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New York Freshwater

Fishing2013–14 OFFICIAL Regulations Guide Vl o ume 6, Issue No. 1, October 2013

Fly Fishing the Catskills

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation www.dec.ny.gov

Most regulations are in effect October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014 Message from the Governor

New York’s Open for Hunting and Fishing Welcome to another great freshwater fishing season in New York, home to an extraor- dinary variety of waterbodies and diverse fisheries. From the historic to the majestic Great Lakes, and with hundreds of lakes and thousands of miles of streams from the Adirondacks to the Fingers Lakes, New York offers excitement and challenges for anglers that cannot be beat! The Bass Anglers Sportsman Society selected five of our waters – Cayuga Lake, Oneida Lake, Lake Champlain, Thousand Islands/St. Lawrence River and Lake Erie for their list of the Top 100 Bass Waters of 2013, with the last two listed in the top 20. This year’s guide is focused on trout fishing in the Catskills, also a nationally renowned destination for trout anglers. We continue our efforts to make New York, which is already ranked 2nd in the United States for recreational fishing economic impact, even more attractive as a tourism destination. My “New York Open for Fishing and Hunting” initiative will simplify the purchase of sporting licenses in 2014 and, most importantly, reduce fees. In addition, we will spend more than $4 million to develop new boat launches and fishing access sites so we can expand opportunities for anglers. Over the past three years New York invested $2.5 million in the development of new boat launching facilities on Cuba Lake in Allegany County, the Upper Hudson River in Saratoga County, Lake Champlain in the City of Plattsburgh, and two new facilities on Lake Ontario - Point Peninsula Isthmus and Three Mile Bay, both in Jefferson County. Major upgrades were also completed on the Woodville Boat Launch on Canandaigua Lake, the Horicon Boat Launch on Schroon Lake, and the Northville Boat Launch on Great . We’ve also made improvements to our hatchery system, including a new visitor center at the state’s Rome Fish Hatchery. Fishing is a great way to enjoy New York’s unparalleled outdoor recreation oppor- tunities. Research has shown that people involved in the sport of fishing also enjoy other outdoor sports such as hiking, camping and wildlife watching. A particular interest of mine is to encourage our children to enjoy nature. I can’t think of a better way to do this than by introducing them to the sport of fishing. I recently signed legis- lation that will expand the number of free sportfishing clinics in New York offered by organizations designated by the Department of Environmental Conservation. These clinics will help people learn about fishing and, most important – how much fun they can have fishing in New York waters! Best of luck on your fishing adventures. If you’re fishing in New York you’ve already made a great catch!

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo Contents Using This Guide 1. Review the Statewide Angling Regulations. – page 14 Stop the Spread of Invasive Species 2 2. Review the special regulations section which begins on page 16 and includes regulations for specific waters (ie. Lake Highlights of Changes 4 Champlain) or group of waters (ie. Great Lakes). IF THE License Information 6 WATER YOU INTEND TO FISH IS NOT LISTED IN THIS SECTION, STATEWIDE ANGLING REGULATIONS APPLY. NYS Environmental 3. Review: Conservation Police Q&A 8 • General Regulations – page 53 Feature: Managing the Trout fisheries • Baitfish Regulations – page 57 • Definitions – page 60 of the catskills 10 4. Consult the License Information section to determine if you Statewide Angling Regulations 14 need a fishing license. – page 6 Special Regulations: Region 1 17 5. Review the NYS Environmental Conservation Police Q&A section which provides answers to some of the more frequently Special Regulations: Region 2 18 asked questions concerning the information in this guide. — Special Regulations: Region 3 19 pages 8, 17, 31 and 33 Special Regulations: Region 4 21 6. Review Health Advisories. – page 67 If you have any questions or are unsure of any regulations, call Regulations 23 or e-mail the nearest DEC regional office. Contact information Tidal Hudson River Regulations 24 can be found in the Special Regulations section of the guide. — pages 16-46 Border Waters Regulations 25 Feature: Fly fishing the catskills 26 Special Regulations: Region 5 30 This guide is a summary that is intended for convenience only— for a complete reference, consult New York State Environmental Lake Champlain Regulations 35 Conservation Law (ECL) and Volume 6 of the Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR). Copies can be Special Regulations: Region 6 36 reviewed at the nearest library with a State Supreme Court refer- ence section, on-line at www.assembly.state.ny.us/leg/ for ECL and Special Regulations: Region 7 40 www.dec.ny.gov/regs/2494.html for NYCRR, or by contacting a Regional Special Regulations: Region 8 43 DEC Division of Law Enforcement Office. and Tributary Regulations 45 State of New York Special Regulations: Region 9 46 Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor Great Lakes and Tributary Regulations 48 NYS Department of Environmental Conservation General Regulations 53 Joe Martens, Commissioner Kathy Moser, Assistant Commissioner for Natural Resources Baitfish Regulations 57 Patricia Riexinger, Director, Division of Fish, Wildlife & Marine Resources Phil Hulbert, Chief, Bureau of Fisheries Definitions 60 How to contact us: Weigh Your Fish With A Ruler 62 NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Bureau of Fisheries New York State Angler 625 Broadway Achievement Awards 63 Albany, NY 12233-4753 [email protected] Health Advisories 67 Website: www.dec.ny.gov Environmental Conservation Officers 72 Main cover photo: (Ulster County), Ed Ostapczuk. Inset cover photos: E sopus Creek & brook trout, Ed Ostapczuk; Freshwater Fish Identification 74 fisherman,Jason Dole. Public Fishing Rights 76 Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources’ Mission: The mission of DEC’s Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources is Catch & Release Guidelines 77 to serve the interests of current and future generations of New Yorkers by using our collective skills, in partnership with the public, to describe, DEC Fish Hatcheries 78 understand, manage and perpetuate a healthy and diverse assemblage of fish, wildlife and ecosystems. Funding Fisheries management 80

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 1 NEW YORK A nglers and Boaters Freshwater Help Stop the Spread of Aquatic FISHING 2013–14 OFFICIAL REGULATIONS GUIDE Invasive Species and Fish Diseases VOLUME 6, ISSUE NO. 1, OCTOBER 2013 Fly Fishing the Fish diseases such as viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) and invasive species such as the zebra mussel and Eurasian water milfoil can be spread through the use of boating and fishing equipment Catskills that has not been properly cleaned, dried or disinfected prior to its use in another waterbody. Help stop the spread of these noxious species and diseases by adhering to the following simple guidelines.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

www.dec.ny.gov

INP S ECT Most regulations are in effect your boat, trailer and other fishing and October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014 boating equipment, and remove all mud, plants and other organisms that might be clinging to it. Never release plants, fish or animals into a body of water, unless they 1 came out of that body of water. About this Guide This high-quality regulation guide is offered to you by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation through its unique partnership with J.F. Griffin Publishing, LLC. J.F. Griffin is an award winning publishing house D Rain AND DRY everything that came into contact with water. Many aquatic invasive species and that specializes in producing state fish and wildlife fish diseases are microscopic and can be transported regulation books. J.F. Griffin supports the DEC’s staff 2 in the design, layout and editing of the guides. They in as little as a drop of water. Dry boats for at least 5 days and other equipment for at least 48 hrs before also manage the marketing and sales of advertising use in another waterbody. Difficult-to-dry gear may to appropriate businesses within the book. require even longer drying times. Recommended drying The revenue generated through ad sales significantly times for each month of the year can be calculated at lowers production costs and generates savings. 100thmeridian.org/emersion.asp. Be sure to completely drain your boat, including baitwells and livewells. These savings translate into additional funds for other important fisheries and habitat programs. If you have any feedback or are interested in adver- tising, please contact us at 413.884.1001 or online at www.JFGriffin.com DNISI FECT equipment if you cannot or do not have the time to dry Graphic Design: it before using it in another waterbody. Jon Gulley, Erin Murphy, Evelyn Haddad, Effective disinfectants include water at Chris Sobolowski and Dane Fay least 140° F (hotter than most hot tap water) or steam, 2% bleach solution 3 (3 ounces of household bleach mixed with 1 gallon of water), or household cleansers such as Fantastik®, Formula 409®, or Spray Nine® that contain the 430 Main St. Suite 5 | Williamstown, MA 01267 ingredient alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride. For all materials, J.F. Griffin Publishing, LLC is proud to print the follow label instructions and be sure official New York Freshwater Fishing Regulations to soak equipment for a minimum of Guide on post-consumer recycled paper. 10 minutes. Dispose of all cleaning/ disinfectant solutions away from surface waters in accordance with label restrictions. available online in a new Digital Edition!

Fully searchable Email pages Live hyperlinks to One-click printing expanded content For more information For more information on aquatic invasive eRegulations.com/NY/fishing species and preventing their spread go to: www.dec.ny.gov/animals/48221.html, or scan this QR code with a smartphone.

2 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE NEW YORK State DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

New York State facilities are available to all persons without regard to race, color, national origin or physical disability in accordance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This guide is a summary that is intended for convenience only. For complete informa- tion, consult New York State Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) and Volume 6 of the Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR). Copies can be reviewed at the nearest library with a State Supreme Court references section or by contacting a regional Division of Law Enforcement Office. They can also be found online at www.assembly.state.ny.us/leg/ for ECL and www.dec.ny.gov/regs/2494.html for NYCRR. Be sure to see “Using This Guide” (page 1) and review “Highlights of Changes” below.

Highlights of Changes Note: Changes are highlighted in green throughout the guide. Did you know? •• Use or possession of alewife or blueback herring on the is now prohibited. •• The daily limit for alewife and blueback herring on the Hudson River has been reduced. ...In 2012, DEC Forest •• Changes have also been made to the manner of taking of alewife and blueback herring in the Rangers put out more than Hudson River by angling and personal use nets. 177 fires affecting almost 2,146 acres. Rangers trained 1,446 community firefighters in wildfire control techniques. F ree Fishing Days ...DEC Forest Rangers are June 28–29, 2014 experts on all aspects of the state land they patrol. Ask a During the last weekend in June anyone can fish the fresh or Ranger where to hunt, fish, marine waters of New York State and no license is required! hike, camp or see wildlife! Since no license is required, it’s the perfect time to take a ...DEC Forest Rangers issue friend or relative fishing. permits for camping on state lands and administer the For more information, contact a Regional DEC Fisheries licensed guide program. Office. For a list of DEC-sponsored Fishing Clinics, contact Seamus Dutcher with a nice www.dec.ny.gov a DEC Regional Fisheries Office or go to: brown from the Mohawk River. 518-408-5850 www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27123.html

New York State DepartmeNt of eNviroNmeNtal CoNServatioN Fishing Hotlines Central New York (607) 753-1551 Orleans County (585) 589-3220 Lake Erie (Dunkirk) (716) 679-ERIE Lake Erie (Buffalo) (716) 855-FISH Niagara County (877) FALLS US Southeastern New York (845) 256-3101 Wayne County (315) 946-5466 DEC Web Hotlines www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/fishhotlines.html Marine Recreational Fishing Regulations Recreational fishing regulations for marine fish species are subject to frequent changes in response to rapid changes in fishing conditions and development of interstate management strategies for these species. For complete and accurate information on current New York marine recreational fishing regulations, contact the DEC Bureau of Marine Resources, Finfish and Crustacean Unit (631) 444-0435 or visit the DEC website at: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7894.html. Anglers 16 years and older desiring to fish in the marine and coastal district or for migratory marine species must enroll in the no fee Recreational Marine Fishing Registry (see page 6).

Fishing Regs NY_4c_2.25x2.indd 1 5/29/13 5:12 PM Stay Current with DEC

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4 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE Li cense information

P lease do not laminate your license. The heat from this P lease note: Effective February 1, 2014, the structure of hunting, process will cause it to become unreadable. fishing, and trapping licenses and the fees charged for these licenses will change. Licenses purchased prior to February 1, 2014, and privileges associated with those licenses, remain in effect through their valid dates. Please check the DEC website www.dec.ny.gov for an updated list of licenses and associated fees. Anglers Under the Age of 16 Anglers under the age of 16 are not required to have a fresh- water fishing license or enroll in the Recreational Marine Fishing Resident Registry. Senior (70+)/Military Disability1 $ 5 Annual Fishing $ 29 7 Day Fishing $ 15 L icense requirements 1 Day Fishing $ 5 Everyone must have a valid fishing license in their possession while Sportsman2 $ 47 fishing or helping someone to fish except: Sportsman (Senior 70+) $ 10 •P• ersons under 16 years of age. Super Sportsman3 $ 88 •• NYS-resident owners, lessees and members of their immediate Conservation Legacy4 $ 96 families occupying and cultivating farm lands, when fishing on Non-Resident their own lands. Annual Fishing $ 70 •• Persons holding farm fish pond licenses and members of their 7 Day Fishing $ 35 immediate families, when fishing on waters covered by their licenses. 1 Day Fishing $ 15 •• Resident patients at Dept. of Mental Health institutions and Dept. 3 Super Sportsman $ 280 of Health rehabilitation hospitals, and inmates at Division of Youth Lifetime Licenses rehabilitation centers. License exemptions must be requested Lifetime Sportsman2 (age 4 or younger) $380 for such persons through the hospital/institution by writing Lifetime Sportsman2 (age 5–11) $535 NYSDEC License Sales Unit, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4790, Lifetime Fishing $460 or by e-mailing [email protected]. Senior Lifetime Fishing (70+) $65 •W• hen fishing on licensed fishing preserves. 1 F or specifics concerning this license type, call 518-402-8843. 2 License type that allows the holder to hunt small and big game, and to freshwater fish. 3 License type that allows the holder to hunt small and big game and freshwater fish, plus Free licenses bow hunting, muzzleloader hunting and turkey hunting. The following individuals are eligible for a free fishing license and may 4 License type that includes super sportsman license, subscription to New York Conservationist obtain a license at any license issuing outlet: magazine and a Habitat and Access Stamp. The Habitat and Access Stamp is a voluntary stamp. Revenues go into a dedicated account within the Conservation Fund and are used •N• ew York State residents who are blind. for projects that protect and improve habitat, and provide access for fishing, hunting and •• New York State residents who are active service members of the other wildlife-related recreation. NYS Organized Militia (i.e., National Guard), or U.S. Reserve Forces. •• New York State residents stationed outside of New York who are Lifetime Licenses on full time active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and are on leave Buy a lifetime license and never worry about future fee increases. in NY for no longer than 30 days. Lifetime licenses are available only to New York State residents, but remain valid even if you move out of state. •• Resident patients at U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs hospitals or state funded facilities can obtain a free fishing license through Lifetime licenses can now be License Sales Unit their hospital or facility. purchased at all license issuing NYSDEC outlets. For more information, 625 Broadway •• Native Americans who are members of the Shinnecock and visit DEC’s website or contact Albany, NY 12233-4790 Poospatuck tribes or the Six Nations residing on reservations in us at: (518) 402-8843 New York State may obtain a free fishing license by contacting their reservation or DEC’s License Sales Office at (518) 402-8843. License Requirements for Border Waters Does a New York State fishing license entitle holder to fish the out-of-state portion of L ost license replacement waters listed below? A lost license may be replaced for $5.00 for each license type at any Water State/Province Yes/No license issuing outlet. Lake Ontario Ontario No Lake Erie Ontario, Pennsylvania No R ecreational Marine Fishing Registry St. Lawrence River Ontario, Quebec No Anglers 16 years of age and older who desire to fish in the marine and Niagara River Ontario No coastal district of New York, or for migratory marine species such as Quebec No striped bass, hickory shad, and river herring from all waters of the Lake Champlain state including the Hudson River and must enroll in Vermont Yesa the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry. General provisions include: Delaware River & West Branch Pennsylvania Yes •• There is no fee for residents or non-residents to register. (See resident Delaware River (along boundary) licenses on page 7 for residency requirement). Greenwood Lake New Jersey Yesb Indian Lake Connecticut Yesb •• Registration is effective from January 1 through December 31 each year. a All Vermont portions of Lake Champlain with the exception of The Inland Sea (including “The Gut”), •• Anglers may register at any sporting license issuing agent, by phone, Mallett’s Bay, Missisquoi Bay and all rivers. (See map on page 35) or by Internet as noted on page 7, under “Purchasing a License.” b Ne w York license permits fishing out-of-state portion from boat or ice only.

6 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 16992 PL_NYfishing.ai 1 5/23/13 9:34 AM

License information

License or Registry Requirements for Fishing in the Tidal Hudson River or Marine and Coastal District License or Location Species Fishing For Registry Freshwater “Freshwater” North of Species Fishing License Tappan Zee Bridge Migratory Marine Species Recreational Marine South of C Fishing Registry Tappan Zee Bridge All Species (marine and coastal district) M

Y For additional information concerning the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry, contact the DEC Bureau of Marine Resources at CM (631) 444-0435 or visit the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov/per- MY mits/54950.html. CY

License privileges CMY

Persons holding a freshwater fishing license or combined hunting andK fishing license (including those entitled to fish without a license) may take fish by angling, spearing, hooking, longbow, nets, traps and tip ups; take frogs by spearing, catching with the hands or by use of a club or hook; and take baitfish for personal use, all as permitted by law or DEC. •• The holder of a license, tag or stamp shall have such license, tag or stamp on his/her person while exercising any privilege of that license. •• The holder of a license, tag or stamp shall exhibit it on demand to any police officer, peace officer, or the owner, lessee or other person in control of the lands or waters on which the license holder is present. •• No license or stamp authorizes the holder to trespass upon private lands or waters or interfere with property belonging to another person.

Resident licenses To qualify for a resident license, one must reside in New York State for more than 30 days immediately preceding the date of application for a license. Property ownership in New York State is not a residency requirement. Residency is a fixed, permanent and principal home to which a person (regardless wherever temporarily located) always intends to return. Proof of residency is the address listed on a person’s registra- tion to vote in elections for any public office other than school board. If applicant is under 18, the residence of parents or legal guardian shall be deemed such person’s residence. Active members of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in the state, and full-time college students in residence in the state during the school year (proof required) also qualify for resident licenses.

Purchasing a license Fishing licenses may be purchased at license issuing agents (town and county clerks, some major discount stores and many tackle shops and sporting goods stores) throughout New York State. Licenses may also be purchased online through DEC’s Automated Licensing System (DECALS), by calling 1-86-NY-DECALS. VISA and MasterCard are accepted. For further information, go to www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6101.html. Resident license buyers also must have a NYS driver’s license, learners permit or non-driver’s ID for online purchases.

Note: Periodically, DEC or its designated agent(s) may use contact information from license holders to communicate with license holders and to conduct surveys and research involving New York State fish and wildlife. The information obtained will provide public input on fish and wildlife management actions and human interactions with New York’s fish and wildlife resources.

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 7 e c oli P n TOLL-FREE 24-HOUR DEC DISPATCH CENTER: 1-877-457-5680 e n

Cos rvatio A quick reference to some of the more commonly asked questions

tal tal concerning New York State fishing regulations. n e m n

ro Q: Q: vi The “Statewide Regulations” indicate that the Does this mean that I can’t cull fish during a bass tournament? En walleye season runs from the first Saturday in May A: through March 15. Can I fish for walleye on March 15? No. A special provision is provided for black bass anglers that allows the replacement of a single, uninjured largemouth or smallmouth bass in A: Yes. The walleye season runs through March 15 and a livewell with another bass. closes at midnight. Note that in the regulations guide, a dash (–) is often used instead of the word “through.” Q: The trout season is closed on my favorite stream; can I still fish for New York State State York New trout if I release all of the fish that I catch? Q: If trout season opens April 1, what time may I A: start fishing? No. It is illegal to target a fish during its closed season. A: Anytime after 12 midnight. Q: How about catch-and-release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass – can I do that during the closed season? Q: Who do I contact if I have a question concerning a fishing A: regulation? Yes. A special catch-and-release season running from December 1 through the Friday preceding the third Saturday in June exists for many A: We strongly recommend that you contact the law enforcement office waters in New York State. This allows an angler to catch and immediately in the DEC region covering the water where you fish. Phone numbers release a bass using artificial lures only. However, there are exceptions to and e-mail addresses for each DEC region can be found in the “Special this regulation on and in many northern New York counties Regulations” section of the guide. in DEC regions 5 and 6.

Q: Do I need a fishing license to help my child fish? Q: If the daily limit for a particular species is five fish and I keep five A: Unlike states such as Pennsylvania that have a specific law that waives from a lake, can I keep another five from another lake? the fishing license requirement for an adult directly assisting a child, New A: No. The legal limit represents the maximum number of a species York State does not have such a law. We strongly encourage children to you can keep in a day. After reaching the legal limit, you cannot keep get involved in the sport of fishing and discretion will be used as long as any more of that species on the same day. Note that some species such the child is actively involved in the fishing activity. If in the eyes of an as trout, bass and panfish are lumped together in a species category, and Environmental Conservation Officer an adult is more actively involved the daily limit applies to the total number of fish kept in that category. in the fishing activity than the child that they are supposedly instructing, For example, you may keep three brook trout and two for a citation for fishing without a license could be issued. a total of five trout in a day, but you may not keep five brook trout AND five rainbow trout in the same day. Q: If I fish on a private lake or on a pond or stream on my property, do I need a fishing license? Q: If DEC stocks fish in a stream, a portion of which is private, do I A: Yes. Unless you are the owner of a pond on an active farm, hold a farm have the right to fish for these fish on private land? fish pond license, or are an immediate family member of the owner or A: No. Many stocked streams have both private and public segments. licensee, you must have a fishing license. Although fish are typically stocked only in segments open to the public, the fish can swim into private sections. In these circumstances, unless Q: If I get a ticket for fishing without a license, how much will it cost? DEC has purchased public fishing rights (PFR) from the landowner, you A: The fine amount is determined by the court. They may impose a fine must ask permission of the landowner to legally fish on private land. PFR from $0 to $250 and/or 15 days in jail. segments are posted with yellow signs. Q: Q: Can I keep my fishing license in my vehicle when I am fishing so it Do I have the right to fish a stream bordering a public road? doesn’t get wet. A: If the stream is on private land, you may not fish it. Although the A: No. You must be in possession of your license when fishing. stream may be bordered by a public road or road easement, the stream bottom can be privately owned. Therefore, you must ask permission of Q: Can I continue to fish once I have caught and kept my daily limit? the landowner to legally fish the stream. A: Yes. As long as you immediately release any additional fish you catch, you may continue to fish after reaching the daily limit. Additional Q&As can be found on pages 17, 31, and 33.

Reaching Out to Kids with Special Needs Environmental Conservation Officers and Fish and Game Club volunteers introduced 35 children with physical and mental disabilities to the sport of fishing at the Saratoga County 4-H Training Center on June 1, 2013. The kids enjoyed a great day of fishing education and got the chance to catch many different species, including rainbow trout, bass and . A free lunch was provided for the children and their families, and each child was given a rod and reel to take home at the end of the day. The event was sponsored by the New York State Conservation Officers Association, the Saratoga County 4-H, Hannaford Supermarket, Saratoga Tackle, Bob’s Bait, and multiple Saratoga County Fish and Game Clubs.

8 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE Managing the Trout Fisheries

of the Catskills1935, more than 1,300 miles of easements have been acquired on 340 streams through the PFR program. More information on the program, including how landowners can participate, is on page 76. Maps of the Department’s PFR holdings can be found on the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9924.html . In addition to state-owned land and fishing easements, a significant amount of land along Catskill streams and is owned by New York City. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) operates six drinking-water reservoirs in the Catskills totaling 23,560 acres. Access to city property for fishing is free, but requires an access permit. Information about access permits and recreation on NYCDEP lands can be found at www. nyc.gov/dep under “Watershed Recreation.” he Catskill Region has thousands of miles of streams, along with numerous small ponds, lakes and large reservoirs. Although best known for outstanding trout fishing, the Surveying the Fishery Prior to developing a plan for managing a water body, DEC fisheries Tregion also offers excellent fishing for bass, walleye, chain pickerel and a variety of panfish. The region covers all or parts of Ulster, biologists use fishery and creel surveys to determine the status of Sullivan, Delaware, Schoharie and Greene counties, and includes the existing fishery. Fishery surveys are usually completed using the at its center. electrofishing gear. The Catskill Park contains over 705,000 acres of private and Electrofishing temporarily shocks a fish, allowing biologists public land. More than half of the acreage within the park is open to take length and weight information prior to releasing the fish to the public. Its proximity to Albany and New York City make unharmed. In certain cases, scales may be removed from the captured the Catskill Park very popular for recreation. Maintaining qual- fish. Scale rings, or annuli, are counted to age the fish, similar to ity fishing in this heavily used region is a challenge met through the way tree rings are counted to age a tree. In the Catskill region, a carefully crafted program that provides angler access, protects fishery surveys have been conducted since the 1920s, providing habitat and effectively manages the fishery. excellent insight into how stream fisheries have responded to vari- ous management strategies. Providing Fishing Access Creel surveys involve counting and interviewing anglers to The Catskill Region’s popularity for trout fishing grew rapidly in estimate catch rates, harvest rates, fishing pressure and the pres- the late 19th Century as railroads led to increasing tourism. By the ence of stocked and wild fish. Creel and fishery surveys are often early 20th Century, significant portions of the region’s best trout used to evaluate the effectiveness of stocking policies or fishing waters were privatized and closed to public fishing. regulation changes. Recognizing this problem, New York’s Conservation Department A major effort to document the presence of brook trout was (DEC’s predecessor) started the Public Fishing Rights (PFR) program recently completed in and around the Catskill Park as part of the in 1935. Under the PFR program, DEC purchases permanent fishing Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture, a collaborative program involving easements on privately owned streams throughout the state. Since 17 eastern states. Over a four year period, 3,528 stream surveys were

(Continued on page 12)

DEC staff and volunteers complete an electrofishing survey of .

0 1 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE conducted by DEC staff. Brook trout were documented in 1,227 of these require stocking, but they do need to be protected from habitat loss surveys. Knowing where these brook trout populations exist will allow and overfishing. Anglers can find wild populations of brook, brown DEC to protect their habitat and monitor changes in their abundance. and rainbow trout throughout the Catskills. Of these three species, only brook trout are native to New York. Brookies have the least Stocking tolerance for warmer water and often lose out when competing with Many of New York’s publicly accessible streams receive brook, brown or brown and rainbow trout in all but the coldest streams. Nonetheless, rainbow trout raised in New York State hatcheries. Most of these trout brook trout still thrive in Catskill streams with the right habitat. In are stocked as one-year-olds and average about eight inches in length. Delaware County alone, DEC fisheries surveys from 2007-2011 found Fisheries biologists have found that often outperform more than 580 streams with brook trout. brook and rainbow trout in Catskill streams, so the bulk of the trout Brook trout were once common in small cold ponds and lakes in stocked are browns. The Catskill Fish Hatchery, located near the the Catskills. Unfortunately, once competing fish species found their Beaverkill and Willowemoc Creek in Sullivan County, produces way into these waters, usually through the use of baitfish and illegal 115,000 pounds of brown trout annually and supplies most of the stockings, brook trout populations declined or were eliminated. For browns stocked in the Catskills. Many streams are also supplemented this reason, DEC prohibits the use of baitfish on many brook trout with two-year-old brown trout that are 12 to 14 inches in length (and ponds in the Catskills and other parts of New York. Once compet- sometimes larger). ing fish species become abundant in a brook trout water, the only Using information collected in fishery and creel surveys concerning management option that will restore quality brook trout fishing is the presence of wild trout, trout growth rates, and angler use, stocking the complete renovation of the pond and restocking of brook trout. policies are developed . Stocking policies are calculated using the Catch When possible, a native strain of brook trout that is best adapted to Rate Oriented Trout Stocking model (CROTS). The CROTS model the water it is to be stocked in is used in restocking efforts. uses various assumptions concerning fishing pressure, trout harvest, natural mortality and stream carrying capacity to calculate a stocking Habitat Protection rate. This model is now over 20 years old and DEC is currently working A key to what has made trout fishing in the Catskills famous is the with the NY Fish and Wildlife Cooperative Research Unit at Cornell high-quality aquatic environment. Catskill streams and reservoirs are University to test if the assumptions used in the original model are blessed with an abundance of clean, cold water. Maintenance of this still valid. As part of this study, detailed fishery and creel surveys are water supply is essential to the health of these ecosystems. Fortunately, being conducted on nine streams across the state, including Esopus most of the high elevation lands where the sources of these waters are Creek in the Catskill Region. These surveys will determine whether located are in state ownership, ensuring their protection. Trout waters the number of trout in a stream and catch rates are consistent with also receive special protection through the Protection of Waters Act. those predicted by the CROTS model. Adjustments will be made to the model if necessary. Actions that could degrade water quality or trout habitat are prohib- ited without a permit granted by DEC for special circumstances, like Special Fishing Regulations repairs to a stream after flooding. For most waters in the Catskills, trout season runs from April 1 A major concern in the Catskill Region is the proper use of heavy through October 15 with a limit of five fish per day of any size. In most equipment in streams when it is necessary to repair flood damage instances, this regulation does a good job of protecting the fishery, following major storms. This concern was heightened during recovery efforts following Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in 2011. while giving people who want to keep their catch a chance to do so. Lessons learned from past mistakes and advances in science and However, stricter regulations on the number and size of fish that engineering have helped DEC develop best practices for working in can be taken have been used in some places to improve the fishing streams. This knowledge helps DEC issue stream-work permits that experience for people looking to catch larger fish. Catch and release minimize detrimental effects on habitat. fishing regulations on sections of the Beaverkill and Willowemoc Creek have allowed many quality size fish to be caught despite heavy Reservoir Tailwater Fisheries fishing pressure. Regulations require that the operators of some of the largest reservoirs in the Catskills maintain minimum flows below their dams. The old Wild Trout Management river beds that at one time received natural stream flow before the Many Catskill streams, especially headwater sections protected within reservoirs were built, now receive a managed flow of water throughout the Catskill Forest Preserve, have populations of naturally reproduc- the year. These river sections are called tailwaters. Water released ing wild trout. These populations maintain themselves and do not through these dams is usually from deep in the reservoir and remains cold even during hot summer periods. Depending on the volume released, water temperature in a tailwater stream can remain favorable for trout for miles downstream. DEC works closely with all concerned to ensure that the flows necessary to maintain quality trout popu- lations are provided through as much of the year as possible. As a result, tailwater streams such as the East and West Branch Dela- ware River and provide some of the finest trout fishing in the Catskills.

Thanks to the combined efforts of the DEC’s Bureau of Fisheries and various other agencies, angling groups and individual anglers, New York’s Catskills remain one of the finest trout fishing destina- tions in the country.

12 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE S tatewide Angling Regulations

T he following statewide angling regulations apply to all waters for which special regulations have not been estab- lished. Special regulations for specific waters follow on pages 16–52.

Statewide Angling Regulations Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Trout—Brook, Brown and Rainbow and April 1 through Oct 15 Any size 5 hybrids of these species; and Splake April 1 through Oct 15 21" 3

Landlocked (LL)/ April 1 through Oct 15 15" 3 It is illegal to take Atlantic Salmon from the waters of the marine and coastal district. Kokanee April 1 through Oct 15 Any size 10

Coho & Chinook Salmon See Great Lakes Regulations on pages 48-52.

3rd Sat in June through Nov 30 12" 5 Black Bass Dec 1 through Fri preceding the Catch and (Largemouth/Smallmouth) Artificial lures only 3rd Sat in June release only Muskellunge 3rd Sat in June through Nov 30 30" 1

Northern Pike 1st Sat in May through March 15 18" 5

Pickerel 1st Sat in May through March 15 15" 5

Tiger Muskellunge 1st Sat in May through March 15 30" 1

Walleye 1st Sat in May through March 15 15" 5

Crappie All year 9" 25

Atlantic, Shortnose & Lake Sturgeon; Closed Fishing for and possession prohibited Paddlefish

Lake Whitefish All year Any size 5

Striped Bass—Hudson River and all inland waters except Delaware River March 16 through Nov 30 18" 1 (see page 25) Fishing for (including catch and release) or possessing American shad American Shad in the Hudson River or Marine District is prohibited.

Hickory Shad Aug 1 through Nov 30 Any size 5 Anadromous River Herring (Alewife and Possession prohibited except in Hudson River and tributaries (see page 24). Blueback Herring) Yellow Perch All year Any size 50 Sunfish (Bluegill, Pumpkinseed and All year Any size 50 Redbreast Sunfish) American Eel—all waters except Hudson River, St. Lawrence R., L. Niagara R., Lake All year 6” 50 Ontario and tributaries to these waters.

All endangered or threatened fish species Fishing for and possession prohibited

All other species (except those listed elsewhere in special All year Any size Any number regulation tables in this guide).

A person may not fish for a species (not even Catch-and-Release) outside of the open season for that species on a given water.

14 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE Head Special Regulations

T he following pages are a list of exceptions to the STATEWIDE ANGLING REGULATIONS.

•• Trout waters where ice fishing is permitted are identified here.

•• Regulations that appear in the Method column pertain to all fishing in the listed water.

•• A “–” between dates in the Open Season columns represents “through” and includes the ending date.

