Boat TAG Frequently Asked Questions - DEP

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Boating for Anglers
Angler Boat Tag Frequently Asked Questions

Boating for Anglers

Angler Boat Tag Frequently Asked Questions


Angler Boat Tag FAQs

The DEP Boat Tag for anglers is a sticker that must be displayed on all boats on City water. It has the fishing boat number, reservoir, and owner’s Access Permit number on it and displays an expiration date. Fishing boats without valid tags on them will be removed at the owner’s expense. For boat tag information for non-anglers, please visit Recreational Boating.

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Is there an age limit for Angler Boat Tag applicants?

All valid DEP Access Permit holders aged 16 or older who own a boat are eligible to receive an Angler Boat Tag.

How do I register a new fishing boat?

Anglers who want to register a new boat must first obtain a valid DEP Access Permit and then call to arrange for a steam cleaning and registration appointment. There is no cost for these services but they must be performed at one of the DEP offices before any boat is placed on a reservoir:

Ashokan Reservoir: (845) 657-5073

Schoharie Reservoir: (607) 588-6231

Rondout and Neversink Reservoirs: (845) 334-7152

Cannonsville and Pepacton Reservoirs: (607) 363-7009

East of Hudson Reservoirs: (914) 232-1309

Anglers will be issued a DEP Boat Tag only after completing a steam cleaning and registration. Download the Angler Boat Tag Application.

If you would like to transfer the ownership of a boat to another individual, please follow instructions below.

Can I get an Angler Boat Tag on the website?

No. Angler boat tags are made of special adhesive material and cannot be printed on regular paper.

How do I get a renewal Angler Boat Tag?

Angler Boat Tag Renewal Forms are sent to registered boaters starting in early spring of the expiration year. Boaters are urged to get and apply their renewal angler boat tags to their boats early in the season.

When should I get a renewal boat tag?

Angler Boat Tag Renewal Forms are sent to registered boaters starting in early spring of the expiration year. Boaters are urged to get and apply their renewal boat tags to their boats early in the season.

How long are Angler Boat Tags good for?

Angler boat tags are four-year tags and are valid until the expiration date printed on the face of each tag.

Where is fishing by boat allowed?

Fishing by boat is allowed under permit in DEP inspected and registered vessels on the following City reservoirs and lakes.

Amawalk Reservoir

Ashokan Reservoir

Bog Brook Reservoir

Boyds Corners

Cannonsville Reservoir

Cross River Reservoir

Croton Falls Reservoir

Diverting Reservoir

East Branch/Sodom Reservoir

Kensico Reservoir

Lake Gilead

Lake Gleneida

Middle Branch Reservoir

Muscoot Reservoir

Neversink Reservoir

New Croton Reservoir

Pepacton Reservoir

Rondout Reservoir

Schoharie Reservoir

Titicus Reservoir

West Branch Reservoir

When can I use my boat to fish?

On the Amawalk, Bog Brook, Boyds Corner, Cross River, Croton Falls, Diverting, East Branch, Kensico, Middle Branch, Muscoot, New Croton, Titicus, and West Branch Reservoirs, and on Lake Gilead and Lake Gleneida, fishing boats with valid fishing boat tags may be placed on the water during any ice free period.

On all other New York City reservoirs, fishing boats with valid fishing boat tags may be placed on the water between April 1st and November 30th of each year during any ice free period.

How many fishing boats are allowed at each reservoir?

For reasons of resource protection, public safety and to promote high-quality fishing opportunities, the number of boats permitted in storage areas and reservoirs or lakes is set by DEP and may be limited. Boat storage areas may be moved, closed to new boats, or closed permanently for reasons of security or resource protection.

Do I have to wear a life jacket?

Every fishing boat used on City property must have at least one U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device in good condition for each person on board. Each person on board who is under the age of 12 must wear a securely fastened U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable flotation device of an appropriate size at all times. All boaters must comply with U.S. Coast Guard, New York State, and any other applicable laws and regulations. Fishing boats users must wear U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation devices after sunset.

How can I transfer ownership of my fishing boat that is on a City reservoir to someone else?

Transfers are only permitted in OPEN boat storage areas. No transfers are permitted in CLOSED boat storage areas.

In order to transfer a boat, the current boat owner must completely fill out and sign the Boat Tag Transfer Checklist (EOH reservoirs only) and Boat Tag Surrender Form. These forms must be accompanied by a new angler boat tag application from the transferee (new boat owner). Information on open and closed boat storage areas is available by contacting the Mahopac Boat Office at (914) 232-1309. There are currently no closed boat storage areas on West of Hudson Reservoirs. All forms and instructions are available by downloading the boat ownership transfer request package.

