For Release: Wednesday, April 28, 2004
DEC: May 1 Marks Opening Day for Several Fish Species
Walleye, Northern Pike, Pickerel, and Tiger Muskellunge Season Begins
Special Black Bass Season Opens on Lake Erie
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty today reminded anglers that the season for walleye, northern pike, pickerel and tiger muskellunge opens Saturday, May 1, 2004. Anglers are also encouraged to take advantage of the special early season for black bass in Lake Erie, which also opens May 1, 2004.
"The opening of the season for walleye, pike and pickerel traditionally marks the start of the open water fishing season in New York State," Commissioner Crotty said. "All of these species are usually quite cooperative during cool water periods and can be caught with a variety of natural baits and artificial lures."
DEC's efforts to restore walleye to waters where they were historically present and to expand the distribution of walleye to other waters in the State continues to bear fruit. With the successful introduction of walleye into Lake Ronkonkoma and Fort Pond on Long Island, this popular sportfish can now be found in all New York watersheds.
Best bets for anglers seeking walleye in Western New York include Chautauqua Lake, Silver Lake and Findley Lake. In Central New York, anglers are encouraged to try Honeoye Lake, Conesus Lake, Oneida Lake and Whitney Point Reservoir. In the East, Canadarago Lake, Otsego Lake, Lake Champlain, Great Sacandaga Lake, Saratoga Lake, Franklin Falls Flow, Tupper Lake and Union Falls Flow are all good bets. Long Island anglers should have good success in Lake Ronkonkoma and Fort Pond, with fish up to six pounds having been reported from Lake Ronkonkoma during the ice fishing season.
Anglers seeking walleyes in rivers should try the Oswego River, St. Lawrence River below Ogdensburg, Chemung River, Susquehanna River, Chenango River, Tioughnioga River, Unadilla River, Oswegatchie River, Mohawk River and the Hudson River, which has seen its walleye fishery downstream of the Troy Dam increase in recent years. Good fishing can also be found in the lower section of many of the Hudson tributaries, including Catskill Creek, Rondout Creek and the Wallkill River. The Delaware River is also a productive walleye fishery, particularly the 50-mile section between Callicoon and Port Jervis.
Anglers fishing Lake Ronkonkoma and Fort Pond in DEC Region 1 and Schoharie Reservoir, Schoharie Creek and Canandarago Lake are encouraged to become an angler diary cooperator. Angler cooperators keep track of their catches in diaries provided by DEC. The information provided is analyzed to assess the current status of the fisheries in these waters. Diaries are returned to the anglers along with a summary report, after the data has been analyzed. Interested anglers should contact the Region 1 office at (631) 444-0280 or Region 4 office at (607) 652-7366.
The Great Lakes continue to provide New York's finest walleye fishing opportunities. Both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario continue to produce trophy-class walleye. In Lake Ontario, good walleye populations can be found in Irondequoit Bay, Sodus Bay, Braddocks Bay, Oswego Harbor, North Sandy Pond and Port Bay. Walleye fishing in Lake Erie is usually not at its best until June, but anglers can look forward to catching trophy walleye over five pounds throughout the New York section of the lake.
In 1940, Peter Dubuc caught a 42-pound, 2-ounce northern pike from Great Sacanadaga Lake setting a new world record and putting New York on the map as a trophy pike state. While the Dubuc fish has since been knocked into second place by a 50-pound fish caught in Germany, New York remains a top location for anglers seeking trophy pike. Top pike waters include many of the larger Adirondack lakes such as Tupper Lake, Schroon Lake, Lake George, the Saranac Lake Chain, Lake Champlain, Fourth Lake (Fulton Chain), Long Lake, Upper Chateaugay and the St. Regis Chain of Lakes. Further south, northern pike anglers can find good fishing in Saratoga Lake, Great Sacandaga Lake and Round Lake. Outside of the Adirondack region, pike anglers should try Seneca Lake, Cayuga Lake, Owasco Lake and Consesus Lake in central New York, as well as the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario embayments, and the Indian River Chain of lakes to the north.
Tiger muskellunge hot spots in the eastern half of the State include Cossayuna Lake, Lake Durant, Lake Lauderdale, Lincoln Pond and Round Lake in DEC Region 5; Canadarago Lake in DEC Region 4; and New Croton Reservoir, Greenwood Lake and Rockland Lake in DEC Region 3. In Central New York (DEC Regions 7 and 8), anglers should try Conesus Lake, Otisco Lake, Lake Como, the Lower Chenango River and the Susquehanna River downstream of Binghamton. Horseshoe Lake and Hyde Lake are also good bets in Region 6. Good tiger muskie action can also be found in the Mohawk River from Rome downstream to Lock 16.
Many of the best chain pickerel waters are in the southeastern section of the State (DEC Regions 1 and 3). In Region 3 some good choices are the Rio and Mongaup Falls reservoirs in Sullivan County, Harriman Park Lakes in Rockland and Orange Counties and Walton Lake in Orange County. On Long Island, the Peconic River provides some of the finest chain pickerel fishing in the State. Other New York pickerel hotspots include Lake George, Brant Lake, Saratoga Lake and Lake Champlain in DEC Region 5 and Hemlock Lake and Canadice Lake in Region 8. Oneida Lake is also a good bet for chain pickerel.
Numerous other smaller waters throughout the State provide excellent fishing for walleye, northern pike, chain pickerel and tiger muskellunge. For more information, anglers should contact their local DEC regional office or on DEC's website.
Anglers are reminded that all of our pike species can grow to world-record proportions in New York waters. However, this can only happen if anglers release the intermediate size fish that they catch. For many anglers a five- or 10-pound pike, muskellunge or tiger muskellunge represents the freshwater fish of a lifetime. These species can attain far larger sizes in our waters, but only if they are released. Given the ready availability of fiberglass mounts, there is no longer a need to harvest these future trophies. All one needs is a photo of the fish, along with a length and girth measurement for a taxidermist to produce a quality and longer lasting mount. The fish can then be released to grow even larger and provide the same thrill for another angler in the future.
Anglers seeking to get a jump on the black bass season (which opens on most waters in New York on June 19, 2004) are 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 the first Saturday in May to the regular opener of the statewide black bass season, anglers may take one bass at least 15 inches in length per day in Lake Erie. Tributaries of the lake and the Niagara River are not included in the special early season regulation. Smallmouth bass are particularly abundant in the open waters of Lake Erie, as well as Dunkirk and Buffalo Harbors. Fish are usually in 15- to 30-foot depths along rocky drop-offs. Bass in the two- to five-pound range are abundant, with even larger fish not uncommon.
Prior to heading out, anglers should be sure to check the current fishing regulations for the water they plan on fishing. Numerous exceptions to the statewide regulations exist in each DEC region. Regulations may be found in the 2002-2004 Fishing Regulations Guide issued with your license, or from DEC's website. Anglers should also be sure that they have the current year's fishing license before hitting the water.
DEC also encourages all anglers to consider purchasing a $5 habitat stamp when they purchase or renew their fishing license. The Habitat Stamp is a new optional stamp that is available for people who want to support the Department's efforts to conserve fish and wildlife habitat and increase public access for fish and wildlife related recreation.
Anglers and New York fishing tackle retailers are also reminded that effective May 7, 2004, the sale of small lead sinkers weighing ½ ounce or less will be prohibited in New York State. Sale of jig heads, weighted flies, artificial lures or weighted line are not included in this prohibition. Although the law does not prohibit the use of lead sinkers of this size, anglers are encouraged to seek non-lead alternatives which are readily available in tackle stores. Ingestion of lead sinkers has been linked to the death of waterfowl and loons.
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