The Fishing Line - October 13th Issue

Freshwater Fishing, Fisheries Management, and Fishing Access News

In This Issue:

• Fishing Regulation Reminder - Trout Harvest Season (on Inland Trout Streams) Closes October 15
• Salmon River Restoration Project
• Fish Passage Improvements on the Saranac River
• New Video Release - Lake Sturgeon - Saving a Great Lake Dinosaur
• DEC Fisheries Staff Spotlight - Riley Delpriore, Chautauqua Fish Hatchery

Fishing Regulation Reminder - Trout Harvest Season (on Inland Trout Streams) Closes October 15

Catch and Release Season on Inland Trout Streams Opens October 16

When one season closes, another one opens! While the harvest season on inland trout streams closes on October 15, the following day marks the opening of the catch and release season, which runs through March 31. During this time, only artificial lures are permitted.

Planning your next trout fishing trip is easy thanks to an interactive trout stream fishing map available on DECinfo Locator. Also check out the Tackle Box feature in DEC’s HuntFishNY app for fishing regulations, boating access (including driving directions), stocking information, and more. Download the app from Google Play or the Apple App Store today.

Statewide Fishing Regulations 

Salmon River Restoration Project

This past summer, the DEC and US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), through funding from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), started a habitat improvement project at the Trestle Pool site on the Salmon River. This effort is designed to remove a “pinch point” in the river created by the existing railroad bridge abutments and center pier. Under high-flow conditions, the river was slowed down above the trestle, causing an accumulation of bedload (sediment) in the river channel. The accumulation caused the river to over widen and created the excessive bank erosion and the channel braiding.

By removing these structures and constructing a floodplain on the south side of the river, the bedload will be properly transported by allowing high flow events to spill out into the floodplain. Additional project features are planned for next year to get the river back closer to its natural state.

Fish Passage Improvements on the Saranac River

Fish in the Saranac River are about to experience some new-found freedom. Deconstruction to remove the remnants of the Indian Rapids Dam and Frendenburgh Falls Dam in Plattsburgh is just about complete, which means fish will now be able to move more freely on that stretch of river.

The projects are a combined effort of NYS Electric & Gas (NYSEG), US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), and Trout Unlimited to improve fish passage before a fish ladder is installed at Imperial Mills Dam. The fish ladder combined with the removal of the two dams will allow fish to access upper sections of the Saranac River for the first time in over 120 years!

For more detailed information on this project, visit the USFWS website.

New Video Release - Lake Sturgeon - Saving a Great Lakes Dinosaur

Teamwork makes the dream work. DEC partners with many entities in our overall lake sturgeon recovery program. In this video, get up close and personal with staff from DEC and US Fish and Wildlife Service during the annual egg collection on the St. Lawrence River and learn firsthand what it takes to produce the thousands of lake sturgeon stocked each fall.

Watch the video about Lake Sturgeon - Saving a Great Lakes Dinosaur.

More on Lake Sturgeon:
Lake Sturgeon Management in NY 
Video about the Lake Sturgeon Restoration Effort in NY 

DEC Fisheries Staff Spotlight - Riley Delpriore, Chautauqua Fish Hatchery

I'm currently a Fish Culturist Trainee 1 at the Chautauqua Fish Hatchery. I graduated from SUNY Cobleskill in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management. Although, I took as many fish classes as possible that would count in my degree (fish students always had more fun anyways). Fresh out of college, I started my career with DEC in the Region 9 wildlife office in hunter education, then transferred to the fisheries office as a creel technician for Chautauqua Lake. Being local to the area, it was my dream job to work hands-on in the field for DEC and so close to home. At a young age, I used to feed the fish at Randolph Fish Hatchery and volunteer with goose roundups. As my dad once said, “you know these people get paid to do this kind of work” and now here I am!

At the Chautauqua Fish Hatchery, we raise mainly warmwater fish species including muskellunge, walleye, and sauger, but also brown trout. The muskie are by far the coolest fish to raise. We harvest eggs from adult fish caught in trap nets on Chautauqua Lake and stock eight-inch fish in a matter of six months. With the longnose gar being my favorite, it is truly amazing to see all the different fish species and their sizes that live in the lake. My favorite and most challenging part about my job is interacting with the public. I love seeing the surprised faces of people looking at thousands of fish all in one tank or learning about their local fisheries. On the other hand, it is also difficult to share so much knowledge to a variety of crowds and in a short time frame. However, I find it especially rewarding to teach young kids in hopes to inspire them the same way I was.

Outside of work, you’ll find me fishing and hunting with my dad. I also spend a good chunk of time outside playing chase with my black lab puppy, Levi. A fun fact about myself is that I find four-leaf clovers all the time without having to look for them. What can I say, I’m one lucky gal!