Environment DEC
From the June 2007 issue
Seasons for Many Popular Gamefish Species are in Full Swing
The seasons for walleye, northern pike, pickerel, tiger muskellunge, and an early season for black bass on Lake Erie, opened May 5, 2007. Anglers are also encouraged to continue taking advantage of the new black bass catch-and-release season for selected areas, which opened this past December and closes on June 16 when regular bass season begins.
Special Bass Seasons
"We are looking forward to another outstanding fishing season for these popular species," said DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis. "We are also excited about our new catch-and-release bass season that opened this past December. On many of our waters, anglers can now enjoy catch-and-release fishing with artificial lures for our most popular sport fish during a less crowded period."
The catch-and-release bass season does not apply to all the waters of the state. Anglers should check DEC's Fishing Regulations Guide before hitting the water.
Black bass anglers are also reminded that a special black bass season has been in place for the past few years on Lake Erie to allow anglers to take advantage of the great fishing available for smallmouth bass during the early spring. From May 5, 2007 to the regular opening of the statewide black bass season on June 16, 2007, anglers may take one bass at least 20 inches in length per day in Lake Erie and tributaries.
As a result of ongoing DEC management efforts, quality walleye fisheries are now present in all major New York watersheds. Walleye fisheries exist in more than 150 waters in the state with about 80 percent located in DEC regions 5, 6, and 7. Length limits and daily take vary on many waters, so be sure the check the Fishing Regulations Guide.
Angler Reminders and Other Important Issues
Anglers are reminded that the New York State Department of Health (DOH) annually updates health advisories for people wishing to consume their catch. For information on fish consumption advisories, refer to the Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide that comes with your license, or the 2006-2007 Health Advisories web page on the DOH website (see "Related Off-site Links" below), or contact the DOH toll-free information line at 1-800-458-1158.
Anglers are also reminded that, due to the detection of a serious fish disease Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS), new restrictions on use of baitfish and transportation of live fish have been implemented. For information on VHS and the actions DEC has taken to prevent its spread, please go to the Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia web page on DEC's website.
New York has many great tiger muskie waters
Be certain to have the current year's fishing license and know the most current regulations for the intended fishing waters. Regulations may be found in the revised edition of the 2006-2008 Fishing Regulations Guide issued with your license, or from the Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide on DEC's website. Be certain that your boats, trailers and other fishing gear are not transporting "aquatic hitchhikers" to stop the spread of nuisance exotic species such as Eurasian water milfoil, zebra mussels and numerous undesirable fish species in New York. To learn more about invasive species and how to prevent their spread, go to the Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers web page (see "Related Off-site Links" below).
See the complete press release that this story is based on for even more tips on places to fish and ways that anglers can help protect and improve New York's freshwater fisheries.
Related Off-site Links
Health AdvisoriesStop Aquatic Hitchhikers
