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Status of Sea Lamprey in Lake Erie and Lake Ontario Sea Lamprey are a parasitic invasive species in the Great Lakes that attack and kill trout, salmon, and other desirable sportfish. A single sea lamprey can consume over 40 pounds of fish in its lifetime and their presence threatens sustainable fisheries. The Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) is charged with conducting sea lamprey control in all five Great Lakes. One way that the GLFC monitors the succuss of the control program is by annually estimating the number of adult sea lamprey in each lake. The adult sea lamprey index in Lake Erie was higher than the management target for many years but has been below, or near, the target for the last five years. In 2024, the adult index number was below target but the 3-year average remained slightly above target (Figure 1). In Lake Ontario, the adult sea lamprey index was below the management target from 2015-2021, but the sea lamprey abundance increased dramatically in 2022-2023 due in part to missed sea lamprey control treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic. The adult index value declined in 2024 but remained above the target (Figure 1). Sea lamprey control treatments resumed in 2022 and the adult index should continue to decline in the coming years. DEC Fisheries Works for You!

It will depend on how you hold the rod, the larger the reel size the higher above the rod the line counter is. For me the line counter on a size 40 is high enough above the rod that my arm just fits under it when I hold the rod. With a size 30 the line counter is hitting into my arm.

The Fishing Line - December 29th Issue In this issue: DEC Fisheries – 2023 Year in Review 2023 Lake Ontario Creel Survey Summary - Another Great Year of Fishing on Lake Ontario! Hatchery Highlight – Adirondack Fish Hatchery DEC Fisheries – 2023 Year in Review Check out the list below for some highlights and noteworthy items from the past year here in the Bureau of Fisheries. 2024 already looks to be a very productive year! Cornell Biological Field Station staff caught 13 untagged young lake sturgeon in Oneida Lake during their routine surveys, the most wild sturgeon they've ever captured in one field season. Aging of fin rays from untagged sturgeon indicates wild fish have been documented from every year-class since 2011. A very promising sign for natural sturgeon reproduction in the lake! Michelle Poprawski, Manager at our Catskill Fish Hatchery, was selected as one of Hatchery International's Top 10 Under 40. This award recognizes aquaculture professionals from across the globe that are making an impact in their field of work. To learn how she received this impressive recognition, check out the article. Congratulations Michelle! Fish Hatchery Improvements - a rearing building for cisco (lake herring) at Bath Fish Hatchery will be complete with anticipated production beginning this winter, Salmon River Hatchery observation platforms were completed, a new pond was poured at Caledonia Fish Hatchery for additional rearing space. In September, Long Island’s I FISH NY Program joined eight residents from All American Assisted Living at Upper Lake in Yaphank, Suffolk County, for a day of fun and fishing. They learned about common freshwater fish on Long Island and the basics of fishing, then got the opportunity to try fishing. Most were successful in catching a few sunfish and largemouth bass. Watch a short video on the program. DEC in collaboration with USFWS, Tioga County SWCD, Trout Unlimited, and Tioga County Anglers Association, completed a habitat improvement on the West Branch of Owego Creek, at the DEC Fishing Access Site south of Route 79 (on West Creek Road) in the Town of Richford. Two aging and dilapidated wooden crib pool digger structures were removed and replaced with large stone cross vanes, eliminating streambank erosional issues associated with the old structures, improving angler access and wading safety, and ensuring excellent fish holding pool habitat in the stretch of stream. Fishing opportunities in this area include both stocked and holdover brown trout and numerous wild brown and brook trout. The site will be further enhanced with riparian tree plantings in spring of 2024. Funding for this project was provided by NYS Habitat Stamp funds and Trout Unlimited. Video Release- Lake Sturgeon, Saving a Great Lakes Dinosaur - Check out this video where we got 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. First-ever walleye telemetry study on Oneida Lake - a 3-year telemetry study of adult walleyes in Oneida Lake kicked off this past Fall. Sixty-four acoustic receivers have been spaced throughout the lake and select tributaries to track the movement of 200 adult walleyes surgically implanted with acoustic transmitters to learn more about where they spawn, seasonal movement patterns, and more. The first data from receivers will be downloaded next summer. Learning about lake trout spawning - DEC biologists are working on a multi-agency collaborative study to