The Fishing Line - December 8^th Issue

Freshwater Fishing, Fisheries Management, and Fishing Access News

In This Issue:

• Holiday Gift Ideas for Anglers that Have Everything
• Fishing Line Subscriber Survey
• DEC Fisheries Staff Spotlight – Steve Galbreth, Fish Culturist – Caledonia Fish Hatchery
• DEC Launches Redesigned and Mobile-Friendly Website

Holiday Gift Ideas for Anglers that Have EVERYTHING

As you can imagine, we have a handful of DEC Fisheries staff that could be considered diehard anglers! So when asked what they might recommend for this year's gift ideas, here's what they came up with:

• A fishing experience - whether it's to help fulfill their bucket list trip with a licensed guide/charter, or an IOU for a trip to their favorite fishing spot, it'll be something they'll never forget.
• Fish and game cookbook.
• Kayak crate.
• Portable battery charger (for their boat).
• Solar lantern/flashlight/phone charger.
• Floating/waterproof phone case.
• A nice set of binoculars - they come in handy, even when fishing!
• Jigs, lures, flies and rods from a local tackle shop or small business - plus, you're supporting a local business...a win-win!
• Ice fishing safety equipment (think ice picks, whistle, spud bar, compass, ice spikes).
• Ice fishing starter kit (jigging rod, jigs/lures, auger, 5 gallon bucket, ice scoop, etc.).
• Heated apparel and socks.
• A funny fishing tee.
• Vacuum sealer to keep your catch fresh.
• Lifetime fishing license.

Happy Holidays from the Bureau of Fisheries!

Fishing Line Subscriber Survey

Our Fishing Line "followers" have been steadily growing every year, and to keep the momentum going, we created this short survey to learn more about you and the content you prefer. Click the link below to take the survey. Thank you for continuing to support our newsletter.

Fishing Line Subscriber Survey 

Deadline for submission is December 22, 2023. 

DEC Fisheries Staff Spotlight – Steve Galbreth, Fish Culturist – Caledonia Fish Hatchery

I grew up in Ohio, on western Lake Erie and its surrounding tributaries. As far back as I can remember, I spent all my free time outdoors; fishing, hunting for wild mushrooms, and hunting deer and waterfowl. I started working as a first mate on Lake Erie sport fishing boats when I was 16, eventually earning my USCG Captains License when I was 19. After earning a bachelor’s degree in environmental science with a specialization in fisheries from Bowling Green State University, I worked briefly as a Research Vessel Operator for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources before moving to New York State and being hired by the department. I worked for a short time as a Lake Ontario creel census agent, and then was hired to a permanent position in the fish hatchery system.

I’ve been with DEC 16 years now, working at the Catskill, Bath, and Caledonia hatcheries, and have made some great friends along the way. When people ask, I always equate running a fish hatchery to running any other kind of farm. The daily chores are often physically demanding, and you have to get out there and take care of the fish whether it’s 90 degrees or 10 degrees outside. All that considered, I appreciate every day that my position allows me to work outdoors. I also wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I wasn’t surrounded by fish, so no problem there. I still spend all my free time outdoors – fishing, cultivating and foraging mushrooms, and hunting deer. Even though I’m a transplant, I’ve come to call Western NY home, and truly appreciate all the awesome outdoor opportunities the area offers.

DEC Launches Redesigned and Mobile-Friendly Website

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officially debuted a redesigned public website.

The redesigned site offers a more responsive design and intuitive functionality, whether visitors are using a desktop, laptop, tablet, or handheld device. Features include streamlined navigation and new content presentation capabilities that allow DEC to better integrate video and other visual media. Updated DEC website URLs are all plain text, improving the ability of search engines to find and connect users to content. To ensure visitors can still find their favorite web pages from the old design, DEC has established redirects to the new web pages. 

Expanded, task-focused navigation makes it easier for visitors to find regulatory, environmental protection, licensing, and environmental education content and resources more quickly. Larger call-to-action sections make it easy to purchase licenses, search for job openings, sign up for topic-specific newsletters through DEC Delivers, or subscribe to DEC’s Conservationist Magazine.

To experience the website redesign, learn more about DEC’s programs, or find your next outdoor adventure, go to https://dec.ny.gov.