Hey folks.

Wondering if there is any off site parking around Syracuse airport.

Flying to Florida beginning of November .

I find $10 a day a little step as I will be there close to 3 weeks possibly.

Flew out in March and stopped to fuel my truck and thought I saw a sign advertising but to stupid to take a picture.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Mitch.

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FINAL_Lake Ontario_Lake_Trout_Strategy_Nov_2014 (1).pdf

“The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.” Winston Churchill's quote sums up what it means to have a good democracy. For a democracy to work, those who are making the decisions, the average voter, need to know what is going on.

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https://13wham.com/news/local/homeland-security-suspends-travel-programs-for-new-yorkers

Vampire of the Sea:

Without sea lamprey controls, the Great Lakes would not be so great

https://doorcountypulse.com/vampire-of-the-sea-without-sea-lamprey-controls-the-great-lakes-would-not-be-so-great/?fbclid=IwAR0JHgn6m46VgjIGkMROqKIYKjCQfyjYr7CsCFCiGcDW6N0jhlyZeQ8XCq8

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/115977.html?fbclid=IwAR2rZ_Fy6-9OB9Cycz2a1Dz1iCL8MLX9_5jMdXqnHaXAGV0hS38Fb-mbcXY

Considerations for Great Lakes Sportfish Regulation Changes for 2020

The Department is currently considering the following potential Great Lakes sportfishing regulation changes and is interested in soliciting feedback on what may be proposed later this year.

How to submit input

To submit input regarding any of the possible changes being considered:

• send an email to regulations.fish@dec.ny.gov

• Include the following subject line: "Possible Great Lakes Fishing Regulation Changes [ID number of the regulation you are commenting on, such as "2020_GL 01"]."

For your convenience, each "Email a comment" link below each potential regulation change will fill in the "To:" and "Subject:" lines with the correct information. To ensure we receive and can properly review your suggestions, you must leave the subject line as it appears on the e-mail, and be sure to indicate the ID # (s) of the regulation(s) you are commenting on.

Please send a separate email for each potential regulation change you would like to make suggestions on!

Note: Due to the high volume of e-mails received, the Department will be unable to reply to individual submissions. All input will be reviewed and considered towards developing a proposed rule making consisting of sportfishing regulation changes that, if accepted, would become effective April 1, 2020.

Great Lakes regulations under consideration

Extend the open season for lake trout in Lake Ontario and the Lower Niagara River (2020_GL 01)

Email a comment

Description: Open the Lake Ontario/Lower Niagara River lake trout season on December 1 (currently opens January 1). The season would be closed from October 1 through November 30.

Rationale: Anglers targeting rainbow trout/steelhead in the Lower Niagara River frequently catch lake trout. Since lake trout spawning is largely over by the end of November, opening the lake trout season on December 1 will provide anglers with additional opportunities to harvest trophy lake trout without jeopardizing lake trout restoration efforts.

Reduce the daily creel limit for brown trout in Lake Ontario tributaries (2020_GL_02)

Email a comment

Description: Reduce the daily creel limit for brown trout in Lake Ontario tributaries from 3 fish per day to 1 fish per day (excluding the Lower Niagara River).

Rationale: This potential change is intended to prolong high quality brown trout fishing opportunities through the winter months, while still allowing anglers the opportunity to harvest a trophy fish. Fishing effort on Lake Ontario tributaries can be intense each year from fall through spring, and maintaining high quality brown trout fishing opportunities relies on anglers releasing a high proportion of their catch.

Increase the minimum size limit for rainbow trout/steelhead on Lake Ontario tributaries (2020_GL_03)

Email a comment

Description: Increase the minimum size limit for rainbow trout/steelhead on Lake Ontario tributaries from 21" to 25" (excluding the Lower Niagara River).

Rationale: This potential change is intended to prolong high quality rainbow trout/steelhead fishing opportunities through the winter months, while still allowing anglers the opportunity to harvest a trophy fish. Anglers have noted smaller rainbow trout/steelhead in recent years, and declining rainbow trout/steelhead fishing success as the winter season progresses.

Decrease the daily creel limit for rainbow trout/steelhead on Lake Ontario and the Lower Niagara River (2020_GL_04)

Email a comment

Description: Reduce the daily creel limit for rainbow trout/steelhead on Lake Ontario and the Lower Niagara River from 3 fish per day to 2 fish per day.

Rationale: Rainbow trout/steelhead provide the primary sportfishery in Lake Ontario's tributaries from November through the following spring. This potential change is designed to increase numbers and sustainability of rainbow trout/steelhead in the tributary fishery by reducing open lake harvest during periods when Chinook fishing success in the lake declines and more anglers specifically target rainbow trout/steelhead.

Eliminate special Lake Erie tributary regulations applied to Spooner Creek and North Branch of Clear Creek (Erie County) (2020_GL_05)

Email a comment

Description: Angling on Spooner Creek and the North Branch of Clear Creek is currently closed each year from January 1 through March 31rst. Under this potential change, anglers would be able to fish species with an open season during the period January 1 through March 31rst.

