NYSCC ANNUAL FISH COMMITTEE MEETING-2004

Attendance:  E. Zamjohn-Reg.4, Charles Jessie- Reg.5, W.Girvan- Reg.6, C.Crosby- Reg.7, J.Strickland- Reg.8, J.Fischer- Reg.9, Advisors- W. Bennett- Reg. 4, Joan Bennett- Reg.4, T. Marks- Reg. 9, Guests, D.Stang (NYSDEC)

    The annual meeting of the NYSCC Fish Committee was held on April 24th 2004 at  Herkimer County Community College. The meeting was called to order at 9:25 A.M. The minutes of this meeting are as follows:

D. Stang informed the committee that in spite of budget restraints fish stocking in New York would only be slightly down.  This will mean approx. 100,000 less yearling Brown Trout this spring. The hatcheries experienced truck breakdowns; people injured etc. which contributed to the problems.  1,700,000 fish will be stocked throughout the state.
    Four fish hatcheries are in dire need of repair, which are estimated at 20,000,000 dollars. The problem is that New York State is only releasing 800,000 dollars for repairs this year. The fish committee urges the NYSCC to prioritize this problem and lobby for the state to release more money to update these hatcheries. C. Crosby pointed out that surveys have shown that money spent on fish stocking and hatcheries has had at least a 5 to 1 return, which makes it one of the best investments the state could make. Based on this it is foolish to not update these hatcheries as soon as possible!
    Oneida Lake's 2001 year class of walleyes appears to be excellent which is great news as this lake provides the brood stock for almost all the walleye stocking programs in New York. It also appears that they had a great walleye spawning run this year.  The size of the walleyes in this lake is also increasing with walleyes up to 12 pounds showing up in netting and shocking surveys. It used to be a rarity to see a walleye over 5 pounds in this lake! The committee congratulated the DEC for their efforts on this very important walleye lake.
    The walleye news on Chautauqua Lake however, is not as good as there has not been any successful spawning runs in over 8 years. The DEC is trying to mitigate this situation with a stocking program. The lake received 75,000 fingerlings last year and another 50,000 this year. The fingerlings stocked this year were approx. 4" long which should have a better survival rate then the normal 1-2" fingerlings. Hopefully this program will bring this strong walleye fishery back to normal in a few years. The DEC is also changing the size and creel limit for walleyes on this lake to 3/day and 18" minimum starting October 1st 2004.    
Doug Stang reported that the cormorant control program appears to be working on Lake Ontario and Oneida Lake . Oiling eggs is a very effective population control with a goal of less than 5000 birds on Little Galloo Island. Little Galloo had over 8000 nests in recent years. Approx. 300 Cormorants have also been harvested. The DEC is attempting to reduce the population of these birds without effecting other bird populations on the islands. Tactics employed on Oneida Lake include harassment with propane guns. The goal on this lake is to limit the cormorants to 100 nests or less.
Cormorant control methods are also being used on Strawberry and Motor islands in the upper Niagara River by DEC personnel. Over 50 birds have been dispatched as these birds are interfering with other rare migrating nesting species such as the Great White Heron. Region 9 feels that a study should be started to determine the impact of the cormorant on Eastern Lake Erie where their population appears to be rising. Many fishermen report seeing large flocks of these voracious fish predators from Dunkirk to Buffalo harbor.
The "I Fish N.Y." program is in serious trouble because of lack of  personnel for implementation. The Fish committee feels that this should be rectified as soon as possible and in formed Mr. Stang of their concerns.
Lake Ontario charter boats have indicated that lamprey eel marks are increasing on Lake Trout. The committee recommended that the DEC implement a TFM lampricide program to protect the superb Lake Trout fishing in Lake Ontario.
All of the proposed fishing regulation changes for 2004 appear to be acceptable except for the closure of the lower Niagara River walleye season until the first Saturday in May and the shortening of the bass season on the St. Lawrence River. Both of these proposals have run into opposition by local groups of fishermen and are being reviewed at this time.
The early catch and release bass season in the western part of Region 8 appears to be successful and the DEC is looking into a possible statewide catch and release season for bass.
The NYSCC resolution to stop the sale of panfish in New York is supported by the DEC but pockets of opposition exist in the areas of the state that are used to selling panfish for profit. Panfish from New York are showing up as far away as Wheatley in the province of Ontario!
The Committee urges the NYSCC and all sportsmen to make the passage of a ban on panfish sales a priority. The only way this bill will get passed is through a concentrated effort of the NYSCC and all sportsmen!  
Region 6 reported that a lot of fishermen in this region support a 1 fish steelhead limit on the Lake Ontario tributaries. This region also congratulates the DEC on a good job on Oneida Lake.
Region 7 thought that the DEC trout and salmon program was excellent but that an expansion of the walleye program throughout New York state is needed and is generally supported by most New York sportsmen. A new Bass Pro shop is opening in Auburn, New York in June. It is estimated that New York State will garner $1,000,000 in sales tax money per year from this venture. Region 7 also commented that Cayuga Lake has some walleye and a walleye-stocking program would probably enhance this fishery.
Region 9 as previously stated, has concerns about the diminished walleye population in Chautauqua Lake and supports a walleye-stocking program on this lake.
Bass Pro is also considering a store in downtown Buffalo with a Great Lakes theme. Gander Mountain recently opened a store in the Buffalo area and Cabela's is also looking at a site for a future store.
Stream fishing in the Lake Erie tributaries continues to be world class and more and more out of state anglers are taking advantage of this superb fishery.
Tom Marks, a new advisor from Region 9, updated the committee on the ballast water discharge problem on the Great Lakes. The dumping of ballast water from other countries by Lake Freighters has introduced many non-indigenous species, which have had a dramatic effect on the Great Lakes eco-system. Invaders like the Zebra Mussel, Quagga Mussel, Goby, spiny water flea, etc. continue to drastically effect the delicate eco-system throughout the Great Lakes and needs to be addressed as soon as possible! Thanks Tom, for this important update.
The NYSCC fish committee extends a "thank You" to Doug Stang for his attendance at this meeting. If you have any questions on this report feel free to call me at 716-684-5826.

                                                                                    Joseph Fischer