The Fishing Line - June 10th Edition

Freshwater Fishing, Fisheries Management, and Fishing Access News

In This Issue:

• Bass Season Opens June 15
• New Video Release: Estimating Walleye Abundance in Oneida Lake
• Lake George Salmon Stocking
• Save the Date - Free Fishing Weekend, June 25-26
• The Ned Rig - Funny Name, Seriously Effective

Bass Season Opens June 15

The open (harvest) season for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass begins on June 15 and extends through November 30. For most of the state, a catch-and-release season (using artificial lures only) exists from December 1 through June 14. Special fishing regulations exist for some waters, so be sure to check the current fishing regulations before heading out.

If you haven't tried bass fishing in New York, we encourage you to see what the hype is all about. In addition to the more well-known bass fishing destinations namely the St. Lawrence River, Lake Champlain, Lake Erie, etc. there are many more waters throughout the state that offer incredible opportunities, so you don't need to travel far to experience some classic rod-bending action.

To learn more:
Warmwater Fishing in New York
Places to Fish in New York

New Video Release: Estimating Walleye Abundance in Oneida Lake

Check out our latest video that offers viewers an opportunity to learn about DEC and Cornell University's long-standing partnership to monitor and manage the Oneida Lake walleye population. As part of a study to estimate walleye abundance in the lake, Cornell researchers conduct a large-scale mark and recapture effort every three years in conjunction with the Oneida Fish Hatchery's annual egg collection.

Visit DEC's YouTube channel to watch the video.

Through this collaboration, we've been able to keep our finger on the pulse of the walleye fishery in Oneida Lake which has surely contributed to its success.

Lake George Salmon Stocking

Over 6,000 Atlantic (landlocked) salmon recently made their way from DEC's Adirondack Fish Hatchery and into Lake George when DEC and Lake George Park Commission staff partnered up for a day of fish stocking. These efforts will directly contribute to the unique salmon fishery the lake provides.

For more information on fishing Lake George visit DEC's website.

Save the Date - Free Fishing Weekend, June 25-26

Each year the last full weekend in June is designated as "Free Fishing Days" here in New York. This means anyone can fish the fresh waters of the state without a fishing license, making it a great opportunity to give it a try for the first time, introduce someone new to the sport, or reconnect with this fulfilling pastime.

Remaining Free Fishing Days in 2022 include September 24 (National Hunting & Fishing Day) and November 11 (Veterans Day). For a list of free fishing programs currently being offered visit our website. (The list is updated routinely, so check back often.)

Check out the following resources to help you plan your next trip on the water:

Places to Fish in New York
I FISH NY Beginners Guide to Freshwater Fishing
Getting Started in Fishing Video Series 

The Ned Rig - Funny Name, Seriously Effective

When first looking at the Ned rig it looks so simple that it’s hard to imagine fish could be attracted to it. But they are, and this small lure works well for a variety of fish species, especially rock bass, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass.

Profile: short 3-4” tail section of a stickworm threaded on a 1/8-1/4 oz. round jig head, but a mushroom-style or “Ned-head” seems to work better. Natural colors like watermelon or green pumpkin are typically used but don’t be afraid to try brighter colors.

Technique: The key to fishing this lure is to be subtle, which can be hard as we typically always try to add action to our lures. But the less you do, the more fish you will catch on the Ned-rig. This is very important and worth repeating- the less you do, the more fish you will catch. A typical retrieve would be to cast it out, let it sink to the bottom and let it sit there for 5-10 seconds, then drag it a few feet and let it sit again, and repeat.

Tips:

1. Use a spinning rod with braid and a fluorocarbon leader with 8-12# test. Bites are often very light so this not only helps detect them but also aids in getting a good hook set, as fish will often be swimming away with the bait before you feel them.
2. A small drop of super glue helps hold the plastic onto the jig head.
3. Save the stickworms you use when wacky or Texas-rigging and recycle them into Ned rigs.