This inclusive program has expanded over the years, and this year, New York state has scheduled six Free Fishing Days. These days are not just for residents, but also for nonresidents, inviting everyone to step away from their video screens and embrace the outdoors.

The Free Fishing Days for 2025 kick off this weekend and continue on June 28-29, Sept. 27 (National Hunting and Fishing Day), and Nov. 11 (Veterans Day). On these days, the usual fishing license requirement is waived for freshwater fishing on New York’s waters, making it a perfect opportunity for all to enjoy the sport.

The DEC offers a host of resources for those interested to get started in fishing. The “I FISH NY Beginners’ Guide to Freshwater Fishing” is a good online resource that provides information on everything from rigging up a fishing rod to identifying catch and understanding fishing regulations. A video series on the DEC’s YouTube channel complements the Beginners’ Guide. The DEC “Places to Fish” web pages are a reliable source of information when planning your next fishing trip. DEC’s official app, HuntFishNY, features “The Tackle Box,” which provides fishing regulations, boating access sites, and stocking information within a map-based interface, all from the convenience of a smartphone. If you know someone who can take you out ice fishing, this is a good week to do that at no cost but stay away from the Mayville end of Chautauqua Lake this weekend. It’s Ice Castle Weekend for Mayville, and reports are that the 2025 Ice Castle is the biggest and best ever built with the Chautauqua Lake ice. It should be stunning, but it’s a good spot for ice anglers to avoid this weekend.

From the hunting world, the Grand National Turkey Calling Championships have been a staple of the National Wild Turkey Federation Convention and Sport Show for decades. The NWTF recognizes the mark certain individuals have made on turkey hunting and calling, working to preserve our turkey hunting heritage, which in turn benefits the conservation of the wild turkey. This year, NWTF salutes three individuals to be inducted into the 2025 GNCC Hall of Fame class. They are Ernie Calandrelli, Mark Drury and Jim Pollard. The induction ceremony is set for today at Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.

Submitted Photo Local wild turkey calling mentor, Ernie Calandrelli, received the call for induction to the 2025 Grand National Turkey Calling Hall of Fame. The ceremony takes place today at Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.

Ernie Calandrelli is special; he is a turkey-calling superstar from Western New York and has been a teaching stable for thousands of hunters nationwide. It’s great to see him nationally recognized for his decades of volunteerism. Ernie started his outdoor experiences in 1956, exploring Western New York with his father and uncles, helping to form his early basis for teaching and helping others. Early encounters with such notable turkey personalities as Paul Butski, the late Dick Kirby and Ben Rodgers Lee helped to fuel Ernie’s desire to compete and further teach others. Ernie competed 10 times in the Grand Nationals, finishing third in 1987. Ernie also won the U.S. Open Gobbling, Pennsylvania State, Appalachian Mountain Regional, Potato City Open, three New York State Opens, and the World Goose Calling Championship, and has won or placed in more than 100 contests across the United States and Canada. He has also judged the Grand Nationals 15 times — he is a passionate turkey hunting and calling advocate, along with all the major calling contests and many state and open competitions. Ernie was a significant Quaker Boy product design team member throughout his career. For 35 years, he served as the director of public relations at Quaker Boy, during which time he shared his passion for the outdoor lifestyle through seminars, video productions, trade shows, print, and social media. As one of the original life members of the NWTF, Ernie continues to ardently share the NWTF message and mission. Hats off, and congratulations to Ernie.

Gotta love the outdoors.

CALENDAR

Feb. 13-16: Greater Niagara Fishing Expo, 101 Old Falls St., Niagara Falls, visit www.niagarafishingexpo.com.

Feb. 15: Hanover Fish & Game, Sporting Clays open 9:30 a.m., monthly meeting at noon; 780 Overhiser Road, Forestville, 716-480-2202

Feb. 15-16: New York state’s Free Fishing Days, no license required for residents and nonresidents. Visit https://dec.ny.gov.

Feb. 16: WNY 3-D Archery, league shoot, open to the public, this week at Evans Rod and Gun Club, 864 Cain Road, Angola; $15, kids 12 and under are free. Info: 716-863-7342.