!!!!!!!!!!!!! JUST FISH !!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is a wealth of information online in this 'virtual' world we inhabit. For those of you that are adept at searching the internet - have at it. That probably includes most of the younger people reading this as computer literacy is becoming part of the birthright in people that have been born since 1990 or so.
For those of you that would like somewhere to start, I have listed some of the local resources we have here in the central/upstate NY area. I hope these are helpful to anyone wishing to embark on a new 'habit' - a habit that is actually GOOD for you for once. A habit you can easily enjoy alone/with someone/or in a group. Is that cool or what ??? How many habits can you really say that about.
INFORMATION about fishing:
NY Dept of Environmental Conservation (NY DEC)
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/fishing.html
This is THE best place to get started - especially if you have never ever been fishing before in NY state. Get all the legal-schmegel stuff out of the way first - license info, seasons, etc. It is not my purpose to reiterate all that stuff here - but it IS very important to KNOW what the requirements are in your area/county/region/state. I along with everyone else that fishes in NY state - buy my license every year. There are some groups of people (listed on the site) that have reduced fees/no license needed. Look and see where you fit ( http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6091.html ).
There is also generally a 'free' fishing weekend across the state - where no license is needed - typically around the last weekend in June (corresponding with the start of summer vacation).. It might be a good/economically sound idea to plan your initial trip around on of those dates - to give you a sort of incentive to get this under way. There are also specific 'free fishing' events in the various regions that can be a TON of fun for families - typically great for the really younger crowd There is usually a list every year - you just have to figure out where your closest event is.
Which brings me to another important point - what DEC region are you in?? There is an excellent page that can help you find that out - the link follows:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/about/50230.html
This will help you find the correct region/correct regulations/relevant events for your area, with phone numbers/contact information too! If the online resources are a little overwhelming - the good old telephone works jsut fine - and the DEC people are eager to answer ay of your questions.
There is a neat little box at the top of the DEC website - a search box - that can help find you a LOT of information on their site - navigation can be overwhelming as the amount of information there is amazing.
Ignorance is no excuse and the DEC officers will do their job and ticket you if you blatently disregard the laws. The laws/rules are in place to protect ansd make available the resources for EVERYone to use.
TAKEMEFISHING.ORG
http://www.takemefishing.org/fishing/overview
This is a GREAT place to get a lot of hints/tips about fishing. Exactly the stuff you need to read if you have never been fishing before, OR if you have been and want to find out a little more about the how/why/wheres. Tons of great info and tips - well worth a visit - great place to send the kids.
PLACES TO DO IT:
SHOREFISHING:
On thew DEC site - there are lists of public boat launches/fishing access spots. Launching a boat is not always free - but fishing (after your initial your initial license purchase) is always free. Some of the parks have admission costs - but many do not. Check DEC places to fish at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7749.html
More specific to CNY is http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7936.html
Oneida lake access: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/41034.html
Onondaga Lake acess: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/60782.html
This has everything from stream/trout fishing to lakeside access.
Make sure you 'RFS' - 'read full screen' on these pages - there are a jillion listed resources with links to additional pages - more information that you can process at first - but stay the course. An informed angler is a successful angler!!!
FISHING FROM A BOAT:
If you do NOT own your own boat, and you have fished enough and want to get to another level in fishing - good for you!! You will find a whole different world that opens up for you out on the water. There are boat rental services available on excellent waters in central NY. In no particlular order of recommendation, here are some places you can look for an on-the-water experience. I have no stake/interest in any of these - just a place for you to get started on your water adventure.
BUT - BE AWARE - life jackets are required to be worn continually on boats less that 21 ft long between the months of Nov thru the end of April. And kids should have their life jackets on ALL the time- irregardless of season. Adults with children in the boat (unless they happen to be champion swimmers) should also be wearing theirs. If you have to jump in to rescue a child, I do not know many people that can swim strong enough to keep TWO people afloat - especially in strong winds/current. Bad things CAN happen out on the water - especially to inexperienced people. I give you this not to make you fearful - fear has no place out there - it ruins judgement. Knowledge is power.
Preparedness and the realistic realization that the weather CAN and WILL change while you are out there on the water will keep you out of harms way. Get the marine weather forcast PRIOR to heading out - always available on your local TV weather page. It will go a long ways in keeping everyone safe and return to shore the same number of people you headed out with.
Oneida Lake: These are no means definitive or exhaustive - just a place to start
http://oneidalakefishin.com/Boat_Rental.HTML
http://www.bigbaymarina.com/index_files/Page351.htm
Onondaga Lake:
http://onondagacountyparks.com/onondaga-lake-park/boat-rentals-marina-and-boat-launch/
Feel free to compose your own search for any body of water you might be inetersted in - this is just a start for you.
