Thursday, August 25, 2016

DEC modifies freshwater sportfishing regulations

DEC modifies freshwater sportfishing regulations approximately every two years as part of DEC’s commitment to enhance fishing opportunities and protect the State’s freshwater resources.
The proposals include:
• Reduce the daily limit from five to three northern pike for St. Lawrence River and define boundary between Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.
• Close two short sections of Fish Creek and Indian River in St. Lawrence County to fishing from March 16 until the opening of walleye season.
• Close a section of the Grasse River in St. Lawrence County to all fishing from March 16 until the opening of walleye season.
• Clarify that St. Lawrence River tributaries in Franklin and Clinton counties are exempt from Great Lakes regulations.
• Several non-substantive regulation modifications are also proposed to remove duplicate regulations and to make structural changes designed to allow for easier modification of regulations in the future.
“I encourage anglers to review what is being proposed and provide input during the public comment period,” he said.
DEC assessed the status of existing freshwater sportfish populations and the desires of anglers in developing these proposed regulations.
Many of the proposed changes are the result of an effort to consolidate regulations and eliminate special regulations that are no longer warranted or have become outdated.

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Asian carp

Charter fishing groups want federal officials to act further to prevent an invasive species from entering the Great Lakes as they fear dire consequences to their businesses.
A coalition of charter boat captains from the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River is asking Congress to do more, saying additional action is needed to stop the spread of Asian carp.
“While we are pleased with the steps taken so far to prevent Asian carp from entering Lake Michigan, it’s not enough. We need permanent solutions as fast as possible,” Denny Grinold, owner of Fish N Grin Charter Service in Michigan, said in a written statement issued Tuesday. “We keep hearing Congress is getting Asian carp fatigue, but our livelihoods depend on keeping these invasive fish out of the Great Lakes and the only fail-proof solution is separating the two watersheds.”