Division of Fish and Wildlife Bureau of Fisheries, Fisheries Unit www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27068.html

New York’s 2016 Lake Ontario Fisheries Program Highlights

The following information summary is preliminary and selective. Comprehensive, final results will be reported in the “2016 Annual Report of the Bureau of Fisheries Lake Ontario Unit and St. Lawrence River Unit to the Fishery Commission’s Lake Ontario Committee”, which will be posted at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27068.html in spring 2017. Results reported below were generated through collaborative fisheries and ecosystem monitoring and research programs conducted by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), US Geological Survey (USGS), Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (OMNRF), US Fish and Wildlife Service, and academic partners. For more information, contact:

NYSDEC Lake Ontario Unit P.O. Box 292 Cape Vincent, NY 13618 (315) 654- 2147 or e-mail to: [email protected]

2016 Lake Ontario Stocking and Fall 2016 Egg Collections • in the waters of Lake Ontario in 2016 included approximately 1.88 million , 316,000 , 662,170 rainbow , 495,620 , 156,270 , 384,250 , and 68,250 . • A multi-agency, international effort to rehabilitate native ciscoes in Lake Ontario continued in 2016 with the stocking of approximately 149,353 fall fingerling bloaters by the USGS and 183,000 fall yearling bloaters by the OMNRF. Bloaters are one of four extirpated species of deepwater ciscoes that once dominated Lake Ontario’s forage base. Additionally in 2016, USGS reared and stocked approximately 22,109 lake herring into Sodus Bay in an effort to re-establish spawning populations in south shore embayments. Lake herring are a shallow-water form of cisco that exists only at remnant levels. • Fall 2016 Chinook and coho salmon egg collections exceeded targets, and fish survival has been good to date.

New 2017 Great Lakes Sportfishing Regulations The following potential Great Lakes fishing regulations will become effective on April 1, 2017: • Eliminate spearing in Cayuga and Oswego County streams. • Clarification of the boundary between Lake Ontario and : “the upstream most navigation buoy located between the breakwalls at the mouth of the river.” • Reduce the number of smallmouth bass seasons in Lake Erie from three to two. • Define Springville Dam on Cattaraugus Creek as the upsteam limit for Lake Erie tributary regulations. • Close a section of the Grasse River (St. Lawrence County) to all fishing during the closed season for walleye. • Reduce the creel limit for northern pike in the St. Lawrence River from five to three fish.

2016 Water Temperatures and Weather • Many factors can strongly influence fish (e.g., their behavior, distribution and growth rates) and fishing success, including numbers of fish stocked and their survival, numbers of wild salmon produced and their survival, water temperature, and wind direction/speed.

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• The winters of 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 were much colder than normal, resulting in record ice cover on the Great Lakes, including Lake Ontario. Following well below average open lake water temperatures in 2014 and 2015, water temperatures in 2016 were above average each month May through August (Figure 1).

Mean monthly surface water temperature at Bouy 45012 off of Rochester NY, May-August 75

70

65

60 2014 55

50 2015

45 2004-2013 Average

Mean monthly temperature (F) temperature monthly Mean 40 2016 35 May June July August Month Figure 1. Mean monthly surface water temperature (˚F) recorded at Buoy 45012 off of Rochester, May - August 2014-2016, and the previous 10-year (2004-2013) average.

Sportfishery Assessments Open Lake Fishing Boat Survey • During 2016, there were time periods and locations of both excellent and poor fishing quality. The four most sought after species are Chinook salmon, brown trout, , and coho salmon, and regulations allow a daily harvest limit of “3 in any combination” of these four species. In 2016, charter boat fishing quality (catch rate=number of fish caught per hour of angling) for these four species combined increased 21% from 2015 (Figure 2). • The best Chinook salmon fishing quality among charter boats occurred during 2003-2016. Fishing quality in 2016 was similar to the 2003-2016 average, primarily due to relatively good fishing in the West Region during May through August, and during July for all regions. Angler reports of poor Chinook fishing quality during portions of the 2016 fishing season and/or in specific areas were confirmed by survey results. • Fishing quality for brown trout was near record high levels in recent years, however, for a second consecutive year, fishing quality in 2016 was among the lowest recorded and 16% below the long-term average. • Coho salmon fishing quality in 2015 and 2016 was well below the long-term average (-57% and -70%, respectively). • Rainbow trout fishing quality was at record high levels each year 2008-2014; however, fishing quality declined markedly during 2015 and 2016. The 2016 catch rate was 25% below the long term average. • Lake trout fishing quality improved each year (2008-2013) from the 2007 record low, and has remained relatively stable since. • Fishing quality for Atlantic salmon remained relatively high and was nearly 45% above the long-term average in 2016 (no figure provided; catch rates are very low when compared to other salmonids).

