Adirondack/Lake Champlain Fishing and Hunting Hotline

Welcome to the NYS DEC Region 5 Fishing and Hunting Hotline. This is the May 8 edition. Region 5 covers northeastern New York State including much of the Adirondack Region and Lake Champlain.

Fish

Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS)

Viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) virus is a serious pathogen of fresh and saltwater fish that is causing an emerging disease in the Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada. It does not pose any threat to human health. VHS can cause hemorrhaging of fish tissue, including internal organs, and can cause the death of infected fish. Once a fish is infected with VHS, there is no known cure. Not all infected fish develop the disease, but they can carry and spread the disease to other fish. VHS has been blamed for fish kills in Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair (MI), Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River and Conesus Lake (Western NY). The World Organization of Animal Health has categorized VHS as a transmissible disease with the potential for profound socio-economic consequences.

Aquatic Nuisance Algae

DEC is asking anglers to take steps to prevent the spread of an aquatic nuisance algae, known as "didymo" or "rock snot," that was recently found in Vermont and New York waters. Due to its potentially devastating impacts on aquatic plants and fish habitat, DEC is asking anglers to take precautions to prevent the introduction and spread of this algae - to stop it at our doors.

Unlike many other aquatic nuisance plants, didymo grows on the bottom of flowing and still waters. It can develop thick mats even in fast-flowing trout streams. Fishing becomes difficult; the abundance of bottom dwelling organisms declines; and trout and other fish that feed on those organisms also decline. There are currently no known methods for controlling or eradicating didymo once it infests a water body.

The microscopic algae cling unseen to waders, boots, boats, lures, hooks, sinkers, fishing line and other fishing gear, and remain viable for several weeks under even slightly moist conditions. Absorbent items, such as the felt-soled waders and wading boots commonly used by stream anglers, require thorough attention as discussed below. Anglers, kayakers and canoeists, boaters and jet skiers can all unknowingly spread didymo.

DEC is urging anglers and other water recreationists to Check, Clean and Dry all gear and equipment to prevent the introduction and spread of didymo.

Check - Before leaving a river or stream, remove all obvious clumps of algae and look for hidden clumps. Leave them at the affected site. If you find any later, do not wash them down drains; dispose all material in the trash.

Clean - Soak and scrub all items for at least one minute in either hot (140 degrees F) water, a two percent solution of household bleach or a five percent solution of salt, antiseptic hand cleaner or dishwashing detergent. Be sure that the solution completely penetrates thick absorbent items such as felt soled waders and wading boots.

Dry - If cleaning is not practical, after the item is completely dry to touch, wait an additional 48 hours before contact or use in any other waterway. Check thick absorbent items closely to assure that they are dry throughout. Equipment and gear can also be placed in a freezer until all moisture is frozen solid.

Health Advisories on Fish

The NYSDOH issues advisories on eating sportfish and game because some of these foods contain chemicals at levels that may be harmful to health. Go to their website at www.nyhealth.gov/environmental/outdoors/fish/fish.html for 2007-2008 Health Advisories.

Fishing Information

With the onset of warmer air temperatures, the water temperatures are rising. Area rivers are now running in the lower 50s. Typically, this is when the fly fishing turns on. There have been a few reports of some Mayflies hatching along the Saranac River. Stream levels are receding. Black flies are just starting to come out, so now is the time to get out and fish in the Adirondacks before they get too bad.

Northern pike, pickerel, tiger musky and walleye seasons are now open. Some places to try your luck are Franklin Falls Flow, Union Falls, Lake Flower, the Saranac Chain of Lakes, and Cossayuna Lake in Washington County.

Pike should be in the shallows. Panfish have also returned to the shallows and can now be seen from shorelines. One might try in-line spinners, spinner baits, spoons and generally anything that is shiny and attracts their attention. Some early season colors to try are white and chartreuse.

