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
Fisheries
Several Anglers Ticketed in Warren County Sweep
On the morning of April 15th, Lieutenant Higgins and NYS Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Brassard patrolled a small trout pond in Queensbury and discovered several anglers catching freshly stocked trout without incident. However, some anglers also possessed out-of-season chain pickerel. In addition, two fishermen had failed to buy a fishing license, resulting in tickets to the offenders.
It was one of several incidents where anglers were ticketed for illegal fishing in Warren County. [Read more…] about Several Anglers Ticketed in Warren County Sweep
Atlantic Salmon Net Pen-Rearing Projects Continuing at Lake Champlain
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
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
New Freshwater Fishing Regulation Changes for 2022
Recently adopted freshwater fishing regulations will take effect on April 1st.
Following a public comment period on the draft proposals earlier this year, a New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announcement says the new regulations reflect the input received and the support of the angling community in DEC’s efforts to make fishing New York’s waters “less complicated and easier to understand.” [Read more…] about New Freshwater Fishing Regulation Changes for 2022
New Signage For New York Trout Streams
As part of efforts to make fishing more enjoyable, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has posted Management Category signs on most of the State’s 1,500 miles of public fishing rights. [Read more…] about New Signage For New York Trout Streams
Public Comments Sought On Boat Decontamination Facilities
The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) have announced a joint public comment period to solicit comments for a proposed amendment to the Generic Unit Management Plan/Generic Environmental Impact Statement for Campgrounds and Day-Use Areas.
The Generic UMP provides information on the environmental setting, inventory of facilities, organizational structure, issues, constraints, management objectives, and effects for Campgrounds and Day-Use Areas in both the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. [Read more…] about Public Comments Sought On Boat Decontamination Facilities
Naples Creek Rainbow Trout Sampling
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced that annual sampling of the rainbow trout run is scheduled for Thursday, March 24th, at 9 am, at one of the Finger Lakes‘ most important tributaries-Naples Creek. The public is encouraged to attend. [Read more…] about Naples Creek Rainbow Trout Sampling
American Shad Recovery Plan For Hudson River Announced
Native and colonial Americans fished for shad for sustenance, often smoking the flesh and consuming the roe as a delicacy.
American shad continued to be an important recreational and commercial fishery throughout the 20th Century, especially in the Hudson River. However, the shad stock has since dramatically declined due to shoreline development, pollution and over fishing, and as a result all recreational and commercial fisheries for American shad were closed in 2010. [Read more…] about American Shad Recovery Plan For Hudson River Announced
Striped Bass Management Input Sought
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is seeking public input on the development of Draft Amendment 7 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Striped Bass (PDF) through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).
The Draft Amendment proposes new options to the FMP to help rebuild the stock and significantly update the management program. DEC encourages New Yorkers to review proposed changes, participate through in-person or virtual webinar events, and provide comments to ASMFC by April 15th, 2022. [Read more…] about Striped Bass Management Input Sought