dawsonscreek

If you call the DEC region office for your region they will answer your questions and send you your books along with instructions. The angler diaries are a lot of work if you fish alot, but it's one of the few ways to help the DEC manage our fisheries, and I think keeping a log has helped my fishing alot. I keep track of a lot more detail than they ask for then transfer the info they are after into the books.

Thanks I will put a call in when I get the chance. I know the diary is helpful to both the angler and DEC. I fish with John Gaulke at least once a year for lake trout and he is usually recording all of his trips as well, I can definitely see where it could help to make you a better angler.

I have had an email in to Brad Hammers (DEC) since Jeff asked the question....haven't heard back yet. I have always been under the assumption that only the lakes proper were to be recorded. Hopefully he will answer back today as I leave in the AM for Florida.

Thanks Les. Enjoy Florida!

Just wondering if fish caught in the flx tributaries can be counted for the dec diary program. I would live to cooperate but mostly fish flx tribs, and then target lake trout in the summer. Anybody know if tributary anglers can participate?

2 techniques I use is reaction bite with a shallow diving rapala in perch or natural and finesse bite using a light jig 1/8, 1/16 or 1/32oz (depending on current) tipped with a minnow or tony. Conditions are right you can take a trout float rig and tip it with a minnow and get some good results but usually all I get doing that is bass. Last year was rough for me. I hate giving advice when I stunk so badly at it. Walleye eat slower than my daughter so you may want to use a stinger hook. After you get a few skinless baits returned to you, you will know why.

Holding holes have depth and structure. This is usually where people fail in the river. Walleyes like to get out of the sun. Also the sun, avoid it. Crappie days fish better. I also love going out on the harvest moon. I think this is the best week out of the year to fish for eyes. I like to fish the mornings and evenings. Given more time and energy - past midnight.

Thanks! I've caught a few in the PA side of the Tioga using an X-rap but never really tried the chemung anywheres

I am curious what makes a walleye that large. What niche conditions are preferrable? oxygen, forage, depth, temp?

I ask because a 25 inch eye caught in Corning didn't look anything (other than being a walleye) 25 inch eye caught out of Conesus. Obvious differences are lake vs river and forage but what about ?

Several factors contribute to large walleye. I am no expert but am taking 2 classes in fisheries right now at FLCC. One is all bait the management aspect; population dynamics, size, growth, and carrying capacity. The other is a hatchery class and we will actually be capturing walleye from honeoye and spawning them then releasing the fry back to the lake. The biggest mortality factor that limits wallet from reaching large sizes is from angler mortality. The legal limits is 14"? From the scale samples I've looked at a 14" fish is 2-3yo as a male and 3-4 as female. Females are not sexually mature until 3 males are at 2. Once a walleye reaches maturity it's growth level drastically slows. A few of scales we've looke at from 20"+ fish are 7years old or more. So what I'm getting at is that time to grow is probably the most crucial factor to a large walleye. Forage and healthy habitat is also important. I would love to see a slot limit in place on walleye, an honeoye, which has no naturally reproducing walleye, needs some real help. Hope this info is useful to you.

Ps. I live in Corning and would love to learn some walleye techniques if you feel like sharing. Best wishes.

Jeff

Severne Point launch only possibility right now.

Thanks Les!

Where could somebody launch on Seneca tomorrow?

I was out today and of the state park and there was plenty of ice still 8"+ you should be fine tomorrow, but use caution around shore and honeycombed areas. Good luck!

Sounds just like jigging them from a boat really, any tips if I don't have access to a vex, I think his finder only does depth, but I could be mistaken.

So once my buddy gets back from his trip to The Caribbean I want to talk him into targeting some lakers on Keuka. Thing is, I have no idea where to start or what to use. I think we have access to a decent depthfinder, any help would be very appreciated, feel free to PM me, thanks!!. 

Sounds intentional for sure. I hunted a horse pasture at night for coyotes one time and if I remember correctly, their eyes don't shine from a light, but I could be wrong.

Is she akc registered?

She was supposed to be. Her mother was a champ, but the guy I bought her from never sent me the papers and I couldn't get ahold of him. I can't remember his name, from PA, Charlie W maybe? She's a great dog though, and a pet before a hunter.

Nice dog.   I like the enthusiasm to keep going.

She loves it, usually doesn't even notice the dead rabbit in my hand right away.

My dog ran this rabbit by me twice. On the first shot I just grazed him (I could see hair float in the wind). After I looked for any blood I was sure the rabbit was unharmed so I waited right on the road hoping Remi would bring him back across the road (they seem to love to cross that road). The second shot was true, the rabbit decided to stop right on the edge, where I smoked him! Watch in HD, enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbm-ULg0eOA

 

I am looking for a new or used stock/forend for a 20 gauge 870. I currently have a gorgeous dark walnut youth model stock on and, while it fit me when I was 12, now 12 years later it does not. I would really like to keep it wood and am willing to buy a forend as well to keep the pieces matching, but I would consider a synthetic set as well. Must be a 20 gauge though, I tried a 12 gauge stock and it did not fit. Any leads are appreciated. PM me here, reply or email [email protected]

Seems to b less and less cottontails every year where I run them .. Maybe due to lack of cover !? Not exactly sure .. But we mainly hunt hare and occasionally change things up and go after cottontails once in awhile ..

likely you are on a downward side of their cycle, cottontail populations experience cycles, with peaks very several years. Coyotes, hawks, feral house cats, and other predators will also affect the populations, especially if there is a lack of habitat. Hares must be fun though, I'd love to shoot some of them!

We, more so I, got revenge today!

lots of air around them.  The next video kicked on and I am like I know that spot.  small world.

Haha, I didn't realize I linked it to my playlist. When there aren't people swimming there it is a great spot to fish.

An embarrassing miss off of my beagle.You can't hit them all, especially when they're slowly loping through the wide open. Sorry Remi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgYBcqNP0TI&list=UULtU8ZFsqiI-zDwHqM6Ug9g

Heard good things about Canavan from local guide.

Any news on how much ice is there now?

Hope to get some ice on this lake. I will be back in town for school shortly and need something to do wednesday mornings. I went ice fishing on my buddy's pond for the first time a few days ago and really enjoyed it!

I too was wondering the same thing, thinking about a Thursday afternoon trip.

Grouse numbers are down because of loss of habitat, when there is less habitat predators have an easier time hunting. Grouse need early successional areas (ie shrubby) which are few and far between in most areas.

Pheasants are down because of loss of nesting habitat and somewhat winter cover. Not knocking farmers but its hard to raise a brood or get a nest hatched when they are cutting alfalfa in May. Before alfalfa, timothy grass was a main hay crop and that matured in June/July which gave the birds time to get a brood raised or mobile.

If we manage habitat better we would have more wildlife, but many people want mature woods for the timber value or a nice looking property (mowing too much). If we stop destroying habitat by just mowing a little less we might have more small game. My rant is from having neighbors with acres of property that have to mow all of it just so it "looks nice", they never use it for anything either.

You hit the nail on the head! It's so easy to blame the coyotes and other predators, when our habitat (or lack thereof) is the true issue.

Very cool! Today may have been my last hunt as well, but I have no birds to show!