RUNNIN REBEL

Atlantic salmon on Canadian/Ontario side info.. There is a lot more to stocking Lake Ontario than just a "number" put in. Jerry RUNNIN REBEL Atlantic Salmon are a challenging fish, stocking fish to maximize returns to the lake fishery is very different than stocking fish to support a tributary fishery or for restoration of a species in a specific river. If the goal is to maximize AS returns to the open water boat fishery then the best strategy is to stock large AS yearlings directly into the lake to maximize survival to adulthood (similar to the stocking strategy for Brown Trout). What this strategy does not do is imprint AS to a stream and therefore returns to the stream and the tributary fishery may be low (basically left to chance). If the goal is to maximize returns to a particular tributary fishery then the best strategy is to stock AS into the stream so they will imprint and return at about age 3+. The challenge is getting the AS to imprint. Stocking advanced yearlings into the stream will likely improve survival but they may not imprint well – stock spring fingerlings (3 month old fish) will likely result in AS residing in the stream for up to two years and then smolt out, survival will be much lower but imprinting should be very good. One way we try to balance this is to stock yearlings as high in the watershed as we can (20+ miles), hoping that by the time they smolt out the fish will have imprinted. And if they don’t imprint at least survival will be better and the fish will show up somewhere. We are doing this in the Ganaraska River. If the goal is to restore a species to a self sustaining population then a we need to stock fish into high quality stream habitat that will support natural reproduction, the fish need to imprint and then the returning adults need to be able to get back to the spawning grounds and spawn successfully . We know that the longer a fish is in the hatchery the less wild it is… so getting AS out of the hatchery early improves the “wildness” but survival is low. Why? Because the stocked fish live in the stream for up to two years…and face a lot of predation pressure from other fish and environmental stress – flows/temps/siltation etc…. So the strategy is to stock a lot more small spring fingerlings knowing that survival will be low. When Ontario AS program started in 2006 we were focused on restoring the species, and that directed our stocking strategies. In 2015 we included the goal to also develop stream fisheries. This is why we started stocking the Ganaraska River in 2016. More recently we have started stocking surplus adult AS directly into the lake. These are fish that are 3+ years old and past their prime for egg collection. We stocked 900 this week on the north shore. We have now effectively used all three strategies above. Our primary goal though is to establish a self sustaining population in several tributaries to primarily support tributary fisheries (i.e. returns to the boat fishery are a bonus but not a primary objective). Additional challenges with AS. Unlike wild Chinook Salmon that mostly smolt out after a few months in May and June and therefore are not subject to stream habitat issues (low flow, drought, high temps), Atlantic Salmon require very high quality stream habitat for at least a full year and up to 3 years in some cases before they smolt out to the lake. Each fish has its own fish culture challenges and unique ecological requirements so comparing one species to another can be apples to oranges. There has been some work done on Atlantic Salmon diets for both juvenile and adults. Generally Atlantic Salmon diet in Lake Ontario is similar to Rainbow Trout – (more diverse than Chinook) but if Alewife are available they eat a lot of them. If you look in our annual report 2014 there is a research paper on this topic. As you know Alewife contain Thiaminase which can cause low Thiamine (vitamin B). There was some research done on the various strains of Atlantic Salmon and the Sebago Lake strain was found to do best under in low Thiamine conditions. NYSDEC stocks Sebago Lake and MNRF is moving in that direction. In the early days of our program we stock the LaHave strain. We are moving toward 100% Sebago (increasing broad stocks to increase production). Significant changes in 2015. In 2015 (Ontario) started to make some significant changes to our stocking program. To support fishery development in the Ganaraska and improve survival in other streams we started growing our fish larger across all life stages (spring and fall fingerlings and yearlings). This also resulted in stocking fewer fish because hatchery space is about total biomass. The chart below provides a good summary of numbers stocked vs biomass (size of fish). We fully expect to see the results of this enhanced stocking effort starting this year. We should see increased catches in the boat fishery and more fish returning to the rivers in 2019. We have the cameras running on both the Credit and Ganaraska and we have a boat creel running.

