The state Department of Environmental Conservation is considering the following five, fishing regulation changes on Lake Ontario and Lake Erie and their tributaries and is seeking public input on them.
The proposed regulation changes and the rationales behind them follow:
1). Extending the open season for lake trout in Lake Ontario and the Lower Niagara River
Description: Open the Lake Ontario/Lower Niagara River lake trout season on Dec. 1 (currently opens Jan. 1). The season would be closed from Oct. 1 through Nov. 30.
Rationale: Anglers targeting rainbow trout/steelhead in the Lower Niagara River frequently catch lake trout. Since lake trout spawning is largely over by the end of November, opening the lake trout season on December 1 will provide anglers with additional opportunities to harvest trophy lake trout without jeopardizing lake trout restoration efforts.
2). Reducing the daily creel limit for brown trout in Lake Ontario tributaries
Description: Reduce the daily creel limit for brown trout in Lake Ontario tributaries from 3 fish per day to 1 fish per day (excluding the Lower Niagara River).
Rationale: This potential change is intended to prolong high quality brown trout fishing opportunities through the winter months, while still allowing anglers the opportunity to harvest a trophy fish. Fishing effort on Lake Ontario tributaries can be intense each year from fall through spring and maintaining high quality brown trout fishing opportunities relies on anglers releasing a high proportion of their catch.
3). Increasing the minimum size limit for rainbow trout/steelhead on Lake Ontario tributaries
Description: Increase the minimum size limit for rainbow trout/steelhead on Lake Ontario tributaries from 21 inches to 25 inches (excluding the Lower Niagara River).
Rationale: This potential change is intended to prolong high quality rainbow trout/steelhead fishing opportunities through the winter months, while still allowing anglers the opportunity to harvest a trophy fish. Anglers have noted smaller rainbow trout/steelhead in recent years, and declining rainbow trout/steelhead fishing success as the winter season progresses.
4). Decreasing the daily creel limit for rainbow trout/steelhead on Lake Ontario
Description: Reduce the daily creel limit for rainbow trout/steelhead on Lake Ontario from 3 fish per day to 2 fish per day.
Rationale: Rainbow trout/steelhead provide the primary sportfishery in Lake Ontario's tributaries from November through the following spring. This potential change is designed to increase numbers and sustainability of rainbow trout/steelhead in the tributary fishery by reducing open lake harvest during periods when Chinook fishing success in the lake declines and more anglers specifically target rainbow trout/steelhead.
5). Eliminating special Lake Erie tributary regulations applied to Spooner Creek and North Branch of Clear Creek (Erie County)
Description: Angling on Spooner Creek and the North Branch of Clear Creek is currently closed each year from Jan. 1 through March 31. Under this potential change, anglers would be able to fish species with an open season during the period January 1 through March 31.
Rationale: The original intent of these regulations was to protect adult steelhead and promote natural reproduction in these two tributaries. More recent research has indicated that juvenile habitat is the factor limiting wild steelhead production, not the number of adults. Moreover, these regulations apply to stream sections that are entirely privately owned and are posted, significantly limiting angling pressure.
To view these proposals and provide input, visit DEC’s website.
Comments will be accepted through Dec. 14. Comments and questions can also be directed to Steve LaPan, Great Lakes Fisheries Section Head, at: New York State DEC, P.O. Box 292, Cape Vincent, NY 13618.
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