Chittenango Creek | Spring Fishing | Ruff ed Grouse NEW YORK STATE ConservationistAPRIL 2018 BEAUTIFUL BRIDGES AND STORIED STREAMS Dear Reader, Each spring, as temperatures begin to rise, many people get excited about heading outdoors for one primary purpose: fishing. Even if you have been Volume 72, Number 5 | April 2018 fishing for decades, the anticipation of the opening of Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of New York State trout season on April 1st has probably been growing DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION Basil Seggos, Commissioner since you put the fishing rod away last year, and you’ll Sean Mahar, Asst. Commissioner for Public Affairs head out the door with the excitement of a child going Harold Evans, Director of Office of Communication Services fishing for the first time. THE CONSERVATIONIST STAFF David H. Nelson, Editor DEC encourages this enthusiasm, and we are con- Eileen C. Stegemann, Assistant Editor Megan Ciotti, Business Manager stantly looking for ways to improve the fishing expe- Jeremy J. Taylor, Conservationist for Kids rience for all New Yorkers—young and old, beginners to experts and everyone in Ellen Bidell, Contributing Editor Peter Constantakes, Contributing Editor between. DESIGN TEAM In this issue, you can read about spring panfishing (pg. 2), and learn about the Andy Breedlove, Photographer/Designer Jim Clayton, Chief, Multimedia Services Adirondack Fish Hatchery (pg. 26), which dates to the late 1880s. Another article Mark Kerwin, Graphic Designer details DEC’s habitat enhancement projects to improve fishing in Chittenango Creek Robin-Lucie Kuiper, Photographer/Designer Mary Elizabeth Maguire, Graphic Designer and protect properties along its banks (pg.6). And I think you’ll enjoy reading our Jennifer Peyser, Graphic Designer Back Trails article about a boy learning to fish and carrying on the family tradition in Maria VanWie, Graphic Designer Roscoe, N.Y., commonly known as Trout Town, U.S.A. EDITORIAL OFFICES The Conservationist (ISSN0010-650X), © 2018 by NYSDEC, Roscoe is also the backdrop for an article on the historic Beaverkill Covered Bridge is an official publication of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation published bimonthly at (pg. 10) and how DEC worked with a coalition of state and local groups to restore this 625 Broadway, 4th Floor, Albany, NY 12233-4502. Catskills’ landmark, preserving a regional and state treasure that remains a great site Telephone: (518) 402-8047 Manuscripts, photographs and artwork will be accepted if to visit. You’ll want to see the pictures and summaries of some other historic covered accompanied by SASE. Please write to the above address with an bridges located across New York, too. author’s query or to request a Contributor’s Guide. The publisher assumes no responsibility for loss or damage of unsolicited materials. Restoration is also the theme of an article on how DEC has teamed up with the New TO SUBSCRIBE: York Power Authority (NYPA) to restore fish and wildlife habitats on the Niagara $18 per year, $24 for two years, $30 for three years. Outside the U.S., add $27 per year with a check drawn on a U.S. bank. and St. Lawrence Rivers under NYPA’s relicensing agreement to operate two clean All orders must be prepaid. energy hydropower plants (pg. 23). This story is also a good example of the type of Please allow 6 to 8 weeks for new subscriptions or changes of restoration and improvement projects we are advancing across the state through the address. Periodical postage paid at Albany, NY, and additional mailing offices. Resilient NY initiative launched by the Governor this year. Resilient NY is seeking Send check or money order payable to: to improve community and ecosystem resiliency to sea level rise, flooding and storms Conservationist NYSDEC through protecting important freshwater and coastal habitats. 625 Broadway With the beginning of spring, many people—even those who don’t fish—are Albany, NY 12233-4502 anxious to get outdoors and enjoy New York’s natural resources. Check out the or call: 1-800-678-6399 Visit the Department’s website at: article about opportunities at the Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area (pg. 18), www.dec.ny.gov or learn about ruffed grouse, a bird that spends most of its time on the ground, not in e New York State Department of Environmental the air (pg. 20). Conservation does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, disability, age, or gender. This month, we celebrate Earth Week (April 16-22), a great time to reconnect with nature and renew our commitment to protecting our air, land and water (pg. 5). POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: I encourage you to join the celebration by exploring the outdoors with friends and Conservationist NYSDEC