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6 1 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE R egion 1 • Long Island

Nassau County Minimum Daily Water Species Open Season Method Length Limit Crappie All year 9" 15 Sunfish (Bluegill & All year Any size 15 Pumpkinseed) All waters Yellow Perch All year 8" 15 1st Saturday in May Pickerel 18" 3 through March 15 Note: It is illegal to fish for bass during 1st Sat in June through All waters Black Bass Catch and release only the period May 1 thru April 30 Friday preceding the Region 1 1st Sat in June Stony Brook University All ponds and lakes Trout All year Any size 3 Brown & Rainbow 50 Circle Road All year Any size 3 Stony Brook, NY 11790-3409 All streams Trout Brook Trout April 1 – Sept 30 Catch and release only (631) 444-0280 [email protected] Suffolk County Minimum Daily Water Species Open Season Method Length Limit Crappie All year 9" 15 Sunfish (Bluegill and All waters All year Any size 15 Pumpkinseed) Yellow Perch All year Any size 15 1st Sat in June through Note: It is illegal to 12" 5 All waters except, Belmont Nov 30 fish for bass during Lake, Artist Lake, Blydenburgh Black Bass the period May 1 thru Lake, Randall Pond Dec 1 through April 30 Catch and release only Friday preceding the 1st Sat in June Fort Pond and Lake 1st Sat in May through Walleye 18" 3 Ronkonkoma Mar 15 1st Sat in June through 12" 5 Nov 30 Blydenburgh Lake Black Bass New York State Dec 1 through Fri Catch and release only before 1st Sat in June Artist Lake, Belmont Lake, En vironmental Black Bass All Year Catch and release only Randall Pond Conservation All freshwater (non-tidal) lakes and ponds except Trout All year Any size 3 Ice fishing permitted Police East (Swan) Lk, Laurel Lk, Deep Pd. Q: How many rods or lines may I use East (Swan) Lake Trout April 1 through Nov 30 10" 3 when fishing? Laurel Lake Trout All year 12" 3 Ice fishing permitted Trout All year 12” 3 A: Deep Pond Ice fishing permitted Anglers are permitted to use three lines Chain Pickerel All year Catch and release only when fishing. All freshwater and tidal Brown & Rainbow streams except Carmans All year Any size 3 Q: Is it legal to use the Alabama Rig or River in Southhaven County Trout other multiple-bait rigs? Park, Connetquot River in A: Connetquot River State Park Yes. As long as the number of lures or and Nissequoque River in Brook Trout April 1 through Sept 30 Catch and release only baits does not exceed five and the total Caleb Smith State Park number of hook points on the rig does not Connetquot and Caleb Smith Park Regulations apply, permit required. Call (631) 581-1005 Connetquot, Trout exceed 15. However, some special regulations State Parks (631) 265-1054 Nissequogue. limit the number of lures, baits, attractors Carmans River Brook Trout April 1 through Sept 30 Catch and release only and hook points on specific waters. (Southaven County Park)

Q: If I spend multiple days fishing in New Carmans River Special Regulations by River Section. Additional park regulations may apply. York, may I transport more than the legal (Southaven County Park) Call (631) 854-1414. daily limit when I return to my home state? From LIPA transmission lines at Gate G upstream to Trout April 1 through Sept 30 Catch and release only Fly fishing only A: You may transport twice the daily limit Yaphank Avenue for fish such as trout, black bass and crappie From Cement Dam upstream Brown & Rainbow to LIPA transmission lines April 1 through Sept 30 9" 3 Fly fishing only that have a daily catch limit. There are Trout exceptions for processed and packaged at Gate G From Cement Dam down- Brown & Rainbow fish or when a permit has been obtained April 1 through Sept 30 9" 3 from a DEC regional office. However, live stream to Hards Lake Dam Trout fish may not be transported in excess of the legal daily limit and may not be stocked into another waterbody. Recreational Marine Fishing Registry Anglers 16 years and older desiring to fish in the marine and coastal district or for migratory marine species must enroll in the no fee Recreational Marine Fishing Registry. TOLL-FREE 24-HOUR DEC DISPATCH CENTER: 1-877-457-5680 See www.dec.ny.gov/permits/54950.html for details.

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 17 R egion 2 • New York City

Special fishing regulations for waters in New York City. Open Minimum Water Species Daily limit Method Season length Bronx Indian Lake, Crotona Park; Van Cortlandt Lake

Kings (Brooklyn) Prospect Park Lake

New York () Catch and release fishing only. Central Park- all waters All Species except All year All fish, except for snakeheads, shall be returned to the water snakeheads immediately. See Snakehead Alert information below for Queens instructions on handling a snakehead you have caught. Region 2 Baisley’s Pond, Kissena Lake, 1 Hunters Point Plaza Meadow Lake, Oakland Lake, Willow Lake 47-40 21st Street Long Island City, NY 11101-5407 Richmond () (718) 482-4922 Brooks Lake, Clove Lake, Willow- [email protected] brook Lake, Wolfe’s Pond

Steve Wong with a nice largemouth bass caught from Oakland Lake, Queens

Sportsmen Education… make sure you qualify All first-time hunters, bowhunters or trappers planning to go afield this upcoming hunting and trapping season must first complete a hunter or trapper education course before they can get a license in New York. For previously licensed hunters who plan to hunt out of state, let this be a reminder to check with the state you plan to hunt in to see what requirements need to be met. All states accept New York’s hunter education course but states differ on what is required as proof of completion. Many will need to see your original ‘Hunter Education Certificate’ in order to purchase their license. Check to see if you have your certificate, replacements can be time consuming. All courses are free of charge, and as hunting seasons approach, classes fill quickly. SIGN UP EARLY! To locate a nearby class and course list visit DEC’s website or contact a local DEC regional office.

18 SPECIAL REGULATIONS BY COUNTY Region 3 • southeastern New York

D utchess County Minimum Daily Water Species Open Season Method Length Limit 3rd Sat in June All rivers and streams except Hudson 10" 5 River from Troy Dam downstream and through Nov 30 Black Bass all tributaries in this section to the first Dec 1 – Fri preceding Catch and release only Artificial lures only barrier impassable by fish the 3rd Sat in June Hudson River from Troy Dam down- stream and all tributaries in this section Black Bass See Tidal Hudson River Regulations on page 24. to the first barrier impassable by fish Ice fishing Upton Lake, Trout All year Any size 5 permitted downstream of dam in Trout All Year Any size 5 Pleasant Valley Region 3 Black Bass, Indian Lake See Border Waters Regulations on page 25. 21 S. Putt Corners Road Pickerel Ice fishing New Paltz, NY 12561-1696 Morgan Lake Trout All year Any size 3 (845) 256-3161 permitted [email protected] Orange County Minimum Daily Water Species Open Season Method Length Limit All rivers and streams except Hudson 3rd Sat in June 10" 5 River from Troy Dam downstream and through Nov 30 all tributaries in this section to the first Black Bass Dec 1 – Fri preceding barrier impassable by fish & Delaware Catch and release only Artificial lures only River the 3rd Sat in June Hudson River from Troy Dam down- stream and all tributaries in this section Black Bass See Tidal Hudson River Regulations on page 24. to the first barrier impassable by fish Askoti, Hessian, Round, Blue, Skannatati Ice fishing Trout All Year Any size 5 and Walton Lakes permitted Pickerel All year 15" 5 Bashakill Marsh Black Bass All year 12" 5 Use or posses- Sterling Lake Lake Trout April 1 through Oct 15 21" 1 sion of baitfish prohibited Delaware River, Greenwood Lake All Species See Border Waters Regulations on page 25. Mongaup River from Rio Dam down- Trout April 1 through Oct 15 12" 3 Artificial lures only stream to Route 97 bridge Ramapo River Trout All year Any size 5 P utnam County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method All rivers and streams except Hudson River from Troy Dam 3rd Sat in June through Nov 30 10" 5 downstream and all tributaries in this section to the first Black Bass Dec 1 through Fri preceding the barrier impassable by fish Catch and release only Artificial lures only 3rd Sat in June Hudson River from Troy Dam downstream and all tributaries in Black Bass See Tidal Hudson River Regulations on page 24. this section to the first barrier impassable by fish , Boyd Corners Reservoir, , Diverting Reservoir, , Middle Lake Trout, Trout, Walleye See NYC Reservoir Regulations on page 23. Branch Reservoir, , , East Branch from Diverting Reservoir to East Trout All year 14" 1 Artificial lures only Branch Reservoir from Croton Falls Reservoir to East Trout April 1 through Sept 30 Catch and release only Artificial lures only Branch Croton River West Branch Croton River from West Branch Reservoir to Trout April 1 through Sept 30 9" 5 Croton Falls Reservoir

White Pond Walleye 1st Sat in May through March 15 18" 3 Ice fishing permitted

R ockland County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method All rivers and streams except Hudson River from Troy Dam 3rd Sat in June through Nov 30 10" 5 downstream and all tributaries in this section to the first Black Bass Dec 1 through Fri preceding the Catch and release only Artificial lures only barrier impassable by fish 3rd Sat in June Hudson River from Troy Dam downstream and all tributaries in Black Bass See Tidal Hudson River Regulations on page 24. this section to the first barrier impassable by fish Ramapo River Trout All year Any size 5 Hessian Lake Trout All year Any size 5 Ice fishing permitted

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 19 Region 3 • southeastern New York

Sullivan County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method 3rd Sat in June through Nov 30 10" 5 All rivers and streams except the Delaware River Black Bass Dec 1 through Fri preceding the Catch and release only Artificial lures only 3rd Sat in June Trout, Black Bass, Muskel- Delaware River See Border Water Regulations on page 25. lunge, Pickerel, Walleye Pickerel All year 15" 5 Bashakill Marsh Black Bass All year 12" 5 Basket Creek and tributaries, Callicoon Creek from mouth to Hortonville, Hankins Creek and tributaries from mouth to 1st Sat after April 11 through Falls at Mileses, Hoolihan Brook and tributaries, North Branch Trout Any size 5 Sept 30 Callicoon Creek and tributaries from mouth to Gossweyler Pond above North Branch, Pea Brook and tributaries

Beaver Kill from State Road 206 (County Route 7) bridge in Delaware County downstream, Willowemoc Creek from iron Trout April 1 through Nov 30 9" 5 bridge at Parkston downstream except section below Willowemoc Creek 1200 ft. above mouth of Elm Hollow Brook downstream 3.5 miles to second Route 17 Quickway bridge Trout All year Catch and release only Artificial lures only east of Roscoe Neversink River, from downstream, except Trout April 1 through Oct 15 9" 5 as listed below Neversink River and tributaries within the Neversink River Unique Area and owned by the people of the State of New York situated in the Towns of Thompson and Forestburgh and abut- Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Catch and release only Artificial lures only ting that reach of the Neversink River from its confluence with Mercer Brook south to the Sullivan-Orange County line, except any portion thereof where the right to fish is privately owned. Use or possession of baitfish Crystal Lake, Hodge Pond Trout April 1 through Sept 30 10" 3 prohibited Lake Huntington, Loch Sheldrake Trout All year Any size 5 Ice fishing permitted Mongaup River from Rio Dam downstream to Route 97 bridge Trout April 1 through Oct 15 12" 3 Artificial lures only Ice fishing permitted Mongaup Pond* Trout All year Any size 5 Use or possession of baitfish prohibited Neversink Reservoir, Lake Trout, Trout See NYC Reservoir Regulations on page 23. Swinging Bridge Reservoir Walleye 1st Sat in May through March 15 18" 3 Ice fishing permitted Lake Trout All year 15" 3 White Lake Ice fishing permitted Trout All year Any size 5 * In addition, the use or possession of baitfish is prohibited in Mongaup Creek downstream of Mongaup Pond. U lster County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method All waters except Hudson River Walleye 1st Sat in May through March 15 18" 3 All rivers and streams except Hudson River from Troy Dam 3rd Sat in June through Nov 30 10" 5 downstream and all tributaries in this section to the first Black Bass Dec 1 through Fri preceding the Catch and release only Artificial lures only barrier impassable by fish 3rd Sat in June Hudson River from Troy Dam downstream and all tributaries in Black Bass See Tidal Hudson River Regulations on page 24. this section to the first barrier impassable by fish Alder Lake, Echo Lake Trout April 1 through Sept 30 10" 3 Use of fish as bait prohibited , Rondout Reservoir Lake Trout, Trout, Walleye See New York City Reservoir Regulations on page 23. Honk Lake Trout April 1 through Nov 30 Any size 5 Ice fishing permitted Esopus Creek (other than below) Trout April 1 through Nov 30 Any size 5 Esopus Creek from outlet (Allaben) to 5 with no more than Trout April 1 through November 30 Any size Ashokan Reservoir 2 longer than 12” W estchester County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method All rivers and streams except Hudson River from Troy Dam 3rd Sat in June through Nov 30 10" 5 downstream and all tributaries in this section to the first Black Bass Dec 1 through Fri preceding the Catch and release only Artificial lures only barrier impassable by fish 3rd Sat in June Hudson River from Troy Dam downstream and all tributaries in Black Bass See Tidal Hudson River Regulations on page 24. this section to the first barrier impassable by fish Amawalk Outlet from to Muscoot Trout April 1 through Sept 30 12" 3 Artificial lures only Reservoir Amawalk Reservoir, Reservoir, , Trout See NYC Reservoir Regulations on page 23. , , West Branch Croton River from Croton Falls Reservoir to East Trout April 1 through Sept 30 Catch and release only Artificial lures only Branch Croton River 5 with no more Titicus Outlet Trout April 1 through October 15 Any size than 2 longer than 12”

0 2 SPECIAL REGULATIONS BY COUNTY R egion 4 • east central New York

A lbany County Minimum Daily Water Species Open Season Method Length Limit Hudson River from Troy Dam upstream to Bakers Falls in the Catch and release fishing only. All fish shall be returned Village of Hudson Falls and tributaries to the water immediately. All Species All year in this section to first barrier impass- Baitfish listed on page 57 may be possessed for use able by fish, Mohawk River below as fish bait. Use of tip-ups is permitted. Route 32 bridge Hudson River from Troy Dam downstream and all tributaries in this Black Bass See Tidal Hudson River Regulations on page 24. section to the first barrier impassable by fish Region 4 Thompsons Lake Trout All year 12" 3 Ice fishing permitted 3rd Sat in June 10" 5 65561 State Highway 10 from Watervliet Reser- through Nov 30 voir downstream to the first barrier Suite 1 Black Bass impassable to fish upstream of the Dec 1 through Fri Stamford, NY 12167-9503 Hudson River preceding the 3rd Catch and release only Artificial lures only (607) 652-7366 Sat in June [email protected] Columbia County Minimum Daily Water Species Open Season Method Length Limit Hudson River from Troy Dam downstream and all tributaries in this Black Bass See Tidal Hudson River Regulations on page 24. section to the first barrier impassable by fish Trout All year 12" 3 Ice fishing permitted , from Adams April 1 through Trout Any size 5 Crossing downstream Nov 30

D elaware County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method All streams and their tributaries that flow into the Delaware River in Delaware 1st Sat after April 11 through Trout Any size 5 County downstream of Hancock Sept 30 All unlisted tributaries to and to East Branch Delaware River Trout April 1 through Sept 30 Any size 5 upstream from Pepacton Reservoir highwater mark Bush Kill, Tremper Kill, Terry Clove, Fall Clove, Platte Kill, Dry Brook, Batavia Kill Trout April 1 through Sept 30 9" 5 12" 2 Artificial lures only Trout Pond (Cables Lake), Huggins Lake Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Use or possession of baitfish is prohibited Launt Pond Trout April 1 through Oct 15 10" 3 Ice fishing Big Pond, Little Pond Trout All year 12" 3 permitted Mud Pond Trout April 1 through Oct 15 12" 3 , Pepacton Reservoir Trout See NYC Reservoirs Regulations on page 23. Beaver Kill from State Route 206 (County Route 7) bridge downstream except Trout April 1 through Nov 30 9" 5 sections below: Beaver Kill: 1) from Sullivan County line (below Roscoe) downstream 2.5 miles to the old railroad trestle and 2) from one mile upstream to 1.6 miles Trout All year Catch and release only Artificial lures only downstream of iron bridge at Horton Beaver Kill from Iron Bridge at Horton downstream to first Rt. 17 overpass Angling prohibited July 1 through August 31 to protect thermally stressed trout East Branch Delaware River – Special Regulations by River Section below: From Pepacton Reservoir highwater mark upstream Trout April 1 through Sept 30 9" 5 Trout April 1 through Oct 15 12" 2 From Pepacton Dam downstream to Shinhopple Bridge All angling prohibited from Oct 16 through March 31 to protect spawning Trout April 1 through Oct 15 12" 2 From Shinhopple Bridge downstream to the mouth at Hancock Trout Oct 16 through Nov 30 Catch and release only All streams and their tributaries that flow in to the East Branch of the Delaware 1st Sat after April 11 through Trout Any Size 5 River between the villages of East Branch and Hancock Oct 15 West Branch Delaware River – Special Regulations by River Section below: From Cannonsville Reservoir highwater mark upstream Trout April 1 through Sept 30 9" 5 Trout April 1 through Oct 15 12" 2 From Cannonsville Dam downstream to the Route 17 overpass at Deposit All angling prohibited from Oct 16 through March 31 to protect spawning trout Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Catch and release only Artificial lures only From Route 17 overpass at Deposit downstream 2.0 miles All angling prohibited from Oct 16 through March 31 to protect spawning trout

From the lower limit of catch-and-release section in Deposit downstream to NY/ Trout April 1 through Oct 15 12" 2 PA border (1.7 miles below Hale Eddy Bridge) All Angling prohibited from Oct 16 through March 31 to protect spawning trout Black Bass, Trout, Delaware River and West Branch Delaware River forming NY/PA border Muskellunge, Pickerel, See Border Waters Regulations on page 25. Walleye

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 21 R egion 4 • east central New York

G reene County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method Hudson River from Troy Dam downstream and all tributar- Black Bass See Tidal Hudson River Regulations on page 24. ies in this section to the first barrier impassable by fish Greens Lake, Colgate Lake Trout All year 12" 3 Ice fishing permitted

M ontgomery County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method Beardsley Lake Trout All year 12" 3 Ice fishing permitted 3rd Sat in June through Nov 30 10" 5 Black Bass Dec 1 through Fri preceding the Catch and release only Artificial lures only 3rd Sat in June

Otsego County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method Arnold Lake Trout All year 12" 3 Ice fishing permitted Basswood Pond Trout April 1 through Oct 15 10" 3 Canadarago Lake Yellow Perch All year Any size 25 Gilbert Lake Trout April 1 through Nov 30 12" 3 Yellow Perch All year Any size 25 Goodyear Lake Sunfish (Bluegill, Pump- All year Any size 25 kinseed, Redbreast) Brown Trout All year 18" 1 Otsego Lake LL Salmon All year 18" 1 Ice fishing permitted Lake Trout All year 23" 1 Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size from Otsego Lake Dam LL Salmon April 1 through Oct 15 15" 3 in any combination to Goodyear Lake Lake Trout April 1 through Oct 15 21"

R ensselaer County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method Hudson River from Troy Dam downstream and all tributar- Black Bass See Tidal Hudson River Regulations on page 24. ies in this section to the first barrier impassable by fish Glass Lake Trout All year 12" 3 Ice fishing permitted , Little Hoosic River Trout April 1 through Oct 15 9" 5 Kinderhook Creek, Adams Crossing downstream Trout April 1 through Nov 30 Any size 5 Hudson River from Troy Dam upstream to Bakers Falls in Baitfish listed on page 57 the Village of Hudson Falls and tributaries in this section Catch and release fishing only. All fish shall be may be possessed for use All Species All year to first barrier impassable by fish, Mohawk River below returned to the water immediately. as fish bait. Use of tip-ups is Route 32 bridge permitted. Hudson River upstream of Lock C-4 and its associated Use or possession of alewife or blueback herring prohibited dam, near Stillwater, NY Second Pond, Long Pond, Shaver Pond Trout All year 12" 3 Ice fishing permitted Tomhannock Reservoir Ice Fishing Season Jan 1 through March 15, daylight hours only. Fishing by permit only (available from City of Troy)

Schenectady County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method 3rd Sat in June through Nov 30 Any size 5 Schoharie Creek from Route 20 bridge upstream Black Bass Dec 1 through Fri preceding the Catch and release only Artificial lures only 3rd Sat in June 3rd Sat in June through Nov 30 10" 5 Schoharie Creek from Route 20 bridge downstream Black Bass Dec 1 through Fri preceding the Catch and release only Artificial lures only 3rd Sat in June

Schoharie County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method Mallet Pond Trout All year 12" 3 Ice fishing permitted 3rd Sat in June through Nov 30 Any size 5 Schoharie Creek from downstream to Black Bass Dec 1 through Fri preceding the Route 20 bridge Catch and release only Artificial lures only 3rd Sat in June 3rd Sat in June through Nov 30 10" 5 Schoharie Creek from Route 20 bridge downstream Black Bass Dec 1 through Fri preceding the Catch and release only Artificial lures only 3rd Sat in June Schoharie Reservoir Trout See New York City Reservoir Regulations on page 23. Holding Pond Trout April 1 though October 15 10" 3

22 SPECIAL REGULATIONS BY COUNTY N ew York City Reservoir Regulations

A free New York City Department of • • DEP’s Bureau of Customer Conservation through Columbus Day. A pilot program now Environmental Protection (DEP) Public Services in Manhattan also allows the use of electric trolling motors Access Permit is required to fish New York City 1250 Broadway, 8th Floor on fishing rowboats on Cannonsville Reser- reservoirs. In addition, all anglers 16 years of age New York, NY voir. All boats must be registered and cleaned or older must possess a valid New York State (212) 643-2215 prior to being launched. Details about these fishing license. All DEP permits issued prior to Boating for the purposes of fishing is allowed expanded recreational boating opportunities 2002 are no longer valid and a new permit must on NYC reservoirs to those with the appro- can be found at www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/ be obtained. For those 18 years of age or older, priate DEP permits. Anglers must store their recreation/cannonsville_boating_program.shtml permits can be obtained online at www.nyc.gov/ fishing boats at designated storage areas. All html/dep/html/watershed_protection/recreation. boats must be approved and registered with DEP Offices shtml. Permits can also be obtained by completing DEP. Some of the over 240 boat storage areas • • Ashokan Reservoir an application and mailing to: NYCDEP—Access may at times be closed to the placement of new (845) 657-2663 Permits, 71 Smith Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401. boats due to overcrowding and maintenance Guest passes are also available for those who •• Schoharie Reservoir needs; several are currently closed. People who (607) 588-6231 would like to accompany an access permit holder want to register a new boat must first obtain •• Rondout and Neversink Reservoirs onto water supply lands but do not want to a valid Access Permit and then call the DEP (845) 334-7152 obtain their own access permit. Access permits Office near the reservoir of interest to make a and applications can be obtained online or by steam-cleaning and registration appointment. •• Cannonsville and Pepacton Reservoirs visiting a DEP office or police precinct, town hall There is no cost for this service, which must be (607) 363-7009 or sports/tackle shop within the watershed. In performed by DEP. •• East of Hudson Reservoirs New York City, applications are available during NYC DEP allows non-motorized recre- (914) 232-1309 normal business hours at: ational boating on a day use basis in Cannon- For additional information, contact DEP at: •• DEP Central Office sville, Neversink, Pepacton and Schoharie 96-05 Horace Harding Expressway Reservoirs. This day use recreational boating [email protected] or call Corona, NY season opens on Memorial Day and runs 1-800-575-LAND (5263) (718) 595-4595

New York City Reservoir Regulations Daily Reservoir Species Open Season Minimum Length Method Limit Respect the Sport Amawalk Bog Brook of Angling Cross River • It is the angler’s responsibility to Ice fishing • Diverting Trout All year 12" 3 entice the fish to strike the bait or permitted Middle Branch lure. It is this challenge that makes Muscoot angling a lifetime sport. Titicus •• The sport of fishing is based upon the Ice fishing experience of fishing, not the number Croton Falls Trout All year 18" 1 permitted of fish taken.

Lake Gilead Lake Trout All year 21" 3 Ice fishing •• The sport of angling is based upon Lake Gleneida Trout All Year Any size 5 permitted the concept of “fair chase.” Fish are not fairly taken when confined Boyd Corners Trout All year 12" 3 Ice fishing by low water levels or temperature East Branch Walleye 1st Sat. in May through March 15 18" 3 permitted conditions.

Lake Trout All year 21" 3 •• Ethical fishing is not limited to any Ice fishing West Branch Trout All year 12" 3 particular method or technique as permitted long as fish are enticed to bite under LL Salmon All year 18" 1 fair chase conditions. Lake Trout All year 18" 3 Kensico •• Remember “Adults Teach by Example, Trout All year 12" 3 Children Learn by Observing” New Croton ALWAYS be aware of the example Trout All year 12" 3 Schoharie that you are setting. The future of our sport depends upon it! Lake Trout April 1 through Nov 30 18" 3 Rondout Trout April 1 through Nov 30 12" 3 Trout April 1 through Nov 30 12" 3 Ashokan Walleye 1st Sat. in May through March 15 18" 3 Cannonsville Trout April 1 through October 15 12" 3 Trout April 1 through October 15 12" 3 Neversink Smelt Smelt fishing prohibited 2 fish to include only Pepacton Trout April 1 through Sept 30 15" 1 over 21" Statewide regulations apply to all species not listed in the above table.

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 23 T idal Hudson River Regulations

T idal Hudson River Regulations Statewide Angling Regulations apply except as listed below: Species Location Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit

Eels 6–14" only may be From the Battery to the Troy Dam and all possessed in any number for American eel tributaries upstream to the first barrier All year bait. No eels greater than 14" impassable by fish may be possessed. No eels may be possessed for food. Hudson River from the Troy Dam down- 3rd Sat. in June stream and all tributaries in this section to 15" minimum length Daily limit 5 Black Bass through Nov 30 (Largemouth and the first barrier impassable by fish. Smallmouth) Note: It is illegal to fish for (including catch & release) largemouth bass and smallmouth bass during the closed season of December 1 through the Friday preceding the 3rd Saturday in June. Hudson River & Tributaries Mar. 16 through Striped Bass 18” minimum length Daily limit 1 north of Nov 30 American Shad Fishing for or possessing American Shad on the Hudson River or in the marine district is prohibited. Hudson River & Tributaries north of Tappan Aug. 1 through Hickory Shad Any Size Daily limit 5 Zee Bridge Nov 30

L icense Requirements Circle Hook Blue Crab Regulations Anglers 16 years of age and Recommendation 50 blue crabs per day. Mini- older who desire to fish in the If you plan to use natural baits mum carapice length across marine and coastal district of for striped bass, please use the back is: New York, or for migratory non-offset circle hooks. Circle •• Hard crab: 4½ inches marine species in all waters hooks increase the percentage of the state, including the of fish that are hooked in the •• Soft shell crab: 3½ inches Hudson River, must enroll in mouth, decreasing hooking •• Peeler crab: 3½ inches the Recreational Marine Fish- mortality in released fish. If ing Registry. Anglers targeting you plan on practicing catch- No license is required to collect solely freshwater species such and-release fishing, you should blue crabs. as largemouth and smallmouth only use circle hooks for natu- bass on the Hudson River ral baits. require only a “freshwater” fishing license.

Hudson River Anadromous River Herring* Regulations

Minimum Manner of Location Open Season Daily Possession Limit Length Taking

10 per angler, Hudson River Tributaries and OR March 15 through Embayments including Mohawk None a maximum boat limit of 50 per Angling only June 15 River day for a group of boat anglers, whichever is lower

10 per angler, Main stem of the Hudson River OR Angling or by from Lock 1 near Waterford NY March 15 through None personal use nets south to the George Washington June 15 a maximum boat limit of 50 per (see below) Bridge day for a group of boat anglers, whichever is lower * Anadromous river herring are alewife, “Alosa pseudoharengus,” and blueback herring, “Alosa aestivalis.”

T aking of Anadromous River Herring with Personal Use Nets 1. No person shall take anadromous river herring with a net within Hudson River Tributaries and Embayments. Prior to entering a Hudson River tributary or embayment, all personal use nets must be stowed in a secured container on deck or in a container below deck. 2. No person shall take anadromous river herring from the Hudson River: ùù with more than one net when taking with a scap or dip net; ùùwith a dip net exceeding 14 inches in diameter if it is round form or exceeding 13 inches by 13 inches if it is square form; ùùwith a scap, or lift net exceeding 16 square feet; ùùwith a seine net exceeding 36 square feet; or ùùwith a cast net exceeding 10 feet in diameter.

24 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE Border Waters Regulations

The Statewide Angling Regulations apply to species and waters not listed. G reenwood Lake (New York/New Jersey Border Water) Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit

Third Sat. in June through Nov 30 12" 5 Black Bass December 1 through the Friday preceding the third Catch and Release only Sat. in June

Walleye May 1 through last day in Feb 18" 3

Pickerel All year 15" 5 Attention

Muskellunge, Tiger Muskellunge All year 36" 1 Tournament Organizers Channel Catfish All year 12" 5 Be certain to follow proper tournament procedures to ensure that fish intended for release survive. A critical factor is Crappie All year 8" 10 water temperature and it is highly recom- mended that tournaments not be held Ice fishing legal for any species during its open season. No more than five tip-ups and two handlines may be used. during hot mid-summer periods. Also, be certain that boat livewells and other Indian Lake (New York/Connecticut Border Water) fish-holding equipment are properly disin- fected after every event. This will help Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit prevent the spread of fish diseases such as VHS and largemouth bass virus (LMBV). Black Bass 3rd Sat. in April (6 AM) – November 30 12" 6 Disinfection procedures can be found on page 2. Additional information on Pickerel 3rd Sat. in April (6 AM) – March 31 15" 6 proper tournament procedures can be found at: Fishing Prohibited From April 1 to 6 AM on the 3rd Saturday in April. www.bassmaster.com/tips/ Ice fishing legal for any species during its open season. No more than five tip-ups and two handlines may be used. keeping-bass-alive

D elaware River & West Branch Delaware River (NY/PA Border Water) Minimum Body of Water Species Open Season Daily Limit Length Accessible 1st Saturday after April 11 through Oct 15 14" 1 Recreational Delaware River Trout Facilities Oct 16 through the Fri preceding Catch and Release only The Department of Environmental the first Sat after April 11 Conservation is committed to 1st Sat after April 11 through Oct 15 12" 2 providing an ever increasing range of West Branch access opportunities to its programs Trout Delaware River Oct 16 through the Fri preceding Catch and Release only and lands that it administers. The the first Sat after April 11 Artificial lures only South Bay Fishing Pier on Lake Champlain is an example of the efforts First Sat after June 11 through Fri preceding 12" 5 the first Sat After April 11 the Department has made towards improving fishing opportunities for Black Bass From Fri preceding the first Sat after April people with disabilities. For a complete 11 through Fri preceding the first Sat After Catch and Release only June 11 discussion of Department accessibility efforts and a list of accessible outdoor Walleye 1st Sat in May through March 15 18" 3 opportunities, go to: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/34035.html Delaware River & Pickerel All year 12" 5 West Branch Delaware River Muskellunge, All year 40" 1 Tiger Muskellunge

Striped Bass All year 28" 2

River Herring* (Alewife and Possession Prohibited Blueback Herring)

American Shad All year Any size 3

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 25 Flythe Fishing Catskills

he Catskill region is a densely forested mountainous area of New York State renowned for its rivers and streams, natural beauty and scenic landscapes; and for inspiring many of America’s earliest and most famous writers, artists, Tnaturalists and trout fishermen. Catskill rivers such as the Beaverkill, Willowemoc, Esopus and Neversink have been pivotal to the history and development of American fly fishing; these are historic waters that are held dear by men and women who fly fish, not only in this country, but all over the world. The Catskill region encompasses 5,892 square miles. Within this boundary are 287,500 acres of public lands known as the Catskill Forest Preserve that contain open and forested lands, lakes, ponds, rivers and streams that can be enjoyed freely for hiking, camping, hunting, skiing and, of course, trout fishing. The Catskills offer more than 1,500 miles of trout streams that vary in character; from small streams one could leap across teeming with brook trout, to rivers large enough to float a drift boat and tempt a brown or rainbow into taking a dry fly. Originally, only brook trout inhabited the Catskills. They lived only in the cleanest and coldest sections of streams and rivers, mostly near the headwaters and in the smaller tributaries where water temperatures were coolest. By the 1870s, brook trout populations and habitat were reduced by over-fishing and streamside industries that fouled and warmed their waters. By the early 1880s, rainbow trout from the west coast, and brown trout from Europe, were introduced into Catskill rivers and streams; and their impact cannot be overstated. They thrived and populated lower river environments that were too warm for native brook trout; and they reproduced, creating many new miles of trout fishing.