Anglers are reminded of an 18-inch minimum size limit for walleye in Franklin Falls Flow, Rainbow Lake, Lower Saranac Lake, Fern Lake, Lake Algonquin, and Harris Lake. Elsewhere, the size limit is 15 inches.

REMINDER: Walleye fishing is prohibited from March 1 to May 15 on the Saranac River from Hough Brook at Union Falls Flow upstream to Franklin Falls Flow to protect spawning walleye.

Anglers are reporting splake and brook trout to be very active in the St. Regis Canoe Area. One might try the Lake Clear Wobbler or olive-colored flies for the brook trout.

Connery Pond, Mirror Lake and Lake Placid are all fishing well right now according to reports from Jones Outfitters in Lake Placid. Anglers are using Lake Clear Wobblers, Crocodile spoons and jointed Rapalas.

Anglers are reporting salmon and rainbows hitting in Moose Pond, Town of St. Armand.

Reports of salmon activity on the Lake Champlain tributaries continue to be few and far between. The water levels continue to be high on Lake Champlain and anglers should use caution. Lake Champlain itself is just above flood stage. Boaters should be aware of debris in the lake and are advised to use extreme caution.

Fish 307 in the Village of Lake George reports salmon and lake trout hitting on Lake George. Since the smelt run is over, salmon and lakers are moving out to deeper water, but can be found all over the lake. One might try flatfish and stickbaits.

Crappie are hitting on crawlers in Brant Lake and Lake George.

Pickerel fishing is very good on Saratoga Lake according to anglers - they are hitting on spinner baits and rattle traps, fished directly over weed beds. Crappies continue to hit on crawlers and fathead minnows. Anglers are also reporting a few walleye being caught later in the evenings.

Waters stocked this past week include the West Branch of the Ausable, Saranac River, Chateaugay River and the Batten Kill.

Alewife Die-off

Anglers on Lake Champlain may see large numbers of dead alewives. Mass die-offs such as we are experiencing are common for alewife populations in larger lakes. Alewives are native to the Atlantic Ocean, typically entering fresh water only to spawn. They are not native to Lake Champlain and are not well adapted to such freshwater lakes.

Experience in the Great Lakes, where they are also introduced, shows that alewives commonly experience population booms and busts. The large scale die-off may be triggered by cold water temperatures, rapid changes in water temperatures, or stress associated with spawning, In Lake Ontario, alewives begin migrating inshore for spawning as early as April, and may stay inshore as late as mid-July. With alewives being so new to Lake Champlain, the timing for spawning is not yet known.

Wildlife

Turkey

Spring turkey season is open until May 31. Hunters are reminded that you may take 2 bearded birds (only one a day) where spring turkey season is permitted. Hunters must fill out the carcass tag and attach it to the bird. It is not required in the spring to save and send in turkey legs.

You do need to take careful spur and beard measurements and record them on the tag. Spur measurements should be measured from the tip of the spur to the base of the spur, where it emerges from the scaly part of the leg. Beards should be measured from the tip of the beard to the base, where it emerges from the skin. Measurements are to the nearest 1/4 inch. Weigh your turkey to the nearest pound.

Hunters are also reminded to report their takes to the DECALS reporting system by calling 1-866-426-3778 within 48 hours.

Sportsman Education Classes

Classes are currently being scheduled for sportsman education. See the Sportsman Education class list for a list of classes by county.

Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator Exams

Individuals interested in becoming a nuisance wildlife control operator must pass an exam before becoming licensed. Applications and study material are available by contacting the Special Licenses Unit at (518) 402-8985. Exams are set up by appointment in Region 5 and can be made by contacting the Region 5 Wildlife Office at (518) 623-1240.

Big Game Hunting

The numbers for the 2007 big game hunting season are in, takes were high according to reports from area hunters. See the 2007 Deer Harvest and the 2007 Bear Harvest press releases for more information.

Small Game Hunting

All small game hunting seasons are closed.

Trapping

All trapping seasons are closed.