The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) I FISH NY Program and Freshwater Fisheries Unit are pleased to announce the Fall Freshwater Fishing & Children’s Festival will be held at Hempstead Lake State Park, on Saturday, October 21, from 10:00AM – 4:00PM.

The fishing license requirement for all anglers over the age of 16 is suspended for this festival and admission and parking are FREE!

Festival activities include fly-fishing instruction, casting practice, loaner rods, free bait, and fish cleaning services. In addition to fishing opportunities, there will be a face painting, a casting for pumpkins contest, live animal show, and much more!

Prior to the festival, South and McDonald Ponds will be stocked with hundreds of brook and rainbow trout. The high concentration of stocked trout should provide a great opportunity to introduce your family to the wonderful sport of freshwater fishing.

For additional information, please call (631) 321-3510 weekdays from 9:00AM – 5:00PM. For more information the day of the Festival or weather concerns, please call DEC’s I FISH NY at (631) 444-0283 or Hempstead Lake State Park (516) 766-1029 for event status.

There is no rain date for this event.

All activities are FREE!