flyrod2

With all the responses on the “Western Finger Lakes†post, I decided to get the ball rolling on a “State of the Finger Lakes†meeting. I think it is important for all of us to get on the same page with issues confronting the lakes and tribs. If there is enough interest, I will continue to work on this after the holidays. I have already contacted the presidents of the State Fish Wildlife Management Board (FWMB) and the New York State Conservation Council (NYSCC), and they are on board with this. We have sportsman’s representatives from each region on these groups. I have also made preliminary contacts with DEC. This would involve both Region 7 and 8. This meeting would allow for the dissemination of information that is vital for both DEC and the sportsmen. Although there are some unique issues on the lakes and tribs, there are far too many similarities. There also seems to be a lack of communication or a necessity to get answers without knowing where to get them, or quell a rumor etc. We will also be able to create contacts and meet our representatives from DEC as well as the FWMB and NYSCC. I will look to DEC to put out press releases and also the regional forums to get the word out. We would like to do this sometime in March probably. The thing is, we need to attend in large number, to show we are serious about getting the lakes and tribs back to what they once were. If interested, I will continue the quest and report when we get something concrete.

I have been in contact with the new president of the New York State Conservation Council. He says that both the Region 7 and Region 8 DIrectors to the NYSCC are interested it such a meeting. The Finger Lakes Conservation Council (R8) and the Region 7 Conservation League are the regions affliates to the NYSCC representing all counties within the region. We think it could become something similar the "The State of the Lake (Lake Ontario) meetings. It is vital that we share information and create contacts especially when there are issue with the fishery. I have had a number of PM's with people who are very interested. Lets keep it going to make it work and any thoughts are appreciated. I will continue the pursuit.

If there is interest, I have made some contacts to the State Fish Wildlife Management board, NYSCC and DEC looking to develop some type of informational meeting/meetings. I would be willing to form such a meeting. I think it is important to look at the lakes as a region wide issue. Although there are some unique local issues, there are far more similarities throughout all the lakes. I think many guys also want contacts to voice opinions as well as acquire information. Here in Region 7 we work closely with our local DEC folks and they are more than willing to listen to our concerns and insight. We need to keep in mind though, that if it were left up to us, we would have hundreds of different bag limits, size limits and season dates. The reg guide is already difficult to many to understand. That is why DEC is in charge of the stewardship of our lakes and tribs. Also, I have access to monthly DEC Fisheries reports if there is interest in getting this info out to folks.

This is not just a Western Finger Lakes issue. Owacso Lake and the inlet were both a premier brown and rainbow lake, holding state record brown for a while. You could catch lake run bows all the way to almost the source of the Inlet. It was difficult to get in a spot to fish, now it is difficult to find another fisherman. I agree that we need to work together to get our fishery back. Unfortunately it is not just one thing that broke it and not 1 thing that will fix it. It is a system wide problem. at a time some years ago we demanded more stocked fish including different species. At the same time other demands on the fishery such as invasives, increase runoff pollution, loss of the food chain from phytoplankton,zooplankton on up, power companies using more hydropower, and on and on. Any one of those things and the fishery would be able to survive, all at once and it goes bad. I have read most every study and abstract done on the Finger Lakes as well as others to compare as I have been trying to help get back the Owasco fishery. I see others are wanting the same in the other lakes and tribs. Both Region 7 and Region 8 have active FWMB boards that meet at their regional DEC offices every other month. The board is made up of volunteer sportsman, landowners and county officials, from all the counties in the region, along with the DEC managers. They need to hear from all of us as well as letting them know we all will help. The one thing that stuck with me from all my research is this: " The health of a lake or river is judged by the health of the cold water fishery".

As part of bankruptcy and whatever the future of plant is, they are supposed to operate on and off, based on the need for electricity to continue. It will be sporadic until all is settled. It is also in the works for Finger Lakes Land Trust to purchase the 300+ acres including shorline north of plant, then transfer land to DEC which would give public access to all that shorline.

Since there have been lots of hits thought I would help with what I found. No fish kill, no chemical, no whatever. The only thing I could not confirm was whether the Mayans were correct about 12/21/12 in which it would not matter if there was a fish kill. Rumors are interesting. Hope no one spreads rumors when DEC put "chemicals" in the lake to kill lamprey in 2014. As far as the DEC compitancy thing, we are fortunate to have the staff we do in Region 7. The former R7 fish manager/now Natural Resource supervisor did his thesis on Cayuga and Seneca, so he is very versed on the lakes, and yes I read the thesis. Remember when we complain about DEC it should be directed to Albany, not our regional crew. DEC Fish and WIldlife have a surplus of money from the previous license increase. It is the Governor and the Division of Budget that will not let them spend it. In fact your Governor wants to raid your surplus conservation fund.

Any and all Veterans and Active Duty people on the forum . THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

I was one that was pushing for size increase for Bows on Owasco which they did. However they missed the boat on the Inlet. Again like Catherine, the Inlet was THE place to fish in Spring for 5+lb rainbow and lots of them. That has vanished due to stocking too many Lakers, loss of bait fish and especially the introduction of another apex predator, "walleye" among other things. This Spring we caught a couple spawned out rainbow, but not enough to go crazy with hope. We see many young bows heading to the lake and they never return. It doesn't hurt to put some limits for a while. Thankfully guys like sk8man put effort into the release. Bad news someone is right behind taking far over limit at any size.

I would like to add the to already well written comments on the lamprey in Cayuga. DEC thought they could ride out the 2007 year lamprey as the larval densities were below the previous 2 times they treated the inlet(1986, 1996). It was also based partly on budget issues. These budget issue are misleading since DEC has been running big surpluses since the last license fee increase and the staff cuts. It is the Governors office and the Division of budget who will not release our money. This includes money from the Feds through excise tax. DEC will be putting in for the permits to treat the lake in 2014. When this happens we the sportsman need to be the voice against those who may oppose the treatment. This will put a big dent in the 2011 year class that got over the fishway and any others that may between now ant 2014. As far as the damage done, all of you who spent time on the lake have witnessed it. We can only hope that the lake will rebound and we can see more 10-12 pounders next year.

I gotcha panfisher! Will be happy to help in any way. Often it is difficult to find an answer from DEC. There is a disconnect from Albany to our regional crew who are often battling to get anything. Can't guarantee results but always willing to try.

Hey all: New to sight, was looking for some info and signed up immedialey. I am the sportsman Rep to NYS Fish WIldife Management Board in Region 7 and have accsess to many resources for questions or even suggestion to bring to DEC. On the Lamprey ordeal I have been following that with great interest. DEC will be doing a chemical treatment to help get rid of the 2011 year class that got over the dam. And an important correction to the previous post about DEC cut in funds. With the last license fee increase and the subsequent cuts to staff the Conservation fund is running big surpluses. It is the Governors office and the Division of budget that will not release the money to allow regions to take care of business. In fact they want to raid the funds or pay for other nonsense. Thanks for the great site.