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0.15 Chinook Salmon 0.15 Rainbow (Steelhead) 0.12 0.12 0.09 0.09 0.06 0.06 0.03 0.03 0.00 0.00 85 88 91 94 97 '00 '03 '06 '09 12 15 85 88 91 94 97 '00 '03 '06 '09 12 15

0.15 Coho Salmon 0.15 Lake Trout 0.12 0.12 0.09 0.09 0.06 0.06 0.03 0.03 0.00 0.00 85 88 91 94 97 '00 '03 '06 '09 12 15 85 88 91 94 97 '00 '03 '06 '09 12 15

0.15 Brown Trout 0.25 0.12 0.20 0.09

Catch Rate (fishper angler hour) 0.15 0.06 0.10 0.03 0.05 3-in-any-combination species 0.00 0.00 (Chinook, Coho, Rainbow, Brown) 85 88 91 94 97 '00 '03 '06 '09 12 15 85 88 91 94 97 '00 '03 '06 '09 12 15

Survey Year

Figure 2. Trout and salmon fishing quality (catch rate=fish caught per hour of angling) for charter boats fishing the open waters of Lake Ontario April 15- September 30, 1985-2016.

• An estimated 138,231 trout and salmon were caught (primarily Chinook salmon [44%] and lake trout [26%]). Trout and salmon harvest was estimated at 79,334 fish, dominated by Chinook salmon (43%) and lake trout (23%). • Fishing effort directed at trout and salmon remained relatively stable for more than a decade, however, effort declined in 2016 to the lowest level on record (38,776 boat trips targeted trout and salmon, 84% of all fishing trips). The decline may be partly attributed to unfavorable weather patterns and reduced fishing quality for some species. • The number of lamprey observed per 1,000 trout and salmon caught was estimated at 12 in 2016 (31% below the previous 5-year average), indicating effective control (see also “Sea Lamprey Control” below). • The estimated number of fishing boat trips targeting smallmouth bass during the traditional open season (3rd Saturday in June through September 30 when the creel survey ends) was 5,295 bass trips in 2016, similar to the low levels observed in recent years. Fishing quality in 2016 was similar to the previous 5-year average.

Lake Ontario Tributary Angler Survey • DEC conducted a Lake Ontario tributary angler survey from September 2015 through April 2016, the fourth comprehensive survey completed (previous surveys completed in 2005/06, 2006/07, & 2011/12).

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• Total estimated angler effort for all tributaries in 2015-2016 was 989,437 angler hours, down considerably from the 1,582,428 hours in 2011-2012, but similar to other surveys (999,182 hours in 2005/06 and 910,413 hours for 2006/07). The Salmon River accounted for 74 % of all angler effort • Eighteen of 21 tributaries surveyed had reported catches of Chinook salmon. The estimated catch and harvest of Chinook salmon on all tributaries surveyed in fall 2015 was 43,589 and 13,740, respectively; markedly lower than previous surveys. • Coho salmon were caught in eight of the 21 tributaries surveyed, with a total of 6,061 fish caught. While this result was similar to the 5,804 fish estimated in 2005, it is far below the 2006 and 2011 estimates of 18,047 and 30,857 fish, respectively. The Salmon River accounted for 95% of the catch (5,738) and 89% of the harvest (2,307). • The estimated steelhead catch from all tributaries combined totaled 48,893 in 2015-2016 (from 11 of 21 tributaries), the lowest catch to date (2005/06 – 77,153; 2006/07 – 56,488; 2011/12 – 170,642). The Salmon River again produced the highest estimated number of steelhead caught with 25,170 fish (2005/06 – 20,705; 2006/07 – 21,489; 2011/12 – 96,398). Oak Orchard, Eighteenmile, Maxwell Creek, Sandy Creek and the Niagara River all produced estimated catches over 2,000 fish in 2015/16. The release rate for steelhead was 88% on the Salmon River and 85% for all tributaries combined. • Twelve of 21 tributaries surveyed had reported catches of brown trout. Total estimated brown trout catch in 2015/16 was 18,182 fish (2005/06 – 68,313; 2006/07 – 39,065; 2011/12 – 52,897). Catch of brown trout from Oak Orchard Creek (5,023 fish) was higher than for any other tributary in 2015/16. Irondequoit and Sandy (Monroe County) creeks both produced catches over 4,000 fish. Brown trout on the Salmon River were fairly scarce in 2015/16, with an estimated 372 caught.

