HuntingNY-News

The federal government is about to strike a wolf management plan with Wyoming. But whether it’s enough to guarantee a sustainable population is far from clear. View the full article

Two episodes of a Sportsman Channel show criticize a delay in allowing wolf hunts, but fail to explain the conflict behind it. View the full article

Trophy mounts will be made of both, and all the meat was brought home to consume, the son said. Submitted photoThe elder Barkley with his bear. Jeffrey Barkley, of Phoenix, traveled this spring with his father, Francis, also of Phoenix, to New Brunswick, Canada, to hunt for bear with crossbows. “My dad has had one for a couple of years and has been practicing,” the son said. “He shot a deer last year during the gun season, but you can’t use it during the archery season.” Jeffrey, 58, said he’s a bow hunter, but his father does not hunt during the regular archery season. He said he decided to buy a crossbow so he could get out and hunt with his 82-year-old father. The two traveled in late May to Lindsay’s Sporting Camps in New Brunswick, intent on getting a bear. Both were successful. The father’s bear weighed 200 pounds, and the son’s weighed 225 pounds. “It was my dad’s first bear,” the son said. Trophy mounts will be made of both, and all the meat was brought home to consume, he said. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The Ramada Championship set for Oneida Lake, will pit 97 of the top bass anglers in the world against one another, including fishing legend Kevin VanDam and 2012 Bassmaster Classic champion Chris Lane. The Central New York competitive bass fishing scene heats up the next two weekends with two big-time competitions. One will be held on Cayuga Lake. The other, on Oneida Lake. Beginning Thursday, 250 anglers — several at the Elite level — will be competing in the three-day Cayuga Lake Bassmaster Northern Open. The top pro will receive a Triton 19SE bass fishing boat powered by a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard motor. The top amateur will get a Skeeter ZX190 boat powered by a 150-horsepower Yamaha. The following week is the prestigious eighth and final Bassmaster Elite Series event, the Ramada Championship, on Oneida Lake, scheduled for Aug. 23-26. The Bassmaster Northern Open kicks off at 6 a.m. Thursday at Cayuga Lake State Park in Seneca Falls, with weigh-ins at 2 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the park. The final weigh-in is set for 3 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot at the Bass Pro Shops at the Fingerlakes Mall in Aurelius. The day after that tournament, from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 19, the Bass Pro Shops/Nitro Fishing Team will be doing a “meet and greet” at the local store. Bassmaster Elite Series pros Rick Clunn, Timmy Horton, Brian Snowden, Ott Defoe, Casey Scanlon and Jason Williamson will sign autographs and answer questions. These anglers have combined total winnings of more than $5.2 million on the Bassmaster tours. The Ramada Championship pits 97 of the top bass anglers in the world against one another, including fishing legend Kevin VanDam and 2012 Bassmaster Classic champion Chris Lane, as they compete for the $100,000 first prize and a spot in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic set for Feb. 22-24 in Tulsa, Okla. It begins at 7 a.m. Aug. 23, with the full field of anglers launching at Oneida Shores Park in Brewerton. Weigh-ins for that day and the next will be at 4 p.m. at the park. The weigh-ins for Saturday’s semifinals (top 50 anglers) and Sunday’s finals (top 12) will be held at the state fair. Weigh-ins for both days will begin at 4 p.m. In addition to the tournament winner on Sunday, the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year and Rookie of the Year for the Elite Series will be announced. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Sometimes just having the fish turn toward your fly is a moral victory, Dan Morgan said. Watch video Ellen Blalock/The Post-StandardDan Morgan stresses the importance of accurate casting. Dressed in a short-sleeved shirt, long pants and sneakers, angler Dan Morgan carefully threaded his line through the eyelets of his fly rod in a parking lot next to the Old Erie Canal, just outside of Chittenango. “We’re going hunting this morning,” he said. “Hunting for carp.” Morgan, a diehard trout fisherman with a catch-and-release philosophy, has backed off the local streams lately because they’re too low and warm, he said. He’s been spending a lot of time checking out the old canal. “It’s loaded with fish,” the Cazenovia resident said as he began walking down the canal’s walking/cycling path. “There’s a very strong large and smallmouth bass population, along with panfish. I’ve even seen northern pike, 30 inches and longer,” he said. But it’s carp Morgan is after today. “It’s a fantastic alternative (to trout fishing),” he said. “It’s very much like fly casting for bonefish in salt water. You’re looking for tailing fish (fish that are rooting around, feeding on the bottom) and