DEC Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton announced the opening of fishing walleye, northern pike, pickerel, and tiger muskellunge on May 1. These coolwater fish species provide quality fishing opportunities for anglers at all skill levels in the state's many water bodies.

Walleye are present in over 140 water bodies and each major watershed in New York. They provide excellent fishing opportunities, especially in early to mid-spring. Walleye can be found in relatively shallow water near their spawning locations. Anglers can use spinning or baitcasting reels with medium weight rods and monofilament or fluorocarbon line. Artificial lures, live baits, or a combination of both (jigs, crankbaits, stickbaits, live bait harnesses) are all effective bait choices.

Northern pike are another coolwater species that is prime for fishing in the spring. They move into shallow tributaries, bays, and wetlands to spawn just after ice-out. They often remain in these areas to feed aggressively before moving to deeper water for the summer. Medium heavy rods with spinning or baitcasting reels and monofilament or braided line with a steel or heavy fluorocarbon leader are effective for pike fishing. Anglers can cast swimbaits, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and spoons along structures in the spring.

Tiger muskellunge are a cross between a northern pike and muskellunge. They can grow to be quite large and are stocked by the DEC in several water bodies, including the Susquehanna and Chenango rivers, to provide anglers with the opportunity to enjoy targeting big, hard-fighting fish.

DEC offers anglers with waterbody-specific information on fishing regulations and fishing/boating access sites on their app, called HuntFishNY.