East Branch Delaware River

6 2 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE The Beaverkill is probably the most well-known of the Catskill fly fishing waters. Most of its famed reputation is based upon the introduction of brown trout. They flourished in its lower waters that were too warm for brook trout. The excellent hatches of surface-riding mayflies; and the coming together of brown trout and the magnificent mayfly hatches created some of the best dry fly fishing in the east. The lower Beaverkill is “big water,” with lengthy riffles containing all of the popular caddis flies and mayflies that fly fishers read about; pools are large, deep, and wide - wide enough to provide plenty of room for a back cast. Without question, hatches of Quill Gordons, Hendricksons and March Browns are favorites with fly fishers; but it is the Green Drake that causes the most excitement. When this mayfly is hatching, the largest trout in the Beaverkill can be found actively feeding on the surface. The Beaverkill remains popular today, though most fly fishers concentrate along two stretches of Special Regulations water known as “catch and release.” Totaling 5.1 miles; these sections can be fished all year, and they contain excellent populations of brown trout. The largest tributary to the Beaverkill is the 26-mile-long Willowemoc Creek; and while it, too, is dominated by brown trout, one can find solitude and brook trout in abundance along its forest preserve headwaters. The most popular water on the Willowemoc is the lower seven miles between Livingston Manor and Roscoe; a stretch of river similar to the lower Beaverkill, with large pools and lengthy food- producing riffles abundant with mayflies, caddis and stoneflies. As in the Beaverkill, the best fishing is found in the year-round “catch and release” Special Regulations section. This section begins upstream of Elm Hollow Brook and extends downstream 3.7 miles. A favorite location is Hazel Bridge Pool, which has become a gath- ering place for fly fishers. While most will be fishing, others watch from the bridge, offering advice on what flies to use and pointing out rises to those in the water. The trout here often feed on midges on the surface, and do so practically every month of the year. Catches of a dozen or more trout are not uncommon, and a size #22 Pheasant Tail Midge or

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 27 Major Catskill Hatches

Griffith’s Gnat tied to a 7X tippet works exceptionally well. If trout are to the Ashokan Reservoir to grow and mature, before they return to not rising at Hazel Bridge Pool, they are probably not rising anywhere the Esopus to reproduce and continue the cycle. There is also a good else on the Willowemoc. population of brown trout. DEC surveys have revealed that 75 % of Although Esopus Creek continues beyond the Ashokan Reservoir, the resident trout populations are wild, making the Esopus one of the it is the section above the reservoir that is of most interest to trout most prolific wild trout streams in the Catskills. anglers. From its source near Slide Mountain, it flows approximately Historically, the Esopus is known for its spring run of large rain- 25 miles before reaching the reservoir. Access is provided primarily bows, as well as for the abundant number of smaller rainbows that along the shoulders of Route 28 which parallels the stream from Big inhabit its waters. The best time to fish for these large rainbows, some Indian to Boiceville. Immediately downstream of Big Indian, the in the two to four-pound range, is from the 1st of April to May 15th. Esopus is of moderate size, with small pools and riffles that are strewn Weighted nymphs, such as a Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear or a Zug Bug, with large boulders, forming excellent pocket water. are favorites. Some fly fishers will opt for using split shot and a pair The size of the Esopus increases dramatically at Allaben, as addi- of wet flies, such as a Lead Wing and Royal Coachman. tional flow enters from the Shandaken portal, an 18-mile tunnel that The 15 mile section of the lower Neversink River from Hasbrouck to transports water from Schoharie Reservoir to Ashokan Reservoir via Bridgeville, below the Neversink Reservoir is another popular Catskill the Esopus Creek. The volume coming from the portal often exceeds trout resource. The Neversink is primarily a brown trout fishery and, in the natural flow of the stream, especially in summer. The cold water recent years, improved water releases from the reservoir have resulted that comes from deep in the reservoir is beneficial to the trout fishery. in more wild trout, better growth rates and greater angler satisfaction. Below the portal, the Esopus is “big water,” with long riffles and The lower Neversink is a good early-season fishery. April fishing deep pools, and stream widths greater than 100 feet. During the conditions are often better than other streams, since the run-off of spring and summer, Esopus regulars favor high-floating dry flies such melting snows and heavy rains of spring are captured by the reservoir. as an Elk Hair Caddis, Humpy, or Hair Wing Royal Coachman when Spring time flows are clearer and slightly warmer, as water coming fishing fast water. In pools, standards like the Adams, Light Cahill, from the bottom of the reservoir is generally between 38-41º F, and March Brown and Dun Variant work well. One of the best hatches favorable to trout feeding activity. on the Esopus is the Isonychia bicolor, which is imitated by the Dun Neversink fly hatches are similar to other Catskill rivers. Good Variant. While this mayfly may emerge from choices of flies are the standard Catskill fly patterns, such as the Light May to October, it is most abundant in the fall. Cahill, Hendrickson and Quill Gordon, as well as the various types The Esopus Creek and its tributaries are of Blue Wing Olives and Sulphurs. dominated by rainbow trout that are born The East and West Branches of the Delaware River are becoming in the watershed and, in time, migrate increasingly popular with fly fishers. More stable, cold water releases from New York City reservoirs on these rivers have improved the fish- ery as well as trout fishing conditions, especially during the summer months, giving the Catskills a ‘second season.’ The East Branch below Pepacton Reservoir flows approximately 32.6 miles from Downsville to Hancock, where it joins the West Branch. For several miles below Downsville, the East Branch is similar to a giant spring creek. The water is cold year-round, riffles tend to be short and shallow, and pools are long, slow and glassy. The East Branch offers good summer trout fishing when natural flowing streams become low and warm. In July and August, hatches of Blue Wing Olives and Sulphurs can be incredible, and trout can be found rising all day long; however, East Branch trout can stop feeding or be “put down” by one poor cast. Long, softly placed, accurate casts of small flies tied on tippets of 6X or 7X are a must; and even when properly executed, a trout may stop rising. This

Rainbow Trout

28 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE is considered technical fishing, and fly fishers often spend an exces- demanding. In many places pools are slow-moving and glassy; trout sive amount of time changing patterns, searching for “the right fly.” have plenty of time to look over your fly, causing the conundrum of About 15 miles downstream of Downsville, the East Branch is joined which fly to use. As a rule, use a fly that is similar to the size and color by the Beaverkill, and from this junction down river to Hancock, the (light, medium, or dark) of the one that is on the water; but importantly, character of the river is more natural in appearance. This is “big water” cast accurately and softly, “timing” the fish as it takes naturals off the where pools are so large that locally, they are known as “eddies,” with surface. Don’t crowd rising trout, and use as fine a tippet as you dare. names like Bolton’s Eddy, Fishs Eddy or Pease Eddy. Although the waters decribed previously are the most well known, Although the East Branch upstream of its junction with the good fishing can also be found in other Catskill streams including the Beaverkill is populated mostly by brown trout and a few rainbows, the Little Delaware River, and Rondout, Catskill and Schoharie Creeks. water downstream contains browns and rainbows in equal numbers. This portion of the lower East Branch has many of the hatches the Catskills are known for, but many trout fishers prefer when Green Drakes are hatching in late May or early June. In July and August, the West Branch offers good flows of cold water and excellent hatches of Sulphurs and Olives. Infinite numbers of these tiny mayflies cover the water day after day, enticing trout to rise with a frequency not often seen on other rivers. This is challenging fishing, and those who are successful can be rewarded with large trout, most often browns, but on occasion a rainbow or two. The trout population is dominated by browns; rainbows are fairly common, and brook trout are rare enough that they are a pleasant surprise. The West Branch, like other Catskill rivers, has its devotees who fish its waters through the season and are also year- round stew- Brown Trout ards, protecting and preserving the exceptional trout fishing it offers. There are about 16 miles of the lower West Branch between Cannonsville Reservoir and the Village of Hancock; and in this stretch is a two mile section of “catch and release” water that can be fished Ed Van Put is a former member of the DEC’s Bureau of from April 1st until October 15th. Access is limited, even though Route Fisheries. He now spends his days fishing the waters of 17 parallels the West Branch from Deposit to Hancock. the Catskills. Ed has written numerous books on Catskill In general, the West Branch is dry fly water that offers great surface flyfishing. He can be contacted at [email protected]. activity. However, fishing for its large, steadily rising trout can be

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 29 HRegionead 5 • northeastern New York

Clinton County Minimum Water Species Open Season Daily Limit Method Length Lake Champlain and tributaries to All Species See Lake Champlain Regulations on page 35. first barrier Trout All year Any size 5 Upper Chateaugay Lake, Chazy Lake Trout All year 21" 3 Ice fishing permitted Lake LL Salmon All year 15" 3 Great Chazy River from Route 9B at Cooperville upstream to Perrys Fishing prohibited March 16 until the opening of Walleye season in May Mills Dam Region 5 Saranac River from Imperial Dam upstream to the Millstone Monu- Route 86, P.O. Box 296 ment located at the intersection of Trout All year 12" 5 Ray Brook, NY 12977-0220 Sand Pond Road and NYS Rt 22B (518) 897-1200 in Morrisonville Saranac River from the Millstone Sub-Office Monument located at the intersec- tion of Sand Pond Road and NYS Trout All year Catch and release only Artificial lures only 232 Golf Course Road Rt. 22B in Morrisonville upstream to Warrensburg, NY 12885-0220 Kent Falls Dam (518) 623-1200 Saranac River from marked [email protected] boundary 100 yards upstream of its confluence with the North Branch Trout All year Catch and release only Artificial lures only Saranac River upstream 1.4 miles to Stord Brook North Branch Saranac River from mouth of Cold Brook upstream to Trout All year 12" 3 Artificial lures only Alder Brook 1st Saturday in Fern Lake Walleye May through 18" 3 Ice fishing permitted Mar 15 Refer to page 34 for a complete listing of waters in which the use or possession of baitfish is prohibited.

E ssex County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method Lake Champlain and tributaries to the first barrier All Species See Lake Champlain Regulations on page 35. Boquet River from Wadhams Falls upstream to Route 9N in Trout April 1 through Oct 15 9" 5 Elizabethtown Indian River Trout All year Any size 5 West Branch Ausable River except section below: Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size 5 West Branch Ausable River from mouth of Holcomb Pond Outlet downstream to marked boundary 2.2 miles down- Trout All year Catch and release only Artificial lures only stream of Monument Falls West Branch Ausable River from the Whiteface Ski Center Trout All year Catch and release only Artificial lures only bridge downstream to the Rt 86 bridge at the flume April 1 through Oct 15 15" 3 Tip-ups prohibited Bigsby Pond, Copperas Pond Lake Trout Fishing prohibited Oct 16 through Mar 31 Eagle Lake, Connery Pond, Hudson River Trout All year Any size 5 Ice fishing permitted Upper and Lower Cascade lakes Round Whitefish Possession Prohibited Use or possession of baitfish prohibited First Lake of Essex Chain, Pharaoh Lake Lake Trout April 1 through Oct 15 15" 3 Use or possession of baitfish prohibited Lake George and tributaries upstream to first barrier impass- Lake Trout, LL See Lake George under Warren County. Use or possession of smelt prohibited. able by fish Salmon, Trout, Smelt Ice fishing permitted. Crane Pond Lake Trout All year 15" 3 Use or possession of baitfish prohibited Trout All year Any size 5 Paradox Lake Ice fishing permitted Lake Trout All year 21" 3 Mirror Lake, Lake Placid Lake Trout April 1 through Oct 15 15" 3 Black Bass April 1 through Nov 30 Any size Any Number Moose Pond (Town of St. Armand) Use or possession of baitfish prohibited Lake Trout April 1 through Oct 15 15" 3 Trout All year Any size 5 Schroon Lake, from Schroon Lake upstream to Lake Trout All year 18" 2 Ice fishing permitted Alder Meadow Rd. LL Salmon All year 15" 3 Lake Trout, LL Ticonderoga Creek from lower falls upstream to Lake George Lake Champlain Regulations apply (page 35) Salmon, Trout Harris Lake, Franklin Falls Flow Walleye 1st Saturday in May through Mar 15 18" 3 Ice fishing permitted Refer to page 34 for a complete listing of waters in which the use or possession of baitfish is prohibited.

30 SPECIAL REGULATIONS BY COUNTY Region 5 • northeastern New York

Franklin County Minimum Water Species Open Season Daily Limit Method Length Fishing for black Waters and State bass (including 3rd Sat in June All waters except Lake Colby Black Bass 12" 5 catch & release) is Lands Where through Nov 30 prohibited outside of Baitfish are the open season Trout All year Any size 5 Prohibited The use or possession of fish as bait is LL Salmon All year 15" 3 Lake Colby Ice fishing permitted prohibited on many trout waters and 3rd Sat in June on certain units of state land (listed in Black Bass Any size 5 through Nov 30 Special Regulations by County pages). Big Fish Pond, Little Fish Pond, St. April 1 through Use or possession of These restrictions are necessary to Lake Trout 15" 3 Regis Pond Oct 15 baitfish prohibited preserve trout fishing and maintain native fish communities. Baitfish can Trout All year Any size 5 Lake Clear, Meacham Lake Ice fishing permitted become established if they escape from a LL Salmon All year 15" 3 bait pail or get off a hook alive. Natural Franklin Falls Flow, Lower Saranac 1st Sat in May reproduction of trout can be severely Walleye 18" 3 Ice fishing permitted Lake, Rainbow Lake through March 15 reduced or eliminated by competing fish. Aquatic insects and other food items are Little Clear Pond, Little Green Pond, Fishing prohibited to protect hatchery brood stock. less available to trout in the presence of and their tributaries competitors. The result is a rapid and April 1 through Follensby Clear Pond LL Salmon 15" 3 Tip-ups prohibited dramatic decline in the total weight of Oct 15 trout in a pond after competing fishes April 1 through Catch and release Mountain Pond (Town of Brighton) Trout Artificial lures only become established. Nov 30 only Saranac River from Hough Brook at Union Falls Flow upstream to Fishing prohibited March 1 through May 15 to protect spawning walleye Franklin Falls Flow Dam Saranac River from Pine Street bridge upstream to Lake Flower Trout All year Any size 5 New York State Dam in Village of Saranac Lake Whey Pond Trout April 1 – Oct 15 12" 3 in combination Artificial lures only En vironmental Trout April 1 – Oct 15 Any size 5 Ice fishing permitted; Conservation Upper Saranac Lake Lake Trout April 1 – Oct 15 23" 3 Tip-ups prohibited Police Tupper Lake, Lake Kushaqua, Lake Trout All year 21" 3 Ice fishing permitted Rollins Pond Q: Can I use whole or parts of yellow Refer to page 34 for a complete listing of waters in which the use or possession of baitfish is prohibited. perch or other sportfish that I caught as bait? Fulton County A: Yes, as long as it is legal to use fish as bait Minimum in the waterbody you are fishing, the fish Water Species Open Season Daily Limit Method Length were captured from that waterbody, and were legally taken and of legal size. Note that Lake Trout All year 21" 3 sportfish used for bait counts toward the daily Canada Lake, Green Lake, Lily Lake, Ice fishing permitted limit you may possess. West Lake Trout All year Any size 5 Q: Can I use felt-soled waders in New , West Caroga York State? Lake, Northville Pond, Great Trout All year Any size 5 Ice fishing permitted Sacandaga Lake A: Regulations do not prohibit the use of felt-soled waders and wading shoes in New Kyser Lake Trout All year 12" 3 Ice fishing permitted York State. However, felt soles are difficult to clean and have been identified as a possible tributaries means by which whirling disease and from the stream mouth to first highway bridge. the invasive algae didymo may be spread. Fishing prohibited March 16 until the opening of Walleye season in May from the Bridge Street bridge in Because non-felt alternatives are now Northville upstream to the first readily available, we strongly recommend crossing of Route 30. that anglers consider using them.

Refer to page 34 for a complete listing of waters in which the use or possession of baitfish is prohibited. Q: Can I use lead fishing sinkers in New York State? A: The sale of lead fishing sinkers weighing less than one-half ounce is prohibited in New York State. Although you may still use small lead sinkers, we strongly recommend that you switch to the various non-lead alternatives that are now readily available.

TOLL-FREE 24-HOUR DEC DISPATCH CENTER: 1-877-457-5680

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 31 Region 5 • northeastern New York

Hamilton County Minimum Daily Water Species Open Season Method Length Limit Fishing for black bass (including catch & 3rd Sat in June All waters except Hudson River Black Bass 12" 5 release) is prohibited through Nov 30 outside of the open season Black Bass, Hudson River All year Any size 5 Ice fishing permitted Trout Abanakee Lake (Town of Indian Trout All year Any size 5 Ice fishing permitted Lake) Lake Trout All year Any size 3 Trout All year Any size 5 Lake Algonquin 1st Sat in May Ice fishing permitted Walleye 18" 3 Richard Beauchamp holding the 6 lb., and new through Mar 15 Limekiln Lake, Great Sacandaga state record, brook trout he caught from Silver Trout All year Any size 5 Ice fishing permitted Lake Lake (Hamilton County) on a Lake Clear Wabbler. Blue Mountain Lake, Eagle Lake, Trout All year Any size 5 Forked Lake, Gilman Lake, South Pond, Utowana Lake, Indian Lake Lake Trout All year 21" 2 Ice fishing permitted (Town of Indian Lake), Lake Eaton, Lewey Lake, Raquette Lake LL Salmon All year 15" 3 Use or possession of Lake Lila, First Lake of Essex Chain Lake Trout April 1 – Oct 15 15" 3 baitfish prohibited Lake Trout All year 21" 2 Ice fishing permitted LL Salmon All year 18" 2 April 1 – Oct 15 18" 3 Tip-ups prohibited; Fawn Lake (Town of Lake Pleasant) Lake Trout Fishing prohibited Oct 16 – March 31 Trout All year 9" 5 Fourth Lake of Fulton Chain Lake Trout All year 21" 3 Ice fishing permitted LL Salmon All year 15" 3

Fishing prohibited March 16 until the opening of walleye season in May Joshua Trainor with an 8 lb. 15 oz. brown trout he Sacandaga Lake tributaries and caught from , Washington County on April outlet, Lake Pleasant tributaries First Saturday 9, 2012. Walleye in May through 18” 3 March 15 Trout All year Any size 5 Lake Pleasant, Sacandaga Lake Ice fishing permitted LL Salmon All year 15" 3 Lake Pleasant outlet to mouth of Closed from March 16th until the opening walleye season in May. the Kunjamuk River April 1 through Use or possession of Jennings Park Pond Trout Any size 3 Oct 15 baitfish prohibited Sagamore Lake Lake Trout April 1 – Oct 15 18" 3 Artificial lures only Round Lake to the boundary with April 1 through Brook Trout 12" 3 Use or possession of Little Tupper Lake Oct 15 baitfish prohibited Trout All year Any size 5 Seventh Lake, Sixth Lake Lake Trout All year 18" 3 Ice fishing permitted LL Salmon All year 15" 3 Great Sacandaga Lake tributaries Life Jackets from the upstream mouth to first highway bridge. Sacandaga River Every pleasure vessel, including Fishing prohibited March 16 until the opening of walleye season in May from Bridge Street in Northville canoes, kayaks and rowboats, must upstream to the first crossing of have on board at least one wearable Route 30. personal floatation device (PFD) for Little Tupper Lake, Rock Pond & April 1 through Catch and release Artificial Use or possession of Rock Pond Outlet Stream between Trout each person on board. Children under Oct 15 only lures only. baitfish prohibited Rock Pond & Little Tupper Lake 12 years of age on any vessel 65 ft. Indian River (Town of Indian Lake) Trout All year Any size 5 or less in length must wear a U.S. Charley Pond Outlet (within W.C. Fishing prohibited July 1st through Sept 15th Coast Guard approved Type I, II, or Whitney Area) III PFD while underway. Refer to page 34 for a complete listing of waters in which the use or possession of baitfish is prohibited. From November 1 – May 1, everyone must wear a life jacket when underway on pleasure boats less than 21 ft. For more information on boating safety regulations, go to www.nysparks.com.

32 SPECIAL REGULATIONS BY COUNTY Region 5 • northeastern New York

Saratoga County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method Hudson River from Warren County line downstream to Washing- Trout All year Any size 5 Ice fishing permitted ton County line east of Glens Falls Hudson River from Troy Dam upstream to Bakers Falls in the Catch and release fishing only. All fish shall be returned to the water immediately. Village of Hudson Falls and tributaries in this section to first All Species All year barrier impassable by fish, including Mohawk River below Route Baitfish listed on page 57 may be possessed for use as fish bait. Use of tip-ups is 32 bridge permitted. Creek from upstream to first Fishing prohibited March 16 until the opening of walleye season in May railroad bridge Kayaderosseras Creek from first railroad bridge upstream Trout All year Any size 5 Great Sacandaga Lake, Moreau Lake Trout All year Any size 5 Ice fishing permitted Great Sacandaga Lake tributaries from lake upstream to first Fishing prohibited March 16 until the opening of walleye season in May highway bridge Mohawk River from Lock 2 to Guard Gate 2 (Waterford Flight) Use or possession of alewife or blueback herring is prohibited Sunfish (Bluegill, Saratoga Lake including Fish Creek downstream to the old Pumpkinseed, All year Any size 15 Ice fishing permitted railroad crossing between Staffords and Bryants bridges Redbreast) Warren County Minimum Water Species Open Season Daily Limit Method Length Brant Lake, Brant Lake Mill Pond, New York State Brant Lake Outlet, Hudson River, Trout All year Any size 5 Ice fishing permitted Lake Luzerne, Trout Lake Ene vironm ntal Lake George and tributaries Trout All year Any size 5 Ice fishing permitted; Conservation upstream to first barrier impassable Lake Trout All year 23" 2 Use or possession of by fish LL Salmon All year 18" 2 smelt prohibited Police Glen Lake Trout All year Any size 5 Ice fishing permitted Q: Hour Pond, Jabe Pond, Little Jabe Do I need a permit to conduct a bass April 1 through Pond, Peaked Mountain Pond, and Trout 12" 3 Artificial lures only tournament in New York State? Oct 15 their tributaries A: A permit is not necessary to conduct a 3rd Sat in June Lily Pond, Pack Forest Lake Black Bass 10" 5 bass tournament in New York. However, a through Nov 30 temporary revocable permit is required Schroon Lake, Schroon River from Trout All year Any size 5 to use a DEC boat launch or other state Schroon Lake downstream to Lake Trout All year 18" 2 Ice fishing permitted land for an organized purpose, such as a Starbuckville Dam LL Salmon All year 15" 3 tournament weigh-in. A permit issued Trout All year Any size 5 by the appropriate DEC regional office is Schroon River from Starbuckville Lake Trout All year Any size 3 Ice fishing permitted required to possess fish in excess of the daily Dam downstream limit for tournaments holding fish prior to LL Salmon All year Any size 3 release or using release boats. Thirteenth Lake and tributaries and Trout April 1 – Nov 30 Any size 5 Use or possession of outlet downstream to Hudson River Salmon April 1 – Nov 30 15" 3 baitfish prohibited Q: Can I collect crayfish and use them Palmer Pond Trout April 1 – Nov 30 Any size 5 for bait? Refer to page 34 for a complete listing of waters in which the use or possession of baitfish is prohibited. A: Yes. However, a fishing license is required to keep minnow species incidentally caught Washington County in a crayfish trap, and their take and use must be in accordance with DEC baitfish Minimum Water Species Open Season Daily Limit Method regulations. Length Batten Kill from Vermont state line Q: If I put an electric motor on my downstream to covered bridge at Trout All year Catch and release only Artificial lures only Eagleville canoe, does the canoe have to be registered with NYS? Hoosic River Trout April 1 – Oct 15 9" 5 A: Lake Champlain and tributaries to Yes. Any motorized vessel operated on All Species See Lake Champlain Regulations on page 35. first barrier the waters of the state of New York must be registered with the Department of Lake George and tributaries Lake Trout, Smelt: Use or upstream to first barrier impassable Trout, See Lake George under Warren County possession of smelt Motor Vehicles. by fish LL Salmon prohibited Hudson River from Troy dam TOLL-FREE 24-HOUR DEC DISPATCH CENTER: upstream to Ft. Edward and tributar- Catch and release fishing only. All fish shall be returned to ies in this section to first barrier All Species All year the water immediately. Baitfish listed on page 57 may be 1-877-457-5680 impassable by fish, Mohawk River possessed for use as fish bait. Use of tip-ups is permitted. below Route 32 Bridge Refer to page 34 for a complete listing of waters in which the use or possession of baitfish is prohibited.

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 33 R egion 5 • Northeastern New York • Baitfish Prohibited Waters

Clinton County • Upper and Lower Preston • Porkchop Pond (0.6 mi. Hamilton County T own of Morehouse Ponds east of Upper Saranac • Bochen Lake • Blue Ridge Wilderness T own of Black Brook • Henderson Lake Lake) • Squaw Lake, • Buell Brook Primitive • Cranberry Pond • St. Germain Pond (1/2 • Unnamed Pond (1/4 T own of North Elba Area • Mud Pond (two miles mile north of Lake Clear) mile southwest of Squaw • Big Cherry Patch Pond • Five Ponds Wilderness southwest of riverview) • Cameras Pond T own of Malone Lake) • Mud Pond • High Peaks Wilderness • McKenzie Pond • Malone Village Ice Pond (except Raquette River) Warren County T own of Dannemora • Tom Peck Pond • Hudson Gorge T own of Tupper Lake • Pharaoh Lake Wilderness • Mud Pond • Upper and Lower Preston • Rag Pond (200 feet north • Primitive Area (except • Siamese Ponds Ponds of West Pine Pond) Hudson River) Wilderness Essex County T own of North Hudson • West Pine Pond • Pigeon Lake Wilderness • Dix Mountain Wilderness • Bass Lake • Siamese Ponds T own of Bolton • Giant Mountain T own of Santa Clara Wilderness • Brown Pond • Bloody Pond • Bad News Pond (1000 Wilderness • Silver Lake Wilderness • Boreas Pond feet northwest of T own of Chester • High Peaks Wilderness (except Sacandaga River) • Challis Pond Polliwog Pond) • Clear Pond • Hoffman Notch • Little Moose Lake • Courtney Pond • Black Pond (between • Palmer Pond Wilderness • West Canada Lakes • Deer Pond Square Pond and Whey • Hudson Gorge Primitive Wilderness T own of Hague • Howard Pond Pond) Area (except Hudson • William C. Whitney area • Buttermilk Pond • Moose Mountain Pond • Duck or Echo Pond River) • Jabe Pond • Triangle Pond • Duell Pond (1/4 mile T own of Arietta • McKenzie Mountain • Little Jabe Pond • Lower Twin Pond south of Little Green • Christian Lake Wilderness (except West • Racket Ponds • Upper Twin Pond Pond) • G Lake Branch of the Ausable • Spectacle Ponds (2) • White Lily Pond • East Copperas Pond • Iron Lake River) • Federation Pond (1/4 • Jockeybush Lake T own of Horicon • Pharaoh Lake Wilderness T own of St. Armand • Moose Pond mile southeast of East • Little Moose Lake • Duck Pond • Sentinel Range Pine Pond) • Lower Sargent Pond • Long Pond Wilderness (except East T own of Schroon • Frog Pond (650 feet • Middle Sargent Pond • Round Pond Branch Ausable River) • Cotters Pond north of Polliwog Pond) • Red Louse Lake T own of Johnsburg T own of Jay T own of Willmington • Grass Pond (1 1/4 mile T own of Hope • Crane Mountain Pond • Clements Pond • Morgan Pond northeast of Benz Pond) • Bennett Lake • Eagle Pond T own of Minerva (Cooperkill) • Little Black Pond • Middle Lake • Kibby Pond (between Black and • Barnes Pond T own of Moriah • Murphy Lake T own of Stony Creek • Black Pond • Goose Puddle Square ponds) • Green Pond (north of T own of Indian Lake • New Lake • Center Pond • Trout Pond • Barker Pond • Wilcox Lake • Clear Pond Follensby Clear Pond) • Horseshoe Pond • Blue Ledge Pond T own of Thurman • Corner Pond Franklin County • Bullhead Pond • Little Polliwog Pond • Little Joe Pond • Deer Pond • St. Regis Canoe Area • First Lake (Essex chain • Madewaska Pond • Lixard Pond • First Lake (Essex Chain • High Peaks Wilderness of lakes) • Polliwog Pond • Shiras Pond of Lakes) (except Raquette River • Grassy Pond • Rat Pond • Un-named Pond (1 mi. • Hewitt Pond and Saranac River) • Little Grassy Pond • Sunday Pond (southeast northwest of Lixard • Jackson Pond • Lower Carter Pond T own of Bellmont of Rat Pond) Pond) • Mud Pond (north of Clear • Lower Helms Pond • Drain Pond • Sunrise Pond (east of • Un-named Pond (2 miles Pond) • Middle Helms Pond • Mud Pond (north of Third T own of Brighton Follensby Clear Pond) east of Kibby Pond) • Track Pond (3/4 mile • OK Slip Pond Lake Essex Chain) • Barnum Pond, northeast of Floodwood • Pine Lake T own of Warrensburg • Nate Pond • Black Pond (on Visitors • Gay Pond Pond) • Pine Pond (east of Blue • Pine Lake Interpretive Center • Viele Pond • Twelfth Tee or Gordon Mt. Lake) • Rankin Pond Property) Pond (400 feet north of • Pug Hole Pond • Little Rankin Pond • Long Pond (north of Green Pond) • Tirrell Pond Washington • Second, Third and Fourth Black Pond) • Whey Pond • Unknown Pond Lakes of Essex Chain • Loon Pond • Unnamed pond (3/4 mile County • Sherman Pond • Lost Pond (0.4 mi. T own of Waverly east of Barker Pond) • Stony Pond T own of Dresden southwest of Mountain • Benz Pond • Upper Carter Pond • Black Mountain Ponds • Twenty Ninth Pond Pond) • Little Clear Pond • Upper Helms Pond (2) T own of Newcomb • Mountain Pond • Long Pond • Bumps Pond • Slush Pond T own of Inlet • Beaver Pond (south of • Bug Lake • Fishbrook Pond Lake Andrew) • Star Mountain Ponds (2) Fulton County • Greenland Pond • Upper Spectacle Pond • Eagle Nest Pond • Cedar (or Roundtop) T own of Bleecker • High Rock Pond • Lapland Pond Pond T own of Duane • Holmes Lake • Icehouse Pond • Cheney Pond (northwest T own of Fort Ann • Buck Pond • County Line Lake • Lost Ponds (3) • Inman Pond of Split Rock Lake) • Clear Pond • Mud Lake • Mitchell Ponds (2) • Chub Pond • Debar Pond T own of Jackson • Clear Pond • Skiff Pond T own of Caroga T own of Lake Pleasant • Dead Lake • Fish Hatchery Pond • Panther Mountain Pond • Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and • Winebago Pond T own of Whitehall Eighth Lakes of Essex • Indian Lake T own of Long Lake T own of Franklin • Otter Lake • Sawmill Pond Chain • Bog Pond • Spruce Pond • Jackson Pond • Hope Pond • Stewart Lake • Little Hope Pond • Clear Pond • Lake Andrew T own of Stratford • High Pond • Mud Pond (north of Clear • No Hope Pond (300 feet north of Hope Pond) • Coglin Lakes • Loon Pond Pond) • Fourth Lake • Lost Pond • Newcomb Lake (including T own of Harrietstown • Goose Egg Lake • Louie Pond Upper and Lower Duck • Bear Pond • House Pond • Mays Pond Hole) • Meadow Pond (1/2 mile • Knapps Long Lake • Mosquito Pond • Unnamed Pond (north of northwest of Lake Clear) • Long Pond • Owls Head Pond LeClaire Brook) • Panther Pond • Third Lake • Raquette Lake Reservoir

34 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE Lake Champlain Regulations

L ake Champlain—including all tributaries upstream to the first barrier impassable by fish. Contact Region 5 DEC Regional Office atR ay Brook Aonttenti Lake for barrier locations. Champlain Anglers Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Lake Champlain Reciprocal Agreement: Trout All year 12" 3 Lake Trout All year 15" 3 Anglers with either a New York or Landlocked Salmon All year 15" 2 Vermont fishing license may fish in 2nd Sat. in June though Nov 30 10" 5 the “Main Lake” and “South Lake” Black Bass Dec 1 through the Fri preceding the Catch and release only Artificial lures only 2nd Sat in June portions of Lake Champlain between Walleye, Sauger 1st Sat. in May through March 15 18" 3 in combination New York and Vermont. South Bay Muskellunge All year 30" 1 in New York, and the Inland Sea, Northern Pike All year 20" 5 Mallett’s Bay and Missisquoi Bay Pickerel All year Any size 10 Crappie All year 8" 25 (including the area between North and Yellow Perch and Sunfish (except Cumber- South Hero Island commonly referred All year Any size Any number land Bay) to as “The Gut”) in Vermont are not Bullheads, Catfish, Carp, Cisco, Rock Bass, included in the agreement. Anglers Smelt, Suckers, Whitefish, and all other fish All year Any size Any number fishing on these waters must have a not listed in this table. Lake Sturgeon and Mooneye Possession Prohibited fishing license from the state in which Note: Each fishing line may have no more than two baited hooks or artificial lures with or without added natural bait. Ice the waterway is located. In addition, fishing is legal to take any species during its open season. No more than fifteen tip-ups and two hand lines may be used rivers that flow into Lake Champlain for ice fishing from Nov 15 – April 30. are excluded from the reciprocal C umberland Bay, Lake Champlain agreement. Cumberland Bay is defined as those waters of Lake Champlain north and west of a line extending from Cumberland Head Lighthouse to the northern tip of Crab Island, then westerly to the southerly of the two piers at the Oil Terminal known locally as the Copeland Oil Terminal. Quebec Quebec New York Vermont Yellow Perch, Sunfish Statewide angling regulations apply

A dditional Lake Champlain tributary regulations Missisquoi Bay Stream Section Regulations Saranac River from Catherine Street bridge upstream to Imperial Dam. Ausable River beginning at the marked boundary 800 feet Cumberland Inland Angling from boats prohibited. west of the first bridge upstream from Lake Champlain, continuing Bay Sea upstream and ending at Rainbow Falls. From June 15 through December 31: Saranac River from Catherine Street bridge upstream to Imperial Plattsburgh, The Gut Dam. Ausable River from D & H railroad bridge upstream to Maximum hook gap 1/2 inch. Fishing prohibited from 1/2 hour after NY Rainbow Falls. Boquet River from mouth upstream to Wadhams sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise. Fishing permitted with unweighted Mallets Falls. North Branch Boquet and tributaries from mouth to first artificial flies or unweighted natural baits only (see definitions). Excep- Bay upstream barrier. tion: On the Saranac River, floating lures with one free-swinging hook permitted. No supplement weight, such as metal leaders, sinkers, split Note additional sections closed below. shot, twist-ons, or swivels may be attached to line, leader, or hook. Burlington, VT North Branch Boquet River and tributaries to first barrier;Mill Fishing prohibited from October 1 through December 31 to protect Main Lake Brook (in Port Henry) from mouth to falls west of Route 22. spawning salmon. Boquet River from marked boundary below Willsboro Dam upstream to Route 22 in Willsboro. Ausable Boat Basin pool at Fishing prohibited to protect migrating landlocked salmon. mouth of Ausable Chasm as posted on site. Chazy River from Route 9B at Coopersville upstream to Perrys Fishing prohibited March 16 through the opening of walleye season Mills Dam. in May to protect spawning walleye Snatching and blind snatching of burbot permitted from Scomotion Creek from mouth upstream to Pardy Road December 1 through March 31. FISHING LICENSE REQUIRED REPT OR SAUGER CATCHES New York or Sauger are closely related to walleye and are similar in appearance and habits. They can be Vermont identified by the unique three to four saddle-shaped dark brown blotches on their sides and Vermont Only the distinct black spots on the first dorsal (back) fin. Sauger also lack the white tip on the South New York Only lower lobe of the tail fin that is common in walleye. Sauger have declined in New York and Lake likely now only occur in Lake Champlain; however, the status of this population is in doubt. Quebec Only To help track the occurrence of sauger in Lake Champlain,or other waters in New York State, anglers are encouraged to report their catches to [email protected]. Please indicate the specific location where the fish was caught and a photo (if possible).

