about trout regulations and the enforcement of those regulations.

The fishing regulations are designed to ensure the continued sustainability of the fishery by setting daily catch limits as well as minimum size limits for allowable fish. In addition, some stretches of the river are designated as catch and release only, and some stretches have restricted angling methods, such as artificial lures only. The public is invited to bring their ideas and questions about how DEC manages the fishery resource in the Delaware River and its main tributaries.

For those unable to attend the meeting, the public is invited to comment on the current trout regulations and suggest ways they could be improved. Comments should be sent to Chris VanMaaren, DEC Region 4 Fisheries Manager, 65561 State Hwy 10, Stamford, NY 12167, or emailed to fwfish4@dec.ny.gov.