New York State encourages all anglers to be safe while fishing during the COVID-19 outbreak, and to maintain social distancing to help stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Here’s some tips from the Department of Environmental Conservation:
- Fish local: Stay close to home, keep your fishing trip short, and avoid high-traffic destinations
- Be safe: Avoid crowds and groups, keep a distance of six feet or more from others; when fishing from a boat, make sure it’s large enough so persons on board are at least six feet from one another
- Stay home: If you’re not feeling well, stay home (anyone 70 and older or with a compromised immune system should postpone their trip)
- Be adaptive: Move quickly through parking lots and paths; if crowded, choose a different fishing location, or time to visit
And follow these sanitary precautions to protect yourself and members of your fishing party:
- Wear a mask or other face covering, when you can’t maintain social distancing
- Avoid close contact, such as shaking hands
- Wash hands often or use a hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available
- Avoid surfaces that are touched often
- If you’re hosting others aboard a boat, be sure to keep clean commonly touched surfaces and shared equipment
Before setting out to fish on Shelter Island, check New York’s recreational fishing regulations for up to date information on licenses, bag limits and more. Also, be sure to follow local parking regulations and dispose of all trash in proper receptacles.
If you’re fishing for bluefish, read our post about new recreational limits.