Walleye Sauger

South Bay, NY

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 35 Region 6 • North Central New York

Herkimer County Minimum Daily Water Species Open Season Method Length Limit Trout All year 9" 5 First, Second, Third, and Fourth Ice fishing Lake Trout All year 21" 3 Lakes of Fulton Chain permitted LL Salmon All year 15" 3 Ice fishing Limekiln Lake Trout All year Any size 5 permitted Horn Lake, Evergreen Lake, Hidden Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size 3 Artificial lures only Lake, Peaked Mountain Lake Moose River, Middle and South Branch of Moose River down- 5 - with no stream of Moose River Plains Trout April 1 through Nov 30 Any size more than 2 Recreation Area, West Canada longer than 12" Creek from mouth upstream to Region 6 Comstock Bridge State Office Bldg. from Trenton Falls Dam downstream to the first Trout All year Catch and release only Artificial lures only 317 Washington Street bridge (Comstock Bridge) below Watertown, NY 13601-3787 the mouth of Cincinnati Creek Stillwater Reservoir, Beardsley Ice fishing (315) 785-2263 Trout All year 12" 3 Lake, Kyser Lake permitted Wheeler Pond, Clear Pond (Town Brook Catch and Sub-Office April 1 through Oct 15 Artificial lures only 207 Genesee Street of Webb) Trout release only Forestport Reservoir, Hinckley Ice fishing Utica, NY 13501-2885 Reservoir, Kayuta Lake, Moshier Statewide Angling Regulations Apply permitted (315) 793-2554 Reservoir and North Lake [email protected] Refer to page 38 for a complete listing of waters in which the use or possession of baitfish is prohibited.

Jefferson County Minimum Water Species Open Season Daily Limit Method Length Yellow All waters except Sandy Pond Perch & All year Any size Any number Sunfish 3rd Saturday in June through 12" 5 All waters except Black River Black November 30 and Indian River Bass Fishing for black bass (including catch & release) is prohibited outside of the open season. Black 3rd Sat in June through Nov 30 10" 5 Black River from Dexter Dam Bass Fishing for black bass (including catch & release) is prohibited outside of the open season. upstream, Indian River Walleye Statewide Angling Regulations Apply Black River from upstream tip of lower-most island to Mill St. Dam See Great Lakes Regulations on pages 48-52. in Watertown Yellow Ice fishing Sandy Pond Perch & All year Any size 50 each permitted Sunfish Clear Lake, Grass Lake, Hyde Lake, Ice fishing Walleye 1st Sat in May through March 15 18" 3 Sixtown Pond, Butterfield Lake permitted Lake Trout All year 21" 3 Ice fishing Lake-of-the-Woods, Sixberry Lake LL Salmon All year 15" 3 permitted Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence All River, and their tributaries to See Great Lakes Regulations on pages 48-52. Species first barrier Ice fishing permitted from Dec 1 through March 1. General angling Perch Lake Closed to all fishing from March 2 through Nov 30. regulations minimum lengths and daily limits apply Millsite Lake Statewide Angling Regulations Apply Ice fishing permitted Lewis County Minimum Water Species Open Season Daily Limit Method Length 3rd Sat June through Nov 30 10" 5 Black River, Deer River, West Black Dec 1 to Fri preceding the 3rd Branch Deer River, Beaver River Bass Catch and release only Artificial lures only Sat in June Black River, East Branch Fish 5 - with no Creek from Rome Reservoir Dam Trout April 1 through Nov 30 Any size more than 2 downstream, Moose River longer than 12" Trout All year 9" 5 Ice fishing Lake Bonaparte Lake Trout All year 18" 3 permitted Beaver Lake, Francis Lake, Soft Ice fishing Maple Reservoir, and Whetstone Statewide Angling Regulations Apply permitted Marsh Refer to page 38 for a complete listing of waters in which the use or possession of baitfish is prohibited.

36 SPECIAL REGULATIONS BY COUNTY R egion 6 • North Central New York

Oneida County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method Black Bass 3rd Sat in June through Nov 30 10" 5 Dec 1 through Fri preceding the 3rd Sat in June Catch and release only Artificial lures only Black River 5 - with no more than 2 Trout April 1 through Nov 30 Any size longer than 12" Mohawk River from Barge Canal upstream to Delta Dam, Mohawk River from bridge in Westernville 5 - with no more than 2 upstream to Lansing Kill, Moose River, Nine Mile Trout April 1 through Nov 30 Any size longer than 12" Creek, Oneida Creek, from Pinnacle Road in Sauquoit downstream Oneida Lake east of Route 81 bridge and tributaries upstream to first barrier impassable Walleye 1st Sat May through March 15 15" 3 Ice fishing permitted by fish, and Barge (Erie) Canal and tributaries upstream to Lock 22 from bridge in Deansboro down- April 1 through Oct 15 Any size 5 Trout stream to Mohawk River Oct 16 through Mar 31 Catch and release only Artificial lures only Oneida Creek from Peterboro Road (Rt. 25) Trout All year Any size 5 downstream to NYS Thruway West Canada Creek, East Branch Fish Creek from 5 - with no more than 2 Rome Reservoir downstream and West Branch Trout April 1 through Nov 30 Any size longer than 12" Fish Creek, except for sections below: West Canada Creek from Trenton Falls Dam downstream to the first bridge (Comstock Bridge) Trout All year Catch and release only Artificial lures only below the mouth of Cincinnati Creek 5 - with no more than 2 Lansing Kill Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size longer than 12" Fish Creek from Barge Canal upstream to junction of East and West Branches of Fish Creek, West Branch of Fish Creek from mouth upstream to dam in McConnellsville, East Branch Fish Creek from Fishing prohibited March 16 until the opening of walleye season in May mouth upstream to the route 69 bridge in Taberg, Mohawk River from Delta Lake upstream to bridge in Westernville Delta Reservoir Statewide Angling Regulations Apply Ice fishing permitted Refer to page 38 for a complete listing of waters in which the use or possession of baitfish is prohibited. St. Lawrence County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method Fishing for black bass (including catch & release) All waters except as listed below: Black Bass 3rd Saturday in June through November 30 12" 5 is prohibited outside of the open season. All rivers and streams except the Raquette River Black Bass 3rd Sat in June through Nov 30 10" 5 impoundments and those covered by Great Lakes Muskellunge 3rd Sat in June through Nov 30 40" 1 regulations Fishing (including catch & release) for black bass outside of the open season is prohibited. Black Lake including the Indian River from falls Black Bass 3rd Sat in June through Nov 30 15" 5 Ice fishing permitted in Rossie downstream to the confluence with the Walleye 1st Sat in May through March 15 18" 3 Oswegatchie River Cold Brook (on Cold Brook FWMA), South Branch Grass River from 0.5 mile downstream of Route 3 Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Catch and release only Artificial lures only upstream to Grass River Flow Allen Pond Trout April 1 through Oct 15 12" 3 West Branch St. Regis River from Route 11B bridge Trout All year Catch and release only Artificial lures only upstream to Allen Falls Reservoir Dam St.Lawrence River and tributaries to first barrier All Species See Great Lakes Regulations on pages 48-52. Tooley Pond Black Bass 3rd Sat in June through Nov 30 Catch and release only Artificial lures only Trout All year 12" 3 Lake Ozonia Ice fishing permitted LL Salmon All year 15" 3 Pleasant Lake, Horseshoe Lake Walleye 1st Sat in May through March 15 18" 3 Ice fishing permitted Little River (Towns of Fine, Clifton), Oswegatchie Trout April 1 through Nov 30 Any Size 5 River from Cranberry Lake Dam downstream St. Regis River from Ft. Jackson upstream to 5 - with no more than 2 Trout All year Any size Franklin County Line longer than 12" Trout All year 9" 5 Star Lake Ice fishing permitted Lake Trout All year 21" 3 Trout All year 9" 5 Trout Lake Ice fishing permitted Lake Trout All year 21" 3 Tupper Lake Lake Trout All year 21" 3 Ice fishing permitted Pine, Boottree, Town Line, Deer and Horseshoe ponds in the Massawepie Conservation Easement Trout April 1 through Oct 15 12" 3 Area, Tamarack Pond Cranberry Lake Northern Pike 1st Sat in May through Mar 15 Any size 5 Ice fishing permitted Oswegatchie River from north side of the lower most bridge, State Rt. 68, upstream to the dam in Fishing prohibited March 16 until the opening of walleye season in May. Ogdensburg Sterling Pond Statewide Angling Regulations Apply Ice fishing permitted Refer to page 38 for a complete listing of waters in which the use or possession of baitfish is prohibited.

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 37 R egion 6 • North central New York • Baitfish Prohibited Waters

Herkimer County • Tied Lake T own of Watson • Curtis Pond • Lows Lake (Bog River • Twitchell Lake • Cleveland Lake • Dog Pond upstream of dam above • Five Ponds Wilderness • West Pond (0.6 miles • Evies Pond • Townline Pond Hitchens Pond) • He-De-Ron-Dah southwest of Big Moose • Long Lake • Big Trout Pond • Massawepie Lake Wilderness Lake) • Payne Lake • Little Trout Pond • Pine Pond • Pepperbox Wilderness • Wheeler Pond T own of Fine • Round Pond • Pigeon Lake Wilderness • Woods Lake Oneida County • Townline Pond • West Canada Lake • Long Lake Wilderness Lewis County T own of Forestport • Nicks Pond • Brandy Lake • Round Lake T own of Webb • Ha-De-Ron-Dah • Round Pond • Streeter Lake • Bear Lake Wilderness • Bubb Lake T own of Parishville • Brewer Lake T own of Croghan St. Lawrence • Clear Pond • Buck Lake (1/2 mile • Clear Pond County • Long Pond north of Hog Pond) • Rock Pond • Lilypad Pond • Seepage Pond • Five Ponds Wilderness • Buck Pond (one mile T own of Piercefield west of Thirsty Pond) • Trout Pond • Raquette-Boreal Wilderness Area • Big Trout Pond • Clear Pond T own of Diana • Black Pond • Moss Lake • Green Pond T own of Clare • Bottree Pond • Nicks Lake • Sealy Pond • Allen Pond • Bridgebrook Pond • Big Otter Lake • Silver Dawn Lake T own of Colton • Deer Pond • Quiver Pond • Little Silver Dawn Lake • Burntbridge Pond • Horseshoe Pond • Razorback Pond • Church Pond • Little Trout Pond • Sis Lake T own of Greig • Pitcher Pond • Clear or Hedgehog Pond • Long Pond

Give Them a Break New York’s efforts to restore the lake Sturgeon to its historic Although fishing for sturgeon is quite popular, particularly in north- range in our state have shown much promise. Fish raised in the western states, it is ILLEGAL in New York State. Any harassment DEC hatchery system have survived and grown well, and spawning of a spawning sturgeon can severely compromise its ability to concentrations of these fish are now showing up in tributaries to successfully spawn. Anglers incidentally catching a sturgeon should the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence River, Finger Lakes and Oneida not remove it from the water and quickly and carefully remove the Lake. The success DEC has in stocking lake sturgeon is significant, hook or cut the leader if deeply hooked. Let’s give these ancient fish but only a component of an overall effort to restore these fish. an opportunity to replenish their populations in New York State. Lake Sturgeon must be allowed to spawn without harassment for a number of years in order to fully restore their populations. DON’T FISH FOR THEM!

38 SPECIAL REGULATIONS BY COUNTY HR eeadgion 7 • Central New York

Broome County Minimum Water Species Open Season Daily Limit Method Length 5 - with no more April 1 through All waters except as listed below Trout Any size than 2 longer Oct 15 than 12" 5 - with no more Arctic Lake, Greenwood Lake, Ice fishing Trout All year Any size than 2 longer Nanticoke Lake permitted than 12"

Muskellunge 1st Sat in May and Tiger 40" 1 of either species through March 15 Chenango River, Susquehanna Muskellunge River, Tioughnioga River American Catch and Release fishing only. All American Shad shall be Region 7 All year Shad returned to the water immediately. 615 Erie Blvd. West Oquaga Creek from Old Route 17 Syracuse, NY 13204-2400 bridge east of McClure downstream Catch and release Trout All year Artificial lures only (315) 426-7400 3 miles to new Route 17 bridge only west of Deposit Sub-Office Otselic River from mouth to 1285 Fisher Ave. Whitney Point Reservoir Dam, Cortland, NY 13045-1090 Susquehanna River in Binghamton between Rock Bottom Dam and (607) 753-3095 Exchange Street bridge, Susque- [email protected] hanna River in the towns of Union and Vestal from the Erie-Lackawa- Fishing prohibited March 16 until the opening of walleye season in May nna Railroad bridge downstream to Murphy’s Island, Tioughnioga River from New York Route 26 bridge to US Route 11 bridge, Little Choconut Creek from mouth to Goudey Station Building Whitney Point Reservoir and Upper Otselic River upstream to Cortland 1st Sat in May Walleye 18" 3 County Route 169 bridge at Land- through March 15 ers Corners West Branch Delaware River Special Regulations by River Section below: April 1 through Trout 12" 2 From Broome/Delaware Co. border Oct 15 downstream to Rte 17 overpass at Deposit All angling prohibited from Oct 16 through March 31 to protect spawning trout

Trout April 1 – Oct. 15 Catch and release only Artificial lures only From Route 17 overpass at Deposit Good Fishing downstream 2.0 miles All angling prohibited from Oct 16 through March 31 to protect spawning trout April 1 through From the lower limit of Trout catch Trout 12" 2 Depends on Oct 15 and release section near Deposit Clean Water downstream to NY/PA border (1.7 Many of our rivers, lakes, and coastal miles below Hale Eddy Bridge) All angling prohibited from Oct 16 through March 31 to protect spawning trout areas are experiencing algae blooms that cover our favorite fishing spots C ayuga County with green slime and cause fish kills Minimum Water Species Open Season Daily Limit Method and “dead zones” where no aquatic Length life can survive. The cause is usually 5 - with no more All waters except those listed below Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size than 2 longer nitrogen and phosphorus pollution than 12" that comes from farm and lawn Cayuga Lake, Owasco Lake, fertilizers, septic systems, animal Skaneateles Lake and their tributar- All Species See Finger Lakes Regulations on page 45. ies to first barrier waste, and sewage treatment plants. Northern 1st Sat in May through Ice fishing Cross Lake, 22" 5 Everyone can do their part for clean Pike March 15 permitted water by reducing fertilizer use, Cross Lake, Seneca River from 1st Sat in May through Ice fishing Jordan Rd. to Plainville Rd. in Walleye 18" 3 preserving plants along shorelines, March 15 permitted Onondaga Co. and picking up pet waste. Supporting Dutch Hollow Brook from Owasco water quality protection supports Lake upstream to the Route 38A Angling and dipnetting prohibited from March 16 until the opening of the walleye season great fishing! Learn more at: bridge Lake Ontario and tributaries to www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/ All Species See Great Lakes Regulations on pages 48-52. first barrier 5 - with no more United States April 1 through Oct 15 Any size than 2 longer Environmental Protection Salmon Creek Trout than 12" Agency Oct 16 – March 31 Catch and release only Artificial lures only

0 4 SPECIAL REGULATIONS BY COUNTY R egion 7 • Central New York

Chenango County Minimum Water Species Open Season Daily Limit Method Length 5 - with no more April 1 through All waters except as listed below Trout Any size than 2 longer Oct 15 than 12" Genegantslet Creek from first Route 220 bridge north of Smithville Flats Trout All year Catch and release only Artificial lures only upstream to mouth of Five Streams 5 - with no more Ice fishing Guilford Lake, Mill Brook Reservoir Trout All year Any size than 2 longer permitted than 12" Muskellunge 1st Sat in May and Tiger 40" 1 of either species through March 15 Chenango River, Susquehanna Muskellunge River American Catch and Release fishing only. All American shad shall be All year Shad returned to the water immediately. 5 - with no more Marcus Gersch with a 21 ½” smallmouth bass he April 1 through Any size than 2 longer caught and released from Oneida Lake, Madison October 15 Otselic River Trout than 12" County on September 9, 2012. Oct 16 through Catch and Artificial Lures March 31 release only Only

Cortland County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method 5 - with no more than 2 longer All waters except as listed below Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size than 12" Goodale Lake, Little York Lake, Casterline Pond, 5 - with no more than 2 longer Trout All year Any size Ice fishing permitted Tri-County Pond than 12" 5 - with no more than 2 longer East Branch Owego Creek, East Branch Tioughnioga April 1 through Oct 15 Any size Trout than 12" River, West Branch Tioughnioga River, Otselic River Oct 16 through March 31 Catch and release only Artificial lures only 3rd Sat in June through Nov 30 10" 5 Otselic River, Tioughnioga River, East Branch Tiough- Black Bass Dec 1 through Fri preceding the 3rd nioga River, West Branch Tioughnioga River Catch and release only Artificial lures only Sat in June Otselic River from County Rt. 169 bridge at Landers 1st Sat in May through Walleye 18" 3 Corners downstream to Broome County line March 15

Skaneateles Lake and tributaries to first barrier All Species See Finger Lakes Regulations on page 45.

1st Sat in May through Tully Lake Walleye 18" 3 Ice fishing permitted March 15

M adison County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method 5 - with no more than 2 longer All waters except as listed below Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size than 12" 5 - with no more than 2 longer Trout All year Any size Ice fishing permitted Eaton Brook Reservoir than 12" Walleye 1st Sat in May through March 15 18" 3

Chenango Canal from Route 46 to Oriskany Creek Trout All year 12" 2 Artificial lures only

Chittenango Creek from Route 20 north to Conrail 5 - with no more than 2 longer Trout All year Any size railroad line (except as listed below) than 12"

Chittenango Creek from the Town of Fenner/Town of Sullivan Town Line at mile marker 1219 on Rt. 13 to Trout All year Catch and release only Artificial lures only mile marker 1237 south of the Village of Chittenango Line 5 - with no more than 2 longer Lebanon Reservoir, Leland Ponds Trout All year Any size Ice fishing permitted than 12" Oneida Creek from Peterboro Road (Rt.34) to NYS Trout All year Any size 5 Thruway Oneida Lake east of Route 81 bridge and tributaries upstream to the first barrier impassable by fish, and Walleye 1st Sat May through March 15 15" 3 Ice fishing permitted Barge (Erie ) Canal & tributaries upstream to Lock 22 5 - with no more than 2 longer April 1 through Oct 15 Any size East Branch Tioghnioga River, Otselic River Trout than 12" Oct 16 through March 31 Catch and release only Artificial lures only Canaseraga Creek from Route 31 bridge upstream to Thruway, Chittenango Creek from mouth upstream Fishing prohibited March 16 until the opening of walleye season in May to Conrail railroad line, Cowaselon Creek from mouth upstream to Route 13

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 41 R egion 7 • Central New York

Onondaga County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method 5 - with no more than All waters except as listed below Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size 2 longer than 12" Chittenango Creek from mouth upstream to Conrail Fishing prohibited March 16 until the opening of walleye season in May railroad line Cross Lake, Seneca River Northern Pike 1st Sat in May through March 15 22" 5 Ice fishing permitted Cross Lake, Seneca River from Jordan Road in Cayuga 1st Sat in May through Walleye 18" 3 Ice fishing permitted Co. to Plainville Rd. March 15 5 - with no more than 2 longer Green Lake in Trout April 1 through Nov 30 Any size than 12" Limestone Creek-mouth to Route 20, Butternut Creek- 5 - with no more than 2 longer Trout All year Any size mouth to Route 20 than 12" Oneida Lake east of Route 81 bridge & tributaries upstream to the 1st barrier impassable by fish, and Walleye 1st Sat in May through March 15 15" 3 Ice fishing permitted Barge (Erie) Canal & tributaries upstream to Lock 22 Skaneateles Creek from Old Seneca Turnpike bridge Trout and LL north of Village of Skaneateles downstream 10.2 miles April 1 through Oct 15 Catch and release only Artificial lures only Salmon to the Jordan Road bridge in the Village of Jordan Otisco Lake, Skaneateles Lake and their tributaries to All Species See Finger Lakes Regulations on page 45. first barrier Jamesville Reservoir, Tully Lake Walleye 1st Sat in May through March 15 18" 3 Ice fishing permitted

Oswego County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method 5 - with no more than 2 longer All waters except as listed below Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size than 12" Lake Ontario and tributaries to first barrier impassable All Species See Great Lakes regulations on pages 48–52. to fish 5 - with no more than 2 longer Trout All year Any size than 12" Redfield Reservoir Ice fishing permitted 1st Saturday in May through Walleye 18" 3 March 15 Scriba Creek from mouth upstream to Fish Hatchery Fishing prohibited March 16 until the opening of walleye season in May Dam Oneida Lake east of Route 81 bridge & tributaries upstream to the 1st barrier impassable by fish, and Walleye 1st Sat in May through March 15 15" 3 Ice fishing permitted Barge (Erie) Canal & tributaries upstream to Lock 22 T ioga County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method 5 - with no more than 2 longer All waters except as listed below Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size than 12" Catatonk Creek, Cayuta Creek Black Bass All year Any size 5 5 - with no more than 2 longer Cayuta Creek Trout All year Any size than 12" 5 - with no more than 2 longer Owego Creek, East Branch Owego Creek, West Branch April 1 through October 15 Any size Trout than 12" Owego Creek October 16 through March 31 Catch and release only Artificial lures only Muskellunge and 1st Sat in May through March 15 40" 1 of either species Tiger Muskellunge Susquehanna River Catch and Release fishing only. All American Shad shall be returned to the water American Shad All year immediately T ompkins County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method 5 - with no more than 2 longer All waters except as listed below Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size than 12" Cayuga Lake and tributaries to first barrier impassable All Species See Finger Lakes Regulations on page 45. to fish Fall Creek from Ithaca Falls upstream Black Bass All year Any size 5 Fall Creek from Route 38 bridge at Freeville upstream 5 - with no more than 2 longer Trout All year Any size to bridge at Groton City than 12" 5 - with no more than 2 longer Tri-County Pond Trout All year Any size Ice fishing permitted than 12" 5 - with no more than 2 longer Salmon Creek above Ludlowville Falls, West Branch April 1 through Oct 15 Any size Trout than 12" Owego Creek Oct 16 through March 31 Catch and release only Artificial lures only

2 4 SPECIAL REGULATIONS BY COUNTY R egion 8 • West Central New York

C hemung County Minimum Water Species Open Season Daily Limit Method Length All waters except as listed below Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size 5 - with no more than 2 longer than 12" Cayuta Creek (except section Trout All year Any size 5 - with no more than 2 longer than 12" below) Cayuta Creek from the Wyncoop Creek Road Bridge upstream to Trout All year 12" 2 Artificial lures only the NY Route 223 bridge Muskellunge 1st Sat in May through 1 of either and Tiger 40" March 15 species Chemung River and tributaries Muskellunge Region 8 American Catch and Release fishing only. All American Shad shall be All year 6274 East Avon-Lima Rd. Shad returned to the water immediately tributaries to first Avon, NY 14414-9519 All Species See Finger Lakes regulations on page 45. barrier (585) 226-2466 [email protected] Park Station Pond Trout All year Any size 5 Ice fishing permitted Genesee County Minimum Water Species Open Season Daily Limit Method Length All waters except as listed Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size 5 - with no more than 2 longer than 12" below Oatka Creek Trout All year Any size 5 - with no more than 2 longer than 12" In addition, the use or possession of baitfish is prohibited in the following water: Town of Darien—Harlow Lake.

L ivingston County Minimum Water Species Open Season Daily Limit Method Length All waters except as listed below Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size 5 - with no more than 2 longer than 12" Conesus Lake and Hemlock Lake and tributaries to first All Species See Finger Lakes Regulations on page 45. barrier North McMillan Creek and Conesus Inlet Fish and Wildlife Management Area from Fishing prohibited March 1 until the opening of walleye season in May Conesus Lake south to the dam, except the canal west of to protect spawning walleye and northern pike Conesus Inlet and that portion of the inlet north of the canal Cohocton River, Mill Creek Trout All year Any size 5 - with no more than 2 longer than 12" Spring Creek except Caledonia April 1 through Oct 15 12" 2 Trout State Fish Hatchery property Oct 16 through Mar 31 Catch and release only Artificial lures only April 1 through Oct 15 12" 2 Spring Creek on Caledonia 8 am through 4 pm State Fish Hatchery property Trout Artificial lures only Oct 16 through Mar 31 as posted Catch and release only 8 am through 4 pm

M onroe County Minimum Water Species Open Season Daily Limit Method Length All waters except as listed below Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size 5 - with no more than 2 longer than 12" Lake Ontario and tributaries to All Species See Great Lakes Regulations on pages 48–52. Susan Winter with an 18" smallmouth bass first barrier Oatka Creek except sections she caught and released from Conesus Lake, Trout All year Any size 5 - with no more than 2 longer than 12" Livingston County on July 30, 2012. below Oatka Creek from Bowerman April 1 through Oct 15 12" 2 Road upstream 1.4 miles to Union St. and Wheatland Center Trout Rd. upstream 2.5 miles to the Oct 16 through Mar 31 Catch and release only Artificial lures only mouth of Spring Creek Oatka Creek from Union Street upstream 1.7 miles to Wheat- Trout All year Catch and release only Artificial lures only land Center Road April 1 through Oct 15 12" 2 Spring Creek Trout Oct 16 through Mar 31 Catch and release only Artificial lures only

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 43 R egion 8 • West Central New York

Ontario County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method All waters except as listed below Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size 5 - with no more than 2 longer than 12" Canadice Lake, Canandaigua Lake, Honeoye Lake, Seneca Lake and tributaries of Canadice All Species See Finger Lakes Regulations on page 45 Lake, Canandaigua Lake and Seneca Lake to first barrier Lake Ontario and tributaries to first barrier All Species See Great Lakes Regulations on pages 48–52. Orleans County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method All waters except as listed below Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any Size 5 - with no more than 2 longer than 12" Lake Ontario and tributaries to first barrier All Species See Great Lakes Regulations on pages 48–52. Schuyler County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method All waters except as listed below Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size 5 - with no more than 2 longer than 12" Cayuta Creek Trout All year Any size 5 - with no more than 2 longer than 12" Cayuta Lake Walleye 1st Sat in May through March 15 18" 3 Ice fishing permitted Seneca Lake and tributaries of Seneca Lake to All Species See Finger Lakes Regulations on page 45. first barrier Seneca County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method All waters except as listed below Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size 5 - with no more than 2 longer than 12" Cayuga Lake, Seneca Lake and their tributaries All Species See Finger Lakes Regulations on page 45. to first barrier Northern Pike 1st Sat in May through March 15 22" 5 Ice fishing permitted Seneca River Trout, Lake Trout, LL All year Any size 5 Salmon Steuben County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method All waters except as listed below Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size 5 - with no more than 2 longer than 12" Keuka Lake and tributaries to first barrier All Species See Finger Lakes Regulations on page 45. 3rd Sat in June through Nov 30 10" 5 Chemung River and tributaries upstream of Route Black Bass Dec 1 through Fri preceding the 3rd 17 west of Corning Catch and release only Artificial lures only Sat in June Muskellunge and Tiger Chemung River, Tioga River 1st Sat in May through March 15 40" 1 combined Muskellunge Cohocton River except sections below Trout All year Any size 5 - with no more than 2 longer than 12" Cohocton River from North Boundary of U.S. Veterans Facility upstream to Route 415 bridge Trout All year 12" 2 Artificial lures only and from north boundary of Avoca Village upstream to mouth of Neil Creek Mill Creek Trout All year Any size 5 - with no more than 2 longer than 12" W ayne County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method All waters except as listed below Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size 5 - with no more than 2 longer than 12" Lake Ontario and tributaries to first barrier All Species See Great Lakes Regulations on pages 48–52. Yates County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method All waters except as listed below Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size 5 - with no more than 2 longer than 12" Canandaigua Lake, Keuka Lake, Seneca Lake and All Species See Finger Lakes Regulations on page 45. their tributaries to first barrier Keuka Outlet from first barrier upstream Trout All year Any size 5 - with no more than 2 longer than 12"

“Ice Fishing Permitted” Where it appears in this guide, “Ice Fishing Permitted” means that any species, during its open season, may be taken from November 15th through April 30th by ice fishing. Persons required to have a fishing license must have a current license. No other DEC special permit is required. With few exceptions (as noted in the regional regulations sections), no more than five tip-ups and three hand lines may be used.

4 4 SPECIAL REGULATIONS BY COUNTY Finger Lakes and Tributary regulations

Conesus Lake, Hemlock Lake, Canadice Lake, Honeoye Lake, Canandaigua Lake, Additional Tributary Regulations Keuka Lake, Seneca Lake, Cayuga Lake, Owasco Lake, Skaneateles Lake and a. Any action to frighten fish and move Otisco Lake Regulations them from concealment, including herding, driving, kicking and stoning Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method is prohibited. b. Angling is prohibited from January 1 1st Saturday in Northern Pike 22" 5 May – March 15 through March 31, and between sunset Ice fishing All Finger Lakes and sunrise from April 1 through May permitted 1st Saturday in 18" except 15" in Honeoye 15 and October 1 through December Walleye 3 May – March 15 Lake 31 except for those stream sections listed below. 3rd Sat. in 12" 5 June – March 15 c. Use of more than one line with a single hook point is prohibited except for those Black Bass March 16 – stream sections listed below. All Finger Lakes except Friday preceding Artificial Catch and release only Cayuga Lake, Otisco the 3rd Saturday lures only d. Possession of hooks with a gap greater Lake, Owasco Lake and in June than ½" is prohibited except for those Skaneateles Lake stream sections listed below. Brown Trout, 5 in combination. Catch Rainbow Trout, Lake shall include no more Stream sections for which additional All year 15” Trout, Landlocked than 1 rainbow trout or tributary regulations b, c, and d above do Salmon 3 Landlocked salmon not apply: (Trout season is closed January Honeoye Lake, 1 through March 31 in these sections.) Alewife (sawbellies) Possession prohibited Skaneateles Lake •• West River and Sucker Brook from Canan- Owasco Lake, Cayuga Brown Trout, 15” Except 12” for Brown 5 in combination. Catch daigua Lake upstream in Ontario County. Lake, Otisco Lake, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout in Otisco Lake, and shall include no more All year •• Guyanoga Creek from Keuka Lake upstream Skaneateles Lake, Trout, Landlocked 18” for Landlocked salmon than 3 lake trout or 3 Honeoye Lake Salmon in Cayuga Lake Landlocked salmon to Rt. 54 A bridge, Yates County. 1st Sat in May •• Cayuga Inlet and flood control channel Otisco Lake Tiger Muskellunge through March 36" 1 from Cayuga Lake upstream to posted “NO 15 FISHING” boundary below the fishway in Tompkins County. Finger Lakes Tributary Regulations •• Old Barge Canal from Seneca Lake upstream to northernmost Rt. 14 bridge in Montour Minimum Water Species Open Season Daily Limit Method Length Falls, Schuyler County. •• Yawgers Creek from Cayuga Lake upstream 3 in All tributaries to Canadice Lake, Lake Trout combination, to abandoned Lehigh Valley railroad bridge Canandaigua Lake, Hemlock Brown Trout catch shall in Cayuga County. Lake, Keuka Lake, and Seneca April 1 through Dec 31 15" Rainbow Trout include no Lake upstream to the first barrier Landlocked Salmon more than 1 •• Owasco Inlet from Owasco Lake upstream impassable by fish rainbow trout 0.7 mile to marked boundary at old railroad bed in Cayuga County. Tributaries to all Finger Lakes Open season, daily limit and minimum length regulations that upstream to the first barrier All other species are in effect for the Finger Lakes •• Fall Creek from Cayuga Lake to the down- impassable by fish stream edge of the railroad bridge below Rt. All tributaries to Owasco Lake, 13 in Ithaca, Tompkins County. Lake Trout Otisco Lake and Skaneateles 9" except 15" for Brown Trout 3 in Lake upstream to the first April 1 through Dec 31 Lake Trout and Note: Dutch Hollow Brook from Owasco Lake Rainbow Trout combination barrier impassable by fish except Landlocked Salmon Landlocked Salmon to Rt. 38 A: fishing or dip-netting prohibited tributaries listed below from March 16 to the opening of walleye season. All tributaries to Cayuga Lake Lake Trout, Brown upstream to the first barrier Trout, Rainbow 15" except 18" for 3 in April 1 through Dec 31 impassable by fish except Trout, Landlocked Landlocked Salmon combination tributaries listed below Salmon

15" except 18" for 3 in April 1 through Dec 31 Landlocked Salmon combination

Artificial lures Fall Creek (Cayuga Lake) Lake Trout Catch and release only from the downstream edge of Brown Trout Jan 1 through only the railroad bridge below Rt. 13 Rainbow Trout March 15 to Ithaca Falls Landlocked Salmon Angling prohibited between sunset and sunrise

March 16 through Angling prohibited March 31

Spafford Creek (Otisco Lake) 5 - with no upstream to the first barrier Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size more than 2 impassable by fish longer than 12"

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 45 Region 9 • Western New York

Allegany County Minimum Water Species Open Season Daily Limit Method Length 5 - with no Ice fishing All waters except as listed below Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size more than 2 permitted longer than 12" 5 - with no more than 2 longer Rushford Lake Trout April 1 through Nov 30 Any size than 12" 5 - with no Ice fishing Allen Lake Trout All year Any size more than 2 permitted Region 9 longer than 12" Genesee River from Belmont Dam 5 - with no more than 2 longer 270 Michigan Ave. upstream to Pennsylvania State line Trout All year Any size than 12" Buffalo, NY 14203-2999 except section below Genesee River from Route 19 bridge (716) 851-7000 Trout All year Catch and release only Artificial lures only in Shongo downstream 2.5 miles Sub-Office April 1 – October 15 10" 3 Wiscoy Creek Trout 182 East Union St., Suite 3 October 16 – March 31 Catch and release only Artificial lures only Allegany, NY 14706 5 - with no more than 2 longer April 1 through Oct 15 Any size (716) 372-0645 East Koy Creek Trout than 12" [email protected] October 16 – March 31 Catch and release only Artificial lures only Cattaraugus County Minimum Water Species Open Season Daily Limit Method Length 5 - with no Ice fishing All waters except as listed below Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size more than 2 permitted longer than 12" State Park regulations may apply, check with Park Police Case Lake, Harwood Lake, New 5 - with no Ice fishing Albion Lake, Red House Lake, Trout All year Any size more than 2 permitted Quaker Lake longer than 12" 5 - with no more than 2 longer Clear Creek from Wyoming-Cattarau- April 1 through Oct 15 9" gus County line upstream, Lime Lake Trout than 12" Outlet, McKinstry Creek Oct 16 – March 31 Catch and release only Artificial lures only Ischua Creek from 0.9 miles down- stream to 1.3 miles upstream of Rt. Trout All year Any size 5 98 bridge in Cadiz Cattaraugus Creek downstream of See Great Lakes Regulations on pages 48–52. Springville Dam 5 - with no more than 2 longer Elm Creek, Elton Creek, Mansfield April 1 – October 15 Any Size Creek, Cattaraugus Creek upstream Trout than 12" of Springville Dam October 16 – March 31 Catch and release only Artificial lures only

Chautauqua County Minimum Water Species Open Season Daily Limit Method Length 5 - with no Ice fishing All waters except as listed below Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size more than 2 permitted longer than 12" Muskellunge 3rd Sat in June through and Tiger 40" 1 Chautauqua Lake and its tributaries and Nov 30 Ice fishing the Chadakoin River to Warner Dam Muskellunge permitted Walleye 1st Sat in May – Mar 15 18" 3 5 - with no more than 2 longer Goose Creek Trout All year Any Size than 12" Lake Erie and tributaries to first See Great Lakes Regulations on pages 48–52. barrier impassable by fish

The Collectible for ALL Conservationists Now ANYBODY can help save habitat and increase public access to fish and wildlife. Purchase a HABITAT and ACCESS STAMP Only $5.00 where sporting licenses are sold.

