Pay lakes in New York
New York has 9 pay lakes; 6 stock trout; 2 charge by the pound.
Find a pay lake in New York by name or town
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Do you need a fishing license at a pay lake in New York?
Usually not. Anyone the licensee allows to fish a DEC-licensed fishing preserve does not need a NY fishing license; other private waters follow normal license rules.
New York licenses pay lakes through its Fishing Preserve License (ECL § 11-1913), run by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Special Licenses Unit. The license rule depends on the lake holding that state license, so ask the lake if you are unsure.
"The holder of a fishing preserve license, members of his immediate family, and any person to whom the licensee has granted permission to take fish from such licensed fishing preserve waters may, without fishing or netting license, take fish in accordance with section 11-1913"
Source: NY Environmental Conservation Law § 11-0709(4), checked November 2026. Compare every state on our pay lake license rules page.
More pay lake states
Browse catfish pay lakes, trout pay ponds or see what pay lakes cost.