New York Mixed Bag: DEC publishes inland trout streams and updated public access document – Outdoor News
Albany — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has published a document entitled “2024 Categorization of New York State Trout Stream Reaches” for the fishing public to utilize.
The 66-page document provides DEC Fisheries staff and anglers with a list of the management categories currently assigned to New York trout stream reaches. It lists public trout stream stocking in all DEC regions, and includes the streams location and amount of access, stocking category and number of fish stocked.
The document supports the 2020 New York State Trout Stream Management Plan. Reach descriptions and category assignments are updated every year to reflect the results of biological surveys, angler use estimates, and public access verifications completed during the previous year.
The document can be found here.
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Lake Ontario Fisheries Management And Research Meetings Being Held
Mexico, N.Y. — DEC’s Bureau of Fisheries biologists and managers are conducting two public meetings to highlight Lake Ontario sport fisheries and discuss with anglers a wide array of management actions and research taking place on the lake and its tributaries.
The Eastern Lake Ontario Salmon and Trout Association is hosting a meeting on July 17, at 7 p.m. at the VFW Hall, in Mexico. A previous meeting was held June 4 in Henderson Harbor. No registration is required to attend. For more information, contact Chris Legard, Lake Ontario Unit Leader, at [email protected] or 315-654-2147.
Later this year, DEC will announce two additional public meetings to be held in western New York this fall and winter.
Draft Keuka Unit Management Plan Available For Public Comments
Hammondsport, N.Y. — DEC is currently seeking public comments on a draft Keuka Unit Management Plan. This is an updated plan from what was formerly the Keuka Highlands and Lowlands UMP.
The Keuka Unit is made up of 9,806 acres of public lands in Steuben and Schuyler counties. The draft UMP designates a Motorized Access Program for People with Disabilities access route, improvements to fish migration, and land acquisition In includes Birdseye Hollow State Forest, Cold Brook Wildlife Management Area, Moss Hill State Forest, Mount Washington State Forest, Pigtail Hollow State Forest, Urbana State Forest and Waneta-Lamoka Wildlife Management Area.
On June 27 a public meeting will be held at the Fred and Harriett Taylor Memorial Library in Hammondsport starting at 6 p.m. In addition DEC is accepting public comments until July 31 which should be sent to: Gretchen Cicora, Supervising Forester, NYSDEC, State Land Management, 7291 Coon Road, Bath, NY 14810, or email comments to: [email protected].
Adirondack Loon Census To Be Held July 20
Saranac Lake, N.Y. — The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservatinon’s annual Adirondack Loon Census is scheduled to take place from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday, July 20. Organizers encourage anglers and boaters to register soon for a lake to monitor.
Since 2001, the census has involved volunteer surveyors observing common loons on a chosen body of water for just one hour.
It takes place annually on the third Saturday in July. The census provides a “snapshot” of the breeding loon population in the state. Results, gathered over time, provide valuable information regarding the status and trends of New York’s summer loon population, and the ecosystems of the waters they inhabit.
A new, online system is in place for selecting a water to survey and later reporting on it. Visit www.adkloon.org for more information.
New York’s Free Summer Fishing Days are June 29-30
Albany — New Yorkers, and those visiting New York State, are reminded that New York’s annual summer free fishing days are June 29-30. During this time anyone can fish in New York waters for free – no freshwater fishing license or enrolment in the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry is required.
Future free fishing days are Sept. 28 (National Hunting and Fishing Day), and Nov. 11 (Veteran’s Day).
New Website Launched For Tracking Bond Act Resources And Projects
Albany — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office has announced the launch of a new website specifically for the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act.
The website, which can be seen here, is part of New York State’s commitment to a transparent process that empowers the public to track and learn about Bond Act investments statewide. New resources and features on the website include an interactive statewide map to access facts about Bond Act-funded projects, a funding finder tool, eligibility guidelines and Bond Act funding allocations based on project category.
In November, New Yorkers approved a ballot proposition to make $4.2 billion available for environmental and community projects. Funding will support new and expanded projects across the State to safeguard drinking water sources, reduce pollution, and protect communities and natural resources from climate change.
