David Smith had never done any fishing in his life until this past fall when he tried his luck at Rice Creek in Oswego.

“When I caught my first couple, I just got addicted to it,” said Smith, an Oswego resident.

Fishing is more than one of Central New York’s favorite past times. It’s a big economic booster to the region.

The impact on local lodging, stores and the like is substantial, according to Daniel Bishop, regional fisheries manager for the Department of Environmental Conservation.

The latest angler’s census estimated a $2 billion economic impact in Central New York due to fishing.

Species fished here include salmon, trout, walleye, perch, catfish, bullhead, bass, crappie, sunfish and others.

Fishing can be done year-round, but two of the hottest times to fish are summer and fall. The bodies of water to fish in the area are numerous. Lake Ontario and its tributaries, the Oswego River system, the Salmon River, Oneida Lake and the Finger Lakes all offer unique fishing opportunities for an angler at any skill level.

Oneida Lake is great for fishing walleye and large and smallmouth bass. The Seneca, Oneida and Oswego rivers offer an array of fish. Anglers can hunt for walleye, perch, sunfish, crappies, bullhead, catfish and various salmon. Lake Ontario offers many of these species and more, making it a carnival for any angler.

Fishing not only offers a chance for sport but a chance to enjoy the outdoors. “It’s such a beautiful area regardless,” said Smith, the Oswego resident who has become a fishing fan. “You don’t have to catch anything to enjoy yourself. It separates you from the madhouse this world has become.”

Many of the bodies of water in Central New York are stocked for the very purpose of fishing. Each year 1.76 million fish are stocked into New York waters.

There are regulations an angler must abide by when fishing, including a $19-license for the year that can be purchased at bait shops, gas stations and other local stores. Anglers should also follow certain regulations, such as not to introduce foreign species into waters. Some forms of bait can be poison to an ecosystem, while plants stuck on a boat motor can be as much of a danger. If anglers don’t follow regulations they can face fines, tickets or arrest. Visit the DEC Web site at www.dec.state.ny.us or call 1-888-486-8332 for more information.