Rationale: The original intent of these regulations was to protect adult steelhead and promote natural reproduction in these two tributaries. More recent research has indicated that juvenile habitat is the factor limiting wild steelhead production, not the number of adults. Moreover, these regulations apply to stream sections that are entirely privately owned and are posted, significantly limiting angling pressure.

So I live in Greece and today the town hired a local tree company to trim trees near or affecting power lines. I get it, it needs to be done. They did a long stretch of the road I live on including one of my trees.

You guys tell me, I'm I wrong to think they went overboard on one of mine? If they are going to cut off 75% of it shouldn't they just take the whole thing?

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So many new boats are equipped with Marine VHS Radios and being able to use ONE Emergency channel (not 16 or 9) that can broadcast to nearbye boats for help where life or sinking may be immanent. It's common sense in an emergency on the water I feel.

I received confirmation my email letter was rec'd and it's content will be reviewed by the powers. I will update once I receive their reply.

If you can, please plan to attend the news conference July 2^nd at 10:30am @ the Oak Orchard Lighthouse.  

Thank You!

The International Joint Commission last week recommended approval of the new plan for regulating Lake Ontario water levels and St. Lawrence River flows under the new plan named “Plan 2014â€.   This plan now awaits approval from the U.S. and Canadian federal governments. 

Chairman David Callard states that he is very concerned with the billions of dollars of damage that this could cause across the southern shore of Lake Ontario.   Orleans County, along with many other county south shore owners and businesses should not be put in such jeopardy by the International Joint Commission. 

Congressman Chris Collins will be leading a press conference on Wednesday, July 2^nd at 10:30 a.m. in the parking lot near the Lighthouse in Point Breeze.  Chairman Callard hopes that hundreds of people attend this press conference to show their lack of support in this plan.    If you could please attend to help display, in numbers, that this is not a good plan for our property owners and businesses on the shore of Lake Ontario.

We ask that you share this date and time with your friends and neighbors who could be affected by the rise and fall of the Lake Ontario water levels.

Thank you on behalf of Chairman Callard.

Nadine

The other side of it is public health and safety. No body hauls that much fish away to feed their family. It's been noted that it is being sold on the street or out of Chinese restaurants.

If you see something call 911 immediately and a unit will be dispatched or crimestoppers 423-9300 tip# 2k11362

LakeOntarioAlewifeStatusUpdate-2016 (1).pdf

Lake Ontario supports a world class offshore boat and tributary fishery. Anglers in the New York waters and tributaries of Lake Ontario caught more than 234,000 trout and salmon including Chinook and coho salmon, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout and Atlantic salmon in 2015. One of the greatest strengths of the Lake Ontario sportfishery is its diversity; anglers can target other species when their preferred target isn’t “cooperating.† Chinook salmon is the most sought after species because it can grow to over 30 pounds and is a great fighting fish.  Lake Ontario produces the largest Chinook salmon in the Great Lakes, and fishing success for Chinook salmon has been at or near record-high levels since 2003. In 2007, New York’s lake and tributary fisheries supported over 2.6 million angler days generating an estimated $112 million in economic activity. New York State and the Province of Ontario stock more than 5.7 million trout and salmon annually to support recreational fisheries and restore native species. In addition, approximately 50% of the Chinook salmon in the lake are naturally reproduced or “wild†fish.

Managing Lake Ontario Fisheries - Lake Ontario fisheries are managed cooperatively by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (OMNRF). Under the framework of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission’s Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries, the DEC and OMNRF consulted extensively with the angling public in developing the 2013 Lake Ontario Fish Community Objectives (FCOs;http://www.glfc.org/lakecom/loc/LO-FCO-2013-Final.pdf). 

The FCOs provide overall management direction for both New York and Ontario, and are used to establish agency management policies. In response to angler’s input, the FCO goal for the offshore, open water zone is to “Maintain the offshore pelagic fish community, that is characterized by a diversity of trout and salmon species including Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Atlantic Salmon, in balance with prey-fish populations and lower trophic levels.† Further, the primary objective under this goal is to “maintain Chinook Salmon as the top offshore pelagic predator supporting trophy recreational lake and tributary fisheries through stocking.â€

Under the guidance of the FCOs, The Lake Ontario Committee, comprised of DEC and OMNRF fisheries managers, establishes lake-wide stocking targets. In recognition of the critical role a healthy alewife population plays in maintaining a high-quality Chinook fishery, the FCOs also acknowledge the need to “maintain abundance of top predators (stocked and wild) in balance with available prey fish.â€

Partner agencies including the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission are also involved in providing science support, controlling sea lamprey and raising fish for stocking.  Scientists from the aforementioned agencies, along with academics, are members of the Lake Ontario Technical Committee, which provides scientific advice to the Lake Ontario Committee.

