The Fishing Line - December 10th Edition

Freshwater Fishing, Fisheries Management, and Fishing Access News

In This Issue:

• Attention Anglers - Comment Period Open for Proposed Fishing Regulations Changes
• Lake Erie Tributary Survey - November Update
• Unique Holiday Gift Ideas for Anglers
• 'Take Your Shot for an Outdoor Adventure' Vaccine Incentive Sweepstakes

Attention Anglers - Comment Period Open for Proposed Fishing Regulations Changes

DEC is proposing to amend sportfishing regulations that include a multitude of changes to clarify, simplify and clean up fisheries regulations based on public feedback and fishery expert review of the regulations associated with management of the State’s fisheries. The proposed rulemaking also includes a limited number of waterbody specific regulation changes for improved management.

Highlights of the proposals include:

• Establishing new rules for trout management in ponded waters, which consolidates 143 waterbody and 33 county-wide special regulations into a new statewide regulation.
• Removing the statewide closed season restriction on lake trout and Atlantic salmon.
• Simplifying ice fishing regulations in most of the state.
• Providing consistency in opening and closing fishing season dates for sport fish.

Regulation adjustments, deletions and additions for individual water bodies are also included. Visit DEC’s website for more information on all of the proposals.

Comments on the proposals should be submitted via e-mail to regulations.fish@dec.ny.gov or via mail to the Inland Fisheries Section, NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4753; subject line "Fishing Regulations Proposal Comments." Comments will be accepted through February 6, 2022.

Lake Erie Tributary Survey - November Update

November is typically one of the most popular months for steelhead fishing on the Lake Erie tributaries, but the wet fall weather pattern that began in September continued, resulting in some challenging fishing conditions and below average angler effort.

Cattaraugus Creek experienced very poor November fishing conditions due to the frequent runoff events. Anglers mostly focused on creeks like Eighteen Mile and Chautauqua which tend to come down quicker. Although anglers had to pick their days, fishing quality improved on every stream during November (0.52 fish/hr vs. October = 0.24 fish/hr) and was about average compared to previous surveys. Catch rates for steelhead in the New York Lake Erie tributaries continue to be among the highest in the country. As is typical, fishing quality varied between streams, ranging from 0.36 fish/hr. in Cattaraugus Creek to 0.92 fish/hr. in Silver and Walnut Creeks. Many anglers commented on the size of the steelhead during the November runs, reporting fish in the 26–30 inch and 8–10 pound range, which are larger than normal. A few coho and Chinook salmon were also reported in November, most likely transients from Lake Huron. 

(Pictured: Lake Erie Seasonal Technician, Jon Hoag with a nice Lake Erie steelhead on a day off.)

Steelhead Streams in Western NY

Steelhead Fishing in Lake Erie Tributaries

Unique Holiday Gift Ideas for Anglers

We polled our Fisheries staff across the state for their recommendations for non-traditional holiday gifts for anglers and received a bunch of great ideas. Hopefully you find them helpful!

• Polarized sunglasses
• Gift card or deposit for a fishing charter next season
• A lifetime fishing license
• A fiberglass replica of a once-in-a-lifetime catch
• Artificial trout lures to enjoy the new catch-and-release trout season (on inland streams)
• A new PFD (personal flotation device) designed for anglers (now you can ditch the old, clunky life jacket hanging up in your garage)
• Merino wool socks, heated socks/gloves, neoprene/rubber coated gloves (ice fishing season is right around the corner!)
• LED headlamp
• Portable fish finder
• Adaptive fishing gear for anyone with family/friends who have limited hand or arm function due to significant injury or arthritis, or any other disability that impairs their ability to cast, reel, etc. Many people who have lost the ability to do what they love doing may not even realize that their days of enjoying fishing are not over.
• Handmade "Free Fishing Day/Trip" coupons
• Smoked salmon (or other fish) gift box
• Modern knife sharpening system
• A new landing net with a rubber-coated bag (the fish you release will thank you)
• A dry bag/sack

Happy shopping and Happy Holidays from the Bureau of Fisheries!

The State Launches New 'Take Your Shot for an Outdoor Adventure' Vaccine Incentive Sweepstakes for Hunters, Anglers, and Outdoor Enthusiasts

New York State has a new vaccine incentive to bolster vaccination rates among New Yorkers who enjoy the great outdoors. Anyone who receives their first vaccine dose between December 1 through December 31, 2021, will have the opportunity to enter the 'Take Your Shot for an Outdoor Adventure' sweepstakes and a random drawing to win special prize packages tailored to anglers, hunters, and other outdoor enthusiasts.

Five entrants will be randomly selected to receive the grand prize and the opportunity to choose one of the following deluxe packages valued at approximately $2,000:

• Fishing: Lifetime fishing license, fishing kayak, vest, rod and reel;
• Bowhunter: Lifetime hunter and bowhunting license, high-quality crossbow package or compound bow package with ½ dozen bolts or arrows, ladder tree stand, safety harness/fall arrest system, and 10x42 binoculars;
• Rifle hunter: Lifetime sportsman license, high-quality riflescope, ladder tree stand, safety harness/fall arrest system, and 10x42 binoculars;
• Turkey hunter: Lifetime sportsman license, high-quality ground blind, turkey hunting vest, hen decoy pair, shotgun optical sight, slate call, and 10x42 binoculars; and
• Birding: 20-60x spotting scope, 10x42 binoculars, bird feeder, bird seed, bird house, deluxe birding guide, and I Bird NY materials

Twenty-five entrants will be randomly selected to receive second tier prizes and the choice of one of the following packages, valued at approximately $1,000:

• Fishing: Annual fishing license, fishing kayak, vest, rod and reel;
• Bowhunter: Annual hunter and bowhunting license, high-quality crossbow OR compound bow package with ½ dozen bolts or arrows, a ladder tree stand, a safety harness/fall arrest system, and 8x42 binoculars;
• Riflehunter: Annual hunting license, high-quality riflescope, a ladder tree stand, a safety harness/fall arrest system, and 8x42 binoculars;
• Turkey hunter: Annual hunting license and turkey permit, high quality ground blind, turkey hunting vest, hen decoy, slate call, and 8x42 binoculars; and
• Birder: 8x42 binoculars, birdfeeder, bird seed and I Bird NY materials.

The first 2,000 people to receive their first vaccination between December 1 through December 31, 2021 and enter the sweepstakes by Dec. 31, 2021, will receive a tree seedling from DEC's Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Tree Nursery in Saratoga, and their choice of either a $25 gift card for a free night of camping at a DEC campground, or a $25 gift card to a major sporting goods retailer. In addition, the 2,000 sweepstakes entrants will receive a one-year subscription to DEC's Conservationist magazine, which is currently celebrating its 75th year in publication.

Information about how to enter the sweepstakes is available on DEC's website.  All eligible, vaccinated entrants must adhere to all applicable requirements to receive a hunting or fishing license in New York State, including completion of required Hunter Education courses and other rules. For more information, visit DEC's Hunting Licenses  and Fishing Licenses webpages.