ALBANY, N.Y. — February 26, 2013 — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will hold their annual Spring Family Fishing Festival on Saturday, April 13.
Governor Cuomo introduced the initiative in his 30-day Executive Budget amendments to support tourism and benefit sportsmen and sportswomen throughout the state. Additional sponsors for the fishing festival include the Natural Heritage Trust, the Fisherman Magazine, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and radio stations 106.1 WBLI and 102.3 WBAB.
“Freshwater fishing is an activity that the whole family can enjoy, especially on Long Island,” Governor Cuomo said. “The spring fishing festival at Belmont Lake State Park is an excellent way to kick off the fishing season and introduce the whole family to the sport with no license needed to participate. At this festival, you can learn about freshwater fishing opportunities on Long Island and local fishing clubs, try your hand at fishing for trout, and the kids can participate in the casting contest and other fun activities.”
This year, Governor Cuomo’s Executive Budget proposes the New York Open for Fishing and Hunting initiative to streamline hunting and fishing licenses and reduce fees to support tourism opportunities and benefit sportsmen and sportswomen throughout the state. The plan would reduce fees paid by hundreds of thousands of hunters, anglers and trappers while maintaining support for New York’s fish and wildlife programs.