Concerns Over the Future of the Alewife Population - The main prey fish in Lake Ontario is the non-native alewife, a type of herring native to the Atlantic Ocean. Fisheries Management agencies track the status of alewife through a long term bottom trawling program. In 2016, adult alewife numbers are significantly lower than in 2015, and will likely continue to decline over the next few years. Alewife, age-2 and older, are the preferred food for the top predator in the lake, Chinook salmon.

Alewife in the Great lakes are at the northern extreme of their tolerance for cold temperatures, and young alewife have difficulty surviving long, cold winters.  The severe winters of 2013/14 and 2014/15 negatively impacted survival of alewife produced in those years.  In 2016, the alewife produced in 2013 and 2014 should have dominated the adult alewife population at ages 3 and 2, respectively, however, these ages are poorly represented in the population.  Without sufficient young alewife to replace older alewife, the number of adults will decline in 2017 and beyond. 

DEC and OMNRF are concerned that without enough young alewife to replenish the adults that are eaten primarily by trout and salmon, there may not be sufficient prey to support the current, high-quality fishery in the future. While all of Lake Ontario’s trout and salmon feed to some extent on alewife, Chinook salmon feed almost exclusively on age 2 and older alewife and exert the greatest predation pressure on the adult alewife population.

It is important to note that this situation is not the same as the alewife population collapse in Lake Huron, or the continuing alewife decline in Lake Michigan. Reduced nutrients leading to less alewife food and fewer alewife, combined with too many predators, are thought to be key factors leading to predator-prey imbalance in the upper lakes. In Lake Ontario, for now, we have sufficient nutrients to support alewife and their food.  The current issue appears related to poor alewife reproduction in 2013 and 2014, combined with high predator demand for alewife.

Management Options for 2017 – The only effective solution to this issue is to reduce predator demand on alewife as soon as possible.  Given the rapid growth of Chinook salmon (from 0 to 30 pounds in 4 years) and their dependence on alewife, reducing Chinook salmon stocking provides the only practical solution for reducing predation on alewife in the short term. 

Ontario and New York State’s combined Chinook salmon stocking target is 2.3 million fish, however, a recent study has shown that we are effectively stocking more than 3 million Chinook salmon due the great success of the net pen program. Chinooks held in net pens by sportsmen’s groups for three to four weeks prior to release have been shown to survive twice as well as traditional “direct†stocked fish.  When we factor in the additional wild fish, the equivalent of 6 million Chinook salmon are added to the lake annually.

DEC is considering a 20% reduction in Chinook salmon stocking in 2017 (reduce from 1.76 million to 1.41 million fish), which amounts to a 10% overall reduction when wild Chinook salmon are included.  This action would reduce alewife consumption attributable to Chinook salmon by 7.5 million pounds over the period from 2018-2020.  Future increases in Chinook salmon would be considered when alewife population characteristics indicate good overall “health.†  

We are also considering a 20% reduction in 2017 lake trout stocking (New York reduction from 500,000 to 400,000 fish), however, this action will not provide short term reductions in alewife predation, as lake trout grow much slower than Chinook salmon, are not as dependent on alewife as a food source, but do live much longer than Chinook salmon.  The adult lake trout population is currently at levels favorable for natural reproduction.  A 20% reduction will not impact lake trout restoration efforts in the short term, however, stocking levels will be increased if the adult population size falls below target levels in the future.

DEC is proposing to maintain current stocking targets for rainbow trout, brown trout and coho salmon for 2017, is working cooperatively with the OMNRF to ensure consistent management actions on both sides of the lake. 

Potential Impacts to the Sportfishery – This stocking reduction is intended to protect the long-term viability of this economically important fishery. Given a 20% reduction in Chinook salmon stocking is actually 10% lake wide reduction (accounting for 50% wild Chinook salmon), the potential impact to the sportfishery is likely minor.

We experienced an unplanned stocking reduction in the past without negative impacts to the sportfishery.  Due to reduced Chinook salmon egg collections at the Salmon River Hatchery caused by low water and high water temperatures in 2007, DEC stocked only 799,000 Chinook salmon in the spring of 2008, a 42% reduction (NY/Ontario combined).  When these fish reached age 2 in 2010 and age 3 in 2011, they supported excellent Chinook salmon fishing quality.

As anglers experienced in 2014 and 2015, fishing success is much more likely to vary due to spatial distribution of alewife, water temperatures, weather patterns, and wind speed/direction.

Similar to the proposed Chinook salmon stocking reduction, reduced lake trout stocking will not likely impact lake trout angling success.

Future Management Actions - DEC and OMNRF remain committed to maintaining the ecological, recreational, and economic benefits of Lake Ontario’s sportfishery, and in particular, the Chinook salmon fishery.  Any future management actions will be based on the results of 2017 alewife population assessments, as well as changes in Chinook salmon growth.  In the event that further management actions are deemed necessary, the Department will consult with stakeholder groups and the public. 

Next steps – DEC will hold public meetings at the following times and locations:

Monday, September 19: 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Building, 4487 Lake Avenue, Lockport, Niagara County. 