Got it Vince, Thanks Altantic numbers seem to change every year with a big emphasis on Canadian numbers. The US stocks over 100,000 Atlantic salmon annually since 2011 into Lake Ontario and tribs. Rob Another dumpster fire ?????????? Jerry RUNNIN REBEL

An Idea of the NY State DEC Region #'s (6 7 8 9) and coverage area on Lake Ontario Shoreline Jerry RUNNIN REBEL Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

Table 1. Anticipated lakewide (DEC and OMNRF) 2020 stocking for Lake Ontario. Species Life Stage Stocking 2020 Chinook Salmon* Spring Fingerlings 1,161,568 Lake Trout Yearling equivalents 601,600 Rainbow Trout Spring Yearlings 755,700 Brown Trout Spring Yearlings 556,755 Atlantic Salmon Spring Yearlings 240,000 Coho Salmon Fall Fingerlings 235,000 Spring Yearlings 90,000 3,640,623 Jerry RUNNIN REBEL

Additional Information for Anglers2020 Lake Ontario Stocking Decision Q: How will this stocking reduction impact fishing in 2020? A: The reductions being implemented in 2020 will have little impact on fishing in the near term as the fish that anglers will catch next year have already been stocked in the system. In addition, about 50% of the adult Chinook salmon in Lake Ontario are naturally reproduced or "wild" fish. Q: How will this impact fishing in the future? A: If alewife abundance continues to decline, the size of Chinook may decline, but angler success (i.e. catch rate) may remain high as Chinook salmon become more vulnerable to angling. Q: Are other fish species slated for reductions?A: Not at this time. Q: What are the actual numbers of fish being stocked? A: Even with these reductions, lake-wide salmon and trout stocking in Lake Ontario in 2020 will exceed 3.6 million fish, including approximately 1.1 million Chinook salmon, 755,000 rainbow trout/steelhead, 556,000 brown trout, 601,000 lake trout, 325,000 coho salmon and 200,000 yearling Atlantic salmon. Q: Why isn’t the stocking of other species of trout and salmon being reduced? A: While other trout and salmon species eat alewife, Chinook salmon consume the largest amount in the shortest timespan. Reducing Chinook salmon numbers provides the greatest reduction of alewife consumption in the short-term. Further reducing lake trout stocking is intended to provide more long-term relief, since they grow slower and live longer than Chinook salmon. Lake Ontario’s diversity of trout and salmon supports a world-class fishery, and managers want to maintain that diversity to the extent possible. Q: Will lake trout stocking cuts affect the lake trout fishery? A: No; these cuts will not result in measurable changes, if any, to the adult lake trout population or angler success for 4 - 6 years. The adult lake trout population is currently healthy. Q: Is the Province of Ontario also cutting stocking? A: The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry continues to make stocking reductions commensurate with New York’s. Q: Do naturally produced fish contribute to the fishery? A: All trout and salmon species in Lake Ontario reproduce naturally to varying degrees, with Chinook salmon being the most successful. Fish produced via natural reproduction can contribute significantly to the overall population of Chinooks in the lake. Q: When will stocking numbers be increased? A: It is not possible to forecast when that might occur. Scientists from the US Geological Survey, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and the DEC will continue to monitor the status of the alewife population, sportfisheries, and Chinook salmon growth to assess the balance between Jerry RUNNIN REBEL

DEC TO HOST ONLINE MEETING TO PRESENT 2020 LAKE ONTARIO CHINOOK SALMON STOCKING STRATEGY Changes Designed to Enhance Overall Benefits to Fisheries New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced that an online public meeting will be held on March 18, to discuss changes in 2020 Chinook salmon stocking locations on Lake Ontario. These changes were developed in consultation with a focus group comprised of anglers and charter captains and are designed to maximize contributions of stocked salmon to sportfisheries. "DEC continues to apply the best available science to maintain the world-class status of Lake Ontario’s fisheries, which attract anglers from around the globe," Commissioner Seggos said. "These changes to our Chinook salmon stocking strategy will enhance survival of stocked salmon and improve angling opportunities." DEC’s stocking site allocations of salmon and trout are decades old and largely proportioned by shoreline miles within DEC’s administrative regions bordering Lake Ontario. This proportional approach does not take into consideration fish movement studies, the benefits of pen rearing, and other factors that affect the success of the stocking program, including angler preferences, fishing effort, and geographic and seasonal differences in fish distribution. DEC is currently working with the Lake Ontario Fisheries Management Focus Group, a panel of 16 anglers representing open lake and tributary fisheries, to modify trout and salmon stocking allocations to optimize the benefits of stocked fish to the overall sportfishery. In 2020, DEC will concentrate Chinook salmon stocking at fewer sites to enhance post-stocking survival and improve open lake fisheries overall. This strategy will also enhance New York State’s late-summer staging fishery and existing tributary fisheries in key locations. The online meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., on Wednesday, March 18. Participants can use the following link to join the meeting: https://meetny.webex.com/meetny/j.php?MTID=m8e94b08c21e5ce9a816c88c5238c2725. Participants are directed to use the meeting number 647 538 274, password: Chinook2020. Upon joining the meeting, participants will be prompted to connect to audio using their computer. To connect to audio via phone, use the following call-in information: toll free number 1-844-633-8697 and access code: 641 790 213. Stocking information presented at the meeting will be posted on the DEC’s website the day of the meeting. Questions regarding this meeting can be directed to Steve LaPan, Great Lakes Fisheries Section Head, at 315-654-2147 or [email protected]. Jerry RUNNIN REBEL

