The Beat

Birmingham, Ala. — The worlds of professional football and competitive bass fishing will collide Aug. 31 when nine Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series anglers team with Pro Football Hall of Fame members for the inaugural Bassmaster Randy Moss Pro Football Hall of Fame Pro-Am presented by Lippert on the St. Lawrence River in Clayton, N.Y.

Free Expo Emphasizes Fly Fishing Opportunities on September 12 in Suffolk County

Activities Promote Governor Kathy Hochul’s ‘Get Offline, Get Outside’ Campaign and Boost Local Recreational Economies

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) will hold the seventh annual Women's Fly-Fishing Expo at Connetquot River State Park Preserve in the Town of Islip, Suffolk County, on Saturday, September 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Family-Friendly Event Welcomes Anglers of All Ages and Abilities August 15

Utica, N.Y. - The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County 4-H and the City of Utica, will host a free Learn-to-Fish event on Saturday, August 15, at Utica Harbor Point. Learning to fish encourages outdoor recreation, promotes stewardship of fisheries, and introduces participants to safe and responsible angling.

Plattsburgh, N.Y. — Brandon Palaniuk has made many memories on Lake Champlain, but most of them will have little practical application during the SPRO Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain. Competition days will be August 13-16 with daily takeoffs from Plattsburgh City Marina at 7 a.m. ET and weigh-ins each day at the marina at 3 p.m.

Free Freshwater Fishing Days Support the Governor's “Get Offline, Get Outside” Initiative

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced that a Free Fishing Weekend in New York State will take place June 27–28, 2026. The weekend is part of six designated Free Fishing Days that take place each year in New York State. During these days, the fishing license requirement is waived for freshwater fishing on New York’s waters.

Free Family Friendly Fishing Events Scheduled for Saturday, June 13 and Saturday, June 27

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Erie County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs (ECFSC) will conduct two free, family-friendly Teach-Me-To-Fish events. Visitors of all ages are invited to participate in these family friendly events to explore the sport of fishing through interactive hands-on instruction provided by DEC and ECFSC.

Family Fishing Fun for All Ages and Abilities on Saturday, June 6

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Onondaga County Parks today announced a free, family-friendly learn to fish event on Saturday, June 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery, 1672 Route 321, in Elbridge.

Free Family Fun for All Ages and Abilities Beginning on April 11

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Onondaga County Parks today announced a series of all-ages, all-level, all-abilities, family-friendly, catch-and-release fishing events from April 11 to September 12 at various locations on Onondaga Lake in Onondaga County.

Annual spring event brings anglers, sponsors, and community together along Cattaraugus Creek

Arcade, NY – Carrying-on a popular and successful event, the Arcade Area Chamber of Commerce will once again be hosting the Annual Tri-County Trout Derby on April 18 and 19, 2026. The event, now in its 11^th year, brings fishing enthusiasts from across New York State and Pennsylvania to try their luck at catching 400 tagged trout swimming the Cattaraugus Creek in the nine-mile area between the corner of Route 98 and East Arcade Road (Old  Cattaraugus Road) in Arcade, and 200 yards south of the bridge on Savage Road in Chaffee.

Free Fishing Days Support the Governor's “Get Offline, Get Outside” Initiative

Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the 2026 dates for Free Fishing Days in New York. The requirement for a freshwater fishing license is waived during the following six days in 2026: February 14–15, June 27–28, September 26 (National Hunting and Fishing Day), and November 11 (Veterans Day).