Conesus Lake is the westernmost Finger Lake and provides top-notch fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, and northern pike.
To assess the pike population, DEC’s Region 8 Fisheries staff recently set three trap nets at various spots around the lake over the course of nine nights. Nets were pulled each morning to remove fish from the car (holding area in the back of the net).
Lengths were taken from all fish collected, and weight and sex were also recorded for walleye and northern pike. Scale samples (to age fish at a later time) were also taken from the walleye and northern pike.
After processing, fish were released back into the water unharmed. Biologists will use the results of the survey to better understand the status of the pike population, which will provide insight on how effective current fishing regulations are for managing the fishery.
Photo of fisherman with northern pike courtesy DEC.
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