BITS AND PIECES

      I received the following information at the annual New York State Conservation Council (NYSCC) legislative meeting in Albany, March 2004.

NEW YORK FISHERIES

      New York State Department of Environmental Commissioner, Erin Crotty stated that there will be approximately 4,000,000 fish stocked in New York State this year. Over 500,000 of these will be walleye fingerlings. Commissioner Crotty went on to say that 9 Hatchery positions previously vacant, will be filled.
    Over $500,000 is presently allocated for new boat launch sites and refurbishment of existing sites.    
Fishing license sales statewide are down but sales in Erie County and western New York are stable.
      There is only one month left to make your comments on the proposed fishing regulation changes for 2004-2006. There are several southern tier trout stream proposals and an increased size limit and creel reduction for walleyes on Chautauqua Lake in Region 9. All of these proposed regulation changes are on the aforementioned DEC website.  The proposals will go into effect October 1st, 2004 unless public outcry necessitates a delay.
      The bill supporting the ban on sale of recreational caught fish (this is an approved NYSCC resolution proposed by Erie County) appears to be in trouble as there is no sponsor in the Senate. A one-house bill will not go anywhere! It seems that the sale of panfish by recreational anglers is a way of life in certain parts of the state (Lake Champlain, Oneida Lake Etc.) and these unscrupulous anglers have convinced their state representatives to oppose any bill banning the sale of angler caught fish. Panfish caught by recreational anglers on Lake Champlain are being sold in Canada in as far away ports as Wheatley.Ontario.
      The NYSDEC  station located at Dunkirk is conducting a steelhead stream and lake survey this year and need sportsmen volunteers to maintain a diary of their catch, if you are interested call the DEC at 716-366-0228.

Joe Fischer