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Biggest take away was super healthy fish with big eggs and high numbers of those big eggs (usually one or the other). This should be the first year that the new research can start to show who spawned who in the hatchery and through the creel census. It was an overall great meeting. More detailed information will be in the ELOSTA newsletter under the secretary's report.

This coming Wednesday, October 16th, at 7PM, the Fall State of the Lake / Egg Take meeting will be held at the Salmon River Fish Hatchery. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

DEC to Host 25th Annual Salmon River Fish Hatchery Open House on Sept. 28 09/18/2024 DEC to Host 25th Annual Salmon River Fish Hatchery Open House on Sept. 28 Free Event Celebrates National Hunting and Fishing Day; Features Tours, Displays, Information, and Games for Families Opportunities Support Governor Kathy Hochul’s ‘Get Offline, Get Outside’ Campaign New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today invited the public to the 25th annual Salmon River Fish Hatchery Open House and Family Day on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free, rain-or-shine event celebrates National Hunting and Fishing Day and complements Governor Kathy Hochul’s ‘Get Offline, Get Outside’ campaign to encourage New Yorkers to put down their phones and screens and spend time in nature. The Salmon River Fish Hatchery is located at 2133 County Route 22, Altmar, Oswego County. “DEC welcomes outdoor enthusiasts of all ages, abilities, and interests to continue the tradition or start a new one at the 25th annual Salmon River Fish Hatchery Open House on September 28th,” said Interim Commissioner Mahar. “Join DEC’s regional staff and local partners for a behind-the-scenes look at how DEC contributes to world-class trout and salmon fishing in Lake Ontario and its tributaries, including the exceptional Salmon River.” National Hunting and Fishing Day was designated by Congress in 1972 to encourage people to experience, understand, and appreciate traditional outdoor sports and recreation and natural resources. This day also recognizes hunters and anglers for their leadership in fish and wildlife conservation. DEC will lead tours of the facility between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., providing rare behind-the-scenes access to the hatchery's inner workings. Guests can visit the redesigned fish observation decks, which are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, and offer new and improved views of salmon as they migrate. Visitors can also observe New York fish in the hatchery's indoor aquaria and learn about rare and threatened fish species in New York State. Outside on the grounds, youth can learn how to cast a fishing rod. The tour of the hatchery includes one flight of stairs. To complement scheduled program events, several conservation organizations, fishing and hunting clubs, and outdoor recreation groups will present displays and activities to share information about their role in the Salmon River corridor and the Lake Ontario ecosystem. Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay said, “The Salmon River Fish Hatchery is the perfect setting to celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day. It’s a place I’ve visited many times, and a great venue to showcase New York’s natural landscape and everything our outdoor resources have to offer,” said. “This event is a fantastic opportunity for families and residents of Oswego County to connect with our state’s rich heritage of fishing, and enjoy tours, displays and games. I commend the staff at the Salmon River hatchery for organizing this event and promoting the unique benefits of spending time outdoors.” New York State Tug Hill Commission Executive Director Katie Malinowski said, “Congratulations to the Salmon River Fish Hatchery for holding this family-friendly event for 25 years! The hatchery facility is key to the success of the Salmon River fishery, such an important part of the natural resources-based economy of Oswego County and Tug Hill. The behind-the-scenes tours for area residents and out-of-town visitors provide an increased understanding of the science and effort involved, and the opportunity for partner organization displays adds enhanced educational opportunities to the day.” New York State Conservation Fund Advisory Board (CFAB) DEC Region 7 Representative Shari Dann said, “This Open House gives families a great way to celebrate the fishing heritage that the Salmon River gifts to us. Nearly 90 years ago, New York State sportspersons advocated for a unique way to pay for conservation – by setting aside license fees into what we now know as the Conservation Fund. There, these monies are protected and then matched by a Federal excise tax on recreational gear. Today, there is a diverse group of us as members of the CFAB who are charged with overseeing this Fund for the benefit of places like the Salmon River watershed.” Oswego County Soil and Water Conservation District Manager Joe Chairvolotti said, “Oswego County SWCD has participated in this outstanding and well-attended outreach event nearly every year since the beginning. We offer congratulations for the upcoming milestone anniversary and look forward to being a part of the 25th annual event. We will have a hands-on display featuring over twenty natural resource related items, along with informational brochures and handouts, and a coloring table for children.” Oswego County Community Development, Tourism and Planning Deputy Director Daniel Breitweg said, “Oswego County is home to some of the best fishing in the Northeast – due in no small part to the efforts of the state DEC’s Salmon River Fish Hatchery. Its stocking program helped establish Lake Ontario and its tributaries as a premier fishing destination. Anglers from across the country and around the world travel to this area to try to reel in a fish story of their own. We applaud the hatchery and its staff, not only for its stocking program, but for providing community events like this open house. It’s a great opportunity for residents and visitors to get a behind-the-scenes view of what it takes to maintain a world-class fishery.” The event complements Governor Hochul’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” campaign and recent announcement encouraging New Yorker’s participation in statewide Fish and Wildlife Day events on Sept. 28. New York’s kids and families are encouraged to put down their phones and computers, take a break from social media, enjoy recreation and outdoor social gatherings, and put their mental and physical health first. The campaign builds on the Governor's efforts to promote healthy living among young people and families, including signing first-in-the-nation legislation to protect kids from addictive social media feeds and shield their personal data from online platforms. The Salmon River boasts a world-class fishery for migrating Lake Ontario trout and salmon. Bring your fishing gear and experience the thrill anywhere along the 12 miles of public access, served by 12 DEC parking areas and several other access points in the village of Pulaski. DEC also recommends visiting Salmon River Falls Unique Area, located approximately six miles from the hatchery. The area offers hiking trails, including a short quarter-mile accessible crushed stone trail leading to two observation points for a 110-foot waterfall that offer views of spectacular scenery. Visit DEC's website for more information about the Salmon River Fish Hatchery, Salmon River Falls Unique Area, to view the Salmon River management and restoration plans, and for more information about the State Conservation Fund Advisory Board. For specific questions about the open house, please contact Betsy Ukeritis, DEC Environmental Educator, at (315) 314-0768. The hatchery is open to the public for self-guided tours 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., every day, April through November.

