Environment DEC
From the June 2007 issue
DEC Announces New State Record for American Shad
Robert Kubica shows off his record American shad
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently announced a new state record for American shad. The New York State record fish was caught by Robert Kubica of Pittsfield, MA on May 9, 2007 in the Hudson River, Albany County. The migratory fish weighed in at 9 pounds 4 ounces and 28 inches in length and was caught on a shad dart. Every spring American shad swim up the Hudson by the thousands to spawn, along with two other migratory ocean species, herring and trophy-sized striped bass.
The State Record Program, a category of DEC's Angler Achievement Awards Program, recognizes those anglers who break current New York State records for any of the 45 eligible fish species.
Each year, New York State's lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams produce large numbers of trophy-sized fish. DEC's Angler Achievement Awards Program recognizes exceptional catches in several categories: Catch and Release, Annual Award, and State Record. Anglers fill out an entry form and enter their catches for consideration. Those whose fish meet specific qualifying criteria receive official recognition of their catch, including a commemorative certificate of achievement, a custom engraved plaque and/or an Angler Achievement Award lapel pin.
More Information
For additional details on the Angler Achievement Awards Program, including previous top-three winners in each of the categories and a downloadable entry form, go to the Angler Awards web page on DEC's website. Additional information can also be obtained by calling 518-402-8891, or sending an e-mail directly to DEC's Bureau of Fisheries.
DEC also reminds anglers that June 23 and 24, 2007 are the annual free fishing days this year. During the last weekend in June anyone can fish in New York State waters without a license. For more information on free fishing days and fishing licenses, visit the Fishing Licenses web page on DEC's website.
