Freshwater Fishing, Fisheries Management, and Fishing Access News
In This Issue:
- Angler Survey Opportunity - Fishing Regulations Guide Opinion Survey
- Burbot - Not Getting a Whole "Lota" Love
- Highlight Hatchery - Van Hornesville Fish Hatchery
 Angler Survey Opportunity - Fishing Regulations Guide Opinion Survey
Every year DEC produces the NYS Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide, a compilation of fishing seasons, harvest minimums and limits for various sportfish. Over the course of the last several years, it’s undergone a series of changes in size, content, and design. As anglers, we’d like to know what your preferences are for the guide. Taking a moment to answer a few questions will help us with the development of future guides.
Take the brief survey by March 10, 2023.
Burbot - Not Getting a Whole "Lota" Love
During ice fishing season, it can be apparent that burbot (Lota lota) are not a fan favorite of some anglers, as far too often they can be seen discarded on the ice after they’ve been caught. Maybe it’s because they’ve gotten a bad rap for preying on more desirable sportfish species. Or maybe they’re being misidentified as the invasive northern snakehead.
Regardless, burbot are one of the most unique freshwater fish species that calls New York home. With their long slender bodies, double dorsal (top) fins, flattened head, and single barbel (whisker) on their “chin,” they’re not what you’d typically expect to see at the end of your fishing line. If you think they resemble the “oh so tasty” Atlantic cod, you won’t be surprised to know that they’re the only freshwater member of the Cod Family and as such, also make a great meal. As predators, burbot play an important ecological role in the predator-prey balance of healthy native fish communities.
Here in New York, burbot are found in cool water areas of deeper lakes, such as Lake Ontario, Canandaigua Lake, Otsego Lake, Lake Champlain, and Oneida Lake, as well as upper reaches of the Susquehanna and Alleghany Rivers and tributaries of the St. Lawrence River. Because they spawn over shoals during the winter months, they’re usually encountered more by ice anglers, but are caught occasionally in open water. The New York state record burbot was caught in 1991 from Black River Bay (Lake Ontario) and weighed 16 lbs. 12 oz.
Burbot are at the southern edge of their range in New York and are vulnerable to the effects of climate change over time, so the fact that they’re still here is a good sign. Something to consider should you be fortunate enough to reel in one of these neat fish.
Highlight Hatchery - Van Hornesville Fish Hatchery
Location: 1285 Chyle Road, Van Hornesville, NY 13475, Herkimer County
Visitor Hours: Open 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. daily, year-round
Species Raised: Rainbow trout (97,000 8-9" yearlings, 80,000-100,000 3-5" fingerlings for transfer to other hatcheries or stocking.)
Where We Stock: New York's Capital District
Recent Upgrades: A well was dug for domestic water and it turned out to be an artesian well that flows at 35-55 gallons of water per minute! The excess water is piped to the fish ponds for fish production.
Fun Fact: Although springs provide crystal-clear water through underground channels at a total of 440 gallons per minute, the water source remains a mystery. The water is a constant 47°F year round since it comes out of the earth. The Van Hornesville Challenge is not a marathon or bicycle race, it's an educational experience for school kids to see who can hold their hand in the 47°F water for the longest time. The kids get to experience "first-hand" cold water fish culture.
Image: Van Hornesville Fish Culturists Craig Dubois and Rebecca Rogers stock tiger muskellunge at Canadarago Lake in Richfield Springs, NY. Fun fact - Craig has stocked nearly 150 million fish in NYS during his Fish Culture career!
Learn more:
Van Hornesville Fish Hatchery (PDF)
DEC Fish Hatcheries
|
