The Fishing Line - August 6th Edition

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The Fishing Line - August 6th Edition

Freshwater Fishing, Fisheries Management, and Boating News

This Week's Topics:

  • First State Record Fish Established for 2021
  • Updates from DEC's Catskill Fish Hatchery

First State Record Fish Established for 2021

2021 Bowfin State RecordWe’re excited to announce our first state record freshwater fish entry for New York in 2021!

While fishing with cut bait for northern pike in Yanty Creek (Monroe County) with a buddy, Chase Soptelean hooked into a large bowfin. After having it weighed on a certified scale, they had a feeling the 13 lb. 8 oz. fish might be one for the record books, and they were right. Chase’s bowfin edged out the 2006 record caught from Lake Champlain by 10 ounces. Congratulations Chase!

If you’ve never heard of a bowfin, you’re not alone. They sometimes get confused with northern snakehead, a predatory invasive fish species, but are actually a native species that are considered a living fossil (dating back 65 million years) still swimming in New York’s waters today. They’re mostly found in slow-moving rivers and lakes and have a unique ability to gulp air at the surface. They can also put up quite a fight at the end of your line!

State records are one of three categories in New York’s Angler Achievement Awards Program, a program that recognizes anglers that catch large fish that meet established criteria. For program rules and how to enter your catch, as well as a complete list of current state records visit DEC’s website.

Bowfin imageMore Information:

Bowfin Distribution in NYS

Identifying bowfin vs northern snakehead

 

Updates from DEC's Catskill Fish Hatchery

Brown Trout Egg CollectionCatskill Fish Hatchery will begin its annual brown trout egg take on August 24 and will continue every Tuesday thereafter until they collect two million eggs. Visitors are welcome to observe!

Visiting DEC's Fish Hatcheries

Local Fish Report- 13.1" of rain fell in July, so streams are certainly flowing. Waters that were high (Neversink, Willowemoc) have stabilized, and with water temperatures in the high 50s, it's been a very great summer for fishing. A local fly shop recommends fishing ants & beetles and attractor patterns with a nymph dropper.