identify lake trout spawning areas, as well as quantify the quality and quantity of their spawning habitat in Lake Ontario. Lake trout are native to Lake Ontario and populations were decimated by habitat loss, invasive sea lamprey, overfishing, and reproductive impairment. Wild reproduction of lake trout is currently very low, and DEC and its partners are conducting research to understand the factors leading to low reproduction. This past spring, over 320 lake trout were captured throughout the lake and tagged with acoustic transmitters to track their movements and pinpoint spawning locations in the fall. To quantify current habitat quality, biologists are also using video to map bottom habitat at thousands of potential spawning locations across the lake. Watch the sample video (6 MB)... and...wait for the lucky shot at the end.... I guess they nailed that one! The Bureau of Fisheries upgraded it’s fleet of electrofishing boats by purchasing 10 new boats this past year. These new boats were needed to replace a number of aging boats that are no longer functional or in need of major repairs. Electrofishing boats are necessary for monitoring sportfish populations, fish communities, and invasive fish species in nearshore habitats. Understanding how and why anglers use fisheries is vital for effective management, and one mechanism to get this information is through direct contact creel surveys. This past year, DEC staff conducted creel surveys on a number of high-use fisheries, including Lake George, Cayuga Lake, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Lake Champlain, and Oneida Lake. We'll be sure to share the results from these surveys this spring. 2023 Lake Ontario Creel Survey Summary - Another Great Year of Fishing on Lake Ontario! The Lake Ontario creel survey recently wrapped up another season, and preliminary results indicate: Excellent Chinook salmon fishing in 2023. Angler catch rates for Chinook during the 2023 fishing season were the second highest in the 37-year survey and 40% above the 10-year average. Relatively smaller Chinook (kings) compared to the long-term average, but still running about 18.4 pounds for an age-3 fish. Higher catches of Atlantic salmon across all areas. Although still relatively rare, catches of this native species are on the rise with catch rates 82% above the 10-year average in 2023. Decent brown trout fishing. West area anglers targeting browns struggled a bit in the spring and larger browns were reportedly harder to come by across all areas, but the “cookie-cutter” 2 to 4 pound browns were plentiful in the east and east central areas, and lake-wide seasonal catch rates placed 8% above the 10-year average. Below average catch rates for steelhead and lake trout. Catch rates for these species may have been affected in 2023 because they are targeted less when Chinook fishing is good. Lake trout abundance may also be down due to the record high numbers of parasitic lamprey observed in 2022. Fortunately, lamprey numbers have come down in 2023. More details can be found in the survey’s monthly reports posted on the Lake Ontario Fisheries Management and Research page, and the full survey report will be available in early 2024. The Lake Ontario creel survey continues in the tributaries from now until next spring, so be on the lookout for DEC creel agents and reports in the coming months. Hatchery Highlight – Adirondack Fish Hatchery Location: 103 Fish Hatchery Road, Saranac Lake, Franklin County Visitor Hours: 9:00AM - 3:30PM, 7 days a week, from April 1 to October 31 Species Raised: Landlocked Atlantic salmon and round whitefish Overview: Constructed in 1885, the Adirondack Fish Hatchery is situated in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains several miles northwest of the Village of Saranac Lake. The site was selected in 1884 due to its premiere location near a consistent flow of cool, clean water from Little Clear Pond and easy access to a railroad and telegraph and telephone lines. In later years, the hatchery created four wells to bring in warmer water during the winter months to speed up egg and fish development of select species. Historically, the hatchery raised multiple trout and salmon species, but today the main activities that take place here include: Raise and stock around 250,000 landlocked Atlantic salmon (eggs collected from domestic landlocked salmon at the hatchery and wild landlocked salmon from Little Clear Pond) Raise and stock around 30,000 round whitefish (eggs collected from wild round whitefish in Little Green Pond and Lower Cascade Lake) Fun Fact: The Adirondack Fish Hatchery is the only hatchery in New York State that specializes in breeding the endangered round whitefish for stocking in waters they historically inhabited, as well as the only DEC hatchery to raise native landlocked Atlantic salmon for stocking in waters from the Adirondacks to the Catskills, Finger Lakes, and Lake Ontario. Learn more about DEC Fish Hatcheries

Nice boat but it is not a Pro Hunter -- It is a 255 Intruder Also check the pictures because that is not at Wright's