SPECIAL REGULATIONS BY COUNTY Region 9 • Western New York

Erie County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method 5 - with no more than 2 All waters except as listed below Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size Ice fishing permitted longer than 12" Lake Erie, Niagara River, and their tributaries to the first barrier, Cattaraugus Creek downstream of Springville Dam, Buffalo River and tributaries to first barrier impassable All Species See Great Lakes Regulations see pages 48–52. by fish, that portion of Ellicott Creek within April 1 through Oct 15 9" 5 - with no more than 2 longer than 12" Hosmer (Sardinia) Brook Trout Oct 16 through March 31 Catch and release only Artificial lures only April 1 through October 15 Any size 5 - with no more than 2 longer than 12" Cattaraugus Creek upstream of Springville Dam Trout Oct 16 through March 31 Catch and release only Artificial lures only Niagara County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method All waters except Lake Ontario, Niagara River and their 5 with no more than 2 Trout April 1 through October 15 Any size Ice fishing permitted tributaries to first barrier longer than 12” Lake Ontario, Niagara River, and their tributaries All Species See Great Lakes Regulations see pages 48 and 52. to first barrier Wyoming County Water Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method 5 - with no more than 2 All waters except as listed below Trout April 1 through Oct 15 Any size Ice fishing permitted longer than 12" April 1 through Oct 15 10" 3 Wiscoy Creek except section below Trout Oct 16 through March 31 Catch and release only Artificial lures only Wiscoy Creek from 0.5 mile upstream to 0.5 mile down- Trout All year Catch and release only Artificial lures only stream of East Hillside Road Bridge Clear Creek from mouth to Wyoming-Cattaraugus April 1 through Oct 15 9" 5 - with no more than 2 longer than 12" Trout County line Oct 16 through March 31 Catch and release only Artificial lures only East Koy Creek, Cattaraugus Creek upstream of Springville April 1 through Oct 15 Any size 5 - with no more than 2 longer than 12" Trout Dam Oct 16 through March 31 Catch and release only Artificial lures only

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 47 Great Lakes and Tributary Regulations

These regulations apply to New York waters of Lake Erie, the Upper and Lower Niagara River, Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, and designated sections of the tributaries to these waters. Tributary sections subject to these regulations are generally defined as the bridge closest to the mouth upstream to the first barrier impassable to fish. Tributaries with different boundaries and exemptions are listed separately below. Note that there are also seasonal tackle restric- tions and restrictions on night fishing in the tributaries. Statewide angling regulations apply for species not listed.

Lake Erie and Tributaries Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout (including Steelhead), Coho All year 12" 3 in any combination Salmon, Chinook Salmon Lake Trout All year 12" 1 Northern Pike 1st Sat. In May through March 15 22" 5 Walleye 1st Sat. In May through March 15 15" 6 Muskellunge, Tiger Muskellunge 3rd Sat. in June through Nov 30 54" 1 Yellow Perch, Sunfish All year Any size 50 of each 1st Sat. in May through the Friday preceding 20" 1 the 3rd Sat. in June Black Bass 3rd Sat. in June through Nov 30 12" 5 Dec. 1 through the Friday preceding the Catch and release only Artificial lures only 1st Sat. in May Lake Sturgeon Closed Possession Prohibited Upper Niagara River and Tributaries Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit

Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout (Including Steel- All year Any size 3 in any combination head), Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon

Lake Trout All year 12" 1 Northern Pike 1st Sat. In May through March 15 22" 5 Walleye 1st Sat. In May through March 15 15" 6 Muskellunge and Tiger Muskellunge 3rd Sat. in June through Nov 30 48" 1 Yellow Perch, Sunfish All year Any size 50 of each

Anglers are advised that attempting Black Bass (north of the Peace Bridge) Statewide Angling Regulations Apply to take fish by snatching in any Great Lake Sturgeon Closed Possession Prohibited Lake tributary, which is indicated by repeated or exaggerated jerking Lower Niagara River and Tributaries motions of the fishing rod, is prohib- Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit ited (see definition of snatching on Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout (including Steel- 15", except 21" page 60). All year head), Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon for Rainbow Trout 3 (Trout & Salmon) in any combination not None, except only 1 Lake to include more than Lake Trout Jan. 1 through Sept. 30 Trout may be between 1 Atlantic Salmon or 2 25" and 30" Lake Trout Atlantic Salmon All year 25" Muskellunge and Tiger Muskellunge 3rd Sat. in June through Dec. 15 48" 1 Don’t Litter Northern Pike 1st Sat. in May through March 15 22" 5 Probably the #1 reason why access is Black Bass Statewide Angling Regulations Apply lost on privately owned lands providing 1st Sat. in May through Dec. 31 18" 3 access for fishing is littering. Nothing Walleye Jan. 1 through March 15 18" 1 annoys a landowner more than seeing his land mistreated by careless anglers who Yellow Perch, Sunfish All year Any size 50 of each are too lazy to properly dispose of fishing Lake Sturgeon, American Eel Closed Possession Prohibited line, bait cups, beverage cans, cigarette packages and butts and the other items that they carry in. Even if you are not the Lake Ontario Fisheries Research Unit Lake Erie Fisheries Research Unit one creating the problem, why not take 514 East Broadway 178 Point Drive North the time to pick up litter you may find and P.O. Box 292 Dunkirk, NY 14048 properly dispose of it? If you don’t, you Cape Vincent, NY 13618 may very well come upon a POSTED sign 716-366-0228 315-654-2147 the next time you show up to fish. [email protected] [email protected]

48 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE Great Lakes and Tributary Regulations

Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River and Tributaries Regulations for All Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Great Lakes & Tributaries 3 in any combination not to Regulations for all Great Lakes waters includ- 15", except 21" for Rain- include more than 1 Rainbow All year ing Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Upper and Lower bow Trout or Steelhead Trout (or Steelhead) in the Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout (including Steel- Niagara River, St. Lawrence River and tributaries head), Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon tributaries to these waters. Except 9" in Irondequoit Creek (entire), Lindsey Creek and Skinner Creek (Oswego and Jefferson Counties), and the Black River (Jefferson County) At all times: None (except no more •• Snatching and attempting to snatch is prohib- Lake Trout Jan. 1 through Sept. 30 than 1 shall be between 2 25" and 30") ited. See definition of snatching on page 60. Atlantic Salmon All year 25" 1 •• All foul-hooked fish must be immediately 1st Sat. in May through released without unnecessary injury. Northern Pike 22" 5 March 15 •• Use or possession of gaff hooks is prohibited Black Bass (Lake Ontario & tributaries except Statewide Angling Regulations Apply in Jefferson County) except when ice fishing. 5 •• Any action to frighten fish and move them Black Bass (Lake Ontario and tributaries in 3rd Sat. in June through from concealment, including herding, driv- Jefferson County & St. Lawrence River and 12" Fishing for black bass (including Nov 30 tributaries) catch & release) is prohibited ing, kicking or stoning is prohibited. outside of the open season. •• The use of eggs for chumming is prohibited 1st Sat. in May through Walleye 18" 3 March 15 (see page 53). 3rd Sat. in June through Muskellunge and Tiger Muskellunge 48" 1 Dec. 15 Lake Sturgeon, American Eel Closed Possession Prohibited 50 Except Yellow Perch and Yellow Perch, Sunfish All year Any size Sunfish may be taken in any number in Jefferson County

Special Regulations for Great Lakes Tributaries

Great Lakes Waters Exempted from Seasonal Tributary Regulations The following regulations apply to all Great Lakes watersexcept those listed in the table below: Water County Applicable Regulations Upper Niagara River or Lower Niagara River regula- Niagara River Erie & Niagara tions apply Round Pond, Buck Pond, Long Pond, Monroe Lake Ontario regulations apply Cranberry Pond, and Irondequoit Bay Sodus Bay Wayne Lake Ontario regulations apply South Sandy Pond Oswego Lake Ontario regulations apply Tributaries to the St. Lawrence River All tributaries in Clinton and Franklin Statewide regulations apply

Special Regulations for Lake Erie Tributaries Lake Erie Tributaries with Seasonal Closures Fishing is prohibited from Jan. 1 through March 31 on Spooner Creek and its tributaries, and North Branch Clear Creek and tributaries from Taylor Hollow Road upstream to the outflow of Clear Lake.

Lake Erie Year Round Catch and Release Regulations for Chautauqua and Eighteen Mile Creeks •• Catch and release only for trout and salmon in creek sections described below •• Only artificial flies or artificial lures can be used in catch and release sections •• Seasonal regulations regarding hooks, leaders, and weights apply (see page 50)

Water County Section From bridge on South Gale Street upstream 1.3 miles Chautauqua Creek Chautauqua to the upper Village of Westfield water intake dam Main branch of creek (excluding South Branch) Eighteen Mile Creek Erie contained within Eighteen Mile Creek County Park

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 49 Spag eci l Re ulations for Great Lakes Tributaries

P ortions of Lake Erie Tributaries Subject to Seasonal (September 1 to March 31) Regulations Fishing Great The following tributary sections are subject to seasonal fishing regulations described below Lake Tributaries during the period September 1 to March 31: Anglers fishing Great Lakes Tributaries are Water County Section reminded that some of these tributaries From the Aldrich Street Extension Bridge in Gowanda Cattaraugus Creek Erie and Cattaraugus may contain hydro electric generating upstream to Springville Dam plants with dams, spillways, and deep From the I-90 (NYS Thruway) bridge upstream to first Buffalo River and its tributaries Erie pools that may produce strong currents. barrier impassable by fish Anglers should pay particular attention to From bridge closest to the mouth upstream to the first All others Erie, Chautauqua warning notice signs and audible signals barrier impassable by fish indicating fluctuating water levels, and the use of a personal flotation device (life jacket) when wading in these waters is L ake Erie Tributary Seasonal Fishing Regulations highly recommended. Fishing Hours •• Fishing only permitted one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset (fishing at night is prohibited). Hook, Leader and Weight Regulations •• The distance between a hook’s shaft and point cannot exceed one-half inch. •• Hooks attached to any lure must be free-swinging, except on an artificial fly (see definition page 60). •• Use of hooks with added weight is prohibited, except for artificial flies with no more than one- eighth ounce of added feathers, hair, thread, tinsel, or similar material (see definition page 60). •• The distance between the hook, artificial fly or lure and any weight attached to the line or leader, whether fixed or sliding, shall not exceed four feet.

Special Regulations for Lake Ontario Tributaries Except the Lower Niagara River and Salmon River Lower Niagara River regulations can be found on page 48. Salmon River regulations can be found on pages 51-52.

L ake Ontario Tributaries with Seasonal Closures Helping You Get Fishing is prohibited from March 16 through the first Saturday in May on Little Sandy Creek (Oswego County) from the State Route 3 bridge downstream 850 feet to the intersection of the on the Water channelized area and upstream 1.0 miles for the bridge to the Public Fishing Rights section. DEC’s fishing web pages are some of the most popular on its website Sections of Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River Tributaries Subject to Seasonal www.dec.ny.gov and new information (Sept. 1 to Mar. 31) Regulations is added regularly in an effort to help you The following tributary sections are subject to seasonal fishing regulations described below get on the water and have an enjoyable during the period September 1 to March 31: fishing and boating experience. Be sure Water County Portion of Tributary Subject to Special Regulations to check out our complete inventory of Public Fishing Rights maps that provide Eighteenmile Creek Niagara From the Route 18 bridge upstream to Burt Dam locations on streams where we have From the power lines that are 1.9 miles upstream (south) of Route 18 bridge purchased public fishing easements. Oak Orchard Creek Orleans upstream to Waterport Dam We have also updated our directory of Boat Launching Sites which provides Sterling Creek Cayuga From Old State Road to impassable barrier upstream of Route 104A directions to various state and municipal sites throughout New York State. This Sterling Valley Creek Cayuga From McIntyre Road to impassable barrier upstream of Route 104A directory is also available from all of our DEC regional offices. If you have a Oswego From the Utica Street bridge upstream to the Varick Dam specific question about fishing in New York State, all of our regions can be Catfish Creek Oswego From the mouth upstream to dam at County Route 1 reached by e-mail or phone. Contact information for each region can be found Black River Jefferson From the upstream tip of the lowermost island to Mill Street dam in Watertown in the Special Regulations by County section of this guide. All other tributaries All From the bridge closest to the mouth upstream to first barrier impassable by fish

0 5 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE Special Regulations for Great Lakes Tributaries

Lake Ontario Tributary Seasonal Fishing ùùCan have multiple treble hooks except as Regulations follows where floating lures are restricted to one hook with a single hook point: Fishing Hours Fishing from one-half hour after sunset to one- »»From September 1 through March 31 on half hour before sunrise is prohibited except in all Lake Ontario tributaries in Cayuga the Black River (Jefferson County) from Lake and Oswego Counties, except the Salmon Ontario upstream to the Route 180 bridge in and Oswego Rivers. Dexter, where fishing is permitted at all times. »»From September 1 through November 30 from the Driving Park Bridge upstream Hook, Leader and Weight Regulations to the lower falls on the Genessee River. Hooks ùùAny hooks on a floating lure must be ùùOnly one hook with a single hook point attached to the lure by a ring or swivel. is permitted, except as outlined below for floating lures ùùThe distance between the body of a floating lure and the points of any attached hooks ùùHooks attached to any lure must be free- shall not exceed one and one-half inches. swinging, except on an artificial fly (see definition page 60). An artificial fly Leaders and Weights may not have more than one hook point. ùùThe distance between the hook, artificial ùùThe gap between a hook’s shaft and point fly or lure and any weight attached to the cannot exceed one-half inch. line or leader, whether fixed or sliding, shall not exceed four feet. ùùUse of hooks with added weight is prohib- ited, except for artificial flies with no more ùùFor tributaries in Oswego and Cayuga than one-eighth ounce of added feathers, Counties, and the Genesee River (Monroe hair, thread, tinsel, or similar material (see County) from the Driving Park Bridge definition page 60). upstream to the lower falls: any weight added to the line, leader, swivels, artificial Floating Lures fly or lure shall not hang lower than the ùùA floating lure is a lure that floats at rest hook when line or leader is held vertically. with or without additional weight attached to the lure, leader or line.

Special Regulations for the Salmon River Seasonal Regulations by Section (refer to page 52 for Fly Fishing Catch & Release section)

Section Effective Dates Regulations • Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River and Tributary regulations April 15 - August 14 apply (page 49). • Fishing is prohibited at night from ½ hr. after sunset to ½ hr. before sunrise. • Only one hook with a single hook point and a gap not exceeding ½ inch is permitted except on floating lures as noted below. • Hooks attached to any lure, except an artificial fly, must be free swinging and unweighted. Artificial flies with no more than 1/8 oz. of added weight may be used. The method by August 15 - April 14 which weight is added to a hook does not affect classification as an “artificial fly” provided the conditions of the definition of an artificial fly on page 60 are met. From the upstream most navigation • The distance between the hook, artificial fly or lure and any buoy located between the breakwalls at weight attached to the line or leader, whether fixed or sliding, the mouth of the river upstream to the shall not exceed 4 ft. County Rt. 52 bridge in Altmar • Weight shall not be added to the line, leader, swivels, artificial fly or lure in any manner that the weight hangs lower than the attached hook when the line is suspended vertically from the rod. Additional Regulations for Floating Lures Apply • A bead chain may be attached to the floating lure with a ring. • The bead chain may not exceed a distance of three and one August 15 - October 31 half inches between the body of the floating lure and the Now Available hook point. Request your copy of our free new guide • 1 hook with a single hook point and a gap of no more than 5/8 to Great Lakes fishing. To request your in. may be attached to the bead chain or directly to the lure. copy, email us at [email protected]. Multiple single, double and treble hooks are permitted on floating ny.us. Be sure to put Great Lakes Fishing November 1 - April 14 lures Map in the subject line. Copies are also available from all DEC offices. From Lake Ontario to Rt. 3 Bridge April 1- August 14 Fishing at night is permitted

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 51 Special Regulations for Great Lakes Tributaries

Special Regulations for the Salmon •• Between September 1 and April 30: a single River (Oswego County) Fly Fishing unweighted or weighted artificial fly with no Catch-And-Release Areas more than 1/8 oz. added weight, having one hook point with a one-half-inch maximum Fishing Hours, Season Dates and gap only permitted. Locations: Attractors: •• Angling Permitted: From one-half hour •• The use of added baits or attractors such as, before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. but not limited to, fish eggs, insects, beads, •• Lower Fly Section: Open September 15 spoons, spinners, plugs, or similar devices on through May 15, from County Route 52 the line above the artificial fly is prohibited. Bridge in Altmar upstream 0.25 mile to the Leaders: marked boundary at Beaverdam Brook. •• The total length of the leader including the •• Upper Fly Section: Open April 1 through tippet shall not exceed 15 feet. from a marked boundary November 30 •• Between May 1 and August 31: sinking and upstream of the New York State Fish Hatch- metal leaders are prohibited. ery property to a marked boundary 0.6 mile upstream at the Lighthouse Hill Reservoir Additional Weight: tailrace. •• Between May 1 and August 31: the use of supplemental weight such as split shot, •• Fishing is prohibited outside the open season. sinkers, metal leaders, twistons, or swivels Regulations: attached to the leader, tippet, fly line or fly is prohibited. •• Catch & Release: All fish must be immedi- ately released without unnecessary injury. •• Between September 1 and April 30: the use of supplemental weight is permitted with the •• Tackle Restrictions: Tackle is restricted following restrictions. to a traditional fly rod, fly reel, fly line, and artificial fly (definition on page 60). (As ùùThe combined weight of any supplemental permitted below) weight and fly may not exceed one-eighth of an ounce. Restrictions on fly lines, flies, attractors, leaders and supplemental weight: ùùThe maximum distance between the arti- ficial fly and any added weight to the line, Fly Lines: leader or tippet shall not exceed four feet. •• Use of less than 20 feet of floating, sinking, or combination floating/sinking fly line or ùùWeight added to the line, leader, swivels, shooting head immediately behind the leader or artificial fly in any manner such that and in front of any running line or other the weight hangs lower than the attached backing is prohibited. fly is prohibited. •• Between May 1 and August 31: Floating Fly Lines Only. •• Between September 1 and April 30: Floating, Salmon River Fishing Report Sinking, and Sinktip fly lines are permitted. Updated Daily: Flies: www.whitakers.com •• Between May 1 and August 31: a single unweighted artificial fly having one hook point with a one-half inch maximum gap only permitted. Eli Garnish caught and released this Chinook Salmon while fly fishing on the Salmon River.

52 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE Ggeneral Re ulations

T aking and possession of fish •• In Clinton County, bowfin, burbot, carp, fresh- Spearfishing prohibited •• A person may not fish for a species (not even water drum, gar, redhorse and suckers may be •• Use of spearguns is prohibited in the fresh- catch and release) during the closed season taken from March 20 through September 30 waters of New York. from Corbeau Creek and Scomotion Creek from for that species on a given water. •• Spears may not be used within 275 yards the mouth upstream to Beekmantown town line. •• A person may not have in possession, or of eel weirs. •• In Lake Champlain, bowfin, burbot, carp, fresh- intentionally kill or injure fish other than the •• Spears may not be possessed on any water water drum, gar, redhorse and suckers may be sizes specified and allowed for that species in the or within 200 feet of taken from March 20 through September 30. on a given water. the high water mark of these waters. •• In Cayuga County, bullhead and sucker may •• A person may not possess, kill or unneces- •• Possession of spears is prohibited on all be taken from January 1 through May 15 from sarily injure fish in excess of the daily limit waters except where the taking of fish by Sterling Creek downstream of Rte. 104A, for that species. spear is permitted. Sterling Valley Creek downstream of Rte. •• The fish an angler catches and immediately 104A, Eightmile Creek and Ninemile Creek. releases uninjured will not be counted as part Bowfishing of the daily limit for that species. •• In Franklin County, bowfin, burbot, carp, freshwater drum, gar, redhorse and suck- Any person who has a fishing or small game •• A person may continue to fish for a species ers may be taken from March 20 through hunting license, or is entitled to fish without while in possession of a daily limit for that September 30 from Big Salmon River from a license, may take carp of any size and in any species provided all fish of that species subse- Canada upstream to the dam at Fort Coving- number by longbow (recurve or compound) from quently caught are immediately returned to ton, Lawrence Brook from the county line May 15 through September 30 from any water the water. See below for special provisions upstream to County Rte. 6 west of Moira, of the state where fishing and the discharge of a made for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Little Salmon River from the mouth upstream bow is permitted. Taking fish by bow is otherwise •• A single, uninjured largemouth bass or to County Rte. 32 in South Bombay, Pike prohibited. smallmouth bass that an angler is landing, Creek from Canada upstream to State Rte. 95 measuring or in the process of releasing west of Bombay, St. Regis River from Canada Snatching from a recirculating or aerated livewell, is upstream to the dam at Hogansburg, and The taking of fish by snatching, but not blind not considered to be part of the daily limit. Farrington Brook from the mouth upstream snatching (see definitions on page 60), is to U.S. Rte. 11. permitted from January 1 through March 15 only as follows: U se and possession of fish eggs •• In the Hudson River, carp and suckers may •• In Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, •• No person shall possess more than one quart be taken from March 20 through September 30 from Bakers Falls in the Village of Hudson Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties, total of fish eggs from trout, lake trout or suckers may be taken from any stream. Atlantic salmon while on the waters of the Falls upstream to the confluence of Stony state or the shores thereof. Fish eggs which Creek in Warren County. •• In Delaware County, suckers may be taken from the West Branch Delaware River, East are still inside the carcass of an intact, legally •• In Oswego County, bullhead and suckers caught and possessed fish shall not be counted may be taken from January 1 through May Branch Delaware River and Charlotte Creek. towards the one quart total. 15 from Grindstone Creek downstream of the •• In Otsego County, suckers may be taken •• No person shall take or attempt to take any dam at Fernwood, Little Salmon River down- from the Unadilla River, Wharton Creek and fish by means of chumming with fish eggs. stream from the bridge at Arthur, Ninemile Butternut Creek. For the purposes of this section, “chumming” Creek downstream of Rte. 104A, Eightmile •• In Fulton, Saratoga, Washington, Franklin, means depositing fish eggs, not attached to a Creek downstream of Rte. 104A, Salmon Warren, Clinton, Essex and Hamilton coun- hook, in the waters of the State of New York River downstream of NY Rte. 3, Red Creek ties, suckers may be taken from any stream other than in the Marine and Coastal District. or Sunset Bay Creek, Otter Branch Creek, except the Mohawk River, the Hudson Butterfly Creek, Sage Creek and Snake Creek. River downstream of Bakers Falls includ- Spearfishing •• In Wayne County, bullhead and suckers may ing tributaries upstream to the first barrier, The taking of fish by spear (not spear gun) is be taken from January 1 through May 15 from or tributaries to Lake Champlain and Lake permitted only as follows: Black Creek Bay and Red Creek Bay. George upstream to the first barrier. •• In Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties, suckers may be taken in any stream from January 1 through May 15. •• In Montgomery County, suckers may be taken from January 1 through May 15 from Evas Properly Dispose Kill, Flat Creek, from the of Fishing Line mouth to the dam one-half-mile above the Lost or discarded fishing line can last a long mouth, and . time in the environment. It is a type of litter that only comes from anglers! Too often, birds •• In Otsego County, suckers may be taken from and other wildlife become entangled, leading to January 1 through May 15 from Herkimer severe injury or a slow and painful death. Be sure Creek, Hyder Creek, Trout (Mink) Creek, to collect all fishing line for proper disposal in Hayden Creek from mouth to the Shipman the trash, a line disposal station, or bring it to a Pond Dam, Shadow Brook, Sand Hill Creek tackle store with a line recycling program. Any from the mouth to Rte. 7 bridge, Otsdawa additional line that you are able to collect and Creek from the mouth to Rte. 7 bridge and remove from the areas that you fish will also help. Mill Creek from the mouth to Rte. 7 bridge.

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 53 HGeneraead l Regulations

•• In Chenango and Madison counties, suck- Foul hooking reported. Please don’t remove tags from fish ers may be taken from the Chenango River All foul-hooked trout, lake trout, coho salmon, you release. downstream of Randallsville and the Unadilla chinook salmon, pink salmon and landlocked River downstream of South Edmeston. salmon must be released without unnecessary Ice fishing •• In Otsego County, snatching and blind injury to the fish. All foul-hooked walleye in Ice fishing is permitted in the following waters: snatching is permitted with hooks having no Oneida Lake and the tributaries to first bridge •• All non-trout waters unless otherwise more than two hook points to take whitefish upstream from the lake must be released with- prohibited. out unnecessary injury to the fish. in Otsego Lake from January 1 through •• Certain trout waters listed in the guide includ- November 30. Use of gaffs ing Lake Champlain, Lake Erie, Niagara River, •• In Clinton County, snatching and blind Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River, Finger Use or possession of gaffs or gaff hooks is snatching is permitted to take burbot in Lakes, Border Waters, most New York City prohibited when fishing in freshwater, including Scomotion Creek from its mouth to Pardy reservoirs, and all other waters designated the Hudson River upstream of the Tappan Zee Road from December 1 through March 31. as ICE FISHING PERMITTED in SPECIAL Bridge, except when ice fishing. REGULATIONS BY COUNTY. Read through Grappling hooks and snatch hooks may not be the regulations pertaining to the water you possessed on Lake George or within 200 feet Tagged fish intend to fish. Where ice fishing is permit- of the high water mark of Lake George, except If you catch a tagged fish, write down the tag ted, fish may be taken in accordance with in a dwelling or building. Possession of snatch number, length of the fish, date and location of the seasons, minimum size and creel limits hooks is prohibited on all waters except those capture, and send this information to the address in effect in that water. Wherever ice fishing where fish may be taken by snatching. on the tag. You will be sent information about is permitted, no more than 3 hand lines and DEC’s tagging program and the individual fish 5 tip-ups may be used, except as noted in

Before you leave a body of water: Remove any visible mud, plants or animals. Dry anything that comes into contact with water. If drying is not possible, disinfect. For disinfection guidance go to www.dec.ny.gov/animals/50267.html or contact your local DEC office. Never release plants, ish or animals into a body of water unless they came from that body of water.

54 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE General Regulations

BORDER WATERS, LAKE CHAMPLAIN or salable fish may be transported unless a tion purposes only. Once those species are SPECIAL REGULATIONS BY COUNTY. All permit is obtained from a DEC Regional transported away from the water body, they tip-ups must be marked with the name and Office, or the fish are frozen, processed and may not be transported back to any water address of the operator. The operator must be packaged for storage. body for use as bait. present when lines (tip-ups or hand lines) are •• Smelt, suckers, alewives, and blueback herring •• Salable fish may be transported in any in the water. Tip-ups may only be operated taken by dip nets (page 56) or angling, and number. on waters of the state between November suckers taken by spearing, may be transported •• Baitfish transportation regulations can be 15 and April 30. overland by motorized vehicle for consump- found on pages 57-59. Remember: Trout waters where ice fish- ing is permitted are specifically designated in this guide; ice fishing is prohibited in all other trout waters. If you are unsure whether a water is considered trout or non-trout, contact the DEC Regional Office for that area. No person shall operate a tip-up that has more than 5 lures or baits or a combination of both, or has more than 15 hook points in any combination of single, double or treble hooks.

Ice shanties Ice shanties must be marked on the outside with the owner’s name and address in letters at least 3 inches high. Shanties must be removed from all waters by March 15 to prevent them from falling through the ice in spring and becoming hazards to navigation.

Fish cleaning law It is illegal on New York State waters to possess walleye, black bass, brook trout, lake trout or Atlantic salmon that have been cut, dismem- bered, filleted, skinned or otherwise altered so that the species and total length of such fish cannot be easily determined. However, these fish may be gilled or gutted. Other species of fish may be filleted provided that the skin is not removed from the fillets. This regulation allows more effective enforcement of harvest regulations on protected game fish.

Fish carcass disposal law It is illegal to discard any fish carcass, or parts thereof, into the freshwaters of the state within 100 feet of shore or upon any public or private lands contiguous to and within 100 feet of such water, except: •• On private lands by owners of such lands. •• If properly disposing into suitable garbage or refuse collection systems or by burial. •• Where incidental cleaning of fish for consumption is permitted. However, result- ing waste may not be disposed of within 100 feet of any public launching or docking site unless into a suitable refuse collection system. •• Live fish and fish which must be returned to the water because of size limits, open seasons and creel limits are not subject to the fish carcass disposal law.

Transportation Transportation of fish is permitted as follows: Fish caught in New York State •• No more than two days’ legal take of non-

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 55 HGgeneraead l Re ulations

Fish caught outside of New York State and pink salmon, Atlantic salmon, lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River and their tributar- Fish caught outside of NY may be transported trout, whitefish, pickerel, crappie, northern ies upstream to the first barrier impassable into New York in any manner, except parcel pike and walleye. Additional regulations by fish is prohibited, except that eggs may be post, in the number that may be legally exported may apply to the sale of these imported bought and sold. from the place of taking. fish; contact a DEC regional office for more Non-salable fish transported by carrier information. Exception: The American Stocking eel is the only fish taken from the Quebec A tag must be attached showing name and A DEC stocking permit is required to stock fish portion of Lake Champlain and the Riche- address of both taker and consignee, and into a New York State water body (page 60). lieu River that may be transported into and contents of the package. A stocking permit may be obtained from your sold in New York State. regional DEC Fisheries Office. P urchase and sale •• Fish that are non-salable, unless taken E ndangered and threatened fish on a licensed fishing preserve or private • • Fish that are salable at any time include: It is illegal to fish for, or possess fish that hatchery and properly tagged, include: ùùThose species in the STATEWIDE black bass, landlocked salmon, muskellunge are officially listed by DEC as endangered or ANGLING REGULATIONS table for and trout. threatened: which there is no closed season and no •• Endangered: silver chub, bluebreast darter, minimum length. •• Exceptions: Sale of catfish taken in Lake Ontario deepwater sculpin, gilt darter, pugnose shiner, and its tributaries upstream to the first barrier round whitefish, shortnose sturgeon, Atlantic ùùFish taken on licensed fishing preserves. impassable by fish and in the St. Lawrence sturgeon and spoonhead sculpin. These fish must be properly tagged prior River is prohibited. Sale of American eel from to removal from preserve premises. Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence, Hudson, •• Threatened: eastern sand darter, lake chubsucker, lake sturgeon, longear sunfish, ùùThe following fish only if taken outside Harlem and East rivers is prohibited, except mooneye, gravel chub, banded sunfish, long- of New York State or if legally taken with for use as bait. Sale of coho, chinook and pink head darter, swamp darter, spotted darter licensed commercial gear: coho, chinook salmon taken in Lake Erie, Niagara River, Lake and mud sunfish. Smelt may be taken in a dip net not exceeding 14 inches in diameter, Frogs or 13 x 13 inches if square, as follows: Any person who has a small game hunting Daily Hours & Water Open Season Tributaries license, or a fishing license, or is entitled to Limit fish without a license, may take frogs with a Raquette Lake Anytime Anytime/8 quarts All from lake upstream ½ mile spear, club, hook or by hand. A small game Tupper Lake Anytime Anytime/8 quarts Lake and Bog River upstream to Rt 421 hunting license is required to take frogs with a gun or a longbow. Frogs may be taken in any Canandaigua Lake All from lake upstream to first barrier Anytime Anytime/8 quarts Canadice Lake impassable by fish number and at any time from June 15 through Hemlock Lake September 30, except that no person shall use Keuka Lake Exceptions: no dipping in Catharine Creek and L’Hommedieu Diversion channel (Seneca Lake) a gun to take frogs at night (sunset to sunrise). and upstream of old Lehigh Valley Railroad bridge at Naples Creek (Canandaigua Lake) Seneca Lake Frogs may be imported, bought and sold at any Indian Lake All from lake upstream to first barrier 5 am to 10 pm time. An importer must keep a record of names Fulton Chain (except Seventh Lake) impassable by fish. No dipping in Mead April 1 through May 15 (prevailing time) and addresses of buyers and sellers. East Caroga from mouth upstream to State 8 quarts Route 29A •• Exception: Leopard frogs may not be taken in NYC, Nassau or Suffolk counties. Northern Cayuga Lake* 7 pm to 2 am cricket frogs may not be taken anywhere in Owasco Lake March 1 through All from lake upstream to first barrier (prevailing time) New York State. *no smelt dipping permitted in Willow May 21 impassable by fish. 8 quarts Creek Hudson River from Tappan Zee Bridge All from river upstream to first barrier Salamanders Anytime Anytime/Any number upstream to the Troy Dam1 impassable by fish Native salamanders cannot be collected or Marine District1 Contact (631) 444-0435 or www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7894.html used as bait.

