Families enjoy DEC-hosted fishing clinic at Hempstead Lake State Park

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Families from around Long Island visited Hempstead Lake State Park last Saturday for a free fishing clinic arranged by the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s “I Fish NY” program.

The primary goal of the program is to increase fishing participation and awareness of the fishing opportunities in New York. The educational side of the program introduces people to the sport of angling through a variety of different approaches.

Attendees learned about fish identification, local aquatic ecology, fishing regulations and casting safety and techniques. The instruction, rods and baits were provided free by the DEC. No fishing license or enrollment in the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry was required to participate.

Another free fishing opportunity at Hempstead Lake State Park will take place on Oct. 20 at the DEC’s Fall Family Fishing Festival. For a complete calendar of similar events around Long Island, visit www.dec.ny.gov.