Tuesday, September 20: 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at the Sandy Creek High School auditorium, 124 Salisbury Street, Oswego County. 

Tuesday, September 27: 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at the Town of Greece Town Hall, 1 Vince Tofany Blvd., Monroe County. 

DEC staff will present information, and the audience will have ample time to ask questions and provide input on potential management actions. Those who cannot attend a meeting can provide comments at fwfishlo@dec.ny.gov

A final decision will be announced in mid-October, 2016.

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/travel/michigan/2016/05/26/whats-future-great-lakes-salmon/84865094/?platform=hootsuite

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Last picture shows the splash.  This jerk is heaving boulders out it to the river as far as he can!    Anyone else would get into a lot of trouble for that with the ACof Eng, DEC & EPA.  Guess it’s a lot cheaper for the developer to heave them out there than hire trucks to haul them away.  Funny how after just a couple of pix that a Monroe County Sheriff came screaming up to the  launch and started giving everyone a very suspicious eye.  Very suspicious activity going on there indeed! But you were looking the wrong way officer!

Be careful backing out from the launch!  (How much money did we taxpayers pay to have the river dredged?)

Docks at launch are beautiful but that doesn't mean a developer can chuck boulders into the river! 

Tom B.

(LongLine)

http://www.registerstar.com/columnists/outdoors/article_5a61847a-ab5e-11e4-8f00-3f60cc04f16f.html

LO-FCO-2013-Final.pdf

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DEC Announces New Proposed Freshwater Sportfishing Regulations Public Comments Accepted Through December 1, 2014

Regulations Schedule to be Effective April 2015

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is accepting comments on proposed changes to the freshwater fishing regulations through December 1, 2014, Commissioner Joe Martens announced today.

"New York provides some of the best fishing in the nation, and the continuous assessment and modification of sportfishing regulations helps ensure that this remains the case," said Commissioner Martens. "I encourage anglers to review what is being proposed and provide input if they wish to do so during the public comment period."

DEC modifies the sportfishing regulations approximately every two years as part of DEC's commitment to enhance fishing opportunities and protect the State's freshwater resources.

DEC assessed the status of existing freshwater sportfish populations and the desires of anglers in developing the proposed regulations. In addition, many of the proposed changes are the result of DEC's efforts to consolidate regulations where possible and eliminate special regulations that are no longer warranted or have become outdated.

The new sportfishing regulations are scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2015. The regulations in the 2013-14 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide will remain in effect until the new regulations are enacted. Once enacted, a new regulations guide will be available.

To receive input early in the process, DEC made the proposed changes available to the public on its website in July 2013. The early feedback helped DEC determine which regulation changes to advance further or to eliminate from further consideration.

Comments on the proposals can be sent by email to regulations.fish@dec.ny.gov or mailed to Shaun Keeler, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Bureau of Fisheries, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4753.

The full text of the proposed regulations are also available on DEC's website at www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/propregulations.html. The proposed changes include:

• Establish a closed statewide season for sauger, an extremely rare fish species in New York for which DEC completed a conservation plan in 2013;
• Modify the statewide regulation for muskellunge by increasing the minimum size limit to 40 inches and lengthen the season by three weeks to start on the last Saturday in May;
• Provide consistency between the proposed statewide muskellunge regulation changes and the existing muskellunge regulations for specific waters including Lake Champlain, and St. Lawrence County rivers and streams, as well as for both muskellunge and tiger muskellunge at Chautauqua Lake;
• Increase the minimum size limit for muskellunge to 54 inches in the Niagara River, Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River;
• Increase the minimum size limit for walleye at Honeoye Lake from 15 to 18 inches;
• Establish year round trout seasons, with catch and release fishing only from October 16 through March 31, in the following streams in Western New York: Chenunda Creek, Oatka Creek, Clear Creek, Fenton Brook, Prendergast Creek, and waters in Allegany State Park;
• Initiate a catch and release season for trout for sections of the Salmon River (Franklin County) and Ninemile Creek (Onondaga County), and extend the catch and release season at Fall Creek (Cayuga Lake);
• Establish a special trout regulation of a daily creel limit of five fish with no more than two fish longer than 12 inches, in Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida and St. Lawrence counties, Little River and Oswegatchie River in St. Lawrence County, Millsite Lake in Jefferson County, and Oriskany Creek (Oneida County);
• Establish an all-year trout season, with a 12-inch minimum size limit and daily limit of three fish, at Hinckley and Prospect Reservoirs in Herkimer and Oneida counties, North Lake in Herkimer County, for an additional section of the North Branch Saranac River in Franklin and Clinton counties, as well as for the entire set of waters that are a part of the Massawepie Easement;
• Apply the current trout and salmon special regulations for the Fulton Chain of lakes to the connected water body Old Forge Pond;
• Establish a 15-inch minimum size limit for lake trout and clarify that the statewide regulations apply for other species for Owasco Outlet (Cayuga County);
• Modify trout and/or salmon regulations for Star Lake and Trout Lake (St. Lawrence County), by increasing the minimum size limit for trout to 12 inches and reducing the daily creel limit to three. Allow fishing all year for landlocked salmon in Star Lake, with ice fishing permitted;
• Establish an open year-round trout season for Sylvia Lake (St. Lawrence County), with a 12-inch minimum size limit and three fish daily creel limit, with ice fishing permitted;
• Extend Great Lakes tributary Regulations upstream to the section of the Genesee River (Monroe County) from State Route 104 Bridge upstream to the Lower Falls;
• Exempt Old Seneca Lake Inlet from the Finger Lakes tributary regulations. Adjust the allowable fishing hours for Spring Creek on the Caledonia Fish Hatchery property by a half hour; and
• Clarify in regulation a definition for "catch and release fishing" as well as define the limitations of handling the incidental catch of untargeted species.

