New York's Trout Season Opens April 1 with Over 1.7 Million Fish Stocked

Anglers can look forward to bi-weekly stockings and new mobile app features to find the best trout fishing spots.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:05pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph in warm, soft tones depicting the blurred silhouette of a trout swimming in a gentle stream, conceptually representing the serene and peaceful experience of trout fishing in New York.As the annual trout season opens in New York, anglers can look forward to exploring the state's abundant freshwater resources and the tranquil beauty of its streams and rivers.NYC Today

New York's trout fishing season will officially open on April 1, 2026, with the state's Department of Environmental Conservation stocking over 1.7 million catchable-size brook, brown, and rainbow trout in waters across the Empire State. The DEC notes that while some trout may be slightly shorter than the 9-inch target size due to drought conditions, anglers can still expect great fishing opportunities with bi-weekly stockings in many streams over the next two months.

Why it matters

Trout fishing is a beloved spring tradition in New York, drawing anglers from across the state and region to enjoy the state's abundant freshwater resources. The annual trout season opener is a welcome sign of warmer weather and the return of outdoor recreation after a long winter.

The details

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the trout stocking program will include over 1.7 million catchable-size fish stocked in waters across the state from mid-March through early June. While drought conditions at the Catskill Fish Hatchery last year resulted in some smaller than average yearling trout, the DEC expects normal rainfall to improve growth rates. Stocked-Extended streams will receive bi-weekly stockings for two months, with 10% of the total number being larger trout.

  • The trout fishing season in New York will officially open on April 1, 2026.
  • Trout stocking will take place from mid-March through early June 2026.

The players

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

The state agency responsible for managing New York's natural resources, including the trout stocking program.

Amanda Lefton

The Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

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What they’re saying

“New York's season opener is a welcome sign of spring for trout anglers. I encourage anglers to introduce someone new to recreational fishing this year and enjoy Getting Offline and Getting Outside to experience some of the greatest freshwater fishing opportunities in the nation.”

— Amanda Lefton, Commissioner, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

What’s next

Anglers can use the Tackle Box feature in the DEC's HuntFishNY mobile app to find trout fishing opportunities, access information on stocking, regulations, and more.

The takeaway

New York's annual trout season opening is a beloved tradition that marks the return of spring and outdoor recreation. With over 1.7 million fish stocked across the state, anglers can look forward to abundant fishing opportunities in the coming months, aided by new mobile app features to help locate the best spots.