muskiedreams

In St. Lawrence County, it is illegal to fish for bass until 3rd Sat in June. In al other NY waters of the Great Lakes it is legal to fish for them while they are spawning. That is also true for the finger lakes and other waters of NY. The VHS disease was the big reason for the die off. But now, because there are so many gobies in the Great Lakes, when an angler removes a bass from it's nest, the gobies will move in and eat up all the eggs in a frenzy before the bass can be released and return to the nest. So IMO the best thing the DEC can do for SMB is re-enact the old season start date and enforce no fishing for bass until the 3rd Sat in June. This will at least give them a fighting chance to hatch and survive. But my guess it that they are greatly influenced by tournament organizers and their sponsors in the name of profits. This video shows gobies on a nest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWt_uffYZ4M

Here is part of a weekly email I get from the DEC that explains a little more. So there are some exceptions to the rules in specific regions or waters. So it is always a good idea to check because sometimes they change those also. DEC Reminds Anglers of Special Fishing Regulations In Effect for Upcoming Fishing Seasons Opening Day for Many Cool Water Species Opens on May 1, Except in Border Waters The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation today reminded anglers to always consult the fishing regulations guide to ensure they are complying with the seasonal restrictions and waterbody-specific rules before heading out onto the water. Fishing regulation changes implemented earlier this year replaced the floating "Saturday" season openers in most - but not all - locations with a fixed May 1 date, in addition to other improvements to enhance fishing opportunities across the state. Special regulations often apply to border waters such as the Delaware and West Branch Delaware rivers, Greenwood Lake, Lake Champlain and its tributaries, and Indian Lake (NY/CT). For instance, the walleye season for Lake Champlain and its tributaries will continue to open on the first Saturday of the month of May each year, which is May 7 in 2022.

A question about pike season opener came up in another thread and I posted some info from the DEC to try and help clarify the changes. So I thought it deserved it's own thread for those who have questions. Below is a copy of what I posted. In it there is also a link to the DEC's full 2022-2023 Fishing Regulation Guide. Yes, starting this year it is May 1st (it used to be 1st Sat in May). That also includes opener for pickerel, walleye and tiger musky. They wanted to get rid of the "day of the week" start and stop dates in favor of 'month/day". Here is a link to the 2022-2023 regulations. From this page you can go to various sections of the regulations to get more detail such as creel and size limits, special regs etc. https://www.eregulations.com/newyork/fishing The cover page gives a basic list of changes for state wide regulations but there may be some variations in specific waters (and maybe counties) such as some southern tier tribs. Here is text from that page that gives the basics for pike, pickerel, walleye and tiger musky. New specific dates replaced floating dates for statewide season openers to include: May 1 - Walleye, Northern Pike, Pickerel and Tiger Muskellunge; June 1 - Muskellunge. (Note that in 2022, DEC will allow for the fishing of muskellunge beginning the last Saturday in May to accommodate previously planned fishing trips); and June 15 - Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass. Note that the opening day for musky is June 1st but THIS YEAR they are allowing people to fish for musky on the last Sat in May (this is for waters like Chautauqua Lake and Waneta Lake). Also note that musky in the Great Lakes from Lake Erie to the St. Lawrence River does not open until June 15th which is 3 days earlier than the third Sat (which it used to be).

If you did, it was a fluke. There are a lot of northerns in Ibay though. Many of them are pretty small now though.

Didn't know exactly where to post this. Please pass the word, maybe in other forums and other places on LOU so maybe it will help someone. I saw an upper outboard motor cover about 10:15 am today on side of road that someone must have lost while trailering. It is small to medium size (maybe from a kicker) mainly grey with some graphics. Might be somewhat older model. Saw it on the transition ramp traveling in Rochester, South on Rt 590 going to Rt 490 West. It was on the right side of the ramp which is single lane with barrier walls on both sides and no place to safely pull over. To be safe, it would require help from Monroe County or NYS police to retrieve it. Could not tell it's condition other than it is in one piece.

