fish

Survey to Monitor Striped Bass Health in New York

July 9, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced a two-year study to monitor the health and contaminant loads of Atlantic striped bass in New York’s marine waters.

The survey will collect samples of striped bass to measure levels of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and other contaminants to update commercial fishery restrictions and the State Department of Health’s consumption advisories for recreational anglers, as well as enhance the understanding of New York’s striped bass population. [Read more…] about Survey to Monitor Striped Bass Health in New York

Hudson River Atlantic Sturgeon: The River’s Largest Fish

July 9, 2022 by Editorial Staff 1 Comment

Each June, biologists from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Hudson River Fisheries Unit study the endangered adult Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) when the fish return to the Hudson River to spawn.

Atlantic sturgeon, the largest fish species in the Hudson River Estuary, are anadromous, which means they hatch in freshwater, spend most of their lives in saltwater, and return to freshwater to spawn. The Hudson River currently supports the largest population of Atlantic sturgeon along the Atlantic Coast, estimated to be between 1,000 and 1,500 fish.

Sturgeon were one of the types of fish commercially harvested by European settlers and one of the first “cash crops” of Albany, where they became known as “Albany Beef.” In the late 19th century, seven million pounds of sturgeon meat were exported from the US each year. That number soon dropped to 22,000 pounds. [Read more…] about Hudson River Atlantic Sturgeon: The River’s Largest Fish

Smallmouth Bass State Record Broken on Cayuga Lake

July 3, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

A new state record for smallmouth bass was set on June 15th, opening day for bass season.

Thomas Russell Jr., of Albion reeled in an eight-pound, six-ounce smallmouth bass from Cayuga Lake, Seneca County. Russell’s bass surpassed the previous record by two ounces, a tie between fish caught on Lake Erie in 1995, and in the St. Lawrence River in 2016. [Read more…] about Smallmouth Bass State Record Broken on Cayuga Lake

2.4M Salmon & Trout Stocked in Lake Ontario

June 25, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Salmon and trout stocking in Lake Ontario is complete for 2022 with 900,000 Chinook salmon, 505,200 rainbow trout, 480,000 brown trout, 320,000 lake trout, 121,000 coho salmon, and 125,000 Atlantic salmon to provide exceptional angling opportunities. [Read more…] about 2.4M Salmon & Trout Stocked in Lake Ontario

New Summer Flounder Fishing Regulations

May 30, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

DEC has announced new recreational saltwater fishing regulations for the summer flounder (fluke) season that began on May 1st. Changes will provide more opportunities for anglers by extending the season a total of 12 fishing days to end on October 9th, 2022, and decreasing the minimum size limit by half an inch. [Read more…] about New Summer Flounder Fishing Regulations

35+ Pound Channel Catfish Breaks State Record

May 25, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

A New York State record for channel catfish was broken on May 8th, 2022. Using cut bait while bottom fishing, Bailey Williams of Watertown reeled in a 35-pound, 12-ounce channel catfish from the Black River in Jefferson County.

Bailey’s record-breaking catch surpassed the previous State record catfish, caught from Lake Ontario in 2017, by 9 ounces. [Read more…] about 35+ Pound Channel Catfish Breaks State Record

Spring Striped Bass Detail Nets Poachers

May 13, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

According to a press release issued by DEC, on the early morning hours of April 21st, NYS Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Pabes responded to a report of multiple anglers keeping excess and undersized striped bass in the village of Great Neck, Long Island. [Read more…] about Spring Striped Bass Detail Nets Poachers

Pike, Pickerel, Muskie, and Walleye Season Opens May 1

April 30, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Fishing season for northern pike, pickerel, tiger muskellunge, and walleye opens on May 1st. Fishing regulation changes implemented earlier this year replaced the floating “Saturday” season openers with a fixed date in addition to other improvements to enhance fishing opportunities across the state. [Read more…] about Pike, Pickerel, Muskie, and Walleye Season Opens May 1

Atlantic Salmon Net Pen-Rearing Projects Continuing at Lake Champlain

April 24, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the second year of a five-year experimental Atlantic Salmon pen rearing project on the Saranac River Estuary.

In partnership with the Plattsburgh Boat Basin, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lake Champlain chapter of Trout Unlimited, SUNY Plattsburgh, and Paul Smith’s College, the initiative will help improve post-stocking survival of this species. [Read more…] about Atlantic Salmon Net Pen-Rearing Projects Continuing at Lake Champlain

Underwater Eggs: It’s Spawning Season For Pickerel

April 9, 2022 by Guest Contributor Leave a Comment

Each year, soon after ice out, torpedo-shaped fish slip into the lake’s weedy shallows from that offshore zone where the bottom falls away. First comes the female, her flanks green and gold, and her ovaries swollen with eggs. The male swims alongside, alert for an opportunity to mate.

Over the course of a day or two, they will periodically turn their vents toward each other and simultaneously release eggs and milt. In the next moment, they’ll lash their tails to spread the fertilized eggs over submerged vegetation. It’s spawning season for chain pickerel, and every egg faces an iffy future. [Read more…] about Underwater Eggs: It’s Spawning Season For Pickerel