News and Views from the Empire State
The new boat launch site on Otisco Lake is complete and open to the public. Prior to the launch’s completion, Otisco was the only Finger Lake without a public boat launch.
With this facility, boaters will have a new option to explore the region and its fishing and boating-related recreational opportunities. [Read more…] about New Otisco Lake Boat Launch Opens
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is seeking volunteer recreational striped bass anglers to help provide valuable data they consider critical to track population dynamics for striped bass in New York waters. [Read more…] about DEC Seeking Striped Bass Recreational Anglers
Staff from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Region 7 Fisheries Unit will be conducting multiple surveys on Owasco Lake this August and September.
Sampling efforts will assess current lake trout population characteristics; relative abundance of adult brown trout, rainbow trout and walleye; wild production of juvenile salmonids in area tributaries; and the relative abundance of smelt and alewife in the lake (forage assessment), which is new in 2020. [Read more…] about Owasco Lake Fisheries Survey Underway
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the release of final plans for the Imperial Mills Dam on the Saranac River in Plattsburgh.
The plan shores-up the dam to bring it into compliance with dam safety regulations and adds a carry for paddlers and a fish ladder to provide for passage of landlocked Atlantic salmon. There have been calls to remove the dam entirely, including by Lake Champlain Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the City of Plattsburgh and return the river to a more natural state and reduce the threat of flooding in the city. DEC’s announcement said they met with Clinton County officials before finalizing the plan. [Read more…] about DEC Plans To Shore-Up Saranac River’s Imperial Mills Dam
During the hot days of summer, it is important to remember that trout and salmon experience serious physical stress whenever water temperatures climb above 70° Fahrenheit. [Read more…] about Anglers: Protect Heat-Stressed Trout and Salmon
Rehabilitation of the historic Cleveland Dock Fishing Access Site on Oneida Lake is complete and the site is now open to the public.
Located at 69 State Route 49 in the village of Cleveland, Oswego County, the dock provides access for fishing and draws visitors for open water fishing, ice fishing, and boat docking. The site also provides emergency services access and helps connect boaters to the New York State Canal system. [Read more…] about Oneida Lake’s Historic Cleveland Dock Project Complete
Adirondack Watershed Stewards have reported a 25% increase in the number of watercraft inspections at Adirondack boat launches compared with this time last year.
The Adirondack Region had already been experiencing increased tourism even before the current pandemic. This summer’s excellent weather has given a further boost to visitor numbers, even as the closed border keeps Canadian tourists home. [Read more…] about Adirondack Park Boat Inspections Rise 25% Over 2019
Boaters returning from the waters of Lake Champlain at Shelburne Bay have reported large quantities of invasive fishhook waterflea fouling their fishing lines.
First identified in Lake Champlain in 2018, masses of fishhook waterfleas began to appear on the 20th of June this year, as observed by trained Lake Champlain boat launch stewards.
No known control methods exist to eliminate fishhook or spiny waterflea once established in a water body. Efforts now focus on preventing the spread of this species to other bodies of water in the region. [Read more…] about Fishhook Waterflea Infesting Lake Champlain
Trout fishing is a challenging endeavor, yet it can be the most rewarding backcountry activity, as success ordinarily means a meal or two with a great tasting main course. Because trout require cool, clean waters in which to live, anglers who want to engage in this popular summer pastime traditionally head to those places where conditions remain favorable for these hardy game fish. [Read more…] about Trout Fishing, Drought and Low Water
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the annual temporary closure of three shellfishing areas on the North Shore of Long Island during the upcoming Fourth of July holiday period.
These closures are imposed during busy holidays to protect public health from potentially contaminated shellfish associated with increased boating activity in shellfishing waters. [Read more…] about North Shore Shellfishing Areas Temporarily Closed