you stalk them. You sight cast and present the fly to the individual fish.” When you hook one, he said, they take off on long runs like a saltwater fish. He said he once hooked a carp that “got more than 150 yards into my backing.” His biggest carp to date out of the canal weighed about 25 pounds. Many are in the 15- to 20- pound range, he said. Seeing the carp is the first step. Polarized sunglasses are a must. “You can’t fish for them if you can’t see them,” he said. Ellen Blalock/The Post-StandardA copper-ribbed hare’s ear nymph that Morgan uses to catch the carp. The next step is to get close enough and make the perfect cast while avoiding all the overhanging trees at your back and bushes alongside the canal. It’s no easy task. The water in the canal is low and clear. There seem to be lot more weeds than usual this summer, Morgan said. He uses a 6-weight fly rod with a floating line and a 4X (6.4-pound test) leader. “If the fish is tailing, I try to put the fly 3 to 6 inches in the mud slick in front of it, by its mouth,” he said. “If it’s cruising, I try to lead it by a foot or two. Casting accuracy is very important.” He uses a copper-ribbed hare’s ear nymph (size 10 hook) that he tied himself, with dumbbell eyes on the top to make sure it sinks rapidly to the bottom. The extra weight on the fly also makes it “swim” upside down, which cuts down on the number of snags. Ellen Blalock/The Post-StandardMorgan lands a nice 6-7 pounder. Setting the hook is also a visual thing, he said. “You have to keep your eye on your fly. You may see a little wiggle of the tail or something. There’s no pull, there’s nothing,” Morgan said. “They’ll ‘Hoover it’ up, and spit it right back out. You have to time it just right.” He stressed “it’s not child’s play. Sometimes just having the fish turn toward your fly is a moral victory.” Morgan said the best time to fish for carp in the canal is the early morning or late evening. During the late morning and afternoon, the fish become skittish with all the traffic up and down the walking path, and they scatter at the slightest sound. “Sometimes the shadows of the pole and line in the water can spook the fish,” he said. “once the sun starts reaching its peak, they tend to retreat under mats of vegetation or hugging far banks underneath the shadows.It’s difficult to see and make a cast to them.” He recommended using a big fly. Otherwise, he said, you’ll have bluegills and sunnies constantly taking it before the carp get at it. This particular sunny morning, Morgan walked more than a mile down the trail. Some stretches seemed devoid of fish, with the exception of a few bluegills and sunnies. Other stretches had a few carp. He “hunted” for nearly three hours. At one point, he had a carp on, but it broke his line and took his fly. He had another take his fly, but only had it on for about five seconds. Finally, he hooked a nice 6- to 7-pounder that took out more than 150 feet of line. “Nice fish,” he said, as it ran along the far shore. He carefully worked it through the weeds. He then walked down the rocky sides of the canal bank and netted the fish with his trout net. It barely fit. After a few pictures were taken, Morgan released it and began looking for another. “What I like about this is how incredibly challenging it is,” he said. “When they do turn on your fly, your heart goes right in your throat.” Ellen M. Blalock/The Post-StandardNice fish. More about Morgan Dan Morgan works as social media manager for Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, a national non-profit group that assists in the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active duty military personnel and veterans through fly fishing and fly tying education and outings. For more on the group, see its Web site. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The fish fought for 40 minutes before it was landed. Submitted photo Angler Brian Zicaro, of North Syracuse, poses with a huge catfish he recently caught while fishing on the old metal dock at Fort Brewerton. The fort is located at the west end of Oneida Lake at its outlet into the Oneida River. Zicaro said he was fishing with his son, Bryce, 7, at the time. He wrote: "This catfish fought me for 40 minutes and was huge ! I used a medium heavy, Ugly Stick rod with 40-pound test line." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Both bass and walleye bite slowed on Oneida Lake this week, but the perch bite appears to be picking up lately. CNY FISHING FORECAST Bait stores (list and map). LAKE ONTARIO Fishing picked up again last week. Chinook salmon are still scattered, so if not marking fish or bait keep searching. Fishing down 60 to 150 feet over 80 to 400 feet of water with spoons, flashers and flies, or flashers and cut-bait are all working for the salmon. Good colors have been whites and greens. Brown trout are being found in about 80 feet of water and lake trout in about 100 feet. Smallmouth fishing has been good in 15 to 30 feet of water around Mexico Point with live bait working well. Fish baits 1 ½ to 2 feet off bottom to help avoid some of the