Kevin That would VERY HELPFUL. And thanks for your time and effort also. Jerry RUNNIN REBEL

Picture Lake Trout after eating Mighty Taco HAAAHA And the smell of a cup of worms left in your refrigerator for 3 years If we could produce and submit a single response from the Lake Ontario United members that each of us could copy and send with an added story/experience of our own to more personalize the message, I believe more people would participate simply from the convenience and then our numbers could possibly have a little more weight. Jerry RUNNIN REBEL

Les, They are DEVASTATING to the ponds/smaller bodies of waters throughout the entire Northeast. And that destruction is done with lightning speed. Jerry RUNNIN REBEL

They can be killed, every year they are. There is a NY State cap # we can only kill up to that number state wide per year. That cap # has been drastically lowered for NY State and the whole North East CAP # also. So please if you take the time to send comments on this VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE, include that you want to see the cap RAISED,( number of cormorants allowed to be killed per year). Trying to include the damage they do to "Free swimming fish populations" Jerry RUNNIN REBEL

Now is the time for your voice to be officially heard. Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service Solicits Public Input on Cormorant Management 1/21/2020 Last edited 1/21/2020 Date: January 21, 2020 Contacts: [email protected] Vanessa Kauffman, 703-358-2138, [email protected] WASHINGTON – As part of ongoing efforts to address conflicts between double-crested cormorants and wild and stocked fisheries, the Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is announcing an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) and soliciting public input on future management options. “Balancing the protection of native wildlife with economic and human health needs is fundamental to effective management practices,” said U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt. “Today’s action starts the process of improving management and further reduces conflicts with double-crested cormorants throughout the United States.” Future management actions built on a strong biological foundation ensure cormorant populations are managed responsibly and in compliance with federal laws and regulations, while balancing economic development, human health and safety, endangered species management and other priorities. “We are building long-term solutions for managing conflicts with double-crested cormorants under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act while maintaining healthy populations of this species,” said Aurelia Skipwith, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “This effort, in collaboration with our partners, will ensure continued good stewardship of our natural resources.” In 2017, the Service completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) evaluating options for issuing individual depredation permits to provide relief for aquaculture facilities experiencing direct economic losses from cormorants across 37 central and eastern states and the District of Columbia. The EA analyzed options for the issuance of depredation permits for cormorants where there is either significant economic damage to aquaculture facilities, significant damage to native vegetation, significant impact on a threatened or endangered species, or significant human safety risks. Upon completion of the EA on November 15, 2017, the Service began issuing permits to aquaculture facility managers and property owners across 37 central and eastern states and the District of Columbia. This review did not include potential damage to recreational and commercial fishing by cormorants. Since the publication of the EA, the Service engaged stakeholders to assess the biological, social and economic significance of wild fish-cormorant interactions, and to identify a suite of management alternatives. The Service is also currently working with tribes, state fish and wildlife agencies and other federal partners to assess comprehensive management options for cormorants across the United States. “With nearly 30,000 water surface acres across Arkansas used for aquaculture production, our fish farmers contributed $71.1 million to our state’s economy in 2017. However, the United States Department of Agriculture estimates double-crested cormorants cause more than $25 million in damage annually within the aquaculture industry. These birds have become the foremost antagonists of fish farmers. We need commonsense solutions that allow aquaculture producers to safeguard their fish from these predators,” said U.S. Sen. John Boozman (AR). “I applaud the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for responding to the need of aquaculture producers by increasing the amount of maximum allowable take of double-crested cormorants, and I look forward to working with the Department of Interior and USFWS to ensure we can find commonsense solutions to ease the burden for hard working Arkansan aquaculture producers.” “Arkansans are experiencing the harmful impact of double-crested cormorants across the state. As one of the top aquaculture producers in the nation, Arkansas and its fish farmers are suffering millions of dollars in losses as these avian predators consume critical inventory,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (AR). “I am glad the Department of Interior is taking this problem seriously and hope that further progress will come swiftly.” “Bird predation costs producers millions of dollars every year. I applaud the Department of the Interior for taking this important step to help aquacultures producers address those losses,” said U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS). “The double-crested cormorant has been detrimental to Mississippi’s catfish farmers,” said U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (MS). “I am pleased that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is taking this issue seriously and is considering options to allow aquaculture producers to manage the populations of these predatory birds that are destroying fish populations.” “I am pleased to see the Department is moving forward in the rulemaking process for the depredation of double-crested cormorants. This is a desperately needed next step for Michigan’s First District, where over-population is threatening the health of our free swimming and recreational fisheries,” said U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman (MI-01). “I am grateful the Administration has committed to this process to ensure a long-term and effective management plan for Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.” “I am pleased with the efforts and action by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to increase the allowable take of double-crested cormorants. This is a necessary step to mitigate more than $25 million in annual damages to the catfish and aquaculture industry,” said U.S. Rep. Michael Guest (MS-03). “I’m supportive of this proposed rule, which will have a positive impact on Mississippi’s catfish industry, and I will continue to work with FWS to promote Mississippi’s aquaculture needs.” “Science has consistently proven that managing cormorants is necessary to protect not just aquaculture but fishing as well. I applaud the administration for listening to input, increasing the take and promoting sound scientific practices,” said U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04). “Double-crested cormorants can pose a significant threat to American aquaculture. The American Farm Bureau Federation is pleased to learn that the Department of the Interior is moving forward to help provide farmers the necessary management tools to prevent double-crested cormorants from preying on farm livestock,” said President of the American Farm Bureau Federation Zippy Duvall. “The strong return of double crested cormorants is a significant conservation success. But in the absence of natural predators, cormorants are inflicting substantial depredation on both private and public aquatic resources. This effort by the Fish and Wildlife Service is necessary and appropriate to maintain a healthy ecosystem," said Former Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Dale Hall. Public scoping for the rulemaking process will begin with the publication of the ANPR in the Federal Register on January 22, 2020, and will continue for 45 days until March 9, 2020. To promulgate a proposed rule and prepare a draft environmental review pursuant to NEPA, the Service will take into consideration all comments and any additional information received on or before that date. You may submit written comments by one of the following methods. Please do not submit comments by both. We do not accept email or faxes. Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Follow the instructions for submitting comments to Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2019-0103. By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or hand-delivery to Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS–HQ–MB–2019–0103; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, MS: JAO/1N, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–3803. The Service seeks comments or suggestions from the public, governmental agencies, tribes, the scientific community, industry or any other interested parties. Areas for consideration include but are not limited to: potential reporting and monitoring strategies of cormorants by states and participating tribes; impacts on floodplains, wetlands, wild and scenic rivers or ecologically sensitive areas; impacts to other species of wildlife, including endangered or threatened species; and impacts on prime agricultural lands. Please see the Federal Register notice for more details. The Fish and Wildlife service will post all comments on regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The Service will hold public scoping meetings in the form of multiple webinars in February 2020. More information about the rulemaking process, cormorants and meetings, including how to register, can be found here.

