History, Natural History & the Arts
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is seeking angler feedback on changes to the state’s plan to manage trout in inland streams.
The proposed changes are designed to safeguard wild trout and expand fishing opportunities. The deadline for the public to comment on the draft plan is June 25, 2020. [Read more…] about Trout Stream Management Comments Sought
Anglers seeking the ultimate trophy fish don’t have to wait much longer. The fishing season for muskellunge, New York’s largest freshwater sportfish, opens on May 30th across much of the state.
In New York’s Great Lakes waters (Lake Erie, Upper Niagara River, Lower Niagara River, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River) the season opens on June 20. [Read more…] about Statewide Muskellunge Season Opens Saturday
Whether it was via truck, barge or air, DEC’s Fish Hatchery staff have officially completed this spring’s fish stocking.
DEC stocked over 4.6 million trout and salmon and 50 million walleye statewide. Of those, over 50,000 got a lift in a helicopter and were stocked in 71 remote ponds, lakes, and rivers in the Adirondacks. Hundreds of thousands of lake trout and brown trout made their way into Lake Ontario via a barge carrying a DEC stocking truck. [Read more…] about 2020 Spring Stocking Season Completed
While out fishing with his dad, Joe, on May 6th, Morgan Fonzi reeled in a new state record white bass from the Lower Niagara River. Weighing in at 3 lbs. 8 oz, it surpassed the previous state record set in 1992 by 2 ounces. [Read more…] about State Record White Bass Caught in Niagara River
Lake sturgeon can be unintentionally caught by anglers fishing in certain waters in New York during May and June when they’re spawning. The stress incurred from being caught by an angler can inhibit a lake sturgeon’s ability to spawn. It takes many years for female sturgeon to become sexually mature, and they only spawn every 4-7 years, so missing a spawning opportunity can have a big impact on the growth of a population. [Read more…] about Anglers Cautioned to Avoid Spawning Sturgeon
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation is reporting that water chemistry values for 13 ponds in the Adirondacks have recently been evaluated and indicate that the brook trout that inhabit those waters may have the potential to reproduce naturally, which could eliminate the need for stocking. [Read more…] about Some Adirondack Brook Trout Ponds Seeing Recovery
DEC has adopted new recreational possession limits for bluefish of three fish for private vessel and shore-based anglers, and five fish for anglers fishing from for-hire vessels. There is no restriction on minimum size or season. These regulations are consistent with neighboring states and in federal waters, 3–200 nautical miles offshore. [Read more…] about New Bluefish Recreational Fishing Regulations
According to a report issued by DEC, on May 7th, a retired New York State Trooper fishing on the Hudson River near the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge observed a gill net with several striped bass being hauled into a small vessel. [Read more…] about Striped Bass Poachers Caught with Gill Net
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the adoption of new regulations for recreational and commercial fishing for Atlantic striped bass. These regulations, which take effect immediately, are to reduce state commercial and recreational harvests by 18 percent as required by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). [Read more…] about Striped Bass Regulations Have Changed