Anglers are reminded that in celebration of Veteran's Day, November 11, 2018 residents and non-residents can enjoy a day of freshwater fishing in New York without the requirement for a fishing license. Fall is a great time to fish and there's no where better place to do it than the State of New York. Learn more about Free Fishing Days in New York.

Chautauqua Lake Walleye Resurgence

Based on a recently completed survey, Region 9 fisheries staff have determined that the walleye population in Chautauqua Lake is rivaling levels last seen in the 1990's when catching a limit was considered easy. The walleye population continues to rise based on excellent spawning success in 2014 and 2015. What's even more exciting is that another exceptional year class of walleye was produced this past year that should maintain quality walleye fishing over the next decade. Not only are the fish plentiful, but they are also big. Fish over 25 inches are not uncommon, and the average size of walleye in Chautauqua is now over 18 inches. Contact the DEC Region 9 office for more information.

Boat Launch Construction Underway In DEC Region 7

DEC operations staff completed a new concrete launch ramp at the Susquehanna River Cannon Hole Boat Launch in Tioga County.

Also underway is the reconstruction of the Mud Lock Boat Launch on Cayuga Lake in the Town of Aurelius. This project will provide a much improved launch ramp, new boarding dock and paved parking and ramp access. The Mud Lock project should be complete by early November. Contact the DEC Region 7 office for more information.

Photo caption: Cannon Hole - Susquehanna River

Fall Trout Stocking Begins On Long Island

Fall is a great time to fish in New York, particularly on Long Island where mild temperatures typically extend a bit longer than they do in more northerly sections of New York State. Each fall, DEC stocks 15 waters on Long Island with catchable-size brown trout that provides excellent late season fishing throughout the fall and winter and into next spring. Most waters are managed under a year-round, any size, three fish regulation, but special regulations exist for brook trout and some waters including the Connetquot River, Nissequogue River, Carmans River, Laurel Lake and Deep Pond, so be sure to check the freshwater fishing regulations guide before heading out. Contact the DEC Region 1 office for more information on stocking locations.

DEC To Reduce Chinook Salmon Stocking In Lake Ontario

DEC recently announced that it would reduce 2019 Chinook salmon stocking in Lake Ontario by an additional 20 percent to help ensure the long-term sustainability of the high-quality Chinook salmon fishery. Chinook salmon in Lake Ontario feed almost exclusively on large alewife, and the severe winters of 2013 and 2014 resulted in poor alewife survival creating instability in the adult alewife population.  Chinook salmon and lake trout stocking reductions in 2017 and 2018 (20 percent each) were implemented to help avoid a future imbalance between stocked and wild trout and salmon and the alewife forage base. DEC recently held public meetings in Niagara, Monroe and Oswego counties to present information on the status of the alewife population in 2018, and to discuss 2019 stocking levels. DEC remains optimistic that the excellent fishing in Lake Ontario will continue in 2019. Additional details concerning the stocking cuts and DEC's effort to manage the Lake Ontario fishery can be found on DEC's website. 

Learn More About DEC Fish Management Activities

Ever wondered about what DEC is learning from the various fish surveys it conducts throughout the state? You can now read a summary of the findings of many of these surveys by downloading a technical brief from the DEC website. Over 30 reports are currently available and many more are on their way.

Additional questions concerning any of the technical briefs can be directed to the Bureau of Fisheries at fwfish@dec.ny.gov.

Only You Can Prevent Aquatic Invasions

Clean, drain and dry your fishing and boating equipment after every use.