Congrats Joe and to your Dad. That is truly awesome. Jerry RUNNIN REBEL

14 ‘ old HEAVEY aluminum deep “V” boat with 12’ black 1984 Calkins trailer. Boat and trailer NOT A MATCH. comes with 3 ratchet straps....... Duck negotiable......$350.00 Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

King Hunter you are spot on here. While the Canadian side is Documenting, studying, and has clipping King project (Port Credit-Ganaraska experiment study) ECT ECT ECT...….. The USA side continues to discuss and hypothesize about predator/prey ratios and what is happening to our king sizes here and what actions to take or not take. With technically just over half the kings in Lake O naturally produced, The Canadian side is the Unofficial production grounds. The Naturals are protected in Canada every season with hefty fines and a culture of everyday sportsman and woman watching over this. Also not much if any bickering between Stream guy's and lake guy's. They are a united front, please google ONTARIO FEDERATION OF ANGLERS & HUNTERS. Over 100,000 members strong !!! Strength and $$$ & VOTES are in numbers. With over 700+ stream-rivers-creeks on Lake O, over 400 are in Canada. " Most of the north shore rivers and creeks get a run of salmon; some of them produce naturals" AND "They run up all the tributaries without any dams, right into the headwaters which are always cold, clean and flowing" these King Hunter statements sum it up. Now YES there is natural production on the US side but with a more of a "pay to play" combo free for all style on our waters .On the USA side here are just some example of the OVERWELMING majority of potential waters and their potential limitations to producing major Natural contributions consistently, other than the proven Salmon river Niagara river= Niagara Falls... 18 mile = Burt dam.. Oak Orchard = Dam... Genesee River= Falls.. ECT Heck most years we can only pen rear our salmon for just a few weeks because of the non conducive high water temps at some pen sites in early spring time. More meetings/conference call discussions are taking place to come up with a plan/direction of this fishery. I would like to start another topic and get everyones feed back on what we should recommend on King #'s for 2020 stocking numbers 1 stay status quo 1 more year (wait and see current data) 2 get some/certain % back 3 Restore most if not all of the -%20 & -%20 Jerry RUNNIN REBEL

. BUT, if you did want GENETIC ARMY “ Darkies” this was me and the wives two years back on Yankee Troller for fun. Jerry. RUNNIN REBEL Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

. Here is your NY STATE “ dumpster fire” complete front page news , with tax increase section. Jerry RUNNIN REBEL Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app