Yankee Troller

23 hours ago, Grady95 said:

From what I understand the launch by the Coast Guard station is indeed open.  Krenzer's has been using it to launch test drives for the past several days. The launch on Rt 14 isn't ready yet.  There was still a sheet of ice on the back bay yesterday.  With this wind and warm weather, I don't expect that to last much longer.  I Bay (Sea Breeze) launch is open, no docks but clear water well out toward the bridge and open to the lake.  Game on!

 

Yes, we've used it to run some boats. The Bay opened up this weekend, so others may be available too.

2 minutes ago, LongLine said:

Fish to be stocked are fed a special diet....

 Ya, it's special alright! Special to the lowest bidding company that can supply the feed. Thank god some anglers had that stuff tested a few years back.

7 minutes ago, luckystrike said:

I'm surprised a biologist would say there's no proof that breeding large salmon with large salmon make a large salmon. I guess it's possible but I think it most breeding programs select individuals with characteristics that you want for the best chance to get the characteristics that you want. 

Even natural selection generally favors larger stronger individuals to live and reproduce.

And of course, there are many factors that influence natural selection and future population characteristics.

Yup, he's real personable, and he seems to get irritated when you bring it up.

Like Rob mentioned torpedo's or sharks.

We run these torpedo's, and they track as good as anything I've used.

18 hours ago, Lucky D said:

Maybe select larger fish at the hatchery and take some salmon at different months years ago week caught salmon in november in front of salmon river, Don't take all the small kings that run early,

You're not allowed to say that . Our biologist say there's no proof that breading large Salmon with large Salmon make large Salmon. They reference one study out West. God forbid they tried their own study. With Salmon sizes declining, and referencing the chart I posted earlier in this thread, I'd be curious if the sizes started declining faster when the hatchery started using jack Salmon in the breeding process.

16 hours ago, dreamsteelie said:

Just to clarify: The treatments are scheduled and applied by the GLFC which is US.  The Cnds are supposed to "pay their share"  and a a bit behind...... by millions.  I know they are heavy handing the Cnds about this and hopefully, the money owed is paid back as well as future funds.

I thought the whole debacle during covid (where streams weren't treated) was blamed on the Canadians not being able to cross the boarder? Am I wrong?

10 hours ago, Gill-T said:

Please use your influence to convince them to stock the smaller sized rogue. Use Jedi-mind trick if you have to. 

So, the intent was to have them last Winter along with the regular size (I really wanted the short ones). When I went out to gather content with them we found they didn't swim. They went through the water like a pencil. FishUSA canceled going live with them, gathered up all the small ones, and Smithwick took them back. That project started back up a few weeks ago, and the intent is to have the small versions this upcoming Winter for sale through FishUSA IF Smithwick figures out the issue.

Sea Grant sent this out this morning to a friend in Jefferson county.

I wanted to share a couple links about things going on that might have an impact on our fishery, so you could perhaps share with the Jefferson County Fishery Advisory Board. If you'd like more info, let me know, and I'd be glad to set up a time to discuss.

The USGS office in Oswego that runs the preyfish/alewife surveys (and many other things) is currently on a list of federal buildings that might be closed. They lease the space (offices, labs, and a dock for the large research vessel) from the Port Authority (address is 17 Lake St Oswego, as seen on this list: https://democrats-naturalresources.house.gov/imo/media/doc/GSA_Lease_Terminations.pdf).

They provide an immense amount of scientific support that NY and Ontario use to manage the Lake. 

14 federal workers associated with the Sea Lamprey control program have been fired, which may impact the control efforts in NY (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/sea-lamprey-program-cuts-1.7468338)

Sea Grant is hoping we continue to receive federal funding, but there is concern that the second Trump administration may propose the total elimination of federal funding for Sea Grant. 

I will keep you posted. 

Our colleagues in Maine recently had their support pulled. https://www.pressherald.com/2025/03/04/king-and-pingree-urge-trump-administration-to-reinstate-maine-sea-grant-funding/

Great Lakes Fisheries & Ecosystem Health Specialist

New York Sea Grant (NYSG)

SUNY Oswego

[email protected] | Office: 315.234.1329 

Social Media, Resources, and Events: NYSG Great Lakes

>>>>>>>> End of NY Sea Grant message <<<<<<<<<

If you believe we should continue receiving federal funding for these kinds of programs, that manage our waterways and fisheries for future generations, I encourage you to contact your congressional representatives and let them know.