Smelt may be taken in any size dip net as follows: Aquatic insects Daily Hours & No aquatic insect (or any insect that lives in Water Open Season Tributaries Limit the water during any of its life stages) shall be Lake Erie taken from waters inhabited by trout, or from All from lake upstream to first barrier Lake Ontario Anytime 8 quarts the banks of those waters at anytime. impassable by fish Niagara River D ip nets Suckers may be taken in a dip net not exceeding 14 inches Any person who has a fishing license, or is in diameter, or 13 x 13 inches if square, as follows: entitled to fish without a license, may operate Water Open Season Daily Limit Tributaries one dip net as specified in the tables to the left; these are the only circumstances where Cayuga Lake Anytime Any number All except Willow Creek dip-netting is permitted unless a commercial Seneca Lake Anytime Any number All except Catharine Creek license has been obtained. Refer to page 24 for regulations specific to dip net use on the All except Naples Creek where netting is Canandaigua Lake Anytime Any number prohibited upstream of old Lehigh Valley Hudson River. Railroad bridge Note: Smelt, suckers, alewives and blueback All from river upstream to first barrier herring are the only fish that may be taken Hudson River upstream to Troy Dam Anytime Any number impassable by fish with a dip net.

6 5 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE Bait fish Regulations

Purchased Baitfish Stillwater to the Battery at the southern tip of Manhattan Island; Keuka Lake; Otsego Lake; Otisco Lake; Owasco Lake; Lake Ontario; Lake Erie; G reen List Baitfish Lamoka Lake; Pepacton Reservoir; Seneca Lake; St. Lawrence River; The following baitfish are the only species that can be purchased and Niagara River; Mohawk River, and all waters in Dutchess, Orange, used in any water body in New York where it is legal to use fish as Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties. bait. These baitfish are commonly used throughout New York and are •• Rainbow smelt: Canadice Lake; Canandaigua Lake; Cayuga Lake; not considered to be a threat to other native New York fish species Cayuta Lake; Conesus Lake; First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth (except for trout in waters where baitfish use is prohibited). Limiting lakes of the Fulton Chain; Hemlock Lake; Honeoye Lake; Keuka Lake; the use of baitfish to the “Green List” will help prevent the accidental Lake Champlain; Lamoka Lake; Lake Ontario; Lake Erie; Owasco introduction of unwanted species. Lake; Seneca Lake; Star Lake (St. Lawrence County); Waneta Lake; Golden shiner Blacknose dace the St. Lawrence River; and the Niagara River. Emerald shiner Longnose dace •• Mummichog: Hudson River and tidal portion of Hudson River Common shiner White sucker tributaries downstream of the Federal Dam at Troy; and all waters Spottail shiner Northern hogsucker in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Banded killifish Creek chub Fathead minnow Fallfish •• Blueback herring and Atlantic menhaden: Hudson River down- Bluntnose minnow Logperch stream from Lock C-4 and its associated dam in Stillwater to the Northern redbelly dace Eastern silvery minnow Battery at the southern tip of Manhattan Island; and the Mohawk River and tributaries to the first barrier impassable by fish. Other Baitfish •• American eel: Delaware River and tributaries to the first barrier In addition to the “Green List,” the following baitfish may be purchased impassable by fish, 6-inch minimum size limit; and the Hudson and used in specified waters and their tributaries to the first impass- River downstream from the Federal Dam at Troy to the Battery able barrier only. They are not included on the “Green List” for a at the southern tip of Manhattan Island, between 6 and 14 inches. variety of reasons including potential negative impacts on native fish populations (i.e., alewife predation on walleye fry) or they are Marine District species. •• Alewife: Canandaigua Lake; Canadice Lake; Cannonsville Reservoir; A Baitfish License is Required Cayuga Lake; Cayuta Lake; Conesus Lake; Hemlock Lake; Waneta Lake; to Sell Baitfish In N.Y. Hudson River downstream from Lock C-4 and its associated dam in

We may be small… but we can be BIG trouble! The effectiveness of baitfish as a means to catch fish cannot be argued, but spread from the Great Lakes to inland waters. Diseases may also be introduced careless use of baitfish can also cause irreparable harm to a fishery. One only by bait wholesalers who do not test their fish before they are sold to bait dealers. has to look to the Adirondacks where our state fish, the brook trout, has been To address this problem, DEC has established regulations to control the use of pushed out of much of its original range due to the introduction of competitive baitfish. Among other things, these regulations restrict the use of personally fish species, most likely via a bait bucket. Sometimes this is simply a result of collected baitfish to the water they were collected from and prohibit their an angler discarding unused bait at the end of the day. In other cases the intro- transport from these waters. Only 21 species of fish may now be sold for bait duction may be purposely done by an angler who feels that a bait species may in New York. Except for baitfish sold for use on the same water they were provide beneficial forage for a particular species that he or she desires to fish for. collected from, all baitfish must also be certified to be disease free. Certified What is not understood is that a fish population in a pond, lake or stream is disease-free baitfish are the only form of live baitfish that may be transported part of a stable community that has evolved over many years. Add a foreign overland outside of the three designated travel corridors without a DEC fish to this community and the entire system can be thrown out of balance. permit, and these fish must be used within 10 days of purchase. A complete Species such as brook trout that have evolved with few, if any, competitive discussion of these new baitfish regulations can be found on page 57. fish species and rarely feed on fish, can be eliminated from a pond if baitfish or other non-native species are introduced. Baitfish such as alewife can also ONLY use bait purchased from a dealer selling directly impact a fishery by feeding on the young of desirable fish species such certified disease-free bait as walleye. Black crappie and other notorious larval fish predators can also be DON’T move bait or other fish from one water to another mixed in with bait, particularly if it was harvested in the wild. This is why DEC DUMP unused bait in an appropriate location on dry land prohibits the stocking of fish, including the simple act of dumping a bait bucket, without a stocking permit. USE baitfish only in waters where their use is permitted Baitfish can also harm native fish communities by spreading disease. Just like REPORT illegal stocking activities a human with a cold can spread his or her illness to other humans, so too can diseased fish. In fact, movement of baitfish from water to water by unknowing Keep Fishing Great in New York State! anglers is thought to be the primary mechanism by which viral hemorrhagic Protect New York’s waters from fish diseases septicemia (VHS), a serious fish disease recently identified in New York, has and damaging non-native species.

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 57 Bait fish Regulations

U se, Possession and Transportation prohibited except within a designated overland transportation corridor of Purchased Baitfish (page 59). See exceptions on page 55 for smelt, suckers, alewives and blueback herring taken for human consumption. C ertified baitfish Certified baitfish are those that have been tested and found to be free Baitfish collection exceptions of specified diseases. Use of certified baitfish helps prevent the spread •• Possession or use of minnow traps and nets is prohibited on units of of fish diseases. Certified baitfish purchased from a bait dealer can state land/waters where the use or possession of baitfish is prohibited be transported overland in a motorized vehicle and used in any water (see Special Regulations by County). body where it is legal to do so. For baitfish to be considered certified, the seller must provide a •• In the Hudson River downstream of the Troy Dam and in Lake receipt that contains: Champlain, Upper and Lower Saranac Lakes, Lake Clear (Franklin • the seller’s name, Co.), Chazy Lake and their tributaries to the first barrier, smelt may be • date of sale, taken only by angling. • the species of fish, and Species That May Not Be Used for Bait • the number of each species sold. The buyer must retain that receipt while in possession of the baitfish. Carp, goldfish, lamprey larvae, round goby, as well as species listed as Baitfish without a receipt or with a receipt that is older than 10 days endangered or threatened in New York State may not be used for bait. shall be considered uncertified bait. R estrictions on Use and Possession U ncertified Baitfish of Marine Baitfish Uncertified baitfish are those that have not been tested to verify that they Baitfish collected in the Marine and Coastal District may be transported are free of specified diseases. These uncertified fish may carry diseases overland only for use in the Marine and Coastal District in the following that could be harmful to native fish species. Uncertified baitfish purchased counties: Queens, Kings, Richmond, New York, Bronx, Suffolk, Nassau, from a bait dealer can only be used on the same body of water that they Rockland and Westchester. The Marine and Coastal District includes waters were collected in. Uncertified baitfish cannot be transported overland by of the Atlantic Ocean within 3 miles of the coastline and all other tidal a motorized vehicle (e.q., car) except within a designated overland trans- waters, including the Hudson River upstream to the Tappan Zee Bridge. portation corridor (page 57). The seller of uncertified baitfish outside of an overland transportation corridor is required to provide the same receipt U se of Dead Fish as Bait information as for certified baitfish and also include the name of the water Any dead fish, or parts thereof excluding eggs, that are legal to possess body in which the uncertified bait fish can be used and a warning to the and are not prohibited for use as bait (see above) that have been packa- purchaser that the baitfish may not be transported by motorized vehicle. ged for commercial sale and have been preserved by methods other C ollection, Use and Transportation than by freezing only (e.q., salted minnows) can be used in any water of Personally Harvested Baitfish body where it is legal to use fish as bait and do not require a receipt. Any person who has a fishing license1 or is entitled to fish without Each package of dead bait fish must be individually labeled, identify- a license may collect2 minnows (except carp and goldfish), killifish, ing the name of the packager/processor, the name of the species, the mudminnows, darters, sticklebacks, stonecats, smelt, alewives and quantity of fish contained, and the means of preservation. suckers for personal use in hook and line fishing only (sale prohibited) by angling and with the gear types listed below. Special regulations associated with personally harvesting alewife and blueback herring in Please Note the Hudson River can be found on page 24. •• Any fish taken from a water body and used as bait counts toward your daily limit. Gear Time Water Seine or scap net: Sunrise •• Native salamanders cannot be collected or used as bait. All non-trout waters maximum size 36 square feet to Sunset Minnow trap: maximum length 20", Waters open to Anytime maximum entrance diameter 1", must be baitfish use marked with owner’s name and address Lakes Erie & Ontario excluding their inlets, Seine: outlets, bays Anytime maximum size 36 square feet Niagara River Hudson River below Troy Dam Cast net: Anytime Hudson River below Troy Dam maximum 10 feet in diameter In addition, alewives are the only fish that may be taken as follows: Gill nets: Canadice, Canandaigua, Cayuga, Hemlock, Anytime maximum length 25 feet, Keuka, Owasco, Otisco and Seneca lakes. maximum size 1" bar Stunning may be used to collect stonecats. Stunning means tapping a stone with an implement or other stone. 1 R ecreational marine fishing registration is required to collect alewives, blueback herring or smelt from the Hudson River below the Troy Dam, including tributaries to the first barrier impassible by fish. 2 P ossession of endangered or threatened fish species is prohibited. Baitfish or other legally taken fish species intended to be used as bait may only be used in the same water body (page 60) from which they were caught for bait in hook-and-line fishing. These fish may only be used in a water body where it is legal to use fish as bait. Transporta- tion of personally harvested baitfish overland by a motorized vehicle is

58 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE Bait fish Regulations

Overland Transportation Corridors 2. Lower Niagara River/Lake Ontario/St. Lawrence River Overland Three defined overland transportation corridors were designated for the Transportation Corridor shall mean the geographical area asso- purposes of allowing the transport and use of uncertified baitfish by ciated with New York portion of the Lower Niagara River, Lake anglers in specific areas of the state. The three overland transportation Ontario and the St. Lawrence River starting at the intersection of corridors are intended to primarily serve anglers fishing three major I-190 and the Lower Niagara River, then continuing eastward to water bodies: the Lake Erie-Upper Niagara River; the Lower Niagara its intersection with State Route 104, then continuing eastward to River-Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River; and the Tidal Hudson River. its intersection with State Route 3, then continuing east on State To protect against the spread of fish diseases into uninfected waters Route 3 to its intersection with State Route 104, then continuing through the use of baitfish, uncertified baitfish are only allowed to eastward on State Route 104 to its intersection with State Route be used on the same body of water where they were collected within 11, then continuing north on State Route 11 to its intersection these corridors. with State Route 56 , then continuing north along State Route 56 to its intersection with State Route 37, then continuing east along T ransportation of Purchased Uncertified Baitfish within an State Route 37 to its intersection with Racquette Point Road, then Overland Transportation Corridor continuing north on Racquette Point Road to its intersection with Uncertified baitfish purchased from a bait dealer may be transported Ransom Road, and then continuing west on Ransom Road and within a designated overland transportation corridor provided a receipt, terminating at the St. Lawrence River. Baitfish collected from the issued by the seller and retained by the purchaser while in possession New York portion of the Lower Niagara River/Lake Ontario/St. of the baitfish, contains (1) the seller’s name, (2) date of sale, (3) the Lawrence River water body may be transported within this corridor. species of fish, (4) the number of each species sold, (5) the water body 3. Hudson River Overland Transportation Corridor shall mean the baitfish must be used in, (6) the overland transportation corridor the geographical area associated with the Hudson River south the baitfish must be transported within, and (7) a warning that the of the Federal Dam at Troy starting at the eastern shore of the baitfish may only be transported within that overland transporta- Hudson River at the Federal Dam in Troy, continuing east on tion corridor. W Glenn Avenue in Troy to its intersection with State Route 4, T ransportation of Personally Collected Baitfish within an then continuing south on State Route 4 to its intersection with Overland Transportation Corridor State Routes 9 & 20, then continuing easterly to its intersection with State Route 9, then continuing east on State Route 82, to Personally collected baitfish taken from a water body within an over- its intersection with the , then continu- land transportation corridor may be transported within that corridor. ing south on the Taconic State Parkway to its intersection with These baitfish may only be used in the same water body (page 60) they the Sprain Brook Parkway, then continuing south on the Sprain were collected in. Brook Parkway to its intersection with I-287, then continuing D esignated Overland Transportation Corridors west on I-287 across the Tappan Zee Bridge to I-87 North, then The three overland transportation corridors are defined as follows: continuing north on I-87 to where State Route 9W crosses I-87 1. Upper Niagara River/Lake Erie Overland Transportation Corridor in Greene County, then continuing north on State Route 9W shall mean the geographical area associated with the New York to where State Route 9W crosses I-87 in Albany County, then portion of Lake Erie and the Upper Niagara River west of and continuing north on I-87 to its intersection with State Route 7, including a line starting at I-90 at the Pennsylvania border, then then continuing east on State Route 7 to its intersection with continuing east to its intersection with I-290, then continuing I-787, then continuing north on I-787 to its intersection with north along I-290 to its intersection with State Route 62, then Tibbets Avenue, then continuing east on Tibbets Avenue to its continuing west to its intersection with I-190, then north to its intersection with Delaware Avenue, then proceeding in a straight intersection with the Lower Niagara River. Baitfish collected line to the west edge of the Troy Dam. Baitfish collected from from the New York portion of the Upper Niagara River/Lake Erie the New York portion of the Tidal Hudson River water body may water body may be transported within this corridor. be transported within this corridor.

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 59 D efinitions

A ngling means taking fish by hook and line. This includes bait and Snatching means taking fish not attracted by bait or artificial lure fly fishing, casting, trolling and the use of landing nets to complete with hooks, gangs or similar devices whether or not baited. Snagging, the catch. Anglers must be in immediate attendance when their lines lifting, and single hook snagging are types of snatching. Snatching is are in the water. An angler may operate no more than three lines with indicated by repeated or exaggerated jerking motions of the fishing rod. or without a rod, and each line is limited to not more than five lures Spearfishing or “spear” means taking a fish with a hand-propelled or baits or a combination of both, and in addition, each line shall not single or multiple pronged pike, blade or harpoon. It does not include exceed fifteen hook points in any combination of single, double or treble the mechanically propelled device commonly called a spear gun. hooks. Snatching, lifting, hooking and use of tip-ups are not angling. T rout means brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout and hybrids A rtificial lures or bait means artificial imitations of natural bait, man- of these species including splake. made flies, spinners, spoons, plugs, jigs and other lures, including those T ip-up means any device used for fishing through the ice that has that may contain some natural substances such as deer hair and feathers. a signaling device attached, except a bobber or other floating object A rtificial flymeans a hook with no more than two points dressed on the water, that will visually or audibly signal a strike. with feathers, hair, thread, tinsel or any similar material to which no W ater body, as referenced in DEC baitfish and fish health regulations, additional hooks, spinners, spoons or similar devices have been added. shall mean any lake, river, pond, stream or any other distinct mass of Black bass means both largemouth and smallmouth bass. water existing in the State of New York, whether publicly or privately Blind snatching means the taking of fish by snatching when the owned, including the banks and shores thereof. A water body shall fish is not visible to the angler. also include all tributaries upstream to the first barrier impassable to C atch and release means catching and immediately releasing the fish, including the banks and shores thereof. For the purposes of this caught fish without harm. Measuring, weighing and photographing of definition, locks and dams shall be considered impassable barriers. In the fish are permitted as long as the fish is not removed from the water addition, each of the following 12 combined water bodies, including for an extended period or handled in a manner that could cause it harm. all tributaries up to the first impassable barrier, shall be considered Fish may not be placed in a bucket, tub, livewell, on a string or any other the same water body except that border waters shall only include the holding device. Catch and release angling is only permitted during the open portion inside New York: season for a particular fish species. Catch and release angling during the •• Lake Ontario in combination with the Lower Niagara River and closed season, or for endangered or threatened fish species is prohibited. the St. Lawrence River; C humming means depositing in the water any substance, not •• Lake Erie in combination with the Upper Niagara River, Black Rock attached to a hook, which may attract fish. Canal, and waters of the Erie Barge Canal from the Upper Niagara Fishing means the taking, killing, netting, capturing or withdrawal River to Lock E-35 in Lockport; of fish by any means. This includes every attempt to take fish, plus •• Oswego River from Lock 7 to junction with Oneida River and Seneca assisting another person in taking or attempting to take fish. River at Three Rivers; Foul-hooked means not hooked in the mouth. Hook gap means the distance from the shank to the point of the hook. •• Oneida River downstream of Caughdenoy Dam and Erie Barge Canal LL Salmon means landlocked salmon or Atlantic salmon. from Lock E23 to the junction with Oswego and Seneca Rivers; M arine and Coastal District includes waters of the Atlantic Ocean •• Oneida Lake and Erie Barge Canal downstream to Lock E23 and upstream within 3 miles of the coastline and all other tidal waters, including to Lock E22, and the Oneida River downstream to Caughdenoy Dam; the Hudson River upstream to the Tappan Zee Bridge. •• Mohawk River from Barge Canal in Rome upstream to Delta Dam; M inimum length means the greatest possible length measured •E• rie Barge Canal from Lock E22 east to Lock E6; from the tip of the fish’s snout to the tip of the tail. The mouth may •• Lake Champlain, including the north of Lock 12; be open or closed and the tail may be spread or compressed in order to achieve the greatest length. •• Hudson River from the Federal Dam at Troy to Bakers Falls in the Natural bait means all baits which entice or might be ingested or City of Hudson Falls, and the Champlain Canal up to but not above swallowed by fish including, but not limited to, fish (dead or alive), Lock 7 in Fort Edward, and the Erie Barge Canal up to but not above fish eggs, worms, shellfish, crustacea, amphibians (frogs and toads), Lock E6 in Waterford; insects (including all stages of development such as larvae, pupae, etc.), •• Hudson River downstream from the Federal Dam at Troy to the pork rinds, liver, meat, corn or other vegetable matter, tapioca, candy, Battery at the southern tip of Manhattan Island. cheese, bread and putty or dough-like scented baits. •• Susquehanna River downstream of dam in Oakland, Pennsylvania Night means ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise. and the Chenango River. •• Saranac Chain of Lakes from Lake Flower upstream to Barlett Carry Dam.

Be a Responsible Angler •• Be aware of your actions and their potential impact on other •• Share advice and techniques. Helping someone learn the proper anglers. Try not to reduce the chances or enjoyment of others by and effective way to fish a body of water will help create an your actions. ethical angler and perhaps a lifelong friend.

•• Respect other water users. Boating anglers are advised to follow •• The game law violator is always a thief. Even when illegal activity New York State Navigation Law and be aware of the impact that does not affect a fish population, it robs a law abiding angler of the their vessel’s wake can have on others. opportunity to have an enjoyable fishing experience.

•• Respect other anglers that have reached the water before you. The person that first reaches a location has the right to fish it without being squeezed by another person, whether they are a tournament pro or first time angler.

0 6 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE w eigh your fish with a ruler

Ever wanted to know the weight of your catch but didn’t have a scale handy or the desire to kill your fish and weigh it on land? For the species Big Catch? Trophy Buck? listed below, you can get an approximate weight by measuring the fish J.F. Griffin Publishing welcomes your digital from the snout to the tip of the tail. These weights are averages taken photo submissions for possible publication from fish collected by DEC fish management crews from across the State of New York. Remember, these are averages—fish growth can in our hunting and fishing regulation guides. vary significantly based on a number of factors, including the length Please upload high-resolution of the growing season and food supply. images for consideration at: www.eregulations.com/photos

Average weight by length (in inches) of various New York freshwater fish species

Black Smallmouth Largemouth Brook Rainbow Lake Chain Length Bluegill Yellow Perch Brown Trout Walleye Northern Pike Muskellunge Crappie Bass Bass Trout Trout Trout Pickerel

5 1 oz 6 3 oz 1 oz 7 4 oz 2 oz 8 7 oz 3 oz 9 7 oz 10 oz 5 oz 10 9 oz 13 oz 7 oz 6 oz 11 13 oz 10 oz 8 oz 12 1 lb 1 oz 13 oz 13 oz 14 oz 11 oz 10 oz 10 oz 13 1 lb 6 oz 15 oz 1 lb 1 oz 1 lb 2 oz 14 oz 12 oz 13 oz 14 1 lb 12 oz 1 lb 2 oz 1 lb 5 oz 1 lb 7 oz 1 lb 2 oz 1 lb 0 oz 1 lb 1 oz 15 1 lb 5 oz 1 lb 10 oz 1 lb 13 oz 1 lb 6 oz 1 lb 3 oz 1 lb 5 oz 1 lb 0 oz 1 lb 1 oz 11 oz 16 1 lb 15 oz 2 lb 4 oz 1 lb 11 oz 1 lb 7 oz 1 lb 9 oz 1 lb 4 oz 1 lb 4 oz 14 oz 17 2 lb 9 oz 2 lb 12 oz 2 lb 0 oz 1 lb 12 oz 1 lb 14 oz 1 lb 8 oz 1 lb 9 oz 1 lb 1 oz 18 3 lb 2 oz 3 lb 5 oz 2 lb 7oz 2 lb 1 oz 2 lb 4 oz 1 lb 13 oz 1 lb 14 oz 1 lb 4 oz 1 lb 4 oz 19 3 lb 5 oz 3 lb 15 oz 2 lb 14 oz 2 lb 7 oz 2 lb 11 oz 2 lb 3 oz 2 lb 4 oz 1 lb 8 oz 1 lb 7 oz 20 3 lb 14 oz 4 lb 10 oz 3 lb 6 oz 2 lb 14 oz 3 lb 2 oz 2 lb 9 oz 2 lb 10 oz 1 lb 12 oz 1 lb 11 oz 21 4 lb 8 oz 5 lb 7 oz 3 lb 15 oz 3 lb 5 oz 3 lb 10 oz 3 lb 0 oz 3 lb 1 oz 2 lb 1 oz 2 lb 1 oz 22 5 lb 3 oz 6 lb 6 oz 3 lb 13 oz 4 lb 3 oz 3 lb 8 oz 3 lb 9 oz 2 lb 6 oz 2 lb 6 oz 23 4 lb 6 oz 4 lb 12 oz 4 lb 0 oz 4 lb 1 oz 2 lb 12 oz 2 lb 9 oz 24 5 lb 0 oz 5 lb 7 oz 4 lb 9 oz 4 lb 11 oz 3 lb 3 oz 2 lb 15 oz 25 5 lb 11 oz 6 lb 3 oz 5 lb 4 oz 5 lb 5 oz 3 lb 10 oz 3 lb 5 oz 26 6 lb 6 oz 6 lb 15 oz 5 lb 15 oz 6 lb 0 oz 4 lb 1 oz 3 lb 11 oz 27 7 lb 2 oz 7 lb 13 oz 6 lb 11 oz 6 lb 12 oz 4 lb 10 oz 4 lb 2 oz 28 8 lb 0 oz 8 lb 12 oz 7 lb 8 oz 7 lb 10 oz 4 lb 9 oz 29 8 lb 14 oz 9 lb 11 oz 8 lb 7 oz 8 lb 9 oz 5 lb 1 oz 30 9 lb 14 oz 10 lb 12 oz 9 lb 6 oz 9 lb 8 oz 5 lb 10 oz 7 lb 4 oz 31 10 lb 7 oz 6 lb 3 oz 8 lb 1 oz 32 11 lb 8 oz 6 lb 13 oz 8 lb 15 oz 33 12 lb 11 oz 7 lb 7 oz 9 lb 15 oz 34 14 lb 0 oz 8 lb 2 oz 11 lb 0 oz 35 15 lb 5 oz 8 lb 13 oz 12 lb 1 oz 36 9 lb 10 oz 13 lb 4 oz 37 10 lb 6 oz 14 lb 8 oz 38 11 lb 4 oz 15 lb 14 oz 39 12 lb 2 oz 17 lb 5 oz HOW OLD IS MY BASS 40 13 lb 1 oz 18 lb 13 oz Average Age (in years) by Length of Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass in New York State 41 20 lb 7 oz 42 Length 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 22 lb 2 oz

E Smallmouth Bass 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 7 8 8 9 10 10 43 G 23 lb 15 oz A Largemouth Bass 2 2 3 4 4 5 6 6 7 8 8 9 10 10 11 44 25 lb 14 oz 45 27 lb 14 oz 46 30 lb 0 oz 47 32 lb 3 oz 48 34 lb 8 oz 49 37 lb 0 oz 50 39 lb 9 oz 51 42 lb 4 oz

2 6 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE N ew York State Angler Achievement Awards

Each year numerous anglers take to the water in hope of catching d. Make sure weighing is observed by one witness other than the a trophy-sized fish. For those lucky enough to land a large fish, one scale owner or business employee. way of marking the event is to enter the fish in DEC’s New York State e. Make sure sections A,B,C,D,E, and G of the entry form are Angler Achievement Awards Program. Started in the early 1900s completed. and expanded in 1990, this program officially recognizes anglers for their fishing accomplishments. Awards are given for catching any of f. Make sure a side-view photograph of the fish (angler with the 45 different eligible freshwater fish species. You can get an award for fish, if possible) is enclosed with the entry form. catching a one-pound perch just as easily as you can for catching a 7. To enter a fish in the Catch and Release category: 33-pound chinook salmon. You can enter your catch in any of three categories—Annual Award, Catch and Release, and State Record. a. Make sure the fish is one of the 21 species designated under the Catch and Release category. A nnual Award b. Make sure the fish is measured from tip of nose to tip of tail. The Annual Award recognizes the anglers who caught c. Make sure the fish meets or exceeds the minimum qualifying the three heaviest fish of the calendar year (Jan. 1–Dec. length for its species. 31) for each species. Each fish entered must meet d. or exceed the minimum qualifying weights found Make sure sections A,B, C and G of the entry form are completed. on page 64. The winning anglers are awarded an e. Make sure a side-view photograph of the fish (angler with the Angler Achievement Award lapel pin and a Certificate fish, if possible) is enclosed with the entry form. Photograph of Achievement. must be taken at the catch site; entry forms accompanied by photographs taken at the angler’s home, bait shop, etc. will C atch and Release be disqualified. The Catch and Release Award commends the actions f. Make sure the fish is handled properly. Fish should be measured, of those anglers who return their qualifying catch to photographed and released quickly. Improper handling (i.e., the water. This category is limited to 21 major sportfish fish hanging from stringers or scales) will result in disqualifica- species found on page 64. Anglers catching a qualifying tion. Fish not released promptly (i.e., weighed off-site prior to fish are awarded a distinctive Catch and Release lapel pin. release) are not eligible for Catch and Release consideration. State Record 8. To enter a fish in the New York State Record category: The State Record recognizes those anglers who break current New a. Make sure the fish is one of the 45 species designated for State York State records for any of the 45 eligible fish species. Anglers receive Record consideration. a custom engraved plaque, an Angler Achievement Award lapel pin b. Make sure the fish is weighed on a certified scale by the owner and a Certificate of Achievement. or an employee of the business where the scale is located. For more information on the New York State Angler Achievement c. Make sure weighing is observed by one witness other than the Awards program, contact (518) 402-8891. scale owner or business employee. R ules of Entry d. Fish must exceed previous record by a minimum of 1 oz. in 1. Fish must be taken during their respective open season by angling order to qualify as a new state record. or ice fishing in New York State waters in accordance with New York e. Make sure sections A–G of the entry form are completed. State fishing regulations. Angling does not include any method by f. Make sure a clear side-view photograph of the fish (angler with which the fish are foul hooked. Fish showing signs of foul hooking, the fish, if possible) is enclosed with the entry form. gill nets, tampering or foreign objects will be disqualified. g. Make sure the fish is identified and examined by a DEC fisher- 2. Qualifying fish must be entered on an official entry form or facsimile. ies biologist, or a designee, prior to any cutting of the fish or All applicable portions of the entry form must be completed. removal of entrails. Section F will be completed by the person 3. Entry forms must be received by the Department of Environmental verifying the fish. Conservation (DEC), Bureau of Fisheries within 30 days of the catch. h. Fish fed or otherwise grown with the intention of breaking a 4. All entries must be accompanied by a clear, side-view photograph state record will be disqualified. of the fish or if possible, the angler with the fish. Information 9. For fish entered in the Annual Award or Catch & Release categories,* provided on the entry form and any associated photographs become send completed entry forms to: the property of DEC and may be used for promotional purposes. Photographs cannot be returned. New York State Angler Achievement Awards NYSDEC–Bureau of Fisheries 5. Pins awarded annually will be limited to one pin per angler per species. 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4753 6. To enter a fish in the Annual Award category: * Completed entry forms for fish entered in the State Record cate- a. Make sure the fish is one of the 45 species designated under gory should be sent directly to DEC’s Bureau of Fisheries regional the Annual Award category. office nearest you. b. Make sure the fish is weighed on a certified scale by the owner 10. The DEC Bureau of Fisheries reserves the right to reject any Angler or an employee of the business where the scale is located. Certi- Achievement Award Application on the basis of erroneous species fied scales can be found at post offices, supermarkets and bait identification, improper handling, illegal fishing methods, evidence shops, just to name a few. Fish weighed on personal handheld of tampering or foreign objects, or inability to adequately document scales will not be accepted. any of the circumstances relating to the catch. c. Make sure the fish meets or exceeds the minimum qualifying weight for the species.

