DEC to Host Annual 'I Fish NY' Fall Fishing Festival Oct. 19 at Hempstead Lake State Park

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) I FISH NY Program and Freshwater Fisheries Unit and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) today announced the annual Fall Family Fishing and Children's Festival at Hempstead Lake State Park will be held Saturday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"The Hempstead Lake fishing festival is a fantastic event for Long Island families," said DEC Regional Director Cathy Haas. "This festival provides a great bonding experience for attendees while enjoying one of Long Island's oldest customs, fishing. I encourage everyone to get outside and enjoy the waterfront this fall."

"The Fall Family Fishing Festival offers families and children of all ages an opportunity to experience the joys of fishing," said State Parks Long Island Regional Director George Gorman. "We hope all fishing festival attendees will also take the time to walk around and enjoy the revitalized Hempstead Lake State Park and all it has to offer."

Festival activities include fishing with free loaner rods and bait, fishing instruction, casting instruction, and fish-cleaning services. In addition to fishing opportunities, the festival features a children's casting for pumpkins contest, DEC and State Parks displays, and additional children's entertainment.

The fishing license requirement for all anglers over the age of 16 is suspended for this festival, and admission and parking are free. The children's casting for pumpkins contest will be held for as long as pumpkins last, during which kids can "catch" a pumpkin and "hook" a prize. Casting contest prizes are provided by I FISH NY and State Parks.

Prior to the festival, State Parks will stock South and McDonald ponds in Hempstead Lake State Park with brook and rainbow trout. DEC stocks brown trout in several other waterbodies in Nassau and Suffolk counties, including Upper Twin Pond, Oyster Bay Mill Pond, Massapequa Reservoir, and 12 additional Suffolk County lakes. These additional stockings will occur by Nov. 1, and provide excellent prospects for fall fishing.

For more information about the festival, call DEC's I FISH NY Program at (631) 444-0283 or Hempstead Lake State Park (516) 766-1029 for event status. There is no rain date for this event. For more information about the fall trout stocking program in Nassau and Suffolk counties, call the DEC Bureau of Fisheries at (631) 444-0280. General information on freshwater fishing on Long Island can be found at DEC's Long Island/NYC Fishing webpage and more information at DEC's Fishing webpage.