2 hours ago, schreckstoff said:

Mmmmmm Canadian bacon!

 RE: why biggest kings tend to come from the north shore- I continue to think the idea that the feeding and growth conditions are more optimal is the most likely contributor, like how the biggest fish always take the prime feeding spot in a stream. I know the idea of density dependent growth is not as fun to think about but if king density on the North Shore is on average lower than the south shore that also might account for some of the size differences . When the creels are done in the same year, aren’t the catch rates a little bit lower on the North Shore?

as a fish scientist, I am definitely curious about it., but you’re right Yankee I don’t think I have seen anything specific on size differences in any reports, other than the tagging data from years ago that showed a portion of the big Kings caught on the North Shore were US stocked

 

I bet if the angling community wanted more information on the age and source of the biggest kings from the derbys & tournaments, and they took it upon themselves to collect scale samples, an accurate length and weight, and even a tissue sample, I bet those samples would get worked up and data reported on. As Dr Demming noted “In God we trust, others bring data “ .

 

just a thought 

 

 

 

 

I'm fairly certain the angling community (mostly charter captains) have taken samples for the DEC over the last few years, and we still have no data back from that. The DEC biologists frequent most major tournaments on the South shore collecting samples. What is being done with that? Would it be difficult to go the LOC banquet that's centrally located and grab samples off fish 1, 2, and 3 since they are there? Maybe I'm simple minded, but most of this is being done already. 

Let's not forget the LOC and Greater Ontario Salmon derby put a lot of people on the water that are looking for 1 big fish. There are far more people chasing that dream than lazy charter captains who are fine cleaning 10lb Salmon and heading back to the dock early. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy good fishing. I just want SOMEONE to give a **** about why these things keep getting smaller.

Our state doesn't care about big fish. If they cared my hope is they would share with us some type of study or experiment they're trying. They do a lot of great things when it comes to managing this fishery, contrary to many people's beliefs, but I have heard nothing from anyone when it comes down to trying to figure out why this is happening below. They don't mind tossing out theories, and we all can do that, but I would like to see a study or an experiment.

My biggest Salmon last year was 25lbs. That's unacceptable. To answer Brian's question, I would think we'll see a 38-40lb fish on the North shore. We've watched this monster class of Salmon the last two years at 2 & 3 years old. My hope is a few made it to 4yrs old.

For anyone who looks at the chart below and wonders what I'm doing. These are the 10th place fish in each LOC derby. I feel it's a good indicator when looking into the decreasing size of Salmon.

I purchased this unit in the Fall to get me through a few charters knowing it would go up for sale when my new Humminbrd Xplore units were received. This unit has about 50hrs on it. It comes with both a Dual spectrum Chirp & MEGA SI transducer that are connected using a Y cable.

$1100 for everything. Pick up in Rochester or Sodus Bay. I have the original box.

Some GREAT looking stuff right there! Thanks for sharing that.

They'll be available here soon - https://alnk.to/h6HfTgY

These are all great options below. I also posted two videos below that. One shows our favorite baits. The other shows underwater footage of the Smithwick and Bomber.

Brad's ThinFish  - https://alnk.to/880BBQV

Smithwick Rattlin Rogue - https://alnk.to/faCUQsZ

Bomber Lures - https://alnk.to/9bv9uHv

Dreamweaver Lures Bay Rats Short Shallow - https://alnk.to/8iVmQqE

Here's a great resource: 

https://lakeontariocharterboatassociation.com/

American Fishing Wire 150lb downrigger braid here.

On 1/26/2025 at 8:34 AM, Finnagain said:

Good morning , 

I have a shimano tekota 600lc which holds 1000’ of wire and wanted to try a Diawa saltist, does their 30 series fit 1000 feet of wire or do I need to go to size 40 ? 
Also are their any vendors at Niagara show with reel specials ? Thank you for any input 

Yes it will hold 1000' of 30lb wire and some backing.

Good dude! Always enjoyed our conversations.