Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the 2026 dates for Free Fishing Days in New York. The requirement for a freshwater fishing license is waived during the following six days in 2026: February 14–15, June 27–28, September 26 (National Hunting and Fishing Day), and November 11 (Veterans Day).  

“Free Fishing Days provide the perfect opportunity for residents and visitors to affordably explore, unplug, and get outside,” Governor Hochul said. “New York State’s waters offer some of the best fishing opportunities in the nation, hosting memorable fishing experiences that increase tourism and benefit the economy. In addition to the many health benefits associated with recreating outdoors, fishing can provide more opportunities to connect with family and friends, something that seems harder and harder to do with increasing demands on time in today’s world.” 

DEC’s Free Fishing Days program began in 1991 to give New Yorkers who might not fish a chance to try the rewarding sport of freshwater fishing at no cost, introduce people to a new hobby, and encourage people to support conservation by purchasing a New York State Fishing License. 

“A wide variety of sport fish are thriving in thousands of freshwater lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers across New York State,” Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, Recreational fishing can be an exciting, affordable, and rewarding challenge that reminds us to slow down and take time to enjoy our valuable natural resources. Whether you’re new to the sport or a seasoned angler, I encourage everyone to get outside and visit New York’s waters during this year’s Free Fishing Days.”  

DEC offers a host of resources for those interested in getting started in fishing. The I FISH NY Beginners’ Guide to Freshwater Fishing (PDF) provides information on everything from rigging up a fishing rod, to identifying your catch and understanding fishing regulations. There’s also a video series on DEC’s YouTube channel that complements the Beginners’ Guide. DEC’s Places to Fish webpages are a reliable source of information when planning your next fishing trip. DEC’s official mobile app, HuntFishNY, now features “The Tackle Box,” which provides anglers with one-stop shopping for fishing regulations, boating access, and stocking information within a map-based interface from the convenience of your smart phone. 

Free Fishing Days further support Governor Hochul’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative that promotes physical and mental health by encouraging New York’s children and families to put down their phones and computers, take a break from social media, and enjoy recreation and outdoor social gatherings. One of the ways teens and youth can find ideas to get offline is through DEC’s Get Offline, Get Outside Challenge, which offers 50 fun and interesting activities for youth to complete by the age of 19.  

In addition to Free Fishing Days, there are also “learn to fish” opportunities available through DEC-approved free fishing clinics. For a list of what’s currently scheduled visit DEC’s website.  

To help make fishing more affordable and help inspire the next generation of anglers, DEC has also partnered with libraries across the state to provide a Fishing Rod Lending Program. While borrowing a book, library patrons can sign out a fishing rod. This program offers an opportunity for people to try fishing before deciding to purchase their own gear. For more information and a list of the more than 80 participating libraries, visit DEC’s website. 

Free Fishing Day participants are reminded that although the requirement for a freshwater fishing license is waived during free fishing days, all other fishing regulations remain in effect. Outside of free fishing days, anglers over the age of 16 must have a valid fishing license. For more information on purchasing a license visit DEC’s website. 

The New York State Department of Health (DOH) provides advice to anglers about what fish are safe to eat and how often. Visit DOH’s website to search by waterbody location. 

The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce is promoting community volunteerism with its annual Pitch-In initiative. 

The program, built on the belief that giving back through volunteering can lead to larger impact, is aimed at connecting residents with local non-profit organizations.

“Through our Pitch-In initiative, the Chamber is igniting a movement to make Saratoga County a brighter, stronger, and more connected place to live through volunteerism,” said Todd Shimkus, president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. “Volunteering is a powerful way to strengthen our community—and Pitch-In makes it easy for residents to jump in and get involved. By sharing their time and talents, volunteers can spark meaningful change while discovering the personal rewards that come with giving back.”

The benefits of volunteering extend far beyond the good it does for others. It’s also a chance to connect, grow, and make a meaningful impact within one’s community.