Several changes to eliminate special regulations that are no longer warranted, and where the statewide regulations can be applied include to:

• Delete the special minimum size and daily creel limit walleye regulation for Fern Lake (Clinton County), Lake Algonquin (Hamilton County), and Franklin Falls Flow, Lower Saranac Lake and Rainbow Lake in Franklin County, and Tully Lake (Onondaga County);
• Eliminate the special regulations (examples being minimum size limit, daily creel limit, season length and/or method of take) for trout, landlocked salmon and/or lake trout, at several waters including Schoharie Reservoir, Susquehanna River (between Otsego and Goodyear Lakes), Launt Pond (Delaware County), Basswood Pond (Otsego County), Lake Algonquin (Hamilton County), Jennings Park Pond (Hamilton County), Hoosic River and Little Hoosic River (Rensselaer County), Hudson River (Saratoga County), Clear and Wheeler Ponds (Herkimer County), Cold Brook (St. Lawrence County), and West Branch of the St. Regis River (St. Lawrence County);
• Eliminate the special brown trout and landlocked salmon regulations (minimum size limit, daily creel limit and season length) at Otsego Lake;
• Eliminate the 10-inch minimum size limit for black bass at Lily Pond and Pack Forest Lake in Warren County, eliminate the "all year - any size" special regulation for black bass at Cayuta Creek in Tioga County, and adopt a consistent minimum size limit for black bass for sections of the Schoharie Creek at 10 inches;
• Eliminate the daily creel limit special regulation for sunfish and yellow perch in Cumberland Bay (Lake Champlain);
• Eliminate the minimum size limit special regulation for lake trout in the Essex Chain of Lakes;
• Eliminate the separate special regulation for trout for Ischua Creek, and apply the Cattaraugus County regulation; and
• Delete the special regulation for Follensby Clear Pond (Franklin County) that permits ice fishing but prohibits the use of tip-ups.

Proposed changes that are Baitfish and non-game fish related include to:

• Prohibit the use of fish as bait in newly acquired trout waters: Fish Hole Pond and Balsam Pond in Franklin County; and Clear Pond in Washington County;
• Remove the baitfish prohibition on Harlow Lake, Genesee County;
• Remove all the currently listed eligible waters for the commercial collection of baitfish: in Clinton County except Lake Champlain; in Essex County except Lake Champlain and Lake Flower; in Franklin County except Lake Flower, Lower Saranac Lake, Raquette River, Tupper Lake and Upper Saranac Lake; in Fulton County; in Hamilton County except Indian Lake, Lake Pleasant and Long Lake; in Saratoga County except the Hudson River, Lake Lonely and outlet Lake Lonely to Kayaderosseras Creek, Mohawk River and Saratoga Lake; in Warren County except the Hudson River; and in Washington County except the Hudson River and Lake Champlain;
• Add madtoms and stonecats to the approved list of fish that may be used, collected and sold as baitfish;
• Eliminate "snatching" of burbot in Scomotion Creek (Clinton County);
• Eliminate smelt "dipping" in Raquette Lake;
• Adjust smelt regulations for Cayuga and Owasco Lakes, for consistency with five Western Finger Lakes;
• Eliminate the prohibition on taking smelt and suckers with a scap or dip net in Willow Creek (Tompkins County); and
• Remove the allowance for snatching lake whitefish at Otsego Lake.

Proposed changes related to gear and use of gear include:

