FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE04-15
March
31, 2004
Contact:
Ian Michaels
(718) 595-6600
Trout
Season Opens on New York City Reservoirs
Commissioner Christopher O. Ward of the New York City Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) today welcomed the start of the 2004 trout season on
April 1 at New York City reservoirs. Commissioner Ward reminded all anglers
that a valid Access Permit issued by DEP is needed to fish at City reservoirs.
Almost 68,000 people currently have Access Permits.
“Over 33,000 acres of reservoirs in six counties will be open for
fishing again this season,” said Commissioner Ward. “We are
pleased to continue to allow for high-quality fishing opportunities, and
we’re glad that anglers are such responsible recreational visitors.
We know that anglers and other permit holders care about these lands and
we appreciate the respect that they show for our property.”
Shoreline fishing is available to Access Permit holders at all City reservoirs.
For a permit application, please visit our Web site at www.nyc.gov/watershedrecreation
or call the DEP Permit Office at (800) 575-LAND. Applications are
also available for pick-up at DEP’s offices in Queens (718-595-4820)
and Manhattan (212-643-2215).
People wishing to fish by boat must first present their vessel to DEP
for cleaning and registration. Registered boats must be stored on designated
City land near the reservoir shores to prevent the possible introduction
of zebra.
To put your boat on a City reservoir, contact the DEP Land Management
Office nearest the reservoir of interest to schedule a boat processing
appointment: Ashokan (845) 657-2663; Cannonsville and Pepacton (607) 363-7009;
East of Hudson (914) 232-1309; Rondout and Neversink (845) 985-0386; and
Schoharie (607) 588-6631.
This season DEP will continue to improve opportunities for fishing by
boat and the appearance of its lands by removing unregistered and abandoned
vessels from City property. Boaters should be sure to get new 2006 Boat
Tags affixed to their boats before their current tags expire at the end
of the year. Registered boaters will receive Boat Tag Renewal Applications
in the mail this spring, and should return the completed applications
to the DEP Permit Office with one self-addressed, stamped, legal-sized
(#10) envelope for each boat. New 2006 Boat Tags will be mailed out.
For more information on fishing, fishing by boat, hunting, or hiking
on City-owned watershed lands and waters, call the DEP at (800) 575-LAND.
Reservoir anglers can also contribute to the security of the drinking
water supply by reporting any suspicious activity they might see to the
DEP Police 24-hours-a-day at (888) H20-SHED (426-7433).