For Release: Tuesday, May 1, 2007
DEC: May 5 Marks Opening Day for Many Popular Gamefish Species
Walleye, Northern Pike, Pickerel, and Tiger Muskellunge Season Begins
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today reminded anglers that the season for walleye, northern pike, pickerel and tiger muskellunge opens Saturday, May 5, 2007. Anglers are also encouraged to take advantage of the new black bass catch and release season for selected areas which took effect in October 2006 as well as the early season for black bass in Lake Erie, which also opens on this date.
"We are looking forward to another outstanding fishing season for these popular species," said Commissioner Grannis. "We are also excited about our new catch and release bass season that came into effect this past October. On many of our waters, anglers can now enjoy catch and release fishing with artificial lures for our most popular sportfish during a less crowded period."
The new black bass catch and release season runs from December 1 through the Friday preceding the 3rd Saturday in June (June 15, 2007) throughout the state, except waters in Bronx, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond, St. Lawrence, and Suffolk counties. The regular bass harvest season follows this special catch and release season, providing year round bass angling opportunities on many waters. Exceptions to the regulation exist on Lake Champlain, where the catch and release season runs until the 2nd Saturday in June, and on Oneida Lake, where the catch and release season runs from the 1st Saturday in May through the Friday preceding the 3rd Saturday in June. Other exceptions exist, so 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. Smallmouth bass are particularly abundant in the open waters of Lake Erie, as well as Dunkirk and Buffalo Harbors. Fish are usually found in 15- to 30-foot depths along rocky drop-offs. Bass in the two- to five-pound range are plentiful, with larger fish not uncommon.
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% located in DEC Regions 5, 6, and 7. Some of the most productive waters in these regions include Black Lake, Oneida Lake, Tupper Lake, Union Falls Flow, Saratoga Lake, Great Sacandaga Lake, and Whitney Point Reservoir. Anglers are also encouraged to fish Chautauqua Lake, Silver Lake, Cuba Lake, Conesus Lake, and Honeoye Lake in Regions 8 and 9, and Canadarago Lake and Otsego Lake in Region 4. On Long Island, successful DEC stocking programs on Lake Ronkonkoma and Fort Pond have resulted in excellent walleye fisheries in both locations. Length limits and daily take vary on many waters, so be sure the check the Fishing Regulations Guide.
Anglers seeking walleyes in rivers should try the Oswego River, Chemung River, Susquehanna River, Chenango River, Tioughnioga River, Unadilla River, Oswegatchie River, Mohawk River and the Hudson River, which has seen an average increase in its walleye fishery downstream of the Troy Dam in recent years. Lower Hudson River tributaries, the Walkill River and Rondout Creek, have been included in recent DEC stocking efforts and angler reports indicate the successful establishment of walleye fisheries in these waters. 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 Region 1 and Schoharie Reservoir, Schoharie Creek and Canandarago Lake in Region 4 are encouraged to become angler diary cooperators. Angler cooperators keep track of their catches in diaries provided by DEC and this information 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 provide some of New York's finest walleye fishing opportunities. Both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario continue to produce abundant walleye populations and trophy-class fish. A strong 2003 year class of walleye moved into the Lake Erie fishery in 2006 and provided excellent fishing opportunities and angler success. This year class remains a major part of the Lake Erie fishery and should continue to provide quality opportunities to anglers. Also, the daily creel limit for walleye in Lake Erie has been increased from 4 to 5 fish. In Lake Ontario, good walleye populations can be found in Irondequoit Bay, Sodus Bay, Braddocks Bay, Oswego Harbor, North Sandy Pond and Port Bay. The eastern basin of Lake Ontario, including Henderson Harbor, Black River, and Chaumont and Mud bays, provides the best walleye fishing opportunities in the Lake, especially for trophy size fish. The St. Lawrence River also supports a quality fishery and is a recommended destination for walleye anglers. To the west, the lower Niagara River commonly produces large walleye and receives relatively little pressure from walleye anglers.
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. High quality pike waters include many of the larger Adirondack lakes such as Tupper Lake, Schroon Lake, Lake George, the Saranac Lake Chain, Lake Champlain, First through Fourth Lakes (Fulton Chain), Long Lake, Upper Chateaugay and the St. Regis Chain of Lakes. The Great Sacandaga Lake remains a destination for trophy pike anglers with a number of 20+ lb fish having been caught in recent years. Further south, good pike fishing can also be found in Saratoga Lake and Round Lake. Outside of the Adirondack region, pike anglers should try the Upper Niagara River and Silver Lake in western New York; 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.
