New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced proposed changes to freshwater fishing regulations to enhance fishing opportunities and protect fisheries resources statewide. DEC will be accepting public comments on the proposals until April 4.

"New York provides some of the best fishing in the nation, and every two years DEC modifies existing sportfishing regulations and proposes new regulations to help ensure that this remains the case," Commissioner Grannis said. "I encourage interested anglers to review these proposed changes and provide us with their comments."

The proposed regulations are the result of a careful assessment of the status of existing fish populations and the desires of anglers utilizing these resources. This formal review follows discussions held with angling interest groups over the past year. Prior to the announcement of today's proposed regulations, DEC made the regulatory options the agency was considering available on the DEC website and took comments. The feedback received was integral to developing the regulation changes that are now being formally proposed.

To request copies of the regulation proposals contact: Shaun Keeler at (518) 402-8920, or by e-mail to skeeler@gw.dec.state.ny.us . The proposals will also be posted on DEC's website at www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/34113.html .

Comments on the proposals may be submitted by e-mail to fishregs@gw.dec.state.ny.us or mailed to Shaun Keeler, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Bureau of Fisheries, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4753. Final regulations, reflecting public comments, will go into effect October 1, 2008.

The following are some highlights of the proposed changes. Fisherman who travel upstate to follow their sport would do well to get a copy of the proposal.

• Extend the winter "catch-and-release only" black bass season in Suffolk and Nassau counties to provide additional angling opportunities.

• Prohibit the act of chumming with fish eggs to protect against fish being harvested specifically for purposes of taking eggs and using them as a method to aggregate and concentrate fish to assist in their fishing success.

• Provide clarity on what constitutes a "tip-up" by defining it as any device used for fishing through the ice that has a signaling device attached, except a bobber or other floating object on the water, that will visually or audibly signal a strike. The draft regulations also clarify tip-up restrictions.

• Prohibit the sale of trout eggs to prevent the harvest of trout for the purposes of selling eggs for the use in tributary fisheries by anglers.

• Establish a specific list of bait fish to help clarify and define what bait fish species are acceptable for use.

• Remove American eel from the list of fish that can be spearfished to reduce fishing related mortality for American eels.

• Clarify that "whitefish" in the Statewide Angling Regulations does not include round whitefish - an endangered species in New York - to reduce the likelihood of illegal harvest of round whitefish.