Friday was the first day of trout season. I took a short tour of area streams to see what, if anything, was going on.
It wasn’t much.
Area streams had been in relatively good shape leading up to the season opener… then the rains came Thursday night. All bets were off.
I ran into three anglers who had not caught any trout. They were in the process of packing up their fishing gear for the trip home. One was a local guy, and the other two were from New Jersey. They made a long trip north to catch nothing. But still, they were in good spirits and threatening to make a return trip soon.
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I took the time to ask them what they knew about the new trout stream fishing regulations. They obviously had taken the time to become familiar with the basics, but still needed some coaching on the fine points. After talking to them, I think it’s evident signage is needed on the state’s trout streams. The new regulations impose size and creel limits that are not consistent for the entire length of many streams. Signage will help, and not just along the Public Fishing Rights easements, but also along stream corridors on private property.
If you do any stream fishing for trout make sure you visit the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov to learn what the new regulations are.
Family Fishing Day
A cooperative effort by The Federation of Dutchess County Fish and Game Clubs, the Town of LaGrange, Mid Hudson Trout Unlimited and the state Department of Environmental Conservation will provide an opportunity to spend a few hours outdoors trout fishing for the entire family; no fishing license required.
Overlook Park at 36 Knights Lane in LaGrange will be the venue for the 2022 Family Fishing Day. Mom, Dad and all the kids can all participate. Fishing rods, tackle, bait and a helping hand when necessary, will all be provided free of charge, as will hotdogs, soda and other treats.
You can bring your own fishing tackle if you so choose. Baitcasting, spinning, fly fishing gear can all be used. Members of Trout Unlimited will be there to offer instruction for wannabe fly fishers. Whichever method you choose, be prepared to have some fun. And maybe catch a fish
The pond will be stocked ahead of time with trout from the state’s Catskill Trout Hatchery. The event will be held rain or shine on Sunday, April 24, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
For additional information, call 914-755-9667.
Esopus Creek creel survey underway
DEC’s new stream management has taken Ulster County’s Esopus Creek off the stocking list. The stream is now being managed as a Wild Quality stream and it will not long receive allocations of hatchery-reared trout.
From Ashokan Reservoir upstream 18 miles to the confluence of Lost Clove Creek with the Esopus, anglers are limited to three trout a day, with only one exceeding 12 inches.
The DEC Region 3 Fisheries Unit will be conducting a two-year creel survey of the Upper Esopus Fishery. According to DEC, the last time such information was collected was in 2012. This new survey will collect specific information on angling characteristics, catch rates and harvest rates for the Upper Esopus. It is an important management effort because the 2012 work predates some significant changes, including the management designation from a stocked stream to a Wild Quality stream this year. Updated creel data are needed to support a comprehensive, adaptive management plan for the creek.
Angler cooperation is important.
DEC reports you can expect to see their creel clerk out on the Upper Esopus two weekdays and both weekend days per week, where they will be conducting angler counts, interviewing anglers, and getting catch characteristics of creeled fish. New to this survey, DEC will also be handing out “Creel Cards” to get improved angling trip information.
If a Creel Clerk approaches you before you’ve wrapped up fishing for the day, you may opt to take a printed survey card, which can be filled out after the trip is over and returned to the closest lockbox. Lockboxes will be placed at access points from Boiceville to Big Indian and checked routinely. A pencil and list of lockbox locations will be included in a packet along with the “Creel Cards.” As always, cooperation is voluntary.
I’m encouraging all anglers on the Esopus to participate in the survey. Remember, the Esopus will no longer be stocked, so if fishing quality erodes it could go undetected. Without creel surveys it could be very difficult to assess the impact that the new Trout Stream Management Plan has on one of the most important fisheries in the state.
Bill Conners of the Federation of Fish and Game Clubs writes on outdoors issues. Email: conners@billconners.net.
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