Whether it’s mentoring a child, supporting a food pantry, or joining an environmental cleanup, volunteers experience the fulfillment of knowing their actions matter.

Volunteers can often build relationships with like-minded neighbors and become part of a growing network working toward positive change.

Additionally, many volunteer roles offer hands-on opportunities to develop talents and experiences that can carry into career and personal goals.

With dozens of local causes to choose from, Pitch-In ensures that residents can find a volunteer experience that aligns with their interests, values, and busy schedules.

“Volunteering creates bonds that strengthen the fabric of Saratoga County,” Shimkus said. “Together, we can tackle community challenges, uplift those in need, and build a future we can all share with pride.”

Anyone interested in volunteering can explore opportunities and learn more about Pitch-In at saratoga.org/pitch-in.

Through the small but powerful act of giving back, Saratoga County residents are encouraged to come together to create positive change.

The Saratoga County Board of Elections (BOE) will be open Saturday, Feb. 14, for voter registration and party enrollment changes. 

Voters may visit the County BOE at 50 W. High St., Ballston Spa, from 9AM to 5PM on February 14th to either change their party enrollment or to enroll for the first time in a party. 

Party affiliation allows a voter to participate in primary elections. An application to change one’s party enrollment for the primary election in any year must be received by the Board of Elections no later than Feb. 14 of that year. 

Residents may also visit the Saratoga County Board of Elections during regular business, Monday through Friday, 9AM to 5PM to register to vote or change enrollment prior to the deadline.

For more information, please contact the Saratoga County Board of Elections at 518-885-2249

or boe@saratogacountyny.gov.

A Broadalbin man has been arrested after he allegedly crashed into another vehicle while driving under the influence, causing two people to need hospitalization. 

The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office said the crash occurred on Jan. 31 at 12:39 p.m. in the Town of Galway. The driver, Timothy P. Magagnos was arrested on charges of DWI and failure to yield. 

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Magagnos was traveling south on Greens Corner Road when he failed to stop at a stop sign, striking another vehicle which was traveling East on Route 29. The crash injured four people in the other vehicle, causing two to be transported to Saratoga Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

Magagnos was not injured in the collision and allegedly refused a chemical test at the scene. He was arraigned in Galway Town Court and released on his own recognizance pending further proceedings. 

A Corinth man has been arrested after he allegedly assaulted the driver of a vehicle he was riding in. 

Daniel Tubbs, of Corinth, was arrested by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office on Jan. 31 in the Town of Corinth. According to Deputies, Tubbs repeatedly punched the victim in the face and abandoned them on the side of the road. 

The victim, who was not identified by the Sheriff’s Office, subsequently went to nearby residence and informed the homeowner of the assault. The victim was initially transported by EMS to Saratoga Hospital for treatment but later transferred to Albany Medical Center for head and facial injuries. 

Tubbs was charged with second degree assault and 2nd degree assault and 2nd degree reckless endangerment. He was arraigned in the Corinth Town Court and is currently being held in the Saratoga County Jail awaiting further proceedings. 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today issued an update on the Hudson River’s Atlantic striped bass Juvenile Abundance Index (JAI) survey and ongoing collaborations on management of this important fishery. 

DEC’s JAI determined poor reproductive success in the river for the third consecutive year. In light of the ongoing poor juvenile reproduction and concerns about poor reproduction coastwide, DEC made the motion that initiated the formation of a working group at the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) to discuss upcoming striped bass management challenges. That motion received strong support to begin discussions of how to manage this important fishery in the 2030s when the coastal population is expected to be much smaller. 

“For the third straight year, DEC’s annual juvenile striped bass survey in the Hudson River documented poor striped bass reproduction, heightening concerns about future abundance and long-term management implications for this critical resource,” Commissioner Lefton said. “The most recent findings confirm that it is more important than ever that DEC continue to engage with the interstate management process, as well as with the coastal community of stakeholders, to take a leadership role in responsibly managing the striped bass population over the next decade.” 