family—opportunities abound across the state and many can be found close to home. 625 Broadway Albany, NY 12233-4502 Check out DEC’s webpage at dec.ny.gov to find a list of Earth Week activities that Printed on recycled paper. Please recycle this issue. showcase earth’s magic. I hope you take advantage of some of New York’s unique sites and attractions, and create or even rekindle memories of fishing and other outdoor experiences with family and friends. All the best, Basil Seggos, Commissioner See page 18 Susan L. Shafer April 2018 Volume 72, Number 5 CONTENTS 2 Spring Panfishing 23 Spring is the perfect time for panfishing 2617 By John Rowen 31 5 Celebrate Earth Week By Ann Harrison 30 18 6 Chittenango Creek Project 23 6 17 5 Restoration effort benefits anglers, trout, and landowners 31 By Briana Foisia and Catherine Flood 2 29 4 10 10 The Beaverkill Covered Bridge 32 Restoring history and preserving the character of the Catskills By Peter Constantakes 14 14 Be Pet Smart 17 Don’t release unwanted pets into the wild 14 By Catherine McGlynn 18 Utica Marsh WMA An urban gem By Steven R. Heerkens Special Insert: 20 Ruffed Grouse By Bean Friend Conservservationnist 23 Clean Power and Healthy Habitats Working together to improve our environment By Tim DePriest and Michael Morgan 26 Adirondack Hatchery By Matt Jackson DEPARTMENTS 17 On Patrol 30 Letters FRONT COVER: Detail from “Big, Wild, Deep and Long” by Adriano Manocchia BACK COVER: Ru ed grouse 28 Briefly 32 Back Trails By John Rowen DEC photos unless otherwise noted Panfish angling in the spring is one of the great fishing experiences of the year. From Lake Montauk at the easternmost end of New York, to Lake Erie on the Pennsylvania line, and from wilderness ponds to stormwater retention ponds, these fish are plentiful in both still and flowing waters. So, no matter where you live in New York, there is a panfish adventure near you. Bill Banaszewski A young angler proudly displays his catch—a colorful pumpkinseed. 2 New York State Conservationist, April 2018 Panfish are basically any fish that can be cooked in a pan, such as reduces overall fish size. Removing larger fish leaves fewer sunfish, rock bass, crappie and yellow perch. They are the perfect predators to eat smaller fish. Some fish are small for genetic reasons quarry for anglers of any age or skill level, and can be caught on alone; if no larger fish are reproducing, genetics favor smaller fish. tackle that’s as simple or complex as an angler wishes. Most anglers who keep panfish to eat prefer larger fish because My father took me on my first fishing trip to Sycamore Lake they are easier to fillet. But if you want to help improve a fishery, in southern Indiana. Looking down into the lake’s clear, shallow keep some smaller fish to cook. A. J. McClane’s Encyclopedia of water, I was amazed when a school of fish appeared seconds after Fish Cookery is a great resource for preparing and cooking small the bobber and worm hit the water. I held my breath, waiting to see sunfish whole without encountering too many bones. whether the fish would take the bait. It was thrilling. As is the case with all fishing, understanding a fish’s behavior Decades later, I still love watching panfish hit my bait or lure. enables anglers to catch more fish. For instance, since panfish like But I’ve also learned to fly fish and relish the anticipation of seeing shoreline cover or underwater structures, anglers should concentrate a fish come from beneath the surface to strike a foam popper, wet their efforts in these spots. Panfish also tend to travel in schools, so fly or streamer I’ve cast out. It’s great when they do take the bait, if you catch a fish, stay in the same area; more may be nearby. because panfish hit emphatically and put up a lively fight. Plus, You will do better if you approach the water quietly, or if in panfish are tasty—especially in the spring. a boat, travel quietly, without banging the anchor and oars or In New York, anglers can pursue various panfish species, dropping your tacklebox. However, as a friend of mine asserts, a including bluegill, pumpkinseed, redbreast sunfish, rock bass, vow of silence is not a mandate. “Sunfish,” he quips, “are the only crappie and yellow perch. All are found in shallow water, and with fish that will stick around with all the noise a grandpa and two kids the exception of rock bass and crappie, are highly colorful. They can make on a dock.” are generally small- to medium-sized, occasionally reaching two Fishing can also lead to friendships. Avid angler Carl pounds or more in weight. Kochersberger was fly fishing with friends near Cornell, using Prolific breeders, panfish can become stunted (i.e., they don’t nymphs he tied himself, when a mother and her two young sons grow as large) if they become too abundant in a given waterbody.