(a) Fishing Activities. Fishing is allowed consistent with NYSDEC regulations. A valid NYSDEC fishing license is required.
(b) Designation. Areas that allow Fishing will be designated by NYCDEP on sign postings, the NYCDEP website, and on NYCDEP maps.
(c) Season. Access for Fishing is allowed during applicable New York State fishing seasons as established in NYSDEC fishing regulations, as amended, except as otherwise restricted by these Rules or by NYCDEP postings or notices.
(d) Allowable Species. Fishing is allowed for any species allowed under New York State law, during and in accordance with all available NYSDEC fishing seasons and City Property designations unless otherwise posted by NYCDEP.
(e) Means. Angling is the only permissible means of Fishing on City Property, except that pursuant to and in conformance with NYSDEC regulations, (i) tip-ups may be used for ice fishing, and (ii) bow and arrow may be used for carp fishing. Anglers must be in immediate attendance when their lines are in the water.
(f) Bait and Bait Disposal. The use of terrestrial bait such as worms and crickets is allowed. Live aquatic bait, which may include but is not limited to, alewives, shiners, leeches, and crawfish, may be used for Fishing unless such bait has been taken from waters infested with zebra and/or Quagga mussels or other invasive species, including, but not limited to: Lake Champlain, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes, the Erie Canal, the Niagara River, the Mohawk River, the St. Lawrence River, the Susquehanna River and the Hudson River. A complete list of Zebra and Quagga mussel-infested waters may be found at: http://nas.er.usgs.gov/mollusks/zebramussel/. Neither bait nor the water from aquatic bait containers shall be disposed of on City Property. NYCDEP, at its sole discretion, may prohibit the use of specified bait. Any such prohibitions shall be indicated by NYCDEP on sign postings, on the NYCDEP website, and on NYCDEP maps. Use of bait must also be consistent with all applicable provisions of New York State law and NYSDEC regulations, as amended, including those regarding the use and transport of certified baitfish.
(g) Fishing Equipment. Fishing equipment must comply with the following:
(1) Waterproof waders must be used when entering Reservoirs or Controlled Lakes for the purposes of Fishing. Due to the potential threat of invasive species being transferred from waders into the NYC Water Supply, NYCDEP reserves the right to restrict the use of certain types of waders and/or prohibit use on City Property. A list of waders and/or boots prohibited for use, if and when determined, shall be posted on the NYCDEP website. As an alternative to prohibition of certain waders, NYCDEP may require waders be cleaned as per NYCDEP guidelines, if and when such guidelines are developed.
(2) Temporary, portable, fabric fishing shelters and windbreaks may be used for ice fishing on City Property. Shelters must contain the occupant's name, telephone number and Access Permit number. Wood or metal shelters are not permitted.
(3) Ice fishing equipment, including fabric fishing and shelters and windbreaks, must remain within view of the equipment owner and must be removed from City Property by the occupant when not in use or at the end of each day, whichever is sooner.
(4) Use of float tubes or inflatable waders is prohibited in Reservoirs or Controlled Lakes.
(5) Motorized fishing equipment is prohibited on City Property, including but not limited to gasoline or propane-powered motors or ice augers except as allowed in 15 RCNY § 16-07(g)(6).
(6) Electric ice augers with rechargeable batteries contained within the auger housing or hand-held power drills to power ice augers may be used. Small 12-volt sealed batteries may be used for portable fish finders. No automotive-type batteries are allowed on City Property.
(7) Propane bottles to heat portable heating units or ice augers are not allowed for use on Reservoirs or Controlled Lakes.
(h) Fish Entrails. Fish entrails may not be deposited on City Property that is in or within 100 feet of a Reservoir, Controlled Lake, pond, Watercourse, public access point, or public road.
(i) Shoreline Fishing. Shoreline Fishing is allowed at Access Permit Areas, Public Access Areas, and certain Day Use Areas as indicated by NYCDEP on sign postings, on the NYCDEP website, and on NYCDEP maps.
(j) Fishing from Bridges. Fishing from vehicular bridges located on City Property is not permitted except where designated by NYCDEP and as indicated by NYCDEP on sign postings, on the NYCDEP website, and on NYCDEP maps.
(k) Ice Fishing. Ice Fishing is allowed, in conformance with NYSDEC regulations, only on the Amawalk, Bog Brook, Boyds Corner, Cross River, Diverting, East Branch, Muscoot, Titicus, West Branch, Croton Falls and Middle Branch Reservoirs, on Lake Gilead and Lake Gleneida and on ponds located in Access Permit Areas and Public Access Areas as indicated by NYCDEP on sign postings, on the NYCDEP website, and on NYCDEP maps. Ice fishing is prohibited in all other Reservoirs for safety and operational reasons.
(Added City Record 5/31/2019, eff. 6/30/2019)