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Lake Erie's Smallmouth Bass Bonanza
Bass fishing is a sure sign of summer in New York State. Many waters provide bass fishing opportunities before the traditional bass opener on the third Saturday in June, including the Early Bass Season on Lake Erie.
Lake Erie offers world-class smallmouth bass fishing. During June, anglers enjoy excellent smallmouth bass action in harbors and in open waters 15-25 feet deep around the rocky reef structure off Erie and Chautauqua counties. Anglers readily catch smallmouth bass averaging 3 to 4 pounds, with the occasional 5 or 6-pound lunker!
See Smallmouth Bass Fishing on Lake Erie for more information and maps. Weekly fishing updates can be found via the Lake Erie Fishing Hotline.
Hike of the Month: Rogers EEC
Sherburne, Chenango County
With 600 acres and six miles of trails to wander, visitors to Rogers Environmental Education Center can see a variety of habitats and wildlife. A two-mile trail system begins at the Visitor Center. Trail guide booklets explain various aspects of the natural resources along the way. Another mile of trails, located across the street from the main parking lot, winds its way up to the Farm Tower where one can enjoy a wonderful view of the Chenango Valley. Two other trail systems are located at the Adams Farm and Cush Hill sites.
Enjoy Great Wildlife Watching at Caleb Smith State Park
Smithtown, Suffolk County
Caleb Smith State Park is a 543-acre inland refuge for wildlife on Long Island. Hiking its trails, you can enjoy watching everything from warblers, egrets and bobwhite quail, to turtles, frogs and chipmunks. This tranquil setting of woods, ponds, fields and freshwater wetlands along the Nissaquogue River offers a quiet place to observe nature in full bloom. The park includes a museum and visitors center and has features accessible to people with disabilities. Nature programs for all ages are offered. See Caleb Smith State Park webpage for more information.
Great Backyard Campout
S’mores, campfire songs, hide and seek – camping brings people together. Whether you are a veteran camper or you’ve never been camping, consider participating in the Great American Backyard Campout on June 24, a national event that encourages people to enjoy the outdoors. Sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation, the event promotes camping in your backyard, neighborhood, local park or campground. Visit the National Wildlife Federation website to register and help meet the goal of 100,000 campers. The website has camping tips, checklists on what to bring, ideas for games and recipes.
DEC operates campgrounds in both the Catskills and Adirondacks for a more traditional camping experience.
Nature Notes
The smallmouth bass inhabits streams, rivers and lakes in areas associated with cobble and submerged aquatic vegetation. It favors cool, clear water areas of lakes and flowing streams with gravelly or rocky bottoms.
Forest Ranger Search and Rescue
Essex County - Town of Keene
On April 22, seven Forest Rangers responded to a call from a group of Canadian hikers who reported that three of their friends had separated on the Fish Hawk Trail and not returned at the end of the day as planned. The two women and one man, in their mid-20s, were not prepared for a long stay in the deep snow and below freezing temperatures at higher elevations of the Great Range, nor did they have flashlights for hiking out at night. These circumstances led Rangers to believe this was a life-threatening incident. As morning began, 15 Forest Rangers were assigned to find the trio, as well as one state police helicopter to insert rangers to interior locations. The three hikers were able to evacuate themselves and returned to the Adirondack Mountain Reserve trailhead by 9 a.m. with no need for medical attention.
Upcoming DEC Events
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Family Fun: Outdoors After School, 6/1, 8 and 15 at 4:30 PM, Five Rivers EEC
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Birdwatching Walk, 6/7 at 6:30 PM, Reinstein Woods EEC
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Get Outdoors! Community Day, 6/10 at 11:00 AM, Reinstein Woods EEC
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How to Do It: Digital Nature Photography for Beginners, 6/10 at 2:00 PM at Five Rivers EEC
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Family Fishing at Norrie Point, 6/14 at 5:00 PM, Norrie Point Environmental Center
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Deep Pond Father’s Day Fishing Clinic, 6/17 at 10:00 AM, Schiff Boy Scout Camp, Wading River. Contact: Robert McCormack
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Free Fishing Weekend, 6/24-25. During Free Fishing Days/Weekends, anyone can fish the fresh or marine waters of New York State and no fishing license or recreational marine fishing registry is required!
- Other DEC Events
Conservationist Magazine
Don't miss the June issue of Conservationist magazine. Celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Adirondack Park, and revisit New York’s historic canals aboard the schooner Lois McClure. Enjoy a day of family fishing, and discover how mimicking bees helps some insects survive. You can also learn about the spawning behaviors of smallmouth bass, and read how one person strives to become more patient in nature.
There's all this and much more in the June Conservationist. Don't miss it! Subscribe online or call 1-800-678-6399.
Photo Credits
- Girl holding smallmouth bass - Dave Barus
- Hikers at Rodgers EEC - Friends of Rodgers
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