LongLine

Sandy Creek has a few things going for it. Namely the Great Lakes Restoration project, Lamprey control, State Launch, some fishing access and many of the top 25 posters on this site. (Although some others are negative, loud, highly political and off their meds) Stakeholders have often been successful in steering the "powers that be" to action by bringing concerns to their attention. Discussion on the Sandy launch have pushed the state to partially fix it this month. (Although not scheduled till later) . Some projects have been highly supported by stakeholders like pen-rearing. Other actions include resumption of spending for Lamprey control, creel limits, I-creek restoration, resuscitating I-Bay, 3-rod rule, etc. Sandy has been designated for Browns and Atlantics. These fish don't require the conditions that Kings do. (water flow, oxygen content, temperature, habitat etc.) However they do require habitat. The DEC does receive federal funds for fishery management and restoration. In 2024, DEC accomplished projects to limit sedimentation and bank erosion to enhance spawning habitat for Browns and Atlantics on the Saranac River, Chittenango Creek and Wiscoy Creek in conjunction with fishing groups. They also secured many easements across the state for fishing access. Lack of fishing effort? Fishermen will flock to where the fish are. Trollers flock westward in the spring. Trib guys go east in the fall. Why not pressure the "powers that be" to make Sandy the "Atlantic capital" in the Central area? Improve the habitat, Increase stocking, (pen-rear Atlantics?) increase access. Maybe get some Trib guy support? Feds and state would probably jump on it if stakeholders want it, especially with restoration of native specie in mind.

Great Lake Restoration is a federal project. Lakers and Atlantics are Federal projects. (with some state support) North shore has good runs because they got serious about the fish. They seem to have more gravel beds and colder water. Our Feds, after 40+ years of Laker failure seem to finally be getting serious about them with the Laker Habitat Restoration project. Sandy isn't getting King stocking, rather it's been designated for Atlantic stocking. IMO, rather than wasting more years of Atlantic failure, Feds should get off the pot and get serious about Atlantic habitat. I.E. "put up or shut up." Dredging of these proposed small areas doesn't have to be done with heavy equipment on shore. There are such things as Mini-dredges, Compact dredges and boat/pontoon dredges. Equipment that dredge on the water that require only a foot or 2 of water such as what is used in wetlands and swamps. They are trailer launched. "Where there is a will there is a way." As for reducing silt, trees such as Willows would help tremendously. Google "silt control on streams." 10 to 15 feet of vegetation (thick grass) is highly recommended for Stream bank silt control. How many farmers plant their crops right up to waters edge? Trees providing shade on the water would go a long way to help keep the water cooler. That group did a good job on Irondequoit creek with state, why not on Sandy with Feds and state?

The Lake Trout Habitat Restoration project proposes cleaning off some rocky areas in the lake and creating some new rocky reefs. Lakers are a "Federal fish." So why couldn't a similar thing be done for the "other Federal fish?" I.E. dig out/dredge a few 100-foot sections of mud a couple feet deep and replace that mud with right size gravel? (Sell the "mud" as topsoil to recover some of the cost?...seaweed grows pretty good in it.) Might help a little with the "stink" problem and kill a few Lampreys. Plant a bunch more trees to help with the temperature issue?

Well, what are we up to today? Blue Heron is just west of Erie. Lake Guardian is docked on east end of Lake Erie. (Coming to Big-O?)

It may be a good year for the Atlantics. (?)

Goodbye Big Blue. (Headed up the Weland Canal) Come again soon!

Great day to be working on the lake:

The Blue Heron is "similar but different" than the Lake Guardian. The Lake guardian is much bigger (180 ft) and is operated by the EPA. Its mission is to study water and biological life in the Great Lakes to support Great Lakes Restoration. It's currently in Lake Erie, west of Dunkirk. The Blue Heron (only 80 ft) is operated by the Large Lakes Observatory at the University of Minnesota (Duluth). Its mission is academic Limnological research. I.E. Physical, chemical and biological. It also trains great lakes scientists. Being smaller, it can more so study the nearshore.

Welcome to a visitor making a trip about the lake: This is the Blue Heron. She's an 80 ft fishery vessel operated by the University of Minnesota and currently moored at the Genny: .

"Little Guy" got some work in today:

Available to tour in Sept: NOAA ship remapping Lake Ontario floor for first time in more than 80 years

Research or tour boat?

"Driver Ed" at Oswego or just having some fun with the "new toy?"

Guessing the Jeff and 2904 have traded helmsmen:

Welcome to Lake Ontario.

Was wondering when we'd see one of these in our area: Not the typical ragboat.

"Little guy" finally figured out how to steer a straight course. (YAY!)

If nothing biting offshore then drop the kids off to play at the beach and try the nearshore:

After 3 days in port, it's back to work on the east end:

Asian carp numbers declining in Illinois River? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOZ9t04iuKE

Any signs of fuel (wetness) under the cowling? If so check lines and Tee connectors from fuel pump to carburetors. Write down the serial number of the engine if you don't know the model year and google search for manual. (There are many outboard manuals online.)

Great day for a cruise. Hopefully they're biting. Good Luck to all: Even the Canadians giving it a try: MU21 is CD law enforcement)