Since 1967, DEC hatcheries have reared tiger muskellunge, a cross between northern pike and muskellunge, which are now stocked in 44 waters throughout the state. Tiger muskellunge initially grow faster than their parental species and can quickly reach trophy proportions. In the eastern half of the state, good tiger muskie waters include New Croton Reservoir, Greenwood Lake and Rockland Lake in DEC Region 3; Canadarago Lake in Region 4; and Cossayuna Lake, Lake Durant, Lake Lauderdale, Lincoln Pond and Round Lake in Region 5. In Region 6, First through Fourth Lakes (Fulton Chain), Horseshoe Lake and Hyde Lake are also good bets. Also, an often overlooked tiger muskie fishery is found in the Mohawk River/Barge Canal from Rome downstream to Lock 16. In Region 7, excellent fishing opportunities exist at Lake Como and Otisco Lake, where the tiger muskie population has rebounded in recent years and good numbers of 30 inch + fish are present. The Lower Chenango River and the Susquehanna River downstream of Binghamton also have thriving muskellunge and tiger muskellunge populations. In these locations the muskellunge season also opens on May 5 to avoid confusion for anglers trying to distinguish between the two species. In Region 8, Conesus Lake offers quality opportunities.
Chain pickerel are also very popular with a dedicated group of anglers seeking these toothy predators that typically inhabit shallow, weedy waters. Many of the best chain pickerel waters are in the southeastern section of the state (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 Region 5 and Black River in Region 6. In Region 7, the south end of Skaneateles Lake and Tully Lake offer outstanding fishing for quality size pickerel. Good pickerel fishing in Region 8 can be found at Hemlock Lake and Canadice Lake.
Many other 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 visit the DEC website.
Anglers are reminded that the New York State Department of Health (DOH) annually updates health advisories for people wishing to consume their catch. Anglers should be aware that due to high levels of mercury in large, predatory fish such as northern pike, walleye and bass, a special fish consumption advisory has been put in place for Catskill and Adirondack waters. For more information on fish consumption advisories, refer to the Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide, at www.nyhealth.gov/nysdoh/fish/fish.htm on the DOH website, or contact the DOH toll-free information line at 1-800-458-1158.
Anglers are 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. With some specific exceptions, all live baitfish sold for use on New York State waters must be certified to be free of VHS and a number of other potentially serious fish diseases. This restriction does not apply to commercially packaged and preserved dead baitfish such as salted minnows. Personal collection and use of baitfish is permitted, but these baitfish may only be used on the water from which they were collected and may not be transported off the body of water. For more information on VHS and the actions the DEC has taken to prevent its spread, please go to the DEC website.
Anglers are also reminded of their important role in protecting the outstanding fishing opportunities that New York provides. Anglers should:
Be certain to know the most current regulations for the intended fishing waters. Restrictive fishing regulations are put in place to maintain or improve fishing opportunities, but can only work if they are followed. Numerous exceptions to the statewide regulations exist in each DEC region. Regulations may be found in the revised edition of the 2006-2008 Fishing Regulations Guide issued with your license, or from DEC's website. Anglers should also be sure to have the current year's fishing license before hitting the water;
Be certain that your boats, trailers and other fishing gear are not transporting "aquatic hitchhikers." Boaters and anglers are reminded that these are a common mechanism by which nuisance exotic species such as Eurasian water milfoil, zebra mussels and numerous undesirable fish species are spread in New York. Anglers should never dump unused bait into a body of water unless the bait was taken from that body of water. Boaters should make certain that their trailers, boat props and other locations where vegetation may cling are clean before leaving the water from which the "weeds" were collected. Livewells and bilges should also be drained prior to leaving a launch-site and allowed to dry before launching into a new body of water. Similarly, non-boating anglers should be certain that their waders and other fishing gear are free of mud, plants, fish or animals before leaving the water they have been fishing. To learn more about invasive species and how to prevent their spread, go to http://www.protectyourwaters.net/ ;
Release a trophy to fight again. Many of our fish species, including all of our pike species, can grow to world-record proportions in New York waters. This can only happen however, 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.
Purchase a Habitat Stamp. A $5 habitat stamp can be purchased when a fishing license is purchased or renewed. The funding from the habitat stamp will help support DEC's efforts to conserve fish and wildlife habitat and increase public access for fish and wildlife related recreation including providing new or improved access to quality fishing opportunities; and
Use non-lead fishing sinkers. Anglers and New York fishing tackle retailers are reminded that the sale of small lead sinkers weighing ½ ounce or less is 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 greater than ½ ounce, 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.