Results of Bottom Trawl Surveys • Abundance of adult (age-2 and older) alewife declined about 78% from 2015 to 2016 (Figure 3a). • The 2016 catch of age-1 or “yearling alewife” (Figure 3b) was about 33% below the 1994-2015 average. • The two severe winters/cool summers of 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 resulted in very poor 2013 and 2014 alewife “year classes” (fish produced from reproduction in a given year). These year classes are represented in Figure 3b as yearlings in 2014 (2013 year class) and 2015 (2014 year class). • Reduced adult alewife abundance in 2016, along with the relatively poor 2013 and 2014 year classes, prompted concern over future abundance of adult alewife and the number of predators that depend upon alewife (see http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/107705.html ). • Following extensive public outreach in summer/fall 2016, the DEC and OMNRF decided to reduce Chinook salmon and lake trout stocking each by 20% in 2017.

6.0 Adult Alewife in U.S. Waters of Lake Ontario USGS/NYSDEC Provisional Data 4.0 (1978-2016) Number 2.0 Number Index Index (1000s) Number

0.0 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016

Figure 3a. Bottom trawl abundance indices for adult (age-2 and older) alewife. Abundance is the number of alewife captured per 10 minute bottom trawl tow.

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Yearling Alewife in U.S. Waters of Lake Ontario 1978-2016 USGS/NYSDEC Provisional Data 1.4 1.2 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 Number Index Index (1000s) Number

0.0 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016

Figure 3b. Bottom trawl abundance indices for age-1 (yearling; bottom graph) alewife. Abundance is the number of alewife captured per 10 minute bottom trawl tow.

Growth of Chinook Salmon Measured at the Salmon River Hatchery • The average weight of age-1 Chinook males (jacks) sampled in 2016 was 5.4 pounds, the eight highest value recorded. • Age-2 males (11.8 lbs) were 1.6 pounds below average and age-2 females (12.5 lbs) were 2.2 pounds below average. • Age-3 males (17.0 lbs) were nearly 2.0 pounds below average and age-3 females (17.2 lbs) were 1.9 pounds below the long-term average.

Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Pen-rearing Projects • Spring 2016 was the 19th year of volunteer-based pen-rearing projects for steelhead and Chinook salmon. Pen rearing projects were initiated with the intent of improving survival and homing of pen-reared fish when compared to traditional, shore-stocked fish. • Approximately 450,800 Chinook salmon fingerlings were reared at seven pen sites comprising 24.0% of DEC’s 2016 Chinook stocking allotment. • Approximately 56,000 steelhead ( strain) yearlings were reared at seven sites, representing 11.0% of DEC’s 2016 steelhead stocking allotment.

Chinook Salmon Marking Projects • In 2008, DEC purchased an automated fish marking trailer (AutoFish system) which is capable of adipose clipping and/or applying coded wire tags (CWTs) to salmon and trout at high speed and accuracy. • To determine the proportions of wild and hatchery Chinook salmon in Lake Ontario, all Chinook salmon stocked by DEC and OMNRF from 2008-2011 were marked with an adipose fin clip. For the four year classes studied (2008-2011), percentages of wild Chinook salmon in Lake Ontario varied by year class, age, and among