• Streamline what devices may be used for ice fishing by modifying the statewide regulation to allow for a total of seven ice fishing devices/lines; modify the language pertaining to devices for ice fishing to allow for a total of 15 ice fishing devices/lines for Lake Champlain;
• Eliminate the gear restrictions at Follensby Clear Pond (Franklin County) that permit ice fishing but prohibit the use of tip-ups;
• With the exception of the Salmon River, permit the use of floating lures with multiple hooks with multiple hook points, on all Lake Ontario tributaries;
• Clarify the definition of floating lures on Lake Ontario tributaries to: "A floating lure is a lure that floats while at rest in water with or without any weight attached to the line, leader, or lure";
• Clarify that the current regulation for the Great Lake tributaries restricting the use of hooks with added weight was not intended to ban the use of small jigs;
• Expand the prohibition of weight added to the line, leader, swivels, artificial fly or lures to all Lake Ontario tributaries (i.e. beyond a limited group of tributaries) from September 1 through March 31 of the following year;
• Clarify that the use of multiple hooks with multiple hook points on Lake Erie tributaries is legal, as well as clarify that the use of flies with up to two hook points is legal on all Great Lake tributaries;
• Replace Lake Ontario tributary regulations for St. Lawrence River tributaries in Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties with statewide terminal tackle restrictions;
• Redefine the upstream limit for spearfishing on the Salmon River (Franklin County);
• Clarify the description of gear (gill nets) that are allowed in the Finger Lakes for the collection of alewives for personal use as bait; and
• Reinstate the prohibition on large landing nets (nets larger than 50 inches around the frame or with a handle longer than 20 inches) for Finger Lakes tributaries except for those sections that are specifically identified.

In addition to the above, several non-substantive regulation modifications are included to properly establish or clarify an earlier regulation change, better define an existing regulation (by rewording etc.), and/or address regulations that have not changed but are now redundant and covered elsewhere in the regulations including as a result of consolidation.

In support of the NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative, this year's budget includes $6 million in NY Works funding to support creating 50 new land and water access projects to connect hunters, anglers, bird watchers and others who enjoy the outdoors to more than 380,000 acres of existing state and easement lands that have not reached their full potential. These 50 new access projects include building new boat launches, installing new hunting blinds and building new trails and parking areas. In addition, the 2014-15 budget includes $4 million to repair the state's fish hatcheries; and renews and allows expanded use of crossbows for hunting in New York State.

The IJC'c current plan, known as Bv7, seeks to restore/improve the quality of wetlands.

"IJC has stated that the damages and benefits for the proposed BV7 are based upon the results of a study completed in 2006. However, the IJC has not addressed the significant and serious deficiencies in the analyses and conclusions of that Study. Estimates of shoreline damage are substantially underestimated, nor are there any provisions for reparations. Economic impacts to businesses and homes in bay communities, are not taken into consideration. Impacts on public infrastructure, sewers and septic systems in particular, are not taken into consideration. During high water levels (247’ and above), sewer systems from the Niagara River to Greece, through Sodus Point and up to Watertown will be flooded and cease functioning - - a health and environmental issue of major proportions."

Signing the petition is easy.

For more information, go to: http://www.loranet.org

To electronically sign the petition, go to: http://www.stopplanbv7.com

Thank you.

Michele

Captain's Cove Resort, Inc.

585-682-3316

info@fishcaptainscove.com

October 18

7:00pm

Newfane Town Hall (Niagara County)

2737 Main Street

Newfane, NY 14108

Use the north entrance

October 25

7:00pm

Sodus Point Village Hall (Wayne County)

8356 Bay Street

Sodus Point, NY 14555

Members of the Project Advisory Committee and its consultant will present economic impacts of business activity generated at 20 federal and non-federal harbors, review their existing conditions and need for dredging, and outline future steps and tasks for project completion in 2013. A Question & Answer Session will follow.

Safe navigation through the recreational harbor channels provides access to public property, fishing resources and many other water dependent recreational opportunities. These channels also provide safe harbors for regional and international tourists. Unfortunately, federal funding for maintenance dredging of shallow draft recreational channels has been severely limited through 2013, leaving some channels with restricted access. This Regional Plan will serve as a blueprint for efficient and sustainable maintenance of the harbors that are the lifeblood of our coastal communities and businesses.

This project is funded in part by an Environmental Protection Fund grant from the New York State Department of State

Here are just a few links to read up on it.

http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/re ... -works.xml

http://www.ijc.org/loslr/en/background/w_fluctuate.php

http://www.saveoursodus.com/2012/04/18/ ... -plan-bv7/

Please go to http://www.saugatuck.com and click on the link "Great Lakes Harbors Being Set Adrift" to obtain the latest information.

How Can You Help? - ACT NOW!

1. Start a local e-mail campaign today among your colleagues, family members, harbor officials and any interested stakeholders advising them to contact their congressman asking for their support on SA 1830 and requesting specifically "that the House take up the Senate bill". While you are at it, tell them why dredging is important to our local economies, quality of life, and personal safety too.

2. For anyone who does not know their representatives or how to reach them, use this link http://www.thomas.gov. On left margin, click House of Representatives. Then "find your representative" by entering your zip code. It will tell how to reach the representatives by email, phone, or fax.

THIS IS OUR BEST CHANCE...LET'S START RAISING THE "CROWD NOISE" NOW!!!

For additional information, please contact

Chuck May, Chair Pro Tem

Great Lakes Small Harbors Coalition

(231) 889-5607

cmay08@charter.net

The changes being proposed cover: walleye, black bass, trout and salmon, pickerel, muskellunge and tiger muskellunge, ice fishing and baitfish, and gear and angling methods.