The annual ELOSTA fishing flea market and seminars is only two weeks away. March 9th from 9AM to 1PM at the Brewerton Fire Hall on Route 11, Brewerton NY. Tables are more than full with extras having to be added. Seminars by Matt French and DEC biologists and ECO's. Lunch will be available for purchase from the fire department and will help fund their events. 10AM Seminar by Matt French who will be discussing how to fish the transitional period in the mid summer period on the lake. His reputation as an excellent and consistent fisherman is known across the lake - be sure to come with a notepad in hand to help you put more fish in the boat this summer. Class A Sportfishing Follow member Message Captain Matt French | U.S.C.G Licensed Captain Phone: 585-737-9364 Email: [email protected] Boat Docked at Genesee River Boat: Baha Sport Fisherman - 31' overall length and 12' beam width Target Species: Salmon, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout President of the Genesee Charter Association as well as a member of the Maritime Consortium. Captain French offers quality Trout and Salmon fishing aboard the “MissDemeanor” in Rochester, NY with the goal of providing a safe and memorable outing for you and your party. 11:30 AM Seminar by the DEC biologists and ECO's. The new management plan for the salmon in Lake Ontario will be presented and clarified as to how they are going to judge how many eggs they need prior to the egg take and what role we as fishermen will have in the process. The ECO's will be discussing some of the most common issues they encounter on the lake with people and some tales of the job. Each will be followed by a question and answer session. This is one that should be attended to better understand where the fishery is going and the high tech approach to better manage it as well as maybe learn something from the ECO's to avoid a future issue and to just a get a good laugh at a story or two. $2 admission per person to help send kids to DEC camp.

