For Release: Wednesday, June 16, 2004
New York State Bass Fishing Season Opens Saturday
DEC Encourages Residents, Visitors to Enjoy New York's Many Fishing Opportunities
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty today reminded anglers that the State's 2004 bass fishing season opens this Saturday, June 19.
"New York has gained national recognition as a source for great largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing" Commissioner Crotty said."Waters such as Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and the Hudson River, as well as an abundance of smaller waters throughout the State provide the New York angler or visitor with many options to choose from."
In addition to the aforementioned waters, other bass fisheries include Chautauqua Lake, Silver Lake, Cuba Lake, Rushford Lake, Lime Lake, Cassadaga Lake, Bear Lake, Honeoye Lake, Conesus Lake, Findley Lake, Quaker Lake and Red House Lake in the west; Tupper Lake, Long Lake, Lake George, Lake Champlain, Saratoga Lake, Chateaugay Lake, Chazy Lake, Black Lake and the Saranac Chain of Lakes in the north. For those anglers seeking a small water Adirondack bass fishing experience, Tooley Pond and Nicks Lake in DEC Region 6 provide excellent bass fishing on a catch and release basis. In central/north central New York, Cayuga Lake, Oneida Lake, Owasco Lake, Otisco Lake and North Sandy Pond are all good bass fishing locations.
In the southeastern part of the State, the New York City Reservoirs such as Amawalk, Croton and Kensico also offer quality bass fishing. Anglers wishing to fish any of the New York City Reservoirs should be aware that a special permit is required for all recreational activities on City-owned water supply land. For more information, go to www.nyc.gov/html/dep/watershed/html/wsrecreation.html at New York City DEP's website. Southeastern New York anglers are also encouraged to fish the many waters found within the region's State Parks, including Rudd Pond, Canopus Lake, Mohansic Lake and Lake Tiorati. All of these waters contain good bass populations.
On Long Island, where the bass season opened on June 5, excellent bass fishing can be found in the Peconic River and its impoundments, Lake Ronkonkoma, Fort Pond, Big Reed Pond, Fresh Pond (Hither Hills State Park) and Blydenburgh Lake. Efforts to rebuild bass populations in Nassau County by prohibiting bass harvest continue to show signs of success, with bass populations in Upper and Lower Twin Pond, Massapequa Reservoir and Massapequa Lake rebounding nicely. Long Island anglers should also be aware that effective October 1, bass fishing will be permitted year-round on a catch and release basis in Artist Lake and Belmont Lake. Anglers fishing the freshwaters of Long Island are also encouraged to participate in the angler diary program underway in the region. For more information concerning this program, contact the DEC regional office at (631) 444-0280.
New York City residents can experience quality bass fishing just a short trip from home. Waters such as Prospect Park Lake, Kissena Lake and the Harlem Meer all provide excellent bass fishing opportunities. Anglers are reminded that all angling in New York City is strictly on a catch and release basis. Other New York City Parks regulations may also apply. For a complete listing of bass fishing waters in New York City and Long Island, the pamphlet "Fishing the Freshwaters of Long Island and New York City" can be obtained from either the Region 1 (631-444-0280) or Region 2 (718-482-4922) DEC offices.
With the exception of the Hudson and St. Lawrence rivers, New York's rivers are often overlooked when it comes to bass fishing. However, these flowing waters can provide excellent opportunities for bass fishing. In northern New York, good bets for river anglers seeking bass are the major Eastern Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River tributaries such as the Black, Indian, Oswegatchie and St. Regis rivers, as well as sections of the Saranac system. In the western part of the state, weed edges and shoals in the Upper Niagara River provide excellent habitat for largemouth and smallmouth bass, as well as the occasional northern pike and muskellunge. Smallmouth bass dominate the catch for anglers fishing the section of the Niagara River below the falls where recent anglers surveys have shown very high catch rates for this species. Anglers are also encouraged to fish the Genesee and Allegheny rivers where a canoe is the recommended method of access. For north-central residents, the Seneca, Oswego, Oneida and Genesee rivers usually offer good opening day action for bass. Eastern New York anglers should try the Schoharie Creek downstream of the dam at Blenheim-Gilboa, and the Mohawk River. Anglers are also reminded that the upper Hudson River above the Troy Dam offers excellent fishing for both smallmouth and largemouth bass on a catch and release basis.
The Susquehanna system is another good location for opening day bass fishing. Numerous sections, including Susquehanna, Chenango, Otselic, Chemung, Tioughnioga and Unadilla rivers, are lightly fished and readily accessible to wading and canoe or cartop boat anglers. There are numerous access sites along these waters for comfortable floating-and-fishing outings.
Bass anglers are reminded to check DEC's regulations guide before setting out to ensure that they are following appropriate guidelines. Anglers are also encouraged to practice catch-and-release, which can make a big difference in maintaining or improving the quality of a bass fishery. This is particularly true for some of the nutrient poor bass waters of the Adirondacks that contain smaller bass populations with relatively slow growth of individual fish.
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 is prohibited in New York State. Ingestion of lead sinkers has been linked to the death of waterfowl and loons. The prohibition does not apply to larger lead sinkers, jig heads, weighted flies, weighted line or artificial lures. Although the use of lead sinkers is not prohibited, anglers are encouraged to seek out lead sinker alternatives such as bismuth, steel and tin which are now readily available in tackle stores throughout the State.
For a listing of some additional waters that offer good fishing for warm-water fish species, including bass, visit DEC's website. Lake contour (depth) maps of many popular New York lakes and ponds are also now available on our website.
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 on DEC's website. Anglers should also be sure that they have the current year's fishing license before hitting the water. Fishing licenses can be obtained at all town clerk offices statewide, as well as most retail outlets that sell fishing gear and tackle.
04-68
