The first of several free-fishing events in New York took place, Saturday, Feb. 17, and Sunday, Feb. 18, when residents and visitors are permitted to fish for free without a fishing license on any of the state's 7,500 lakes and ponds or 70,000 miles of rivers and streams.

The program is part of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative, which under the 2017-18 budget provides $19.5 million for state-land access projects and $4 million for fish and wildlife projects. The program began in 1991.

The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation reminds those venturing out onto the ice that four inches or more of solid ice is considered to be safe for accessing bodies of water on foot. Ice anglers should note that ice thickness can vary on different bodies of water and on the same body of water.

Anglers should be particularly wary of areas of moving water and around boat docks and houses where bubblers may be installed to reduce ice buildup. The presence of snowmobile tracks or footprints on the ice should not be considered evidence of safe ice conditions. Testing the thickness of ice can be done easily with an auger or ice spud at various spots.

While a New York State fishing license is not required to participate, all other statewide fishing regulations remain in effect. Those new to ice fishing are encouraged to download the DEC’s I FISH NY Beginners’ Guide to Freshwater Fishing Ice Fishing Chapter. Additional information, including a list of waters open to ice fishing, may found on the DEC ice fishing web page and the Public Lakes and Ponds map.

Anglers are reminded to take these steps when using baitfish while ice fishing:

— Follow the bait fish Special Regulations by County to prevent the spread of harmful fish diseases and invasive species;

— Use only certified disease-free baitfish purchased at a local tackle store, or use only personally collected baitfish in the same water body in which they were caught;

— Do not reuse baitfish in another body of water if you have replaced the water they were purchased in; and

— Dump unused baitfish and water in an appropriate location on dry land.