Our cold winter weather this year allows safe ice to form, and hardy anglers, like retired Western New York Lake Erie charter captain Bob Rustowicz, can walk on water to catch big walleye. Submitted photo

The NYSDEC and Governor Hochul recently announced the 2026 dates for Free Fishing Days in New York. That is, those days when no freshwater fishing license is required. They are: Feb. 14-15, June 27-28, Sept. 26 (National Hunting and Fishing Day), and Nov.11 (Veterans Day). The normal cost of a NYS freshwater fishing license is $25 for residents and $50 for non-residents. There are also one-day and seven-day options.

Governor Hochul said, “Free Fishing Days provide the perfect opportunity for residents and visitors to affordably explore, unplug, and get outside. New York State’s waters offer some of the best fishing opportunities in the nation, hosting memorable fishing experiences that increase tourism and benefit the economy. In addition to the many health benefits associated with recreating outdoors, fishing can provide more opportunities to connect with family and friends, something that seems harder and harder to do with increasing demands on time in today’s world.”

DEC’s Free Fishing Days program began in 1991 to give New Yorkers who might not fish a chance to try the rewarding sport of freshwater fishing at no cost, introduce people to a new hobby, and encourage people to support conservation by purchasing a New York State fishing license. It’s a good weekend to see the Ice Castle in Mayville and stroll out onto Chautauqua Lake to visit with the hundreds of ice anglers out there dropping their line into a tiny hole they cut in the ice to try and fool a fish. The good news is they do catch quite a lot of fish.

DEC offers a host of resources for those interested in getting started in fishing. The I FISH NY Beginners’ Guide to Freshwater Fishing (PDF) provides information on everything from rigging up a fishing rod to identifying your catch and understanding fishing regulations. There are also separate NYSDEC lesson guides for how to ice fish and fish for steelhead in the Great Lakes tributaries.

Note that although the requirement for a freshwater fishing license is waived during free fishing days, all other fishing regulations remain in effect. Outside of free fishing days, anglers over the age of 16 must have a valid fishing license. For more information on purchasing a license, visit your local clerk or the DEC website.

Gotta love the outdoors.

CALENDAR

Feb. 10: Children in the Stream, Youth Fly Fishing program, free, Costello Room, Rockefeller Art Center, SUNY Fredonia, 7-8:30 p.m., 12 and older, info: 716-410-7003 (Alberto Rey).

Feb. 11: Lyme WNY, monthly meeting, 6-8 p.m., East Seneca Fire Hall, 100 Lein Road, West Seneca; visit https://www.lymewny.com.

Feb. 14: WNY Walleye Fisherman’s Flea Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Knights of Columbus, 36 Pierce Ave., Hamburg; Info: Chris Kempf, 716-400-9258; Jim Plinzke, 716-861-8817.