FORT DRUM, N.Y. - Although trout season officially began in New York state April 1, the chances of catching a trout on Fort Drum increased greatly thanks to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. In coordination with Fort Drum's Fish and Wildlife Management Program, state DEC employees stocked about 2,420 brown trout and 1,470 brook trout on the installation April 22.
Brown trout were stocked at six angling sites along Black Creek in the training area. The West Branch of Black Creek was stocked with 490 brook trout in two places - where the creek intersects Lake School Road (at Angling Site 18) and where the creek goes under Route 3A.
Finally, 980 brook trout were stocked in Remington Pond. Anglers are reminded that a catch-and-release policy exists on Remington Pond.
All of the stocked trout were yearling fish 8-9 inches in length. This is less than the maximum length they are expected to achieve as mature adults. The purpose of the stocking program is to enhance local fishing opportunities for recreationists on Fort Drum.
The next stocking event will take place in June when rainbow trout are scheduled to be released in Quarry Pond.
Fishing on post
A Fort Drum recreation permit is required to fish on post. A permit may be purchased at the Natural Resources Permit Office from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Recreation permits are also available through the mail. Persons 15 or younger do not need a New York license or Fort Drum recreation permit to fish in the cantonment area.
Visit Fort Drum's Fish and Wildlife Management web site at http://www.drum.army.mil/garrison/pw/FishAndWild.html for fish stocking maps, angling brochures and permit application instructions and forms to download.
For those who need equipment, fishing gear is available for rent at Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation's Parks and Recreation, Bldg. P-11115, Iraqi Freedom Drive.
Free fishing opportunity
A Free Fishing Day and a youth fishing derby at Remington Park are scheduled for May 22. A New York state fishing license is not required to fish that day on Fort Drum. A Fort Drum recreation permit and access pass will be required to check-into the training area; however, the permit will be free. Anyone who holds a Fort Drum recreation permit for other activities (e.g., hunting) also can fish on the Free Fishing Day using their current permit.
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