It is always helpful to send supporting comments if you agree with their changes. For example they are proposing to change the minimum length for salmonids in the Upper Niagara River to "any size" because the current 12-inch minimum length is no longer necessary and this will also eliminate the need for special tributary regulations. This seems like a good change to me.

On the other hand, they are also proposing to "Reduce the limit of rainbow trout from five to one in the western Finger Lakes and three to one in the tributaries to provide further protection for this species. Western Finger Lakes include Seneca, Keuka, Canandaigua, Canadice, and Hemlock Lakes." Is it reasonable to go from 5 to 1 in the Lakes and 3 to 1 in the tributaries? If not, you can maybe help to make the regulations better by saying why you disagree and give them alternate suggestions.

Also, if you can submit comments as a Charter Captain's association or fishing club such as LOTSA or FLTA, that helps since you're representing a larger number of people.

Comments will be accepted through April 2, 2012. These regulations, if adopted as proposed with no subsequent changes, will be in effect for the 2012-2013 license year, which begins on October 1, 2012. If there is anything you think I can do to help, please let me know. I would be happy to prepare comments for your group of your association if you would find that helpful.

~ Michele

Captain's Cove Resort

585-682-3316

info@fishcaptainscove.com

RFA Says Walton Family Foundation Supports MPA & Catch Share Efforts

August 17, 2011 - Wal-Mart announced this week its efforts to help fund the demise of both the recreational and commercial fishing industry while also working to ensure that the next generation of sportsmen will have less access to coastal fish stocks than at any point in U.S. history.

In August 16th news release from Wal-Mart corporate headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, the Walton Family Foundation announced investments totaling more than $71.8 million awarded to various environmental initiatives in 2010, with over $36 million alone handed over to Marine Conservation grantees including Ocean Conservancy, Conservation International Foundation, Marine Stewardship Council, World Wildlife Fund and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).

According to the release, the Walton Family Foundation "focuses on globally important marine areas and works with grantees and other partners to create networks of effectively managed protected areas that conserve key biological features, and ensure the sustainable utilization of marine resources - especially fisheries - in a way that benefits both nature and people."

Scott Burns, former director of marine conservation at World Wildlife Fund and now director of Walton Family Foundation's environmental efforts, said money will go to "protect and conserve natural resources while also recognizing the roles these waters play in the livelihoods of those who live nearby." The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) countered that these specially managed areas of coastal waters are also referred to as marine protected areas or marine reserves, and the end result is denied angler access, of no benefit to the very people whom Wal-Mart claims to benefit.

"A quick visit to the Ocean Conservancy website should be telling enough for anglers interested in learning where Wal-Mart's profits are being spent," said RFA executive director Jim Donofrio. "These folks are pushing hard to complete California's network of exclusionary zones throughout the entire length of coastline, and they've made it very clear that they would like to see the West Coast version of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) extended into other coastal U.S. waters," he said.

The release said that targeted marine areas moving forward include Indonesia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, the Gulf of California and the Gulf of Mexico.

"Here's an organization which has publicly opposed creation of artificial reefs used by Wal-Mart's tackle buyers, in some cases openly advocating for their removal, yet the Walton family is handing over tons of money for support," Donofrio said of Ocean Conservancy in particular.

"Shopping for fishing equipment at Wal-Mart is contributing directly to the demise of our sport, it's supporting lost fishing opportunities and decreased coastal access for all Americans," Donofrio said, adding "I hope all RFA members across the country will remember that when it's time to gear up, but I would also wonder if perhaps our industry can help spread the message and support our local tackle shops by also pulling product off Wal-Mart's shelves."

In April, RFA announced its support of a national boycott of the Safeway Supermarket chain (which also includes Genuardi's in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware) because of that corporation's support for California's MLPA initiative. "Apparently Safeway has gotten some bad advice from the people in the ocean protection racket, a community to which the California-based mega-corporation is now donating profits," said Jim Martin, West Coast Regional Director of the RFA. "Safeway says it is supporting groups that make a difference like the Food Marketing Institute's Sustainable Seafood Working Group, the Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions and the World Wildlife Fund's Aquaculture Dialogues, but it's little more than corporate greenwashing."

RFA believes it's time that Wal-Mart was added to the angler boycott list as well.

"The Walton family created this huge corporate entity which has threatened the vibrancy of our local retail outlets, and now they're essentially doing the same thing with our fishing communities," Donofrio said. "Much like Safeway has done with their financial investment in the environmental business community, Wal-Mart apparently prefers customers buy farm-raised fish and seafood caught by foreign countries outside of U.S. waters, while denying individual anglers the ability to head down to the ocean to score a few fish for their own table."

According to the official release, the Walton Family Foundation is also working "to create economic incentives for ocean conservation," while candidly pledging their support for "projects that reverse the incentives to fish unsustainably that exist in 'open access fisheries' by creating catch share programs."