Always good to have a place to start.
For those of you that would like somewhere to start, I have listed some of the local resources we have here in the central/upstate NY area. I hope these are helpful to anyone wishing to embark on a new 'habit' - a habit that is actually GOOD for you for once. A habit you can easily enjoy alone/with someone/or in a group. Is that cool or what ??? How many habits can you really say that about.
INFORMATION about fishing:
NY Dept of Environmental Conservation (NY DEC)
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/fishing.html
This is THE best place to get started - especially if you have never ever been fishing before in NY state. Get all the legal-schmegel stuff out of the way first - license info, seasons, etc. It is not my purpose to reiterate all that stuff here - but it IS very important to KNOW what the requirements are in your area/county/region/state. I along with everyone else that fishes in NY state - buy my license every year. There are some groups of people (listed on the site) that have reduced fees/no license needed. Look and see where you fit ( http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6091.html ).
There is also generally a 'free' fishing weekend across the state - where no license is needed - typically around the last weekend in June (corresponding with the start of summer vacation).. It might be a good/economically sound idea to plan your initial trip around on of those dates - to give you a sort of incentive to get this under way. There are also specific 'free fishing' events in the various regions that can be a TON of fun for families - typically great for the really younger crowd There is usually a list every year - you just have to figure out where your closest event is.
Which brings me to another important point - what DEC region are you in?? There is an excellent page that can help you find that out - the link follows:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/about/50230.html
This will help you find the correct region/correct regulations/relevant events for your area, with phone numbers/contact information too! If the online resources are a little overwhelming - the good old telephone works jsut fine - and the DEC people are eager to answer ay of your questions.
There is a neat little box at the top of the DEC website - a search box - that can help find you a LOT of information on their site - navigation can be overwhelming as the amount of information there is amazing.
Ignorance is no excuse and the DEC officers will do their job and ticket you if you blatently disregard the laws. The laws/rules are in place to protect ansd make available the resources for EVERYone to use.
TAKEMEFISHING.ORG
http://www.takemefishing.org/fishing/overview
This is a GREAT place to get a lot of hints/tips about fishing. Exactly the stuff you need to read if you have never been fishing before, OR if you have been and want to find out a little more about the how/why/wheres. Tons of great info and tips - well worth a visit - great place to send the kids.
PLACES TO DO IT:
SHOREFISHING:
On thew DEC site - there are lists of public boat launches/fishing access spots. Launching a boat is not always free - but fishing (after your initial your initial license purchase) is always free. Some of the parks have admission costs - but many do not. Check DEC places to fish at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7749.html
More specific to CNY is http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7936.html
Oneida lake access: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/41034.html
Onondaga Lake acess: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/60782.html
This has everything from stream/trout fishing to lakeside access.
Make sure you 'RFS' - 'read full screen' on these pages - there are a jillion listed resources with links to additional pages - more information that you can process at first - but stay the course. An informed angler is a successful angler!!!
FISHING FROM A BOAT:
If you do NOT own your own boat, and you have fished enough and want to get to another level in fishing - good for you!! You will find a whole different world that opens up for you out on the water. There are boat rental services available on excellent waters in central NY. In no particlular order of recommendation, here are some places you can look for an on-the-water experience. I have no stake/interest in any of these - just a place for you to get started on your water adventure.
BUT - BE AWARE - life jackets are required to be worn continually on boats less that 21 ft long between the months of Nov thru the end of April. And kids should have their life jackets on ALL the time- irregardless of season. Adults with children in the boat (unless they happen to be champion swimmers) should also be wearing theirs. If you have to jump in to rescue a child, I do not know many people that can swim strong enough to keep TWO people afloat - especially in strong winds/current. Bad things CAN happen out on the water - especially to inexperienced people. I give you this not to make you fearful - fear has no place out there - it ruins judgement. Knowledge is power.
Preparedness and the realistic realization that the weather CAN and WILL change while you are out there on the water will keep you out of harms way. Get the marine weather forcast PRIOR to heading out - always available on your local TV weather page. It will go a long ways in keeping everyone safe and return to shore the same number of people you headed out with.
Oneida Lake: These are no means definitive or exhaustive - just a place to start
http://oneidalakefishin.com/Boat_Rental.HTML
http://www.bigbaymarina.com/index_files/Page351.htm
Onondaga Lake:
http://onondagacountyparks.com/onondaga-lake-park/boat-rentals-marina-and-boat-launch/
Feel free to compose your own search for any body of water you might be inetersted in - this is just a start for you.
Always good to have a place to start.