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regions, but overall, wild Chinook were an important component of the Lake Ontario open lake fishery averaging 47% of the age 2-and age-3 harvested by anglers. • For the four year classes studied (2008-11), the percentages of wild Chinook salmon returning to New York tributaries to at age 2 & 3 varied among regions, averaging 7.5% wild Chinook salmon in western region tributaries, 18% in eastern region tributaries, and 58% in the Salmon River. • To determine the degree of homing to stocking sites and straying to the DEC Salmon River Hatchery (SRH), all Chinook salmon stocked at the Salmon River received adipose fin clips and CWTs from 2008-2010. Returns of Chinook salmon at the SRH from 2008-2010 stocking years suggest a high degree of homing by fish stocked at the Salmon River and a low degree of straying from other stocking sites, with estimated straying rates averaging about 10%, when assuming equal survival and straying from all sites. Based on new data results indicating unequal survival at and straying from sites, straying rates will be adjusted in future analyses. • To evaluate the relative contributions of pen-reared vs. traditional shore-stocked salmon, Chinook salmon stocked at pen rearing sites were adipose clipped and coded wire tagged in 2010, 2011 and in 2013. Results indicate that pen reared fish provided an average of 1.9 (2010 year class), 2.4 (2011 year class) and 2.7 (2013 year class) greater contribution (survival) to the lake fishery when compared to direct stocked fish. • Chinook salmon stocked at the Salmon River in 2010 provided about 2.3 greater contribution to the lake fishery than direct stocked salmon. • Returns of tagged Chinook salmon to tributaries from 2011-2015 suggest a high degree of homing by both pen and direct stocked fish. The majority of salmon returning to individual stocking sites were stocked at those sites. Chinooks straying to other tributaries were comprised mainly of fish from other, nearby stocking sites. • Each year, DEC stocks coho salmon as fall fingerlings (age 0) at six sites along the New York shoreline, and as spring yearlings (age 1) at the Salmon River. As part of a continuing effort to evaluate the effectiveness of stocking programs, the relative return of fall fingerling and yearling fish will be compared by adipose clipping and coded wire tagging all coho salmon stocked by DEC from 2016-2018.

Salmon River Wild Young-of-Year (YOY) Chinook Salmon Seining Program • Seining has been conducted annually since 2001 to track wild YOY Chinook salmon production in the Salmon River, the largest source of wild Chinook in New York. The mean peak catch of 1,067 YOY Chinook per seine haul in 2016 was the highest observed, and follows strong catches in 2015 (third highest mean peak catch).

Progress Towards Lake Trout Restoration • Following low lake trout population levels during 2005-2007, adult lake trout abundance increased each year from 2008-2014, then declined slightly in 2015 and 2016. • The number of fresh sea lamprey wounds on lake trout was below target, indicating effective sea lamprey control efforts (see also “Sea Lamprey Control” below). • Wild lake trout were collected each year from 1994-2016, representing 22 year classes of wild production. Catches of wild age-1 and age-2 lake trout in 2014, 2015, and 2016 were the highest recorded since restoration efforts began over 30 years ago.

Eastern Basin Warmwater Fish Assessment • Since 1976, DEC has conducted an annual index gill net survey to evaluate the status of warmwater fish populations in Lake Ontario’s Eastern Basin. • The relative abundance of all species combined in 2016 was 45% below the 2006-2015 (previous ten year) average. • Each year from 1995-2013, smallmouth bass and dominated survey catches. In 2015 and 2016, however, catch was dominated by smallmouth bass (2016: 30% of total) and white perch (2016: 19% of total). • Catches of smallmouth bass during 2014-2016 were at low levels. We continue to see no evidence of strong years of reproduction (i.e. year classes) when compared to historic data. • Yellow perch catches remained well below (-71%) the previous 10-year average in 2016. • Walleye catches were lower in 2015 & 2016 as compared to the previous 10 years, however, production of recent, strong year classes are expected to stabilize and possible improve the population. • Lake sturgeon catches were extremely rare in this assessment prior to 1995; however, at least one lake

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sturgeon was collected in 16 of the last 22 years, suggesting improved population status. Two lake sturgeon were captured during 2016 netting.

Sea Lamprey Control • The estimated lake-wide population of adult sea lampreys during 2016 was below the control target value of 11,368. • Sea lamprey control agents from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, contractors for the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, conducted sea lamprey control treatments in the following NY tributaries in 2016: , Little Sandy Creek, Grindstone Creek, Oswego River (Fish Creek). • NY streams scheduled for sea lamprey treatments in 2017 include: South Sandy Creek, Lindsey Creek, Salmon River, Little Salmon River, and Ninemile Creek. • A total of 58 tributaries (20 Canada, 38 U.S.) were assessed for the presence of larval lamprey. Abundance of larval sea lampreys was estimated in 6 tributaries (2 Canada, 4 U.S.). An additional 23 tributaries (5 Canada, 18 U.S.) were surveyed to detect the presence of new larval populations; none were detected.

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