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 63 N ew York State Angler Achievement Awards

Qualifying Criteria To enter a fish in the Angler Achievement Awards Program, it must meet the minimum NOW qualifying weight or length for the species in the entered category. The following list shows the minimum qualifying requirements for each species. AVAILABLE C atch and Release Category A nnual Award Category Minimum Minimum Species Length Species Weight Bass, Largemouth 20 inches Bass, Largemouth 6 lb 0 oz Bass, Rock 1 lb 0 oz Bass, Smallmouth 18 inches Bass, Smallmouth 4 lb 0 oz Bass, Striped 36 inches (Hudson River, Delaware River) Bass, Hybrid Striped 6 lb 0 oz Bass, Striped 30 lb 0 oz Bluegill (Sunfish) 10 inches (Hudson River, Delaware River) Carp, Common 36 inches Bass, White 1 lb 0 oz Crappie, Black or White 14 inches Bluegill (Sunfish) 1 lb 0 oz Bowfin 5 lb 0 oz Muskellunge (except Lake Erie) Bullhead, Black 1 lb 0 oz 48 inches (minimum legal length for Lake Erie is Bullhead, Brown 1 lb 0 oz 54 in.) Burbot 3 lb 0 oz Muskellunge, Tiger 36 inches Carp, Common 20 lb 0 oz Catfish, Channel 10 lb 0 oz Perch, Yellow 14 inches Catfish, White 2 lb 0 oz Pickerel, Chain 25 inches Cisco (Lake Herring) 1 lb 0 oz Crappie, Black 1 lb 8 oz Pike, Northern 36 inches Crappie, White 1 lb 8 oz Pumpkinseed (Sunfish) 10 inches Drum, Freshwater 10 lb 0 oz Salmon, Atlantic Eel, American 4 lb 0 oz Great Lakes 30 inches Fallfish 1 lb 0 oz Inland 24 inches Gar, Longnose 5 lb 0 oz Muskellunge 30 lb 0 oz Salmon, Chinook 40 inches Muskellunge, Tiger 15 lb 0 oz Salmon, Coho 33 inches Perch,White 1 lb 0 oz Perch, Yellow 1 lb 0 oz Trout, Brook 18 inches Pickerel, Chain 4 lb 0 oz Trout, Brown Pickerel, Redfin 1 lb 0 oz Great Lakes 32 inches Pike, Northern 15 lb 0 oz Inland Lakes 24 inches Pumpkinseed (Sunfish) 1 lb 0 oz Salmon, Atlantic Inland Streams 20 inches Request your copy of our free guide to Great Lakes 14 lb 0 oz freshwater fishing in New York State. The Trout, Lake Inland 6 lb 0 oz guide includes detailed information on Great Lakes 34 inches Salmon, Chinook 33 lb 0 oz over 320 lakes and ponds and 110 rivers Inland 30 inches Salmon, Coho 16 lb 0 oz and streams recommended by DEC Fish- Salmon, Kokanee 1 lb 0 oz Trout, Rainbow eries Staff. To request your copy, email us Salmon, Pink 3 lb 8 oz at [email protected]. Be sure Great Lakes 30 inches Sauger 1 lb 8 oz to put NY FISHING MAP in the subject Inland Lakes 24 inches Shad, American 6 lb 0 oz line. Copies are also available from all Inland Streams 20 inches Sucker, Redhorse 6 lb 0 oz DEC offices. Sucker, White 2 lb 8 oz Walleye 25 inches Trout, Brook* 3 lb 0 oz Trout, Brown Great Lakes 16 lb 0 oz Inland Lakes 7 lb 0 oz Use of Non-Toxic Sinkers Inland Streams 3 lb 8 oz The loss of sinkers and lures is a routine part of fishing. Unfortunately, lost sinkers, especially Trout, Lake split-shot, may be mistaken for food or grit and eaten by water birds such as ducks, geese, Great Lakes 16 lb 0 oz swans, gulls or loons. Toxic effects of even a single lead sinker can cause birds to sicken and Inland 10 lb 0 oz increase the risk of death through predation, exposure or lead poisoning. The sale of certain Trout, Rainbow lead sinkers (including “split shot”) weighing one-half ounce or less is prohibited in New Great Lakes 14 lb 0 oz York State. This includes sale from out-of-state vendors, including catalog and Internet sales. Inland Lakes 5 lb 0 oz This prohibition does not include artificial lures, weighted line, weighted flies or jig heads. Inland Streams 3 lb 8 oz Even though the use of lead is not currently restricted in New York, as responsible anglers, Trout, Splake 8 lb 0 oz we should all seek to reduce any unintended effects on the natural environment and leave no trace of our presence. A trip to your favorite tackle shop will reveal a variety of alterna- Walleye 8 lb 0 oz tives to lead split shot, sinkers and jig heads. By switching to non-toxic sinkers with your next Whitefish, Lake 4 lb 0 oz purchase, you can assure that your fishing tackle choices are helping to reduce the risk of * Lak es and ponds containing brook trout brood stock, splake, or lead poisoning to birds. recently stocked trophy-sized brook trout are not eligible for NYS brook trout records. Check with your regional fisheries office.

4 6 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE N ew York State Angler Achievement AwHardsead

New York State Freshwater Fishing Records (as of July 1, 2013) Fish Species Weight Water Angler Name Catch Date American Eel 7 lb. 14 oz. Cayuga Lake Larry Manino 7/25/1984 American Shad 9 lb. 4 oz. Hudson River Robert Kubica 5/9/2007 Atlantic Salmon 24 lb. 15 oz. Lake Ontario Mike Dandino 4/5/1997 Black Bullhead 7 lb. 7 oz. Mill Pond Kevin Kelly 8/25/1993 Black Crappie 3 lb. 12 oz. Duck Lake Kenneth Kierst 4/17/1998 Bluegill 2 lb. 8 oz. Kohlbach Pond Devin VanZandt 8/3/1992 Bowfin 12 lb. 13 oz. Basha Kill Jeff Harrington 6/5/2000 Brook Trout 6 lb. Silver Lake Richard Beauchamp 5/16/2013 Brown Bullhead 7 lb. 6 oz. Lake Mahopac Glen Collacuro 8/1/2009 Brown Trout 33 lb. 2 oz. Lake Ontario Tony Brown 6/10/1997 Burbot 16 lb. 12 oz. Lake Ontario (Black River Bay) Terrance Colwell 2/14/1991 Chain Pickerel 8 lb. 1 oz. Toronto Reservoir John Bosland 2/13/1965 Channel Catfish 32 lb. 12 oz. Brant Lake Chris Dixon 6/21/2002 Chinook Salmon 47 lb. 13 oz. Salmon River Kurtis Killian 9/7/1991 Cisco (Lake Herring) 5 lb. 7 oz. Lake Lauderdale Albert Baratto 1/25/1990 Coho Salmon 33 lb. 7 oz. Lake Ontario Stephen Sheets Jr. 8/13/1998 Common Carp 50 lb. 6 oz. Tomhannock Reservoir Charles Primeau Sr. 5/12/1995 Fallfish 3 lb. 9 oz. Susquehanna River Jonathan McNamara 4/15/2009 Freshwater Drum 24 lb. 8 oz. Lake Ontario (Chaumont Bay) Gregory Netto 6/8/2005 Hybrid Striped Bass 15 lb. 5 oz. Lake Waccabuc Bryan Colley 7/30/2004 Kokanee Salmon 3 lb. 6 oz. Boy Scouts Clear Pond Kenneth Shear 6/14/2002 Lake Trout 41 lb. 8 oz. Lake Erie Jesse Wykstra 8/9/2003 Lake Whitefish 10 lb. 8 oz. Lake Pleasant Randolph Smith 8/29/1995 Largemouth Bass 11 lb. 4 oz. Buckhorn Lake John Higbie 9/11/1987 Longnose Gar 13 lb. 3 oz. Lake Champlain Kenneth Cassant 7/25/1999 Muskellunge 69 lb. 15 oz. St. Lawrence River Arthur Lawton 9/22/1957 Northern Pike 46 lb. 2 oz. Great Sacandaga Lake Peter Dubuc 9/15/1940 Pink Salmon 4 lb. 15 oz. Lake Erie Randy Nyberg 9/16/1985 Pumpkinseed 1 lb. 9 oz. Indian Lake R. Kennard Mosher 7/19/1994 Rainbow Trout 31 lb. 3 oz. Lake Ontario Robert Wilson 8/14/2004 Redfin Pickerel 2 lb. 1 oz. Lake Champlain Duane Gillespie 3/5/1989 Rock Bass 1 lb. 15 oz. Ramapo River Eric Avogardo 5/26/1984 Sauger 4 lb. 8 oz. Lower Niagara River Darrin Schwenkbeck 9/30/1990 Shorthead Redhorse 11 lb. 11 oz. Salmon River Joe Williams 5/26/1996 Smallmouth Bass 8 lb. 4 oz. Lake Erie Andrew Kartesz 6/4/1995 Splake 13 lb. 8 oz. Limekiln Lake Jonathan Simon 6/27/2004 Striped Bass 55 lb. 6 oz. Hudson River Ian Kiraly 5/9/2007 Tiger Musky 35 lb. 8 oz. Tioughnioga River Brett Gofgosky 5/25/1990 Walleye 16 lb. 9 oz. Mystic Lake Thomas Reed 1/20/2009 White Bass 3 lb. 6 oz. Furnace Brook Robert Hilton 5/2/1992 White Catfish 10 lb. 5 oz. New Croton Reservoir Joe Silicato 5/17/1998 White Crappie 3 lb. 13 oz. Sleepy Hollow Lake James Weinberg 6/9/2001 White Perch 3 lb. 1 oz. Lake Oscaletta Joseph Tansey 9/21/1991 White Sucker 5 lb. 3 oz. Hudson River Eric Kindron 5/13/1994 Yellow Perch 3 lb. 8 oz. Lake Erie George Boice 4/28/1982

Nesting Birds Many species of birds select nest sites on or close to water. These include ducks, geese, swans, loons, herons, ospreys and eagles. Close approach by anglers and activities associated with fishing may cause these birds to leave their nests. This makes the eggs or young vulnerable to predators, chilling, overheating, disruption of parental care, and possible abandonment and starvation. Please pay attention and keep a good distance from nesting birds or birds with chicks. Also, be sure to move away from birds that appear to be frightened or defending nesting areas.

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 65 N ew York State Angler Achievement Awards

Ofi f cial entry form

Section A: Entry Category

Fish is being entered in Catch and Release Category Annual Award Category State Record (check one) (complete sections B, C, G) (complete sections B, C, D, E, G) (complete sections B, C, D, E, F, G)

Section B: Angler Information Name of Angler: Phone: Email: Address: City/Town: State: Zip Code:

Section C: Catch Information Fish Species: Kept: Released: Date of Catch: Time of Catch: AM PM (Circle one) Name of County: Nearest Town: Length: Water Body:

Brief description of Lure/Bait Used: Lure Color/Size: how fish was caught:

Section D: Weight Information: (Annual Award or State Record entries only) Weights taken on personal/ Name of Weigher: Business Name: Weight: lbs: oz: handheld scales are ineligible. Address of Business: Phone: City/Town: State: Zip Code: Weigher Scale Certification Number: Date Last Certified: Date: Signature:

Section E: Witness Verification (Annual Award or State Record entries only) Name of Witness: Witness Signature: Address of Witness: Phone: City/Town: State: Zip Code: Date:

Section F: Species Information (State Record Entries Only—to be completed by a DEC Fisheries Biologist or Designee) I have examined the fish described above and confirm that it is a: Name of DEC Fisheries Biologist or Designee: Signature: Date:

Section G: Angler Signature (all entries) and Notarization (State Record Entries only) I hereby swear that the information provided on this form is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and that the taking of the fish described above was in accor- dance with the rules of the New York State Angler Achievement Awards Program. Furthermore, I release to the New York State Department of Environmental Conserva- tion the right to use the above information and any enclosed photographs for promotional purposes, although I understand that this does not restrict my use of the same information and photographs. Signature of Angler (all entries): Sworn before me this day of: Year: Signature of Notary (State Record entries only):

Notary Seal (State Record Entries Only) Miscellaneous Notes

6 6 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE Ha e lth Advisories

New York State Department of Health (DOH) FIREWOOD WARNING Advisories for Chemicals in Sportfish Your firewood may be hiding deadly invasive pests that have already killed more Fish are an important part of a healthy diet, and can be good to eat, than 50 million trees in neighboring states. but some fish contain chemicals that may be harmful to health. The New York State Department of Health (DOH) issues advice to help people make healthier choices about eating the fish they catch in New v It is illegal to bring untreated* firewood into New York State. York State waters. v It is illegal to transport untreated firewood The following recommendations are based on contaminant levels more than 50 miles from its source. in fish and shellfish. The advisories are for the year 2013–2014, but v When transporting firewood, you must they may change from year to year based on new information. The carry proof of source (receipt from a ASIAN LONGHORNED complete, up-to-date advisories are available from the internet at: vendor), origin (self-issued certificate BEETLE (ALB) from DEC website), or treatment www.health.ny.gov/fish. (label showing treatment method). Otherwise, you may be ticketed. General advisory for eating sportfish v Please be aware of state and federal The general health advisory for sportfish is that you can eat up to four quarantines that further restrict the (one half pound) meals per month of fish taken from most of the state’s movement of firewood out of certain EMERALD ASH BORER areas. To learn more please visit: (EAB) freshwaters and some marine waters at the mouth of the Hudson River. http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7253.html In the water-rich state of New York, there are many waterbodies where For questions or to report any invasives you find, call toll free the entire family can enjoy up to four fish meals a month. 1-866-640-0652 For more information visit www.dec.ny.gov Specific advisories for freshwater and the Hudson River and look for “firewood” in the Subject index Fish from more than 140 water bodies in New York have specific * Treated firewood has been heated to 160° for 75 minutes ALB exit EAB exit to eliminate pests living inside the wood. Treated firewood hole hole advisories. For these listed waters, DOH recommends either limit- can be moved without restriction. ing or not eating certain fish. The specific advisories for fresh waters and the Hudson River are provided in the Health Advisory tables on pages 68 through 70. DOH recommends that women under age 50, and children under 15 don’t eat any fish from waters listed in the tables on pages 68 through 70. The reason for this advice is that Attention Anglers: chemicals may have a greater effect on developing organs of young children or in the unborn child. They also build up in women’s bodies Avoid Areas Containing and are often passed on in the mother’s milk. Blue-green Algae Blooms Consuming fish from areas with blooms of blue- Health Advisories for Marine Waters green algae may be harmful to your health. Health advisories for New York State marine waters, including the Upper Bay of New York Harbor, East and Harlem Rivers, Newark •• Avoid areas that have the thick paint-like or pea soup-like Bay, Arthur Kill, , Raritan Bay, Jamaica Bay, Long Island coloration characteristic of blue-green algae blooms. Sound, Block Island Sound, Peconic and Gardiners Bays and Long • Don’t eat fish caught in these areas. Island South Shore/Atlantic Ocean can be found on the DOH website • at: www.health.ny.gov/fish. •• Rinse with clean water if exposed to a blue-green algae bloom. 2013-2014 Health Advisories for Freshwaters For information about blue-green algae blooms visit and the Hudson River Estuary To minimize potential adverse health impacts, the DOH recommends: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/77118.html •• Eat up to four (one-half pound) meals per month of fish from the http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/fishing.html state’s freshwaters and the Hudson River Estuary, except as recom- mended on pages 68–70. http://www.health.ny.gov/fish •• Follow the advice on eating fish for waters listed on pages 68–70 and their tributaries to the first barrier impassable by fish. Blue-green algae blooms can make the water look like pea soup

K. Schmid with a 10” bluegill she caught and released from Rollins Pond, Franklin County on June 15, 2012.

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 67 Ha e lth Advisories

Women under 50 years of age and children under 15 years of age should not eat any fish from the waters listed below. All others should follow the listed advice. Also, see Special Advice on Lake Erie and Niagara River Above Niagara Falls on Page 70.

Water (County) Species Recommendations Water (County) Species Recommendations Amawalk Reservoir Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month Hall’s Pond (Nassau) Carp and Goldfish Don’t Eat (Westchester) over 16" Herrick Hollow Creek Ashokan Reservoir (Ulster) Smallmouth Bass over 16" & Walleye 1 meal/month Brook Trout 1 meal/month (Delaware) Beaver Lake (Lewis) Chain Pickerel 1 meal/month High Falls Pond (Lewis) Smallmouth Bass over 15" 1 meal/month Beaver River Hinckley Reservoir (Herkimer Chain Pickerel and Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month •between High Falls Dam Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month & Oneida) and Croghan Dam (Lewis) Hoosic River (Rensselaer) Brown Trout over 14" 1 meal/month Big Moose Lake Yellow Perch over 10" and Lake Trout 1 meal/month Hudson River See Table on page 70 (Herkimer & Hamilton)) Indian Lake—Fort Drum Blue Mountain Lake Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass All species 1 meal/month 1 meal/month (Lewis) (Hamilton) over 15" Indian Lake—Town of Indian Bog Brook Reservoir Smallmouth Bass over 15" 1 meal/month Walleye over 21" 1 meal/month Lake (Hamilton) (Putnam) Irondequoit Bay (Monroe) See Lake Ontario Advice Boyd Corners Reservoir Keuka Lake (Yates & Largemouth Bass over 16" & Walleye 1 meal/month Lake Trout over 25" 1 meal/month (Putnam) Steuben) Breakneck Pond (Rockland) Largemouth Bass over 15" 1 meal/month Kinderhook Lake (Columbia) American Eel 1 meal/month Brown Tract Ponds, Upper Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month Kings Flow (Hamilton) Largemouth Bass over 15" 1 meal/month and Lower (Hamilton) over 15" Koppers Pond (Chemung) Carp 1 meal/month Buffalo River/Harbor (Erie) Carp Don’t Eat Lake Capri (Suffolk) American Eel and Carp 1 meal/month Smallmouth Bass over 15" & Chain Canada Lake (Fulton) 1 meal/month Lake Champlain (Whole Lake Trout over 25" and Walleye Pickerel 1 meal/month Lake) over 19" Lake Trout over 23" Don’t Eat Canadice Lake (Ontario) • Bay within Cumberland Follow advice above plus: American Eel 1 meal/month Brown Trout, smaller Lake Trout 1 meal/month Head to Crab Island Cannonsville Reservoir Smallmouth Bass over 15" & Yellow Lake Durant and Rock Pond 1 meal/month Largemouth Bass over 15" 1 meal/month (Delaware) Perch (Hamilton) Carry Falls Reservoir (St. Walleye 1 meal/month Lake Eaton (Hamilton) Yellow Perch over 10", Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month Lawrence) Lake Ontario (Whole Lake) Channel Catfish, Carp, Lake Trout over Don’t Eat Cayuga Creek (Niagara) All species Don’t Eat (note: harvest/possession of 25" and Brown Trout over 20" Chase Lake (Fulton) Yellow Perch over 9" 1 meal/month Niagara River, Lake Ontario Chinook Salmon, Rainbow Trout, White Chenango River Walleye over 22" 1 meal/month and St. Lawrence River Sucker, smaller Lake Trout, smaller 1 meal/month Chodikee Lake (Ulster) Largemouth Bass over 15" 1 meal/month American eel is prohibited Cranberry Lake (St. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass Brown Trout, Coho Salmon over 25" 1 meal/month per NYSDEC Regulations.) Lawrence) over 15" • West of Point Breeze White Perch Don’t Eat Crane Pond (Essex) Smallmouth Bass over 15" 1 meal/month • East of Point Breeze White Perch 1 meal/month Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month Lewey Lake (Westchester) over 16" Smallmouth Bass over 15" 1 meal/month (Hamilton) Dart Lake (Herkimer) Yellow Perch over 10" 1 meal/month Lewiston Reservoir (Niagara) Carp Don’t eat Delaware Park/Hoyt Lake (Erie) Carp 1 meal/month Limekiln Lake Diverting Reservoir (Putnam) Walleye 1 meal/month Yellow Perch over 10" 1 meal/month Dunham Reservoir Walleye Don’t Eat (Hamilton & Herkimer) (Rensselaer) Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month Lincoln Pond (Essex) Largemouth Bass over 15" 1 meal/month (Rensselaer) Largemouth Bass 1 meal/month Loch Sheldrake (Sullivan) Walleye 1 meal/month East Branch Reservoir Loft’s Pond (Nassau) Carp and Goldfish 1 meal/month Walleye 1 meal/month (Putnam) Long Lake (Hamilton) Northern Pike 1 meal/month Effley Falls Pond (Lewis) Chain Pickerel & Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month Long Pond-Croghan (Lewis) SpLake over 12" Don’t Eat Eighteen Mile Creek Lower & Upper Sister Lakes All species Don’t Eat Yellow Perch over 10" Don’t Eat (Niagara) (Hamilton) Lower Saranac Lake Elmer Falls Pond (Lewis) Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month Smallmouth Bass over 15" 1 meal/month Between Lockport (Franklin) Massapequa Reservoir and Niagara River (Erie/ Carp 1 meal/month Carp and White Perch 1 meal/month Niagara) (Nassau) Smallmouth Bass over 15" and Rock Massena Power Canal (St. (Hamilton) 1 meal/month Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month Bass Lawrence) Ferris Lake (Hamilton) Yellow Perch over 10" 1 meal/month Yellow Perch over 12" Don’t Eat Forked Lake (Hamilton) Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month Smaller Yellow Perch 1 meal/month Fourth Lake (Herkimer & Meacham Lake (Franklin) Lake Trout Don’t Eat Hamilton) of Fulton Chain Smallmouth Bass Don’t Eat Francis Lake (Lewis) Chain Pickerel over 20" 1 meal/month Northern Pike 1 meal/month Franklin Falls Flow/ Pond Middle (East) Stoner Lake Walleye Don’t Eat Smallmouth Bass over 15" 1 meal/month (Franklin & Essex) (Fulton & Hamilton) Freeport Reservoir (Nassau) Carp 1 meal/month Mohawk River Fresh Pond, Hither Hills State Largemouth Bass over 15" 1 meal/month • Between Oriskany and Carp Don’t Eat Park (Suffolk) West Canada Creeks Goodyear Lake (Otsego) Walleye over 22" 1 meal/month (Oneida & Herkimer) Largemouth Bass & Tiger Muskellunge 1 meal/month Grant Park Pond (Nassau) Carp 1 meal/month • Between West Canada Creek and Fivemile Carp 1 meal/month Grasse River (St. Lawrence) Dam below Little Falls Mouth to Massena Power All species Don’t Eat (Herkimer) Canal Moshier Reservoir (Herkimer) Yellow Perch & Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month Great Sacandaga Lake Smallmouth Bass & Walleye 1 meal/month Nassau Lake (Rensselaer) All species Don’t Eat (Fulton, Saratoga) Neversink Reservoir Brown Trout over 24" & Smallmouth 1 meal/month Halfmoon Lake (Lewis) Yellow Perch 1 meal/month (Sullivan) Bass Niagara River

8 6 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE Ha e lth Advisories

Women under 50 years of age and children under 15 years of age should not eat any fish from the waters listed below. All others should follow the listed advice. Also, see Special Advice on Lake Erie and Niagara River Above Niagara Falls on Page 70. Water (County) Species Recommendations Water (County) Species Recommendations • Below Niagara Falls Channel Catfish, Carp, Lake Trout over Seneca River (Onondaga) 25", Brown Trout over 20" and White Don’t Eat • Downstream of Lock 24 See Onondaga Lake advisories (note: harvest/possession of Perch Niagara River, Lake Ontario at Baldwinsville Chinook Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Sheldrake River American Eel Don’t Eat and St. Lawrence River Smallmouth Bass, White Sucker, smaller 1 meal/month (Westchester) Goldfish 1 meal/month American eel is prohibited Lake Trout, smaller Brown Trout and Skaneateles Creek (Onondaga) per NYSDEC Regulations.) Coho Salmon over 25" Brown Trout over 10" 1 meal/month North Lake—Town of Ohio • Seneca River to dam at Yellow Perch 1 meal/month (Herkimer) Skaneateles Smith Pond at Rockville North-South Lake (Greene) Largemouth Bass over 15" 1 meal/month White Perch 1 meal/month Centre (Nassau) Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass over 15", Walleye, Carp, Channel Catfish and Don’t Eat Smith Pond at Roosevelt American Eel Don’t Eat Onondaga Lake (Onondaga) White Perch Park (Nassau) Carp and Goldfish 1 meal/month Brown Bullhead and Pumpkinseed 4 meals/month Soft Maple Dam Pond and Rock Bass & Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month All fish not listed 1 meal/month Soft Maple Reservoir (Lewis) Osgood Pond (Franklin) Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month South Pond—Town of Long Oswego River (Oswego) Yellow Perch over 10" 1 meal/month • Oswego power dam to Channel Catfish 1 meal/month Lake (Hamilton) Spring Lake - Middle Island upper dam at Fulton Carp and Goldfish Don’t Eat • Mout h to Oswego Power (Suffolk) See Lake Ontario Advice Dam Spy Lake (Hamilton) Smallmouth Bass over 15" 1 meal/month Pepacton Reservoir Smallmouth Bass over 15", Brown Trout 1 meal/month Stark Falls Reservoir (Delaware) over 24" & Yellow Perch Northern Pike over 26" Don’t eat (St. Lawrence) Pine Lake (Fulton) Largemouth Bass 1 meal/month Stillwater Reservoir Yellow Perch over 9", Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month Polliwog Pond (Franklin) Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month (Herkimer) & Splake Raquette Lake (Hamilton) Largemouth Bass 1 meal/month Chain Pickerel Don’t Eat Red Lake (Jefferson) Walleye 1 meal/month Sunday Lake (Herkimer) Ridders Pond (Nassau) Goldfish Don’t Eat Yellow Perch over 10" 1 meal/month Rio Reservoir Smallmouth Bass over 15" 1 meal/month (Orange & Sullivan) Susquehanna River Walleye over 22" 1 meal/month Rock Pond and Lake Swinging Bridge Reservoir Durant—Town of Indian Lake Largemouth Bass over 15" 1 meal/month Walleye 1 meal/month (Sullivan) (Hamilton) Rollins Pond (Franklin) Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month Threemile Creek (Oneida) White Sucker 1 meal/month Rondout Reservoir (Sullivan Smallmouth Bass over 16" 1 meal/month & Ulster) Titicus Reservoir Round Pond—Town of Long White Perch 1 meal/month Yellow Perch over 12" 1 meal/month (Westchester) Lake (Hamilton) Tupper Lake (Franklin & St. Rushford Lake (Allegany) Walleye 1 meal/month Smallmouth Bass & Walleye 1 meal/month Russian Lake (Hamilton) Yellow Perch over 9" 1 meal/month Lawrence) Sacandaga Lake (Hamilton) Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month Unadilla River Walleye over 22" 1 meal/month St. Lawrence River • Whole river Union Falls Flow/Pond Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Carp, Channel Catfish, Lake Trout over 1 meal/month Don’t Eat (Clinton, Franklin) and Walleye (note: harvest/possession 25", & Brown Trout over 20" of Niagara River, Lake Upper & Lower Sister Lakes Yellow Perch over 10" Don’t Eat Ontario and St. Lawrence Chinook Salmon, Rainbow Trout, White (Hamilton) River American eel is Perch, White Sucker, smaller Lake Trout, 1 meal/month prohibited per NYSDEC smaller Brown Trout and Coho Salmon Upper Chateaugay Lake Smallmouth Bass over 15" 1 meal/month Regulations.) over 25" (Clinton) • Ba y and cove east of S. Channel Bridge, near Upper Twin Pond (Nassau) American Eel & Carp 1 meal/month All species Don’t Eat St. Lawrence/ Franklin Co. line Valatie Kill Salmon River (Oswego) • Between County Rt. All species Don’t Eat 18 and Nassau Lake • Mout h to Salmon River Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month Reservoir (also see Lake (Rensselaer) Ontario advice) • Between Nassau Lake Salmon River Reservoir American Eel, Bluegill and Redbreasted Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month and Kinderhook Lake 1 meal/month (Oswego) Sunfish (Rensselaer & Columbia) Sand Lake—Town of Arietta Chain Pickerel 1 meal/month (Hamilton) Weller Pond (Franklin) Northern Pike 1 meal/month Sauquoit Creek (Oneida) Mohawk River to Old Silk Mill Brown Trout Don’t Eat West Branch Reservoir Dam (near New Hartford/ Walleye 1 meal/month Paris town line) (Putnam) (Westchester) American Eel 1 meal/month Smallmouth Bass over 15" & Walleye Whitney Park Pond (Nassau) Carp and Goldfish 1 meal/month Don’t Eat Schoharie Reservoir over 18" (Delaware, Greene and Smaller Smallmouth Bass & smaller Schoharie) 1 meal/month Willis Lake (Hamilton) Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month Walleye Schroon Lake (Warren and Lake Trout over 27", Yellow Perch over 1 meal/month Essex) 13" and Smallmouth Bass over 15" Woods Lake (Hamilton) Smallmouth Bass over 15" 1 meal/month

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 69 Ha e lth Advisories

A dditional Advice for Women and Children Eating 6. When cooking sportfish, use cooking Fish from Adirondack and Catskill Waters methods (broiling, grilling and baking) Certain larger, older fish in the Adirondack and Catskill Mountain regions often contain relatively which allow contaminants from the fatty high levels of mercury in their flesh. Because of this, children under 15 and women under 50 portions of fish to drain out. Pan-frying is not should NOT EAT yellow perch longer than 10", northern pike, pickerel, walleye, largemouth bass recommended. The cooking liquids and fat drippings of fish should be discarded since or smallmouth bass from all Adirondack and Catskill region waters. The statewide advisory to these liquids may contain contaminants. eat up to four meals per month applies for yellow perch less than 10", brook, brown and rainbow trout, bullhead, bluegill/sunfish, rock bass, crappie and other fish because these fish tend to 7. Do not eat the soft “green stuff” (mustard, have lower mercury levels. Children under 15 and women under 50 should NOT EAT fish from tomalley, liver or hepatopancreas) found in any waters listed on pages 68-69, including those in the Catskill and Adirondack regions. the body section of crab and lobster. This tissue can contain high levels of chemical Fish Advisories for the Hudson River contaminants, including PCBs, dioxin and Women under 50 years of age and children under 15 should not eat any fish from the Hudson River downstream of the Corinth Dam. heavy metals. All others should follow the advice listed below. 8. Anglers who want to enjoy the fun of fish- Eat up to one Eat up to four ing but who wish to eliminate the potential Location (chemicals of concern) Don’t Eat (1/2 pound) meal (1/2 pound) meals risks associated with eating contaminated per month per month sportfish may want to consider “catch and release” fishing. Corinth Dam to Dam at Route 9 Bridge Smallmouth Bass over 14" All other fish species in South Glens Falls (mercury and PCBs) and Carp 9. Space out your fish meals so you don’t get too much exposure to chemicals at any Dam at Route 9 Bridge in South Glens All fish species given time. This is particularly important Falls to Bakers Falls (PCBs) for women and young children. Catch and release fishing only per NYS Department of Environmental 10. Bacteria, viruses or parasites may be in or Bakers Falls to Troy Dam (PCBs) Conservation regulations. on fish. Keep harvested fish cold. Wear Take no fish. Eat no fish. protective gloves when gutting, skinning Alewife, Blueback Herring, Troy Dam south to Rip Van Winkle All fish species except those and filleting. Wash hands and surfaces Rock Bass and Bridge at Catskill (PCBs) listed at right often when preparing fish, and keep raw Yellow Perch foods separate. Cook fish and shellfish South of at Catskill Atlantic Needlefish, Bluefish, (PCBs in fish and cadmium, dioxin and PCBs Brown Bullhead, Carp, thoroughly before eating. Channel catfish, Gizzard shad, All other fish species in crabs) Goldfish, Largemouth Bass, White catfish, Crab hepatopan- Blue crab meat* Rainbow Smelt, Smallmouth (note: harvest/possession of Hudson River creas and crab cooking liquid* D eformed or Abnormal Fish American eel for food and American shad is Bass, Striped Bass, Walleye, (six crabs per meal) prohibited per NYSDEC regulations) White Perch The health implications of eating deformed or abnormal fish are unknown. Any obviously * The hepatopancreas (“the green stuff” also known as mustard, tomalley, liver) found in the body section of crabs and lobsters should diseased fish (marked by tumors, lesions or other not be eaten because it has high contaminant levels. Because contaminants are transferred to cooking liquid, crab or lobster cooking abnormal condition of the fish skin, meat or liquid should also be discarded (Contaminants – cadmium, dioxin, PCBs) internal organs) should be discarded.

A dditional Advice Botulism in Fish and Waterfowl In recent years, large numbers of some species A dvisories for Lake Erie and the Niagara River Above Niagara Falls of Lake Erie fish and waterfowl have been found Advice for Men Over 15 Advice for Women Under 50 dead, sick and dying, many of them as a result Fish species & Women over 50 & Children Under 15 of botulism poisoning. The botulism poison is Rock bass, Yellow perch, Burbot Eat up to 4 meals/month Eat up to 4 meals/month produced by Clostridium botulinum, a bacte- Carp, Channel catfish Eat up to 1 meal/month Don’t eat rium which is common in the environment and All Other Fish Eat up to 4 meals/month Eat up to 1 meal/month can produce harmful levels of botulism poison under certain environmental conditions. This T ips for Healthier Eating poison has been found in some of the affected fish and waterfowl. The botulism poison can 1. Choose sportfish from waterbodies that are not listed on pages 68 through 70 and cause illness and death if consumed by humans follow the advice in this guide. or animals. Cooking may not destroy the botu- 2. When deciding which sportfish to eat, choose smaller fish, consistent with DEC regulations, lism poison. This problem may also occur in within a species since they may have lower contaminant levels. Older (larger) fish within other waters, and we don’t know whether all a species may be more contaminated because they have had more time to accumulate or only some fish and waterfowl species can contaminants in their bodies. be affected. 3. To reduce exposures to mercury, avoid or eat less largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern No human cases of botulism poisoning pike, pickerel, walleye and larger yellow perch (e.g., longer than 10 inches) because these fish have been linked to these events. However, tend to have higher mercury levels. as a precaution, do not eat any fish or game if they are found dead or dying, act abnormally 4. To reduce exposures to PCBs, dioxin, mirex, DDT, chlordane and dieldrin, avoid or eat less or seem sick. If you must handle dead or dying American eel, bluefish, carp, chinook and coho salmon, lake trout, striped bass, weakfish, fish, birds or other animals, cover your hands white and channel catfish, and white perch, because these fish tend to have higher levels of with disposable rubber or plastic protective these contaminants. gloves or a plastic bag. 5. When preparing sportfish, use a method of filleting the fish that will remove the skin, fatty material and dark meat. These parts of the fish contain many of the contaminants.

