Freshwater Fishing and Boating News - June 2020

Early June Edition:

• Landlocked Salmon Surplus Stocking
• Assistance from Lake Ontario Trout & Salmon Anglers Needed
• New State Record Rock Bass

Landlocked Salmon Surplus Stocking

Five waters in the Adirondacks (DEC’s Region 5) will be stocked with landlocked Atlantic salmon in the coming weeks. Ranging 2-6 pounds, the broodstock fish (used for spawning purposes) are from a hatchery operated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in Vermont.

Over 2,500 of these salmon will be stocked into Lake George, Schroon Lake, Moose Pond (Town of St. Armand), Taylor Pond (Town of Black Brook) and Lake Colby. Anglers are reminded that established fishing regulations for landlocked salmon apply to these waters.

Calling all Lake Ontario Trout & Salmon Anglers

DEC requests anglers help collecting heads from Coho Salmon and stomach samples from all species of salmon and trout caught from Lake Ontario in 2020. Freezers, sample bags, and data tags have been distributed at several locations where anglers can pick up supplies and drop off samples. To find out why and how you can help, visit DEC's webpages on Coho Salmon Head Collection and Lake Ontario Fish Diet Study.

New State Record Rock Bass

2020 is off to a great start as far as state fishing records go in New York. Less than a month after a new white bass record was established, a new rock bass record was reeled in by one lucky young angler. While fishing off the dock at his family's cottage on Port Bay (Lake Ontario) on May 24th, Jason Leusch caught a 2 pound rock bass using a live shiner. It edged the previous state record caught from the Ramapo River in 1984 by just one ounce - enough to qualify as a new state record. Congratulations Jason!

Visit DEC's website for more information on New York's Angler Achievement Awards Program, including state records.