Every year, hundreds of thousands of trout are stocked in local lakes, rivers and streams. It’s a tremendous undertaking, and it’s funded by money raised through the sale of freshwater fishing licenses.

Over the past two weeks, DEC Fisheries staff have been working to collect brook trout, landlocked Atlantic salmon, and lake trout eggs to rear in hatcheries across the region.

In the fall, big fish that spent the winter, spring and summer feeding in deeper water, move close to shore, driven by the urge to feed, migrate or spawn.

Bad fishing can be a tough pill to swallow, especially if it happens on a trip you’ve been looking forward to for about 364 days.

Averaging 2 to 3 pounds each, these young fish are a nice catch.