Boat Ownership Transfer Request Package

What do I have to do to remove my fishing boat from City water?

Fishing boat owners may remove their fishing boats from City property at any time. Fishing boat owners must notify the appropriate DEP Boat Office before removing their Fishing Boat from City Property. Upon removal of a fishing boat from City property, its fishing boat tag is immediately rendered invalid and the boat can no longer be stored or used on City property. Fishing boat owners wishing to return a once-registered, removed fishing boat to a City reservoir or controlled lake must make a registration and processing appointment with the appropriate DEP Boat Office.

Ashokan Reservoir: (845) 657-2663

Schoharie Reservoir: (607) 588-6231

Rondout and Neversink Reservoirs: (845) 334-7152

Cannonsville and Pepacton Reservoirs: (607) 363-7009

East of Hudson Reservoirs: (914) 232-1309

Why does DEP require steam cleaning of all fishing boats?

Steam cleaning removes organisms, including zebra mussels, and substances from boats that might otherwise contaminate the water supply.

How can I move my fishing boat from one City reservoir to another?

To move your boat from one reservoir or lake to another, please notify the appropriate DEP office that you are removing your boat, and schedule a processing appointment for the new location. Fishing boats can only be moved to reservoirs with an open boat storage area. All boats that are removed from City water must be re-cleaned and inspected before being returned. This is to prevent contamination of the water supply.

Ashokan Reservoir: (845) 657-2663

Schoharie Reservoir: (607) 588-6231

Rondout and Neversink Reservoirs: (845) 334-7152

Cannonsville and Pepacton Reservoirs: (607) 363-7009

East of Hudson Reservoirs: (914) 232-1309

Why do I have to leave my fishing boat at the reservoir?

Boats registered for use on City reservoirs must be stored at the reservoir due to the threat of water supply contamination. Boats removed, used on other waters, and returned to City reservoirs without re-inspection and steam cleaning are at high risk for introducing detrimental organisms or substances, such as zebra mussel larvae.

Does my fishing boat have to stay in the boat storage area assigned to it upon registration?

From April 1 to September 30, boats may be temporarily stored at any other boat storage area on the same reservoir or lake, provided space is available there for additional boats and the move is approved by DEP. Anglers should contact the DEP office for that reservoir to learn which areas are available. From October 1 to March 31, boats must be stored in the boat storage areas for which they were originally assigned.

Ashokan Reservoir: (845) 657-2663

Schoharie Reservoir: (607) 588-6231

Rondout and Neversink Reservoirs: (845) 334-7152

Cannonsville and Pepacton Reservoirs: (607) 363-7009

East of Hudson Reservoirs: (914) 232-1309

How should I store my fishing boat while it is on City land?

When not in use on the water for Fishing, a fishing boat must be stored in its assigned boat storage area at all times. From December 1st to April 1st, a fishing boat must be stored above the high water mark within its assigned boat storage area. It is recommended that a fishing boat owner store their fishing boat back from the shoreline so as not to obstruct other anglers’ access to the water. DEP, at its sole discretion, may delineate by signage or on maps, shoreline buffer zones, which are within 10 feet of the high water mark of the shoreline. A shoreline buffer zone may be delineated on a new and/or an expanded boat storage area or in an existing boat storage area that is considered to have soil compaction, vegetation loss, or erosion. Fishing boats found within a DEP-delineated shoreline buffer zone are subject to removal by DEP. Where manufactured hitching posts, stanchions or boat racks are supplied and have available space, a fishing boat must be secured to them. A fishing boat must not be stored on or against other stored fishing boats, as this may make some fishing boats inaccessible to their owners. A fishing boat must not be stored leaning against a tree unless there is no space available on a hitching post or other securing mechanism as provided by DEP. Storage against a tree must be in a manner that does not damage the tree or may result in the boat being blown over into a hull-down position. A fishing boat must not be secured to a dead tree or a tree marked with blue paint by DEP.

Will the City prevent my fishing boat from being stolen from the boat area?

Although DEP staff regularly inspect and supervise boat areas, DEP is not responsible for boats left on City land. You may secure your boat to hitching posts or to living trees greater than 11" in diameter.

Can I let my friends use my boat on a City reservoir for fishing?

Yes, as long as they have a valid DEP Access Permit. We recommend that boat owners give those with permission to use their boat a photocopy of the owner’s DEP Access Permit to carry with them, too. For more answers to commonly asked questions about DEP Access Permits, visit DEP Access Permit FAQs.