ADKHunter.com

Spring Turkey Season Outlook

The regular spring turkey season opens May 1. Hunters must have a turkey hunting permit in addition to their hunting license. The season bag limit is two bearded turkeys, and hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to noon each day.

Favorable weather conditions during the summer of 2024 led to increased turkey poult production. Accordingly, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation expects an increased availability of toms during the spring 2026 season. Remember to explore the interactive New York turkey dashboards to learn more about turkey harvest and productivity trends across the state. For more information or to explore the data, visit DEC’s website.

Safety

Here are some safety tips for hunters and non-hunters sharing the woods during the month of May.    

• Hunters and non-hunters should not wear red, white, or blue clothing, hats, or packs, to avoid being mistaken for a turkey.
• Hikers, bird watchers, and other non-hunters should wear fluorescent orange.
• Hunters should wear fluorescent orange while moving to and from their hunting area and should put fluorescent orange on a nearby tree when sitting still waiting for a turkey.  
• Never stalk turkey sounds. It could be another hunter.  
• Be sure of your target, what is in front of it, and what is beyond it.   
• Do not shoot at movement or sound. If you see another vehicle or suspect another hunter is working the area, move to another area to avoid interaction with other hunters.
• Always assume any call or sounds you hear are from another hunter.Don’t shoot until you clearly see the whole turkey and can identify the sex of the bird.  
• If you see another hunter, remain still and speak up clearly. Never wave or use a turkey call to alert another hunter.
• When calling, sit still with your back against a big tree or rock, to hide you from turkeys and other hunters.
• If you take a turkey or carry a decoy, wrap it in fluorescent orange or put in in an orange bag.   

Turkey Hunter Grouse Drumming Surveys

Throughout the spring turkey season hunters can record the number of ruffed grouse they hear drumming while afield. These data help DEC track the distribution and abundance of this charismatic game bird. Results from previous years can be found on the New York State Ruffed Grouse Dashboard. To get a survey form, go to DEC’s website or call (518) 402-8883. To learn more about this opportunity and others, visit the “Citizen Science” page of DEC’s website.

The season opener for walleye, northern pike, tiger muskellunge, and pickerel will begin on May 1, 2026.

“We are so fortunate to live in a state where there are fishing opportunities all around us,” Director of DEC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife Jacqueline Lendrum said. “For anglers interested in taking their proficiency to the next level, fishing for walleye, pike, and pickerel can offer a fun challenge.”

Walleye have a well-deserved reputation as one of New York’s most prized and tastiest gamefish. They are often considered one of the more challenging fish to catch but understanding when and where to find them and how they behave can go a long way towards putting fish in the boat. Walleye are found in more than 140 waters throughout the state, so anglers don’t have to go far to pursue this popular sportfish.

Excellent walleye fishing is available from Fort Pond on the eastern end of Long Island, to Chautauqua Lake and Lake Erie in western New York. Other reliable fishing locations for walleye are available on DEC’s website. Fishing for walleye can be particularly good in May. As aggressive post-spawn feeders, walleye are often found in relatively shallow water near spawning locations this time of year.

The typical gear used for walleye fishing includes spinning or baitcasting reels, medium weight rods, and monofilament or fluorocarbon line. Reliable baits can include artificial lures, live baits, or both. Jigs, crankbaits, stickbaits, and live bait harnesses can all be effective, with simple presentations often being the most effective. Walleye fishing opportunities in New York have never been better, so now is a great time to give it a try.

Spring is also one of the best times to target northern pike. Northerns move into shallow tributaries, bays, and wetlands in early spring to spawn, typically just after ice-out. After spawning, they tend to stay near these shallow water areas and feed aggressively before returning to deeper waters for the summer. Pike fishing gear typically includes a medium heavy rod and a spinning or baitcasting reel with monofilament or braided line used with a steel or heavy fluorocarbon leader. Casting swimbaits, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and spoons along and around structure works well in the spring. Anglers can find high quality pike fishing opportunities in a number of coolwater lakes in the Adirondacks, such as Great Sacandaga Lake, Tupper Lake, the Saranac Chain of Lakes, and Cranberry Lake. The St. Lawrence River, Seneca Lake, and Conesus Lake are also considered top pike fishing locations.

For more information on fishing destinations for northern pike and other esocids, such as chain pickerel and tiger muskellunge, see DEC’s website for Northern pike, muskie, and pickerel fishing opportunities. Anglers are reminded that the fishing season for muskellunge opens on June 1.