Hunting, Fishing
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FISHING
Schuyler County is known for its abundance of natural resources and rural atmosphere. Of its 329 square miles, more than one third is dedicated public land for outdoor recreation. The Finger Lakes Region offers some of the best fishing in New York State!
Fishing Licenses - For NYS fishing license information, click here for the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation or call (585) 226-2466.
Fishing Guide Services - Local guide service is available for your fishing adventure on our streams, lakes and ponds for Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout or Brook Trout. Chartered fishing tours are fun for all ages!
Seneca Lake - Click here for boat launch sites on Seneca Lake. Click here for a Seneca Lake contour map.
Catharine Creek - The number of fish species in Catharine Creek is listed at 29. April 1st is opening day of NYS Trout Season, and Catharine Creek is abundant with trout.
Queen Catharine Marsh - The Marsh is managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Waneta & Lamoka Lakes - The area is easily accessed from County Road 23, approximately twelve miles west of Watkins Glen. Species Guide - Waneta: Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, muskellunge, pan fish, carp. Species Guide - Lamoka: Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, pickerel, muskellunge, pan fish, carp.
Click here for boat launch sites on Waneta & Lamoka Lakes, Click here for a Waneta Lake contour map, click here for a Lamoka Lake contour map.
Cayuta Lake - Click here for boat launch sites on Cayuta Lake or click here for a Cayuta Lake contour map.
Cayuta Creek - Each year the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) stocks over 12,000 brown trout including a large number of two-year-old fish in Cayuta Creek.
Finger Lakes National Forest - The opening of fishing season in the spring, as well as summer days, are popular for fishing in the forest's ponds and streams. Ballard, Foster, and Potomac Ponds are stocked annually with rainbow and brook trout in cooperation with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.
Arnot Forest - www.dnr.cornell.edu/arnot
Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area - Connecticut Hill is open to the public all year around and offers a wide variety of outdoor pursuits including fishing.
For more on fishing in the Finger Lakes Region, go to http://www.ilovenyfishing.com/New_York_State_Links.asp
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HUNTING
Hunting is among the most popular forms of wildlife recreation in New York State. Nearly 700,000 New Yorkers and over 50,000 non-residents hunt in the Empire State. New York offers many exciting opportunities to hunt a large variety of wildlife, including big game, small game, game birds and furbearers. Schuyler County is abundant with deer and other game to the delight of hunters. Wild game includes white tail deer, ruffed grouse, rabbit & wild turkey - to name a few. Hunters can enjoy a stay at a local game preserve and take part in a guided hunt, or make use of our many acres of public land.
Hunting Licenses
In Schuyler County (NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Region 8) many state lands are open for hunting and trapping during the appropriate seasons. A license is required to hunt. Contact the NYS DEC Regional Office at (585) 226-2466, or click here for hunting seasons and licensing information. Wildlife staff can provide information about wildlife management areas (WMAs) and Cooperative Hunting Areas. Forestry staff and NYS Forest Rangers can provide details on state forest lands and the forest preserve. In some instances, written permission or permits are required to use state areas. These are available from NYS DEC Regional Offices during normal business hours.
Hunting Guide Services - If a guided hunt is more your taste, a local game preserve may be just right for your expedition or if you enjoy bow hunting, a seasoned guide is just the way to explore the beautiful public and private lands of Schuyler County during the fall foliage season.
The Finger Lakes National Forest - New York State's only national forest offers small and big game hunting. No special hunting permits are required.
The Arnot Teaching and Research Forest - Located in Schuyler County, the forest is open to the public and the following activities are permitted during hours of operation: Small game and deer hunting on an annual fee basis. Camping is not permitted. For more information: www.dnr.cornell.edu/arnot
Queen Catharine Marsh - Hunting opportunities exist for such popular species as ducks, raccoon, rabbits, pheasant and deer, while trappers may pursue the numerous muskrats as well as other fur-bearers. The Marsh is managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
The Waneta-Lamoka Wildlife Management Area - Located in the Town of Tyrone in Schuyler County and as its name implies, this tract of land lies between Waneta and Lamoka Lakes, two of New York's smaller Finger Lakes. This area is administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Division of Fish and Wildlife to provide habitat for native and migratory wildlife and to provide for compatible 
public recreational uses of these natural resources.
The Sugar Hill, Cinnamon Lake, Goundry Hill, and Coon Hollow State Forests - Covering almost 12,000 acres west of Watkins Glen in Schuyler County there are different hunting opportunities available based on the varying habitats. Possibilities include waterfowl, big game and small game. The Sugar Hill State Reforestation Area operates under the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. For more information contact the Forest Ranger at (607) 292-6822.
Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area - Open to the public all year around, this management area offers a wide variety of outdoor pursuits including hunting and trapping. Connecticut Hill is the largest Wildlife Management Area in New York State, totaling 11,045 acres.