0 7 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE Ha e lth Advisories

G ood Sanitary Practices— A dditional Information Bacteria, Viruses and To receive an updated, complete version of Parasites in Fish & Game the advisories, or for more DOH information Fish and game and other meats can be contami- on health effects from exposure to chemical nated with bacteria, viruses or parasites that contaminants, contact: can cause illness. You should harvest fish and •E• nvironmental Health Information, call game that act and look healthy, and follow good 518-402-7820 or 800-458-1158. Leave your sanitary practices when preparing them. We name, number and a brief message and recommend that you wear rubber or plastic your call will be returned. protective gloves while filleting, field dressing, •• The complete updated advisories are skinning or butchering. We also recommend available from the internet at: www.health. that you remove intestines soon after harvest, ny.gov/fish don’t eat intestines and avoid direct contact with intestinal contents. Hands, utensils and •Y• ou can also request these updates by work surfaces should be washed before and e-mail: [email protected] after handling any raw food, including fish and •F• or more DEC information on contami- game meat. Fish and game should be kept cool nant levels in sportfish, contact: (with ice or refrigerated below 45º F or 7º C) Bureau of Habitat until filleted or butchered, and then should be 625 Broadway refrigerated or frozen. Some hunters prefer to Albany, New York 12233-4756 hang big game for several days before butcher- Telephone: 518-402-8920 ing; this should not be done unless the game can be kept at temperatures consistently below 45º F. Fish and other seafood should be cooked to an internal temperature (in the thickest part) of 140º F (60º C); game birds and other types of wild game meat should be cooked to an internal temperature (in the thickest part) of 165º F (74º C).

Linda Masi

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 71 E nvironmental Conservation Officers

New York State has about 300 Environmental Albany Supervisor - Lt. W. Powell...... (716) 851-7050 Conservation Officers and Investigators patrol- ECO L. Billotto...... (518) 505-4029 Supervisor - Lt. J. Schultz...... (716) 851-7050 ECO K. Bush...... (518) 813-6805 ling an average of over 400 square miles each. ECO K. Swan...... (518) 869-5237 Essex With such large patrol areas, the assistance of Supervisor - Lt...... (518) 357-2047 ECO J. Blades...... (518) 335-5201 the public is essential to the effective enforce- ECO T. Chase...... (518) 708-1217 Allegany ment of Environmental Conservation Law. If ECO J. Cole...... (518) 335-5801 ECO K. Basile...... (585) 403-2447 Supervisor - Lt. H. Barber...... (518) 897-1326 you observe someone violating Environmental ECO R. Calanni...... (585) 403-2437 Conservation Law, or see the results of a viola- Supervisor - Lt. W. Powell...... (716) 851-7050 Franklin tion, REPORT IT! Poachers and polluters are ECO J. Cranker...... (518) 708-1220 Bronx thieves, stealing from you, our fellow anglers ECO J. Hovey...... (518) 637-5694 ECO M. Clemens...... (718) 829-2827 ECO K. Riggs...... (518) 335-3558 and future generations. Those who pollute our ECO E. Dowling...... (845) 623-3767 Supervisor - Lt...... (518) 897-1326 air or water, destroy our environment, or ignore ECO N. Favreau...... (646) 294-7170 fish and wildlife laws are criminals. ECO J. Woodin...... (646) 542-4299 Fulton Supervisor - Lt. R. Peinkofer...... (718) 482-4885 ECO S. Manns...... (518) 708-1168 ECO N. Mead...... (518) 844-7210 How to contact an Environmental Broome Supervisor - Lt. J. Ellithorpe...... (518) 897-1326 Conservation Officer ECO A. Mccormick...... (607) 621-3464 ECO E. Templeton...... (607) 621-3255 Genesee Call 1-877-457-5680. You will have a choice of Supervisor - Lt. T. Lutz...... (315) 426-7431 ECO R. Rauscher...... (585) 300-7715 being connected to a dispatcher or leaving a voice ECO G. Wilson...... (585) 683-0773 mail message. To give confidential information Cattaraugus Supervisor - Lt. J. Verhague...... (585) 226-6866 concerning significant illegal activities, you may ECO T. Hansen...... (716) 997-9795 ECO R. Nosal...... (716) 532-0461 Greene also call 1-800-TIPP-DEC to speak to a dispatcher. ECO N. Verhague...... (716) 771-8266 ECO M. Arp...... (518) 966-5357 Supervisor - Lt. D. Pleakis...... (716) 851-7050 ECO S. Dewey...... (518) 653-3077 How to report a violation ECO A. Glorioso...... (518) 755-9242 Cayuga Supervisor - Lt. K. Beiter...... (518) 357-2047 If you observe someone violating Environmen- ECO M. Colesante...... (315) 567-1835 tal Conservation Law or see the results of a ECO C. Nielsen...... (315) 253-7689 Hamilton violation, follow these procedures to report it: ECO S. Sincebaugh...... (315) 253-8534 ECO P. Buswell...... (518) 335-5013 Supervisor - Lt. D. Mcshane...... (315) 426-7431 ECO K. Kelly...... (315) 804-9435 •• When a violation is observed, keep a ECO S. Pierce...... (518) 866-4723 distance from the violator. Chautauqua Supervisor - Lt. J. Ellithorpe...... (518) 897-1326 Do not approach or attempt to confront ECO K. Budniewski...... (716) 401-1163 ECO D. Dougherty...... (716) 316-5607 Herkimer the suspects. They may be dangerous, ECO C. Freeman...... (716) 490-3947 ECO J. Kerns...... (315) 489-3346 could destroy evidence, or simply evade ECO J. Kinney...... (716) 401-1187 ECO D. Lucas...... (315) 823-4071 officers if forewarned. Supervisor - Lt. D. Pleakis...... (716) 851-7050 ECO R. Ritzel...... (315) 489-3907 ECO C. Schoonover...... (315) 269-6646 Chemung •• Write everything down. Supervisor - Lt. M. Jacoby...... (315) 785-2231 ECO T. Dragotta...... (607) 331-7458 Supervisor - Lt. B. Hummel...... (315) 785-2231 Make notes on what the violators are doing. ECO J. Lifrieri...... (607) 644-3815 How many people are involved? What Supervisor - Lt. P. Barton...... (585) 226-6866 Jefferson exactly have you observed? ECO S. Bartoszewski...... (315) 489-6984 Chenango ECO J. Murphy...... (315) 542-4293 •• What did they look like? ECO B. Armstrong...... (607) 895-6515 ECO T. Wensley...... (315) 489-9803 ECO J. P. Powers...... (607) 423-2971 ECO T. Worden...... (315) 778-9279 Determine and record identifying features Supervisor - Lt. K. Warner...... (315) 426-7431 Supervisor - Lt...... (315) 785-2231 such as age, sex, height, weight, hair color and any other marks that would aid in Clinton Kings identifying the person(s). ECO M. Lacroix...... (518) 335-5422 ECO M. Baker...... (718) 987-5094 ECO D. Malone...... (518) 643-8172 ECO G. Maneeley...... (718) 668-0276 Supervisor - Lt...... (518) 897-1326 ECO M. Nichols...... (646) 542-4313 •• How were they dressed? ECO J. Okonuk...... (914) 375-0748 Note the type and color of the suspects Columbia Supervisor - Lt. L. Bobseine...... (718) 482-4885 hat, coat, pants and shoes or boots. ECO P. Brinkerhoff...... (518) 505-4157 ECO J. Cox...... (518) 794-8935 Lewis •• What kind of vehicle was involved? Supervisor - Lt. J. Hays...... (518) 357-2047 ECO F. Fuerch...... (315) 542-4290 ECO S. Hutton...... (315) 767-5232 Jot down license numbers, color, make, Cortland ECO J. Murphy...... (315) 542-4293 model, year and any other distinguishing ECO T. Fernandes...... (607) 836-6595 ECO E. Roderick...... (315) 489-3269 characteristics to help authorities track Supervisor - Lt. K. Warner...... (315) 426-7431 ECO T. Worden...... (315) 778-9279 Supervisor - Lt. B. Hummel...... (315) 785-2231 down the violator. Delaware ECO V. Bauer...... (845) 586-3079 Livingston ECO N. Doig...... (607) 267-5452 ECO B. Wade...... (585) 303-0065 ECO G. Wilber Iii...... (607) 267-5479 ECO C. Ward...... (585) 303-0098 Supervisor - Lt. K. Beiter...... (518) 357-2047 Supervisor - Lt. J. Verhague...... (585) 226-6866 Dutchess Madison ECO R. Hodor Jr...... (845) 483-9672 ECO H. Chase...... (315) 662-3412 ECO D. Read Iii...... (845) 240-6758 ECO C. Childs...... (315) 254-0657 ECO B. Whalen...... (914) 589-5759 Supervisor - Lt. K. Warner...... (315) 426-7431 Supervisor - Lt. D. Clayton...... (845) 256-3013 Monroe Erie ECO E. Haag...... (585) 414-0611 ECO C. Gill...... (716) 908-5051 ECO J. Lutz...... (585) 303-1506 ECO S. Marshall...... (716) 537-2464 ECO B. Shea...... (585) 576-5678 ECO M. Mazurkiewicz...... (716) 537-2533 ECO E. Snowdon...... (585) 683-6758 ECO A. C. Wilson...... (716) 675-1095 Supervisor - Lt. M. Lochner...... (585) 226-6866

2 7 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE E nvironmental Conservation Officers

Mong t omery Rensselaer Tioga ECO C. Valenty...... (518) 505-4104 ECO B. Canzeri...... (518) 270-5035 ECO S. Winnick Iii...... (607) 245-9751 Supervisor - Lt...... (518) 357-2047 ECO R. Fetterman...... (518) 925-5549 Supervisor - Lt. T. Lutz...... (315) 426-7431 Supervisor - Lt. J. Hays...... (518) 357-2047 Nassau Tompkins ECO D. Ferraro...... (516) 826-0832 Richmond ECO O. Eisenberg...... (607) 564-9458 ECO M. Unger...... (516) 328-0579 ECO A. Brassard...... (718) 979-0610 Supervisor - Lt. T. Lutz...... (315) 426-7431 Supervisor - Lt. T. Gadomski...... (631) 444-0250 Supervisor - Lt. B. Rivers...... (718) 482-4885 Ulster New York Rockland ECO B. Gillis...... (845) 687-9350 ECO D. Dainack...... (718) 979-0696 ECO D. Galvin...... (845) 638-0979 ECO C. Stephens Jr...... (845) 430-8541 ECO T. Machnica...... (845) 429-5141 ECO K. Shephard...... (845) 784-6045 ECO M. Schillinger...... (845) 246-8002 Supervisor - Lt. B. Rivers...... (718) 482-4885 Supervisor - Lt. M. Townley...... (845) 256-3013 Supervisor - Lt. D. Clayton...... (845) 256-3013 Supervisor - Lt. D. Lindsley...... (845) 256-3013 Niagara Saratoga ECO J. Powers...... (716) 433-1432 ECO R. Higgins...... (518) 860-8677 Warren ECO J. Rogers...... (716) 773-0984 ECO M. Klein...... (518) 892-9402 ECO S. Delarosa...... (518) 527-1101 ECO R. Thompson...... (716) 433-3369 ECO S. Shaw...... (518) 860-8675 ECO L. Gerrain...... (518) 925-5560 Supervisor - Lt. J. Schultz...... (716) 851-7050 Supervisor - Lt. C. Ruckert...... (518) 897-1326 ECO G. Lapoint...... (518) 793-3767 Supervisor - Lt. H. Barber...... (518) 897-1326 Oneida Schenectady ECO V. Fonda...... (315) 489-4224 ECO C. Valenty...... (518) 505-4104 Washington ECO R. Grisolini...... (315) 240-6966 Supervisor - Lt...... (518) 357-2047 ECO J. Dempster...... (518) 692-9973 ECO J. Kerns...... (315) 489-3346 ECO S. Gonyeau...... (518) 567-2104 ECO S. Lakeman...... (315) 734-0648 Schoharie Supervisor - Lt. C. Ruckert...... (518) 897-1326 ECO R. Ritzel...... (315) 489-3907 ECO K. Isles...... (518) 339-6110 Supervisor - Lt. M. Jacoby...... (315) 785-2231 ECO M. Terrell...... (518) 827-7754 Wayne Supervisor - Lt. B. Hummel...... (315) 785-2231 Supervisor - Lt. T. Harrington..... (518) 357-2047 ECO E. Dalecki...... (315) 489-3422 ECO T. Smith...... (315) 745-9371 Onondaga Schuyler Supervisor - Lt. M. Lochner...... (585) 226-6866 ECO R. Head...... (315) 673-3067 Supervisor - Lt. P. Barton...... (585) 226-6866 ECO P. Sherman...... (315) 484-9678 Westchester ECO C. Starczek...... (315) 445-2061 Seneca ECO J. Curinga...... (845) 612-6099 ECO S. Yacavone...... (315) 487-4401 ECO S. Angotti...... (315) 568-5370 ECO J. Davey...... (845) 787-7025 Supervisor - Lt. D. Mcshane...... (315) 426-7431 ECO K. Levanway...... (607) 339-6796 ECO K. Manners...... (845) 265-2165 Supervisor - Lt...... (585) 226-6866 ECO A. Markey...... (845) 424-3281 Ontario ECO B. Toth...... (845) 424-3073 ECO D. Malloy...... (585) 905-7404 St. Lawrence Supervisor - Lt. M. Filmer...... (845) 256-3013 ECO J. Stansfield...... (315) 986-9438 ECO S. Atwood...... (315) 262-2304 Supervisor - Lt...... (585) 226-6866 ECO T. Basford...... (315) 265-2757 Wyoming ECO B. Canary...... (315) 489-3180 ECO J. Hunt...... (716) 628-3488 Orange ECO J. Munn...... (315) 842-2854 ECO R. Ward Jr...... (585) 919-4465 ECO M. Buckley...... (845) 236-7684 ECO J. Ryan...... (315) 322-5106 Supervisor - Lt. W. Powell...... (716) 851-7050 ECO D. Galvin...... (845) 638-0979 ECO J. Schneller...... (315) 566-9258 ECO A. Gordon...... (845) 662-5787 ECO M. Sherry...... (315) 566-9574 Yates ECO K. Shephard...... (845) 784-6045 Supervisor - Lt. G. Steele...... (315) 785-2231 ECO P. Blanton...... (585) 694-4077 Supervisor - Lt. M. Townley...... (845) 256-3013 ECO J. Crain...... (315) 775-7168 Steuben Supervisor - Lt...... (585) 226-6866 Orleans ECO S. Farrand...... (607) 331-7549 ECO P. Kroth...... (585) 682-7791 ECO E. Stull...... (607) 331-6468 Supervisor - Lt. J. Verhague...... (585) 226-6866 Supervisor - Lt. P. Barton...... (585) 226-6866 Oswego Suffolk ECO W. Burnell...... (315) 676-5387 ECO D. Damrath...... (516) 204-6623 ECO M. Dorrett...... (315) 625-4129 ECO J. Eastwood...... (631) 874-3132 ECO S. Dussault...... (315) 963-1008 ECO T. Fay...... (631) 447-0959 ECO M. Harger...... (315) 383-1766 ECO K. Grady...... (631) 744-2507 ECO A. Panipinto...... (315) 623-7657 ECO M. Krug...... (631) 813-0846 Supervisor - Lt. J. Reitmeier...... (315) 426-7431 ECO C. Lagree...... (631) 205-0470 ECO A. Lawston...... (631) 325-8569 Otsego ECO D. Oliver...... (631) 205-0649 ECO T. Card...... (607) 267-9547 ECO M. Simmons...... (631) 874-2591 ECO M. Vencak...... (607) 397-1823 ECO J. Sulkey...... (516) 881-6548 ECO K. Zurmuhlen...... (607) 267-5444 ECO J. Wolgast...... (631) 820-1521 Supervisor - Lt. T. Harrington..... (518) 357-2047 Supervisor - Lt. D. Bengel...... (631) 444-0250 Supervisor - Lt. M. Blaising...... (631) 444-0250 Putnam Supervisor - Lt. F. Carbone...... (631) 444-0250 ECO J. Curinga...... (845) 612-6099 ECO J. Davey...... (845) 787-7025 Sullivan ECO K. Manners...... (845) 265-2165 ECO M. Bello...... (845) 665-5489 ECO A. Markey...... (845) 424-3281 ECO R. Wood...... (845) 665-5637 ECO B. Toth...... (845) 424-3073 Supervisor - Lt. D. Lindsley...... (845) 256-3013 Supervisor - Lt. M. Filmer...... (845) 256-3013 Queens ECO C. Lattimer...... (718) 424-3628 ECO D. Lum...... (718) 956-6460 ECO S. Mathis...... (646) 542-4305 MARINE ENFORCEMENT UNIT Supervisor - Lt. R. Peinkofer...... (718) 482-4885 ECO B. FARRISH...... (516) 351-8601 ECO K. THOMAS...... (646) 294-7153 ECO R. MAGGIO...... (516) 779-9361 ECO B. WILSON...... (646) 542-4297 ECO S. REILLY...... (516) 779-9358 SECO J. BILLOTTO...... (631) 444-0851

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 73 Co ldWater SportFish of New york

BROOK TROUT B ROWN TROUT RANBOI W SMELT Spots on tail Red/orange spots restricted to Adipose fin Worm-like markings Bright/red (pale halos around upper edge Large mouth orange spots dark spots)

Upper jaw extends Nearly square tail Leading white edge Past the eye ATLANTIC SALMON Few spots on back RANBOI W TROUT Spots on dorsal fin, LAKE TROUT and sides tail and back

Slightly forked tail Light spots on Forked tail Upper jaw extends Pink line dark background to edge of eye

C OHO SAlmON* C HINOOK SALMON* Spots on dorsal fin Spots on dorsal and entire tail fin and upper lobe of tail

Black mouth with Black mouth white gums

* Pacific salmon (Coho and Chinook Salmon) are characterized by an anal fin that is longer along the body than it is away from the body

74 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE Warmwater SportFish of New york

LARGEMOUTH BASS S MallmOUTH BASS B LLuegIL Deep notch Shallow notch Dusky spot at rear of dorsal fin

Upper jaw extends Dark horizontal band Upper jaw does not Bluish gill cover Faint vertical past eye extend past eye dark bars

WALLEYE Y EllOW PERCH PUMPKNS I EED Two separate Red spot on Two separate Black spot at rear of dorsal fins gill cover dorsal fins edge of first dorsal fin

Wavy turquoise Canine teeth bands on sides of Dark vertical bars head and cheek on yellow sides

NOT R HERN PIKE C HAIN PICKEREL RKSOC BAS Light spots on a Chain-like markings Irregular blotches dark background on sides on upper half Red eye

T. Knepp /USFWS Dark vertical bar under eye

Faint horizontal lines on lower half

Cheek and upper half of Cheek and gill cover gill cover scaled fully scaled 5 or fewer pores on underside of jaw

MU SKelluNGE T IGer MUSKELLUNGE B Lack CRAPPIE 7 or 8 dorsal spines Irregular vertical bars on Dark vertical bars on A light background light background Curved Snout B

Flat, diamond Dark mottled shaped body patches

Note: White crappie (not shown) can be similar in coloration to black crappie. They can best be told apart by comparing the distance from the eye to the front of the dorsal fin (A) with the length of the base of the dorsal fin (B). In white crappie, B is significantly shorter than A, Upper half of cheek and 6 to 9 pores on 5 to 8 pores on Cheek and upper half of while the lengths are pretty much equal in black crappie. gill cover scaled underside of jaw underside of jaw gill cover scaled Black crappie also have 7-8 dorsal spines, while white crappie usually have 6 (rarely 7).

B ROWN BULLHEAD CNLHAN E CATFISH

Dark barbels Square tail Dark barbels Forked tail, less noticeable under chin under chin in larger fish

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 75 P ublic Fishing Rights

L andowner Benefits: •• Landowners receive a payment based on a rate per bank-mile or proportionate part of a mile that is owned. (Rates vary on different waters.) •• Extra money is given if a footpath easement or parking area is acquired. Footpaths are for crossing a landowner’s property from a road to the water at a specified location. For more information, contact your regional fisheries manager (see Special Regulations by County pages) or visit: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7746.html

P FR Location Maps Public Fishing Rights locator maps have been completed for most of New York. For a listing of available maps, visit www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9924.html Yellow public fishing stream signs will help you know you have legal access to the stream.

Fishing is a timeless tradition enjoyed by millions of people of all ages, and New York State has some of the finest fishing waters in the nation. Didymo Alert Many of these waters, however, can be difficult to access because they Didymo (Didymosphenia are privately owned. Since 1935, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has worked with private landowners to ensure geminata), also known as access to these prime fishing waters. During that time, nearly 1,300 “rock snot,” is a non-native miles of public fishing rights (PFR) easements have been purchased invasive algae that can form on over 400 streams across the state. The landowners participating thick brown mats in coldwater in this worthwhile program are the key to its success, and the reason streams. Heavy growths of that our children will be able to continue enjoying fishing. As an didymo may choke out insects owner of land along one of the state’s waterways, you may qualify to and other aquatic organisms, participate in and receive the benefits of this program. negatively impacting species P ublic Fishing Rights: such as trout that depend on these organisms for food. •• Are permanent easements along game fish streams that allow the public to wade and walk along the streambed and banks for the Long strands of didymo can purpose of fishing, and for no other activity. also make fishing difficult as it tends to foul flies, lures and leaders. Since its first discovery •• Are granted voluntarily to the people of the State of New York by owners of private land. The landowner continues to own the land in New York in the Batten Kill (Washington County), didymo affected by the limited fishing rights easement. has now been confirmed in the Delaware River system, Esopus Creek, and most recently, in Kayaderosserras Creek •• Are permanent easements which will apply to all future owners of the property. The easement gives DEC the right, when funds are in Saratoga County. Didymo can be easily spread from water available, to do stream improvement work (such as planting trees to water by anglers, kayakers, tubers and other stream users or shrubs), if needed, to protect and stabilize stream banks. that do not follow proper cleaning, drying and/or disinfec- tion procedures. Waders and wading shoes are considered to •• Usually consist of a 33-foot strip of land along each bank or along one bank if that is all the landowner owns. Foot path rights-of-way may also be a primary transport mechanism for didymo, particularly be included, especially if a parking area is also purchased. those with felt soles. Anglers are encouraged to use cleated, non-felt soles that are much less likely to transport didymo •• Do not interfere with the landowner’s use of the property for farming, grazing, water supply and fishing. Landowners may fence and easier to clean and disinfect. If you cannot throughly dry the land, plow it, cut trees, or otherwise improve it. Landowners your equipment for at least 48 hrs, please disinfect it before may also post their property against hunting or any other type of using it in another water. Household disinfectants such as trespass except fishing. Fantastik® and Formula 409® are effective in disinfecting •• Place no obligation on the owner to keep their lands safe for entry fishing and boating equipment. or use by anglers or for acts of such persons (see Section 9-103 of For further information on disinfection procedures General Obligations Law). see page 2. •• Follow the natural course of the stream even if it should change its course, as long as it remains on the landowner’s property.

76 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE Catch Release

lthough a fresh fish dinner can be the climax of a great 9. Fish caught in deep water may be injured by rapid pressure fishing trip, more and more anglers& have come to real- change and may suffer from an expanded swim bladder. To A ize that quality fish populations can only be maintained minimize these problems, a moderate retrieve rate should if catch and release angling is practiced. This is particularly the be employed to ensure that the fish has an opportunity to case for large gamefish that are typically rare in a population and adjust to the change in pressure. Depending on the fish usually take an extended time to grow to a quality size. With the species, there are techniques that may be helpful if your fish advent of fiberglass fish mounts, it is no longer necessary to kill suffers from an expanded swim bladder that prevents it from a trophy to get it mounted. Before releasing your trophy, take swimming properly. Go to www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9224.html a photograph of it and measure its length and girth. Take this for a discussion of these techniques. information to a taxidermist and they can produce an accurate, long-lasting replica of your catch. To ensure that the fish that 10. Avoid catch and release fishing for thermally stressed trout you release have the best chance of survival, please follow these because many of these fish will die after they are released. guidelines: 1. Quickly play and land the fish that you catch. Using light tackle is challenging to the angler, but can result in an Release Guidelines for exhausted fish that may not be able to recover. Pike & Pickerel All members of the pike family tend to be very intolerant of 2. Have the necessary tools in convenient reach, so that you handling. Please follow the following guidelines to reduce can rapidly remove the hook. the stress on the fish you catch: Minimize the length of time that the fish is out of the water. 3. •• Never play your fish to exhaustion. Handle and unhook the fish in the water. •• If at all possible, do not remove your fish from the water. 4. Avoid contact with the gills. Do not squeeze the fish or Release your fish in the water where its body is handle by the eye-sockets. Minimize a fish’s contact with supported. dry surfaces. Wet hands before handling to avoid removal •• Never hold a fish by the eye sockets or gills. of the fish’s protective slime coat. •• If you intend to release your fish, never hold it vertically 5. Anglers catching large members of the pike family should as this can put unnecessary strain on body tissues and remember to always hold the fish horizontally (preferably vertebrae that can lead to its death. If you must hold in the water). When fish with long bodies such as these are it out of the water, hold it horizontally with one hand held vertically, the weight of their internal organs can cause cradling its belly. them to shift to the rear of their bodies, often resulting in •• Remember—chain pickerel, northern pike, muskellunge irreparable harm. and tiger muskellunge can all grow to record proportions 6. Do not jerk hooks out of a deeply hooked fish. Instead, cut in New York waters, but only if you release the interme- the leader close to the eye of the hook. diate size fish that you catch. 7. Consider using barbless or circle hooks. Circle hooks, when used properly, usually ensure that the fish is hooked in the mouth and are particularly good for fishing with bait. 8. Avoid culling fish. Anglers keeping fish in livewells should be sure to keep oxygen levels high and water temperatures below 75°F. Additional information on avoiding fish injury in livewells and at tournaments can be found at http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/conservation

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 77 and egg collection on Chautauqua Lake, and in some years, other waters. Pond-reared walleye fingerlings are also grown at this hatchery. Total production is 3,300 pounds annually. Oneida Hatchery is located in the Village of Constantia in Oswego County, on the north shore of Oneida Lake. The hatchery was reconstructed in 1992. The rearing program is focused on walleye, and includes egg collections from Oneida Lake (200-300 million eggs/year), and stocking of millions of walleye fry and up to 220,000 advanced walleye fingerlings (four to six inches). Experimental culture of rare or threatened fishes, such as round whitefish, lake sturgeon and paddlefish, also occurs here. Annual fish production is about 6,000 pounds. R andolph Hatchery is located in the Village of Randolph in Catta- raugus County. This is a major brood stock facility which annually handles five to six million brook, brown and rainbow trout eggs. Annual production totals almost 100,000 pounds of fish. R ome Hatchery is located in Oneida County about four miles north of DEC the City of Rome. The hatchery is one of DEC’s largest, with annual production totaling nearly 160,000 pounds of brook, rainbow and brown trout. Hatchery staff play a major role in providing fish for Fish Hatcheries airplane and helicopter stocking of remote waters. R ome Fish Disease Control Center, also known as Rome Lab, is DEC operates 12 fish hatcheries and one fish pathology laboratory. located on Rome Hatchery property. Staff maintain brood stock of Numerous fish species are reared for stocking into more than disease-resistant strains of brook and brown trout, and maintain a 1,200 public waters across the state. Annual production averages laboratory where research activities and disease diagnosis can be 900,000-1 million pounds of fish. All hatcheries are open to the conducted. Staff are heavily involved in testing numerous stocks of public from spring through fall, and several are open year-round. cultured and wild fish for the presence of parasites and pathogens. A dirondack Hatchery is located about 12 miles from the Village Salmon River Hatchery, located in the Village of Altmar in Oswego of Saranac Lake in Franklin County. This facility specializes in County, is the mainstay of DEC’s stocking program for Lake Ontario rearing landlocked Atlantic salmon for statewide distribution. and Lake Erie. The hatchery attracts up to 500,000 visitors annually, Annual production averages 30,000 pounds of salmon, with many of whom come to watch egg collections from steelhead, coho most fish stocked as yearling smolts (six inches long) or as small salmon and chinook salmon returning to the hatchery. Annual fingerlings in the spring. fish production totals 120,000 pounds. Bath Hatchery is located one mile from the Village of Bath in Steuben South Otselic Hatchery is located in Chenango County in the Village County. The hatchery rears lake trout, brown trout and rainbow of South Otselic. The hatchery rears the entire statewide supply trout. All of the lake trout and many of the rainbow trout reared of tiger muskellunge, produces pond-reared walleye fingerlings, here are obtained from fish collected from Cayuga Lake. Annual and rears small lots of wild, heritage-strain brook trout. Annual production of all species is about 86,000 pounds. production is 15,000 pounds of fish. C aledonia Hatchery, located in Livingston County in the Village of V anHornesville Hatchery is located in southern Herkimer County in Caledonia, is the oldest hatchery in New York State and the Western the Village of VanHornesville. The hatchery raises rainbow trout, ■ Hemisphere. Caledonia Hatchery rears brown trout and rainbow with production totaling about 30,000 pounds. trout. Virtually all of the two-year-old brown trout used in DEC’s stocking program for 13 to 15-inch trout are produced at Caledonia Hatchery. Annual production is approximately 170,000 pounds. C atskill Hatchery is located in Sullivan County near the Village of Livingston Manor and near two of New York State’s fabled trout streams, the Beaver Kill and Willowemoc Creek. This facility specializes in rearing brown trout and it maintains a brood stock capable of producing two million eggs. About 115,000 pounds of brown trout are produced annually. C hateaugay Hatchery is located near the Village of Chateaugay in northern Franklin County. This facility has a very diverse rearing program which includes Raquette Lake-strain lake trout, brown trout, rainbow trout and brook trout, including the Temiscamie x domestic hybrid used extensively in Adirondack Mountain lakes and ponds. Annual production is approximately 90,000 pounds. C hautauqua Hatchery is located near the Village of Mayville in Chautauqua County. This is the only DEC hatchery currently raising pure-strain muskellunge, which are obtained from netting

78 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE DEC Fish Hatchery System Update

The goal of New York’s fish culture program is to operate a modern, efficient system of fish hatch- eries that annually produce and stock a variety of disease free fish. In 2012, just over 875,000 lbs of fish were raised and stocked into approxi- mately 1,200 waters. The number and species of fish stocked in 2012 can be found in the table below. In addition to the various sportfish species reared, DEC also raises and stocks lake sturgeon, paddlefish, round whitefish, and longear sunfish. These rare fish species were once native to New York State and an effort is currently underway to restore them to their native range. Hatchery infrastructure improvements over the past year included the replacement of rear- A number of improvements to the Catskill Fish Hatchery were completed in 2012 ing troughs and pipelines at Catskill Hatchery, including the replacement of rearing troughs and pipelines and installation of a new metal replacement of inside raceways at Chateaugay roof on the fish food storage facility. Hatchery, and the rehabilitation of earthen ponds at Randolph hatchery. One of these ponds is being used to rear longear sunfish. AN N Ual STOCKING REPORT BY SPECIES (January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012) Less Than 1" 1" –4.24" 4.25" –5.74" 5.75" –6.74" 6.75" –7.74" 7.75" Plus Total

SPECIES Weight Weight Weight Weight Weight Weight Weight Number Number Number Number Number Number Number (lbs.) (lbs.) (lbs.) (lbs.) (lbs.) (lbs.) (lbs.)

Brook Trout 700 0 73,258 1,524 77,010 2,976 400 64 157,085 44,330 308,453 48,894

Brown Trout 100 0 8,000 522 30,440 5,390 1,869,370 546,813 1,907,910 552,725

Rainbow Trout 52,210 602 56,000 3,602 3,200 368 13,500 1,929 357,710 101,988 482,620 108,489

Steelhead 66,000 0 337,020 3,637 650,850 28,575 91,800 8,795 1,145,670 41,007

Lake Trout 5,000 50 122,830 5,025 108,000 6,971 82,400 10,969 318,230 22,961

Splake 15,840 3,828 15,840 3,828 Cold Water Landlocked 1,000 38 178,619 2,054 68,020 3,854 158,030 15,217 177,267 24,190 582,936 45,353 Salmon

Coho 120,190 7,856 120,190 7,856

Chinook 67,100 0 1,443,980 20,552 1,511,080 20,552

Cold Water Total 134,900 38 2,090,087 28,419 1,102,900 52,410 361,030 31,297 221,607 31,573 2,482,405 707,928 6,392,929 851,665

Walleye 207,750,000 2,771 640,840 1,832 7,000 175 208,397,840 4,778

Muskellunge 64,510 51 30,790 2,559 95,300 2,610

Tiger Muskellunge 102,600 16,171 102,600 16,171

Panfish 500 100 500 100

Warm Water Warm Lake Sturgeon 337 15 500 23 837 38

Paddlefish 700 200 1,360 389 2,060 589

Warm Water Total 207,750,700 2,971 705,350 1,883 7,000 175 337 15 500 23 135,250 19,219 208,599,137 24,286

Grand Total 207,885,600 3,009 2,795,437 30,302 1,109,900 52,585 361,367 31,312 222,107 31,596 2,617,655 727,147 214,992,066 875,951

2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE 79 F unding Fisheries Management

NYSNS CO ERVATION FUND ADVISORY BOARD The NYS Conservation Fund Advisory Board (CFAB) was established CFAB consults with and advises DEC about expenditure of Conserva- by law to make recommendations to state agencies on state government tion Fund monies and ways to increase revenue to this fund. For more plans, policies and programs affecting fish and wildlife. information, visit: www.dec.ny.gov/about/566.html

Supporting New York’s Fish, Point Peninsula Isthmus Wildlife and Marine Resources

R evenue from fishing and hunting Three Mile Bay license fees, federal funds and other resources are used to accomplish efforts to conserve, manage and protect New York State’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats; inform and educate the public; and provide oppor- tunities for people to use and appreciate these resources. Some recently funded projects include: Cuba Lake

New trailered boat launches were recently completed at Point Peninsula Isthmus and Three Mile Bay on Lake Ontario in Jefferson County and on Cuba Lake in Allegany County.

A joint DEC/ study is evaluating the Catch Rate Oriented Trout Stocking (CROTS) Model. This model is used by the Bureau of Fisheries to determine the timing and number of fish stocked in a stream.

80 2013–14 FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE