April 1 marks the opening day of trout fishing season in New York State.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation and local fish hatcheries have been stocking lakes, streams and creeks to make the sport more enjoyable for anglers of all ages, and it’s no easy job.

It’s a busy time for Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery Superintendent Eric Stanczyk.

“Almost 71,000 fish will be stocked out in Onondaga County waters,” said Stanczyk.

He spends most of the year raising brook, brown and rainbow trout at one of the few county run fish hatcheries in the state.

Then, from mid-March to mid-May, Stanczyk’s schedule changes. He joins a few other hatchery workers and volunteers to load up trucks with trout from the fish pools at the hatchery every day.

“We have 100 miles of streams that we take care of and put fish in and 10 different lakes and ponds, all in Onondaga County,” he said.

Stanczyk has been the hatchery superintendent for the last eight years, but he’s been with the fish hatchery for more than 25 years. It’s a demanding job, he said, but it brings him lots of fulfillment knowing people are enjoying the sport.

The crew works hard to spread out the fish the best they can. On this day, they’re loading up the fishing hot spot at Nine Mile Creek in Marcellus.

The main goal of it all is for people to enjoy fishing.

“We want people to enjoy this, this resource that we have in Onondaga County. Go out, do some fishing, go out and collect some fish for harvest. Go home, and have some for dinner, stuff like that,” said Stanczyk.

Meanwhile, bait and tackle shops have already started getting busy as customers visit for gear and bait.

“Fishermen just have all this pent up energy. They’re dying to get out, and we’ve seen sort of this increase in business because of that. Because people are just wanting to spend time in the outdoors. It’s so important,” said Mickey’s Bait and Tackle Shop Owner Al Daher.

“People get excited. And that’s the enjoyable part of the job. Knowing that there’s somebody out there catching those fish and having a good time. And, you know, maybe making a memory that they’ll never forget,” said Stanczyk.

If you're trout fishing in New York, you must have a license if you're 16 or older. You can get a license online through the State DEC website or at town halls or select stores.

Trout anglers now have a statewide limit of keeping five fish, with no more than two being longer than 12 inches long. Experts recommend you take a look at the updated DEC regulations online before you fish.

Another state change this year includes allowing fishermen to fish for trout all year. However, after October 15, you must abide by catch and release rules meaning you must return all fish to the water.