I just became aware of this in a weekly email I get from the DEC and I found this article. This fish was caught in a very small private residential lake. It goes to show that big fish can be found in small places, including private lakes and ponds. What a slab!! https://www.fieldandstream.com/fishing/new-york-angler-catches-largest-crappie-of-all-time/ The photo got squeezed horizontally in this posting so for a realistic view go to the link.

I just received this message from my inquiry to the NYS Parks Dept. about the Ibay launch. So I guess the only recourse you might have is to look at the particular agreement and also the written policy of whomever made the agreement with the state for each launch. If there is no mention of honoring the Empire State or Golden Parks program then all you can do is try to get them to change it somehow. Good afternoon- I received your note about the Golden Park Program usage at Irondequoit Bay. You are correct, the Town of Irondequoit does operate and maintain the Irondequoit Bay State Park under a cooperative agreement with New York State Parks. The Town operates and maintains the facility at their expense and as such, an agreement was negotiated where hours of operation, opening/closing of the launch and facilities, and all park fees are determined by them. The Golden Park Program and Empire Passes are honored at Irondequoit Bay but unfortunately our other State Parks have different systems than the Town and the pay station in place does not have the ability to scan passes or NYS issued IDs. Passes can be obtained at Hamlin Beach State Park or issued at the Irondequoit Town Hall Recreation Dept. This pass is to display on your vehicle for local law enforcement performing compliance checks. The pass is only valid at Irondequoit Bay State Marine Park. Other Parks facilities will still verify with attendants or use of the pay stations that have the ability to scan Empire Passes and State issued IDs. Although we do have a sign near the pay station, we will work on making this information clearer and more accessible on our website. Thank you for reaching out to us and we look forward to helping you get a pass to use at Irondequoit Bay. Arthur Briley Acting Regional Director New York State Parks- Genesee Region 1 Letchworth State Park Castile, NY 14427 Phone: 585-493-3601 Email: [email protected]

I did find out what to do about the Golden Park Pass for Irondequoit Bay. I now have a pass that I found out that NYS residents over 62 can get from the Irondequoit Recreation Dept. located at 154 Pinegrove Ave in Irondequoit. It is good for one year (expires in March) and is just an extension of the Empire Pass system but only good for non-holiday weekdays. I also plan on talking to the Irondequoit Dept of Public Works to see if they can install a machine at the launch that is capable of scanning a driver's license like the one at Conesus. State residents come here from all over the state and should be able to utilize the program without having to go to a town office for a pass. I hope this is useful to some of you. I told the woman at the recreation center I will spread the word so she might be issuing more permits. Maybe this info will be helpful at other launches also.

It might be because of state rules/regulations. They have permit requirements and maybe others as well as a requirement that the permit holder have a minimum amount of liability insurance.

Sounds like it is contradictory to the program. Here is a link to the NYS Parks page that lists all locations where you should be able to use it. https://parks.ny.gov/documents/admission/EmpirePassCardGuidelines.pdf I have been trying to find out why I can't utilize the Golden Park Program at the Irondequoit Bay State Boat Launch. The program allows state residents that are 62 and older to enter state parks and use state launches free on non-holiday weekdays. Even though they revamped the launch, the pay machine doesn't have the drivers license scanner, like at other State Launches such as Conesus Lake so you can scan your license and get a launch ticket for free. The town of Irondequoit is overseeing the launch but it is a NYS launch. And on the page link above, it says; For information about facilities where this program is valid, contact the nearest state park, state park regional office or: New York State Parks Albany, New York 12238 518-474-0456 TTY/TDD through 711 Relay Service *free vehicle access not valid at Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park, Fahnestock Winter Park, and Oak Orchard State Marine Park. There is no mention of IBay in the list of excluded sites. Has anyone had problems using the Golden Parks Program at other sites that should be included?