DEC surveys striped bass juveniles and adults at their spawning grounds in the Hudson River and in the Atlantic Ocean. The 2025 value for the DEC’s Hudson River striped bass young-of-year index was 8.27 fish per haul. This value is below the long-term average, and for the third consecutive year, survey values were below the 25th percentile. The index value, which provides an estimate of annual reproduction for striped bass in the Hudson River, is generated through beach seine surveys at 13 sites in the lower Hudson River conducted bi-weekly from July to November. The survey can be found on DEC’s Striped Bass webpage.

This recent poor juvenile reproduction in the Hudson River, along with consistent poor reproduction in the Chesapeake Bay over the last seven years, indicates that there will be a significant future decrease in catchable striped bass beginning in 2030. The Hudson and Chesapeake combined contribute approximately 90 percent of the coastal population of striped bass. Reproduction of migratory fish in estuaries along the Atlantic Coast is typically highly variable and is heavily dependent on environmental conditions such as precipitation, water temperature and salinity, but it remains unclear what is driving this pattern in striped bass.   

The next striped bass stock assessment will take place in 2027 and the results of that assessment will inform ASMFC striped bass management decisions starting in 2028. Recognizing the concerning poor juvenile reproduction in recent years, DEC proactively proposed that ASMFC create and convene a working group to meet between now and the upcoming assessment to be fully prepared to make management decisions upon receipt of those results. 

The new working group will consider how to update the Striped Bass Interstate Fishery Management Plan’s goals, objectives, and management of striped bass in preparation for the results of the 2027 assessment.

 The goal of the working group is to prepare fishery managers to adapt successfully to the lower population level in the 2030s while maintaining access to striped bass and its important societal, cultural, and economic benefits. The initial step of forming the working group will occur on February 5, 2026, at the ASMFC Winter Meeting in Arlington, Virginia.  

Saratoga County District Attorney Brett Eby today announced the creation of a new Appeals Bureau within the District Attorney’s Office, a strategic move that will significantly reduce costs to taxpayers while strengthening the office’s ability to protect convictions and deliver justice for crime victims. 

By handling appeals in-house rather than relying on outside counsel, the new Appeals Bureau is expected to save Saratoga County taxpayers six figures annually. In addition to the financial benefits, the bureau will ensure that appeals are handled by experienced prosecutors who work closely with trial attorneys from the earliest stages of a case through final resolution.

“This new Appeals Bureau is both fiscally responsible and justice-driven,” District Attorney Eby said. “By keeping appeals work within our office, we are saving taxpayers a substantial amount of money while ensuring continuity, accountability, and the highest level of advocacy for the people of Saratoga County.” The Appeals Bureau will be led by Jesse Ashdown, a veteran prosecutor with more than 20 years of experience in the Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office. Ashdown previously served as a Principal Court Attorney at the New York State Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court.

Under the new structure, seasoned appellate prosecutors will collaborate directly with trial attorneys to defend hard-fought convictions on appeal, strengthening the office’s overall prosecution strategy and ensuring that victims receive lasting justice.

“Our victims deserve more than just a conviction, they deserve to know that the result will be defended at every level,” Eby said. “Having experienced appellate attorneys working hand-in-hand with our trial team gives us a significant advantage in protecting those outcomes.”

District Attorney Eby said Ashdown’s background made him the clear choice to lead the new bureau. 

“Jesse Ashdown’s experience as a prosecutor, his strong leadership within this office, and his time working at the Court of Appeals make him the natural fit to lead our Appeals Bureau,” Eby said. “He understands how cases are built, how they are reviewed, and how to successfully defend them at the highest levels of the judicial system.”

“I’m honored to take on this role,” said Chief Ashdown. “This unit will strengthen our ability to defend convictions and ensure that the work done on behalf of victims and the community is preserved on appeal. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve in this new capacity.”