DEC announces changes to bait fish restrictions

[L&M]

DEC announces changes to bait fish restrictions, effective today (Jan. 6)

By David Figura/The Post-Standard

January 06, 2010, 1:45PM

The following is a press release from the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced revised regulations that extend the time period for anglers to legally possess and use certified bait fish from seven to 10 days after purchase, and also allow the use of some bait fish in certain Western New York waters that had previously been prohibited. The new rules become effective today.

The movement of uncertified bait fish can be a principle avenue for the transmission of fish diseases. In an effort to protect New York’s fisheries from the introduction of invasive species and diseases, DEC enacted rules to restrict bait fish use including limiting the use of certified disease-free bait fish to within one week of purchase. After receiving requests and input from anglers seeking to extend that time period, DEC is providing an additional three days to allow certified bait fish to be used in state waters. With the extension to 10 days, anglers can potentially use the bait fish over consecutive weekends, depending on the date of purchase. The 10-day period will extend from the date of purchase indicated on the required, dated bait fish receipt.

“This change will enhance the opportunity for anglers to use certified bait fish, but still maintain our efforts to protect fisheries from the potential release of uncertified or diseased bait fish into New York waters,†Commissioner Grannis said.

In addition, the new regulation allows for the use of two bait fish species in additional waters of the state where their use is currently prohibited. Alewife may now be used in Hemlock Lake (Livingston County), Canadice Lake (Ontario County) and Waneta Lake (Schuyler County). In addition, use of rainbow smelt as bait will also be allowed in Hemlock Lake and Canadice Lake, as well as Honeoye Lake (Ontario County). These species are being added to the acceptable list of bait fish species that can be used because reproducing populations of alewife and smelt currently exist in these lakes and their use as bait fish poses no biological threat to the waters’ fish communities.

While DEC is expanding the list of waters where the use of alewife and rainbow smelt is permitted, use is still subject to the statewide regulations pertaining to the use of bait fish, including the prohibition against the overland transport of uncertified bait fish. Information about these requirements and other freshwater fishing regulations can be found on the DEC website.

[skipper19]

I am going to make the proverbial ass-u-me that the new regulation is based on the retention time of the bait as of today and not the ...all bait purchased after today... so that my bait I bought 7 days ago is now still good for another 3 days. Any guess as to the thought?

Mark

[Gator]

Excellent, Smithers! I can finally use those Slammer tipups that I bought a year ago on Canadice...dead smelt on the bottom!

[Ahab]

GATOR

WHERE YA GONA BUY CERTIFIED SMELT ?

[Big Dave]

P&C Frozen smelt in the frozen food section

[Gator]

Buy?? Why would I do that when there's a whole lake full of smelt just sitting there?

The old rules prohibited the use of smelt as bait, despite the fact that smelt were native. Now I just need someone who jigs for smelt to offer me a seat one nite.

[GAMBLER]

Ahab,

They don't have to be certified if they are COMMERCIALLY packaged and perserved in other means other than just frozen (ie salted). Check the DEC website and you will find it. Mitchells in Rochester was selling them back at the begining of the ice season. They are out of the big stuff. I purchased the last 7 dozen. They did have real small stuff last I knew.

[Ahab]

GATOR

IT'S OK TO USE SMELT FROM THE LAKE AS LONG AS YOU CAN EXPLAIN HOW YOU CAUGHT THEM FROM THAT LAKE AND DIDN'T TRANSPORT THEM IN YOUR CAR.

IF YOU LIVE WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE YOU CAN WALK HOME WITH THEM AND BACK. BUT YOU CAN'T PUT THEM IN YOUR CAR AND DRIVE BACK.

[lakebound88]

yes, you can catch and use bait out of the same body of water all you want if im not mistaking. the moment it hits the truck bed youre done, but then again its only illegal if you get caught.