Croton River & Poachers

[Brooklynite]

So fished the EBR and CFO this week. CFO was lovely, but got crowded later. Nice brown on a #14 bh caddis nymph.

Went to EBR below the dam below diverting reservoir--water was turbid and high (due to the rain?) and the place was filthy with anglers trash (we're lucky on the reservoirs guys). Didn't stay long. Went up the EBR to Brady's Bend and got a nice brown in an eddy, then a lovely gold-tinged 'bow in the hole above bathtub on a #18 bh prince nymph.

I noticed an empty worm container btw phoebe's hole and brady's bend earlier in the day. As you know, its a Special Trout Area. About 8pm I saw two guys sneaking around in the woods heading toward Phoebe Hole with bait and rods with bobbers. I was STEAMING. Called the DEP Police and left a vmail/message. They haven't called back yet...

[KenH]

Is that area actually patrolled by the DEP? I suppose it would be if it's part of
the NYC watershed. I think that if you saw some guys spilling fuel oil ino the water
the DEP police would be there in 10 minutes, but for a fishing regulation infraction
I suspect that calling the DEC would be more effective. Just a thought.

[Nick]

was it 2 Hispanic guys? if so, i saw them at wbc with worms.

[Brooklynite]

Nick, same guys. Ken, thanks, I'll call DEC instead.

[yonkers26]

Is that area actually patrolled by the DEP? I suppose it would be if it's part of
the NYC watershed. I think that if you saw some guys spilling fuel oil ino the water
the DEP police would be there in 10 minutes, but for a fishing regulation infraction
I suspect that calling the DEC would be more effective. Just a thought.

DEC would def be the better bet for that type of violation.

[Tom]

Why not report it anomyously as an oil spll?  You sometimes have to work the system to your favor. 

[Bob]

Tom -

Brillant.

Brooklynite -

Can you post the phone # for DEP? 

Thanks.

Bob

[Tom]

Bob,
These are numbers I have collected over the years and have had only rare occasions to call the DEP Police and the Mahopac office.
DEP Police:         888-426-7433
DEP Office:         800-575-5263
DEP Boats:          845-628-5813
DEP Mahopac:     914-232-1309
DEP Polluters:     914-245-6694
All of these numbers are in my cell phone.
Tom

[JosephA]

Fines should be more expensive so that it will serve as deterrence for these poachers. They're disgusting.

[Brooklynite]

According to the DEC NY website: "Many people mistakenly contact DEC to report hunting or fishing activity that is not in violation of any regulation." (like me)

So here is the DEC # and info as well:

• TIPP DEC is a 24-hour telephone hotline that is also referred to as Turn in Poachers and Polluters. It is answered by live dispatchers. The TIPP phone number is 1-800-TIPP DEC (1-800-847-7332). Callers may request to file a complaint anonymously.
• Citizens can also report a violation online.
• Contact the ECO responsible for your area. ECOs work out of their homes and patrol in and around the county they live in. Links to the regional ECO rosters are listed in the right hand column of this page. When ECOs are on patrol you may contact them through the Division of Law Enforcement dispatch at 1-877-457-5680.

ECOs stands for: Environmental Conservation Police Officers (I learn something new everyday).

[Ant73]

Here is the Phone number for the NYC DEP POLICE 914-593-7500 they are the Primary Police department that you should contact.  The 6th Precinct is located in Valhalla near the county jail and covers all of the watershed Property that is located West of the Hudson River.  That includes all of the reservoirs and streams that connect them , including the hunting properties as well. 

[reelRepair]

I think the DEP Police may have more important things to do then bust a couple of kids fishing with worms and bobbers, don't you guys think your blowing this way out of proportion?

[lionpshark]

"As you know, its a Special Trout Area. About 8pm I saw two guys sneaking around in the woods heading toward Phoebe Hole with bait and rods with bobbers. I was STEAMING. Called the DEP Police and left a vmail/message." By Brooklynite

I have never fished EBR so i have no clue what you mean by "Special Trout Area" so can you elaborate?
I just don't know if they are not allowed to fish there or not allowed to use worms?
If its against the rules then its against the rules. I am just trying to figure out what is going on thats all 

[Biz-R-OWorld]

I dont know the EBR, but I do know that near Croton Falls there is a "special trout area" and what it means there is basically 2 things:

1. You can only use artificial lures.
2. The area is only catch and release.

This spot is popular with fly-fisherman, but I guess you can legally fish there with spinning gear as long as your throwing lures.

[Ant73]

In regards to the EBR "special trout area" means you are allowed to keep one trout a day over 14" and it is designated as an artificial lure only stream.  The "special trout area" begins below the Sodom Dam and ends right before it runs into the Diverting Res, below that the stream rules change and you can use bait.  There are signs posted all over the stream.