The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (state Parks), and the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) I FISH NY Program and Freshwater Fisheries Unit are excited to announce the annual Spring Family Freshwater Fishing festival at Belmont Lake State Park will be held Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Festival activities include fishing with free loaner rods and bait, fishing and casting instruction, and fish-cleaning services. In addition to fishing opportunities, the festival features a children's “Spring Fling” casting contest, DEC and State Parks display, and children’s games and activities.
This event will be held rain or shine. The Spring Fishing Festival is designated as a Free Fishing Event, so the freshwater fishing license requirement for anglers ages 16 and older is suspended during the event. Children participating in the casting contest also have a chance to win prizes provided by DEC's I FISH NY Program.
**A vehicle use fee of $8 will be in effect. Parking is free for Empire Pass holders. The 2026 Empire Pass can be purchased at State Park offices or online.
In addition to DEC and State Parks, additional sponsors for the fishing festival include the Natural Heritage Trust, The Fisherman Magazine, Renewal by Andersen, New York Life, Seaford Knights of Columbus, Art Flick Chapter Trout Unlimited, LI Flyrodders, North Brookhaven Sport Fisherman Club, 106.1 WBLI, 102.3 WBAB, and Sunrun.
For more information, call I FISH NY at (631) 444-0283 or Belmont Lake State Park at (631) 667-5055, or visit DEC's Learn to Fish webpage. For information about freshwater fishing on Long Island or the spring trout stocking program in Nassau and Suffolk counties, call the DEC Bureau of Fisheries at (631) 444-0280, or e-mail the regional fisheries office fwfish@dec.ny.gov.