Lake Ontario Fishing Boat Survey Results - Spring 2023 Lake Ontario provides anglers with a diverse world-class trout and salmon fishery worth an estimated $560 million dollars to NY's economy. According to anglers surveyed this spring, there were: Above average Chinook salmon fishing in the west and east central lake areas in April and early May with unfavorable winds and slower fishing later in the reporting period; Slightly above average brown trout fishing in east central and east lake areas; A noticeable lack of larger-sized browns lake-wide; Lower lake trout catch rates in 3 out of 4 lake areas, and below average catch rates in the west central area for all species; and Lower numbers of lamprey observed compared to record highs in 2022. Copy of full report: Lake Ontario Fishing Boat Survey, Spring 2023 Report (ny.gov)

NYS Regulations: Fish cleaning • All legally harvested fsh may be gilled or gutted while on the water. • Possession of the following fsh that have been cut, dismembered, flleted, skinned, or otherwise altered so that the species and total length of such fsh cannot be easily determined is prohibited: ⊲ Walleye, ⊲ Black Bass, ⊲ Brook trout, ⊲ Lake trout, and ⊲ Atlantic salmon. • Other species of fsh may be flleted provided that the skin is not removed from the fllets. Fish carcass disposal It is illegal to discard any fsh carcass, or parts thereof, into the freshwaters of the state within 100 feet of shore or upon any public or private lands contiguous to and within 100 feet of such water, except: • On private lands by the owners of such lands; • If properly disposing into suitable garbage or refuse collection systems or by burial; • Where incidental cleaning of fsh for consumption is permitted. However, resulting waste may not be disposed of within 100 feet of any public launching or docking site unless into a suitable refuse collection system; and • Fish required to be returned to the water by regulation or law. 74 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide  2023 I thought I read somewhere that you also weren't suppose to filet steelhead on the lake because of the 21" minimum size regulation.

Dry docking will save you fuel cost of towing depending on how far you travel. I had a 4 hour tow and it was less expensive to pay the marina fee but that would also depend on how often you fished. It was also much more convenient to dry dock because I didn't have to pack up everything completely each time, all I had to do was take down the rods and put on the cover. The downside is your boat isn't at your home so you can't work on it between trips and there might be security issues depending on the area. You also have towing issues, ie. slower speeds, flat tires, more stressful driving, ect. . The larger the boat the more problems. I towed for years and then dry docked for a few. Now I keep her in a slip and wouldn't want to go back to towing every trip.

http://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/NYSDEC/2015/08/586183/decdeliversbanner_original.jpg DEC Delivers - Information to keep you connected and informed from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation View in browser DEC and Local Partners Host Public Meetings About Lake Ontario Meetings Scheduled for June 6 in Rochester, June 21 in Mexico DEC Fisheries Staff to Share Current State of Lake Ontario Sport Fisheries New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Bureau of Fisheries Chief, Lake Ontario Unit Leader, and respective regional fisheries managers will be on-hand at two upcoming public meetings hosted by DEC partners in Rochester and Mexico. DEC experts will talk about the current state of the Lake Ontario sport fisheries and take questions on a wide array of management actions and research taking place on the lake and tributaries. At the meetings, interested anglers will have the opportunity to speak directly with staff after a brief presentation. The Lake Ontario Charter Boat Association is hosting the first public meeting in DEC's Region 8, which is comprised of Chemung, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, and Yates counties. What: Lake Ontario Sport Fishery Public Meeting When: June 6, beginning at 7 p.m. Where: Irondequoit Fish and Game Club, 658 Bay Front S, Rochester, NY 14609 The Eastern Lake Ontario Salmon and Trout Association is hosting the second meeting in DEC's Region 7, which is comprised of Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Tioga, and Tompkins counties. What: Lake Ontario Sport Fishery Public Meeting When: June 21, beginning at 7 p.m. Where: VFW Hall, 5930 Scenic Avenue, Mexico, NY 13114 For more information contact Chris Legard, Lake Ontario Unit Leader, at 315-654-2147 or email: [email protected]. Lake Ontario anglers, and all fishing enthusiasts, are encouraged to check out DEC's 'Tackle Box' feature in the HuntFishNY App, which provides anglers one-stop shopping for waterbody-specific information on fishing regulations, stocking, and fishing/boating access sites. https://www.dec.ny.gov/press/press.html The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation respects your right to privacy and welcomes your feedback | Update preferences or unsubscribe | Learn more about DEC Delivers Connect with DEC: http://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/NYSDEC/2015/07/565841/facebookicon_original.jpg http://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/NYSDEC/2015/07/567473/youtubeicon_original.jpg Basil Seggos, Commissioner

look at Navionics Platinum https://www.lakeontariounited.com/fishing-hunting/topic/99634-navionics-platinum/?do=findComment&comment=710407

