ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Fishing season is opening in New York for walleye, northern pike, pickerel and tiger muskellunge.

Catch-and-release fishing for large- and smallmouth bass is also opening in many waters across the state, and the special trophy bass season on Lake Erie where anglers can take one 20-inch or longer fish per day also begins on Saturday.

The regular harvest season for bass and muskellunge opens on June 21.

All anglers 16 years of age and older are required to have a fishing license to fish the freshwaters of New York State.

Licenses can be purchased by phone at 866-933-2257 or on-line through a link from the Department of Environmental Conservation's website.