"Our local outfitters and tackle shops along the coast have had to face an immense challenge by going up against Wal-Mart's purchasing power during the last decade, but now that the Walton family is so up front about their opposition to open access fisheries, it's hard for me to believe that any sportsmen would ever be interested in shopping there again," Donofrio said.

"California anglers have been outraged to learn that money they spend at a Safeway grocery store might end up in the hands of extremist, anti-fishing groups like the EDF and the Ocean Conservancy, I hope more anglers will join the national boycott by sending a message to Wal-Mart as well as Safeway," Martin added.

According to the Walton Family Foundation website, Sam and Helen Walton launched their "modest retail business in 1962" with guiding principle of helping "increase opportunity and improve the lives of others along the way." It is that principle the foundation says, that makes them "more focused than ever on sustaining the Walton's timeless small-town values and deep commitment to making life better for individuals and communities alike."

RFA said grassroots efforts to combat the anti-fishing agenda are more than just an uphill climb. "The EDF catch share coffers are already filled to the top, while Pew Charitable Trusts has billions in reserve," Donofrio said. "When you add another $36 million annual commitment from the Walton family each year, I can't see how our local efforts can get anywhere unless the national manufacturers step up and openly denounce this corporate takeover once and for all."

"The individual anglers and local business owners are being denied opportunity, and I hope the federal trade representatives are willing to get onboard with their support of real small-town values," Donofrio said, adding that Ocean Conservancy and EDF combined received more than $10 million in Walton Family Foundation grants in 2010.

http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menuf.cgi

Tom B.

(LongLine)

Every sportsmen in NYS needs to read this one...get out a postcard or letter and send it to the governor and NYSDEC...as noted.

Copy this into your address line and go to: http://www.thefishingwire.com/story/241786

For the first time ever, this year, the NYS budget allows our governor to use the NYSCC Fund to balance the budget, this allows Feds to eliminate the $20M we get from Pittman-Robinson, Dingell-Johnson and Wallop-Breaux funding. Feds need to see a change from Albany in 30 days or less....or it's gone.

What a great way to eliminate all hunting and fishing in NYS for all time! Was this an anti plan? No way to know, but your guess is probably as good as any.

I'm not trying to sound like some activist or anything, I just don't understand the logic behind this tourney and the number you can bring in. You're still keeping your heaviest fish, so what difference would it make if you could only bring 2 instead of 5. If you can correct me please do. I'm only saying this because I know there are guys out there who won't do anything with the fish they catch and it seems like a waste. In the past I've seen guys just throw the dead fish back into the lake, which is ok I guess something will eat it, but you could have done something better like given it to someone.

I'm only 22 I'm still new to the whole tournament thing so if I'm wrong on how King of the Lake works please inform me. I just honestly see the whole 5 fish thing completely pointless when you do the math.

training seminar in Albion, at the Orleans County Health Department – 14012 Route 31 West, on Wednesday April 27 at 7:00PM. The training session is sponsored by the Orleans County Health Department and will last about two hours. There is no cost for the training.

SKYWARN is a national effort to save lives during severe weather emergencies with an

expanding network of trained volunteer weather spotters. SKYWARN spotters support their local community and government by providing reports of severe weather directly to the National Weather Service in Buffalo through amateur radio or by phone using the the NWS spotter hotline. The services performed by SKYWARN spotters have saved many lives.

The National Weather Service has a number of devices for detecting severe thunderstorms. Included in these are Doppler radar, satellite, and lightning detection networks. However, the most important tool for observing thunderstorms is the trained eye of the storm spotter. By providing observations, SKYWARN spotters assist National Weather Service staff in their warning decisions and enable the National Weather Service to fulfill its mission of protecting life and property. Storm spotters are, and always will be, an indispensable part of the severe local storm warning program.

The basic training session provides a brief overview of the National Weather Service

organization and our responsibilities, severe weather safety, and basic severe weather

meteorology including how thunderstorms, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes form.

Anyone can become a severe weather spotter for the National Weather Service. SKYWARN training is free and open to the public.

For further information, you can call the National Weather Service at (716) 565-0204 ext. 223 or the Orleans County Health Department at (585) 589-3251.

More information about SKYWARN is available on the NWS Buffalo website at

http://www.weather.gov/buf/spt.htm

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

NOAA’s National Weather Service: http://www.weather.gov

NOAA’s National Weather Service in Buffalo: http://www.weather.gov/buf

Our Great Lakes Commons is a call to understanding and a call to action on an exciting new proposal to designate the Great Lakes and its tributary waters as a lived Commons, to be shared, protected, carefully managed and enjoyed by all who live around them. The Great Lakes Basin Commons would need to be protected by a legal and political framework based on Public Trust Doctrine, underpinning in law that the Great Lakes are central to the very existence of those people, plants and animals living on or near them and therefore must be protected for the common good from generation to generation.

http://canadians.org/water/documents/gr ... s-0311.pdf

The first half of this paper is all doom and gloom. The important points are on pages 34-35. Does anyone have an opinion on this?