Licenses, Certificates & Registrations
- New York State Fishing License: Required for those 16 years and older, in most cases.
- Freshwater Fishing Regulations: Definitions and regulations for methods of taking and possession of fish, harvested fish, purchase and sale of fish, and natural bait.
- Freshwater Fishing Seasons, Sizes and Limits: Statewide regulations. Be sure to also check the links to Region 7 for the Susquehanna River and Region 8 for the Chemung River.
- New York State Boating Safety Certificate: All operators of motorized vessels are required to have a safety certificate.
- New York State Boat Registration: Required for any boat or personal watercraft with a motor.
Safety & Learning
- Coast Guard Public Education Classes
- United States Coast Guard Paddler Safety
- United States Coast Guard Boating Safety
- New York Safe Boating Course
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Paddling Safety
- American Canoe Association (ACA) Smart Start Paddling Online Course
- Susquehanna Greenway Paddling Safety
- BoaterExam.Com – Free certification
Outfitters & Rentals
- Binghamton Canoe and Kayak Tours: Binghamton, NY
- Canoe & Kayak Rental and Sales: Goodyear Lake, Glimmerglass State Park & Brookwood Point
- Chemung River Friends River Kayak Rentals Program: Elmira, NY
- Enchanted Gardens Canoe & Kayak Rental: Harpursville, NY
- Endless Mountain Outfitters: Sugar Run, PA
- Keuka Watersports: Hammondsport, NY
- Lighthouse Landing: Marathon, NY
- Paddle-N-More: Ithaca, NY
- Park Station: Erin, NY
- Ranger Outfitters: Corning, NY
- Summit to Stream Adventures: Watkins Glen, NY
- Seneca Lake Kayak: Watkins Glen, NY
- Take Adventures Everyday: Chenango Forks, NY
Fishing & Bait Supply
- Canoe & Kayak Rental and Sales: Goodyear Lake, Glimmerglass State Park & Brookwood Point
- Swarthouts Bait Shop of Elmira: Elmira, NY
- The Bait Shop: Horseheads, NY
- Hesselson's of Elmira Heights
Local Sites & Guides
- Otsego Outdoors: Online resource for outdoor activities in Otsego County
- Friends of the Chemung River Watershed: Excellent source for river trail maps, guides and education
- Finger Lakes Land Trust: Information about invasive species and water quality
- Chemung Valley Audubon Society: Leads guided birding trips through the Chemung River watershed
- Parks & Trails New York: Statewide advocate for parks and trails in New York
Organizations & Clubs
Fishing
Paddling & Boating
- AHWAGA Canoe & Kayak Club
- American Canoe Association (ACA)
- Endless Mountains Heritage Region, Pennsylvania
Administers the 444 Club and manages the Upper Susquehanna River North Branch Water Trail, as well as promotes outdoor recreation development and historic preservation in Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties. - Hiawatha Island Boat Club
- Susquehanna Greenway Partnership
Cycling & Hiking
- Woodland Cycles: Milford, NY
- Corning Bike Works: Corning, NY
- Kingsbury Cyclery of Elmira: Elmira, NY
- Ranger Outfitters: Corning, NY
Additional Trails
- Susquehanna River Water Trail: A 500-mile network on connected waterways in Pennsylvania.
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Water Trail: The 3,000 mile route followed by Captain Smith in 1608
- Tanglewood Nature Center & Museum: Elmira nature museum with many hiking trails
- Go Finger Lakes: Includes hikes, bikes, paddles, and outdoor adventures across the western part of the NYSBWT
- Finger Lakes Trails System: Guide to more than 1,000 miles of hiking trails
- Spencer Crest Nature Center: Located in Corning, its 250 acres include a museum, two ponds, a stream, and seven miles of trails.
- Catharine Valley Trail: Following abandoned railroad and canal towpath corridors, about six miles of year-round trails near Watkins Glen, NY.
- Lackawanna River Heritage Trail: Located in Northern Pennsylvania, 70 miles of trails through the Lackawanna region, with areas designated for those using mobility devices.
- AllTrails: National site, searchable by town or area, with links to nearby recreational trails
WANT MORE INFORMATION?
Visit New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Freshwater Fishing page for everything you need to know about fishing in New York State. You'll also find much more information about recreation, fishing, and water quality along the Susquehanna and Chemung Rivers, since NYS DEC owns and maintains many of the fishing access sites and boat launches along the two rivers.