Chinook Salmon Stocking Targets Increased for 2023 DEC and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (OMNRF) have agreed to a 10% increase in Chinook salmon stocking in Lake Ontario this year. We have been adaptively managing the number of salmon and trout stocked in Lake Ontario, since 2016, based on the alewife biomass and Chinook salmon growth and condition. In 2022, the age-2 and older alewife biomass increased and is predicted to remain at similar levels in 2023 and 2024 (see below for a full report prepared by USGS). The average weight of an age-3 Chinook salmon increased to 20.7 pounds in 2022 and remained above the lower threshold of 18.4 pounds. As a result, DEC will stock 985,180 Chinook salmon in 2023 – an increase of approximately 90,000 over 2022. The additional fish are being spread evenly across the stocking sites listed in the Lake Ontario salmon and trout stocking strategy, except the Salmon River stocking numbers will remain the same as in 2022 (serving and the water for hatchery broodstock, it already receives higher numbers than the other stocking locations). 2023 Chinook salmon stocking targets (Location, Number stocked) Niagara River - 89,930 Eighteenmile Creek (Olcott) - 126,330 Oak Orchard Creek - 126,330 Genesee River - 126,330 Oswego River - 126,330 Salmon River - 300,000 Sackets Harbor (Black River) - 89,930 Adaptively managing the number of salmon and trout stocked in Lake Ontario ensures we maintain a predator prey balance and continue to provide world-class fishing opportunities for years to come. Lake Ontario April prey fish survey results and Alewife assessment, 2022 (PDF) Lake Ontario Salmon and Trout Stocking Strategy- 2022-2026 (PDF)

Stay tuned is all I'll say Edited September 9 by Yankee Troller

Thanks Rick, have you used the paddle wheel for speed? Do you have any info about Fish Hawk that you would be willing to share? I have the original Smart Troll and I agree with you 100%. When it worked the info was very valuable but the reliability of the system wasn't very good. One by one my probes quit working, probably related to the batteries. When my last probe died this year I really missed the info, especially on my divers. I am thinking about upgrading to the new version but haven't found many reviews on it out there. I'm still concerned about the reliability and the batteries holding up. I am surprised Darrell doesn't offer a "smart charger" or replaceable batteries.

Anyone have any experience with the newer version Smart Troll ll? I’m familiar with the original version and am wondering how much improvement the newer version is . Also wondering if anyone knows what Fish Hawk has coming??? Thanks

I've used one for several years. I have four riggers and usually only run three when fishing deep so I leave the seaqualizer attached to the 4th rigger, hook them up and send them down. Quick and easy I don't know how much it actually helps survival rate but it's better than watching them float behind the boat in the warm water. I've also used it for shakers that look tired out.

Copied from NYS Regulations Regulations of Harvested Fish Fish Cleaning All legally harvested fish may be gilled or gutted while on the water. Possession of the following fish that have been cut, dismembered, filleted, skinned, or otherwise altered so that the species and total length of such fish cannot be easily determined is prohibited: Walleye, Black Bass, Brook trout, Lake trout, and Atlantic salmon. Other species of fish may be filleted provided that the skin is not removed from the fillets. Fish Carcass Disposal It is illegal to discard any fish carcass, or parts thereof, into the freshwaters of the state within 100 feet of shore or upon any public or private lands contiguous to and within 100 feet of such water, except: On private lands by owners of such lands; If properly disposing into suitable garbage or refuse collection systems or by burial; Where incidental cleaning of fish for consumption is permitted. However, resulting waste may not be disposed of within 100 feet of any public launching or docking site unless into a suitable refuse collection sys tem; and Fish required to be returned to the water by regulation or law. It's OK to fillet salmon, steelheads and browns on the water but not lakers or atlantics. I do see a lot more boats with cleaning stations these days coming in slow with a lot of gulls following them in?