DEC Adopts New Freshwater Fishing Regulations

New or Modified Regulations Established for Various Fish Species and Methods of Take

New freshwater fishing regulations go into effect April 1, 2017, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today.

"New York State is known for fantastic freshwater sport fishing opportunities," said Commissioner Seggos. "These regulatory changes will help maintain these opportunities and enthusiasm for the sport."

The modifications to the sport fishing regulations are a result of a two-year process that included biological assessment, discussions with anglers, and a formal 45-day public comment period. DEC used public input to finalize the changes. These regulations will be published in the 2017-18 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide that will be available at all license sales vendors and on-line in March.

Highlights of the new regulations include:

• Adjustments to existing walleye regulations in various waters throughout the state, including measures to protect spawning walleye and conservative minimum harvest size and creel limits in waters where managers are trying to establish self-sustaining populations of this popular sport fish. Regulations have also been liberalized for two waters where successful management has resulted in increased walleye abundance, Chautauqua Lake (Chautauqua County) and Franklin Falls Flow (Essex County);

• Modifications to DEC Region 7 Finger Lakes rules to increase survival of rainbow trout, brown trout, and Atlantic salmon and to create a greater balance between these species and lake trout;

• Allowing ice fishing in some waters and restricting the number or use of devices used for fishing through the ice (including, but not limited to hand line, tip-up, tip down, etc.) in other waters to protect self-sustaining populations or limit fishing pressure;

• Simplification of the black bass regulations in Lake Erie by compressing the three existing seasons into two while expanding opportunities to use live bait and harvest one large bass per day during a special season;

• Greater protection for northern pike in the St. Lawrence River due to the declining abundance of spawning adults and poor recruitment of young-of-year fish in the Thousand Islands region;

• Relaxing of special regulations for trout and Atlantic salmon for various waters in DEC Region 5 (Adirondack Region) due to poor survival; and

• Multiple updates to clarify existing regulations.

For a summary of the regulations changes, visit DEC's website.

DEC Reminds Anglers to Release Sauger during the Restoration Period

Sauger Restoration Continues in the Allegheny River

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today reminded anglers that the possession of the sauger species of fish is strictly prohibited and anglers should familiarize themselves with the difference between walleye and sauger. Sauger, a close relative of walleye, were once native to the Allegheny River system but disappeared due to severe pollution in the late 19th to mid- 20th centuries. Even as water quality improved after the Clean Water Act (1972), the Kinzua Dam stood in the way of sauger naturally repopulating the Upper Allegheny River.

In 2014, DEC began a five-year stocking program in the Allegheny River and its tributaries with the goal of creating a self-sustaining sauger fishery. DEC has stocked more than 14,000, 1.5 - 2 inch fingerlings and 250,000 fry (3/8 inch) over the last three years. The fish, raised at DEC's Chautauqua Hatchery (Stow, NY), are released into the wild in early summer. Stocked waters include the upper Allegheny Reservoir, Allegheny River, Olean Creek, and Oil Creek.

Sauger have a streamlined body shape like a walleye, but have three distinguishing characteristics to tell them apart. Sauger have horizontal rows of black spots on their dorsal fin, black saddle-like marking on the sides, and are lacking a white tip on the tail. Walleye have a defined white tip on the bottom of the tail.

Similar to their walleye cousin, sauger are a highly migratory species that move into rivers and tributaries to spawn in early spring. The Allegheny River and many of its larger tributaries are popular for walleye, and anglers may encounter sauger while fishing. It is critical that anglers are aware of the program and the importance of immediately releasing any sauger that are caught.

Since the restoration program began, DEC Region 9 fisheries staff have conducted surveys in the Allegheny River and the results are encouraging. Fish from all three stocking years have been caught, indicating that sauger are surviving well in the river. The largest sauger collected during 2016 surveys was a 2 year old fish measuring 17.5 inches.

Anglers are on the front lines when it comes to knowing what is actually going on in the river. Any reports or evidence of sauger activity will greatly assist DEC in learning more about how these sauger are using the river. Anglers are encouraged to report catches or sightings of sauger to the Region 9 DEC fisheries office in Allegany at (716) 372-0645. More information and the full version of New York's Sauger Conservation Management Plan can be found on DEC's webpage.

DEC: Genesee River Angler Diarists Wanted

Observations Will Help Shape Future Fisheries Management Actions

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) welcomes angler observations as DEC begins its angler diary program on the Genesee River in Allegany and Wyoming counties. The diarist program aims to record dates for trout and bass fishing trips on the Genesee River from the Pennsylvania line downstream through Letchworth State Park from March 1st through October 31, 2017.

"Angler participation in this program is greatly appreciated and will help us to evaluate the Genesee River's fishery quality," said Regional Fisheries Manager Mike Clancy. "This is a great opportunity for anglers to contribute observations and help shape future fishery management actions."

Those who fish the Genesee River (even once) and are able to contribute observations by keeping a fishing diary for DEC can contact the Region 9 Fisheries Office at (716) 372-6372 or by e-mail at fwfish9@dec.ny.gov.