DEC Announces Proposed Rulemaking for the Protection of Adirondack Brook Trout Ponds
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced proposed regulations to protect populations of Adirondack brook trout, New York’s state fish. The proposals simplify harvest regulations for Adirondack brook trout ponds and prohibit the use of live baitfish in the Adirondack Park in all but 146 waters.
“DEC is adopting these measures to provide high-quality angling opportunities while also protecting the state’s precious Adirondack brook trout ponds from the harmful effects of unwanted baitfish introductions,” said DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “The changes would make fishing regulations easier to understand, while also ensuring the perpetuation of this important resource for generations to come.”
There are more than 400 managed brook trout ponds in the Adirondack Park. Introduction of baitfish into those ponds represents the primary threat to ponded brook trout populations across the Adirondacks. Baitfish compete with brook trout, resulting in the loss of wild self-sustaining populations. Ponds that are victim to an introduction must be reclaimed with a chemical piscicide and restocked, which is costly and sometimes impossible due to size constraints or other considerations. To date, the State’s baitfish regulations have not adequately protected Adirondack brook trout ponds from either inadvertent or intentional introductions of unwanted baitfish.
Currently, baitfish are allowed in the Adirondack Park except for 1,211 waters where possession is prohibited. The regulatory structure for these prohibitions is a mix of specific waterbody references, as well as references to waters within a land classification (i.e. Saint Regis Canoe Area), which can be confusing and burdensome to anglers.
The proposed rule prohibits the use of live baitfish within the Blue Line of the Park and allows for only a small number of exceptions (146 waters). This approach is straightforward and much easier for anglers to understand. It also clearly communicates the serious threat of baitfish introductions to ponded brook trout populations.
In addition, in this proposal, special harvest regulations that exist on 24 of the approximately 430 brook trout ponds DEC manages are being eliminated. These special harvest regulations have not resulted in a demonstrable benefit compared to the existing statewide regulation of five brook trout per day, any size. Eliminating these unnecessary special regulations will provide the simplicity and consistency needed to promote compliance and provide greater angler enjoyment.
The proposals are commensurate with DEC’s Adirondack Brook Trout Pond Management Plan (PDF), which was finalized in December 2025 after extensive outreach and public comment opportunity.
The full text and a summary of the proposed regulatory changes, along with a list of proposed waters where live baitfish use will be permitted, are available on DEC’s website Fish and Wildlife Regulatory Revisions - NYSDEC.
DEC is interested in anglers’ viewpoints and encourages public feedback on the proposed regulations. Comments will be accepted through December 28, 2026, and should be emailed to [email protected] with the subject line “Adirondack Brook Trout Regulations,” or sent by standard mail to:
NYSDEC
c/o Inland Fisheries Section
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-4753
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