A series of free ice fishing clinics are scheduled across New York State to educate people about the unique sport and how to safely enjoy time on the ice.

The clinics, conducted by DEC, are part of Governor Cuomo's I FISH NY program, which aims to increase participation and awareness of the outstanding fishing opportunities in New York.

Canadarago Lake - Otsego County - January 30

The Otsego County Federation of Sportsmen and the New York Farm Bureau are co-sponsoring a free ice fishing clinic from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 30 at Canadarago Lake in Otsego County. Yellow perch and chain pickerel are the main target species for ice anglers in Canadarago Lake, while sunfish, black crappie, rock bass, black bass and walleye are also present.
The event will be held at the public boat launch about three miles south of Richfield Springs on the west side of the lake off Route 28. A warming area and refreshments will be available. DEC will supply most of the bait and tackle, but experienced anglers are encouraged to bring their own fishing gear. There will be a short lesson on the basics of ice fishing and filleting your catch, and DEC staff and volunteers will be on hand throughout the day to assist participants on the ice.

Cazenovia Lake - Madison County - February 6

This free fishing clinic is scheduled for February 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Cazenovia Lake in Madison County. The event will be held at the Route 20 Department of Transportation (DOT) rest area parking lot on the south end of Cazenovia Lake.
DEC will supply bait, tackle and the drilling of holes. There will be a short lesson on the basics of ice fishing, and DEC staff will be on hand throughout the event to assist participants on the ice. Cazenovia Lake has bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, black crappie, yellow perch and chain pickerel.

Otsego Lake - Otsego County - February 17

DEC and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) will co-host a free ice fishing clinic from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17, at Glimmerglass State Park in the town of Springfield, Otsego County.
DEC will supply most of the bait and tackle, but experienced anglers are encouraged to bring their own fishing gear. After a short lesson on the basics of ice fishing and filleting your catch, DEC, and Parks staff will be on hand throughout the day to assist participants on the ice. A warming area and refreshments will be available. Anglers can expect to catch yellow perch and chain pickerel. Sunfish, black crappie, rock bass, black bass, walleye and lake trout are also present in Otsego Lake.
The event will be moved to the public boat launch at Canadarago Lake just south of Richfield Springs on NYS Route 28 if there is not sufficient ice on Otsego Lake.

Casterline Pond - Cortland County - February 18

DEC will host a free ice fishing clinic on Wednesday, February 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Casterline Pond fishing access parking area on Route 11, just north of Homer in Cortland County. DEC will supply bait, tackle and the drilling of holes. There will be a short lesson on the basics of ice fishing, and DEC staff will be on hand throughout the event to assist participants on the ice. Casterline Pond has brown and rainbow trout, along with bluegill and pumpkinseed sunfish.

[Information from dec.ny.gov]