Please read this and then consider joining one of the associations. For less than the cost of most attractor paddles / flashers you can join one of the associations that help keep an eye on the fishery, set up meetings, events, and opportunities relating to the great fishery that we all have on Lake Ontario. Numbers matter when these associations talk with local and national politicians over concerns or needs to maintain the fishery as we know it. By joining, you will receive newsletters, be a part of a like minded organization where many contacts and opportunities will be available, and be a part of a larger collective voice. This is time and money well spent, whether you live a few miles form the shoreline or states away. Below find the associations, where they are active, and websites to get further information including membership enrollment information / materials. Copy and paste the URL into the browser or look up the association in google to get to the respective web page. ELOSTA - Eastern Lake Ontario Salmon and Trout Association - covers from east of Port Bay up to Henderson Harbor region of the Lake https://www.elosta.org/ LOTSA - Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association - covers from Port Bay to the Niagara River https://lotsa1.org/ LOCBA - Lake Ontario Charter Boat Association - promotes charter and sportfishing across the lake https://lakeontariocharterboatassociation.com/sign-up/

ELOSTA flea market is on March 9th at the Brewerton Fire Hall from 9AM-1PM with free seminars.

Marine Zone Forecast ...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM EST THIS EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING... This Afternoon East winds 5 to 10 knots increasing to 15 to 20 knots. Mostly cloudy. Waves 1 to 2 feet. Tonight East winds 15 to 25 knots becoming southeast 15 to 20 knots. Rain. Waves 1 to 3 feet building to 2 to 4 feet, then subsiding to 1 to 3 feet. Saturday South winds 15 to 20 knots becoming southwest and increasing to 35 knot gales in the afternoon. Rain showers in the morning, then snow and rain showers likely in the afternoon. Waves 1 to 3 feet building to 10 to 13 feet. Waves occasionally around 16 feet. Saturday Night Southwest gales to 40 knots. Lake effect snow in the evening, then a chance of snow showers overnight. Waves 13 to 17 feet building to 18 to 23 feet. Waves occasionally around 29 feet. Sunday Southwest gales to 40 knots becoming west and diminishing to 30 knots. A chance of lake effect snow showers. Waves 17 to 22 feet subsiding to 10 to 14 feet. Waves occasionally around 28 feet. Monday Southwest winds to 30 knots diminishing to 10 to 15 knots. Lake effect snow showers likely. Waves 5 to 9 feet subsiding to 2 to 4 feet. Waves occasionally around 11 feet. Tuesday Southwest winds 10 to 15 knots becoming west 15 to 20 knots. Snow showers likely. Waves 1 to 3 feet building to 4 to 7 feet. Waves occasionally around 9 feet.

This meeting happened this past Wednesday. See the post with the summary of what was discussed.

A detailed report will be in the ELOSTA newsletter written by Jared, but in summary: they did not have the age breakdown at this time fish looked healthy eggs were large and healthy fish might be smaller due to the number of lamprey affecting the growth of the fish - especially the older fish - might answer your question coho at the hatchery were not as numerous as they normally are at this time, but were larger than what they have seen in the past brown trout were discussed in relation to the new genetics introduced from the oriskany creek and their behavior and the stocking timeline for the east and west end of the lake cormorants have exploded in numbers and the number culled should increase looks like there will be an increase in stocking numbers of around 10% with the baitfish data pinks have shown up in the lower river in numbers not seen before oswego has been on fire in terms of salmon the hatchery is getting a new well, has a new monitoring system, but needs a lot of work to get it to where it really needs to be Mike Connerton has the final creel census data compiled (he was not able to attend the meeting) the new genetics study seems to be going well and might lead to new information in the future about the egg take the new genetics study might help determine further the contribution of natural reproduction to the lake under different environmental conditions and weather events I am sure that I missed some points made as I do not have my notes with me.

Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting last night from up and down the lake and especially DEC personnel ,Tom, Scott, Pete, and the other fisheries tech who came (sorry that I did not get to meet you directly and get your name). Tom and Scott shared a lot of information about the egg take, health of the fish, state of the hatchery, studies updates, cormorant control, and qualitative observations that they had made this Fall.