bait-stealing gobies. SALMON RIVER River continues to be low. Nothing to report. OSWEGO RIVER River continues to be low. Sheepshead, white perch, catfish and rock bass are active throughout the river with crayfish or worms working. ONEIDA LAKE Warm weather has slowed the bass bite. The smallmouth bass appear to be schooling, hanging just outside the weed beds. Try using crankbaits. Walleye bite is tepid right now. Successful anglers are getting them deep (25 – 30 feet of water) by jigging or trolling. The perch bite, meanwhile, is picking up. Try fathead minnows. CAYUGA LAKE Water fleas were less of a problem lately, but floating weed mats are still an issue. Lake trout are hitting spoons, or flasher and flies fished 50 to 80 feet down over 80 to 150 feet of water. It seems to change from day to day, with spoons out fishing flasher and flies one day and then the reverse the next. Many methods are working to get lures down to depth such as copper, wire, lead core, Dipseys and down riggers. Starting Dipseys at 200 to 300 feet back, 10 colors of lead core, and copper at 400 feet back has been good starting points. Vertical jigging continues to work for lake trout in 75 to 95 feet of water. SENECA LAKE Water fleas continue to be a nuisance when trolling on the lake. Try flea flicker lines or vertical jigging instead if fleas become too bad. Anglers are catching northern pike on minnows, stickbaits and spoons in the Watkins Glen area. Lake trout are hitting Spin Dr.’s and flies fished 125 feet down over 400 feet of water. Atlantic salmon are being taken 50 feet down in the middle of the lake. Vertical jigging has been good for lake trout in 75 to 95 feet of water. OWASCO LAKE Waterfleas continue to make trolling difficult on the lake. Try using flea flicker line or vertical jigging instead if trolling becomes too frustrating. The thermocline has set up at about 50 feet. Lake trout are being taken down 60 to 120 feet of water on spoons, and also on bottom in 100 feet of water fishing with live alewives. OTISCO LAKE Trolling with worm harnesses has been working for walleye. Bass are hitting wacky rigged stick worms and plastic worms on drop shot rigs in 10 feet of water along weed edges. Flipping tube baits and creature baits into the weed mats is also working for largemouth bass. SKANEATELES LAKE Rainbow trout continue to hit small spoons fished down about 20 feet. The early morning bite has been best with action slowing down about 7:30 AM. Lake trout are also hitting on spoons fished 55 to 60 feet down. Trout are feeding on small yellow perch, so good colors for the spoons have been perch colors. Glow baits are also working well. Bass fishing along the shore continues to be good from 5 to 30 feet of water with tube jigs, topwaters and drop shot rigs. Good colors for the drop shot plastics and Berkley gulp baits have been minnow imitating colors. The bite has been good throughout the day. SODUS BAY Bass fishing has been good early and late in the day with spinnerbaits, topwaters and a variety of plastics working. SANDY POND Largemouth bass fishing continues to be good early in the morning and in the evening. WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR Walleye fishing has been good early or late in the day for anglers trolling with worm harness and nightcrawlers along the old river channel. Fishing picked up again last week. Chinook salmon are still scattered, so if not marking fish or bait keep searching. Fishing down 60 to 150 feet over 80 to 400 feet of water with spoons, flashers and flies, or flashers and cut-bait are all working for the salmon. Good colors have been whites and greens. Brown trout are being found in about 80 feet of water and lake trout in about 100 feet. Smallmouth fishing has been good in 15 to 30 feet of water around Mexico Point with live bait working well. Fish baits 1 ½ to 2 feet off bottom to help avoid some of the bait stealing gobies. Oswego River The river is currently only running at 417 cubic feet per second (cfs), as of 8/2. Sheepshead, catfish and carp are active throughout the river with crayfish or worms working. Salmon River Things are quiet on the river this time of year. Cayuga Lake Waterfleas were less of a problem last week, but floating weed mats are still an issue. Lake trout are hitting spoons, or flasher and flies fished 50 to 80 feet down over 80 to 150 feet of water. It seems to change from day to day, with spoons out fishing flasher and flies one day and then the reverse the next. Many methods are working to get lures down to depth such as copper, wire, lead core, Dipseys and downriggers. Starting Dipseys at 200 to 300 feet back, 10 colors of lead core, and copper at 400 feet back has been good starting points. Vertical jigging continues to work for lake trout in 75 to 95 feet of water. Oneida Lake Walleye fishing has slowed down on the lake as young of the year shad are becoming large enough for the walleye to feed on. Anglers report marking large schools of baitfish. Blade baits and bucktail jigs tipped with nightcrawler are still producing some walleye in 20 to 30 feet of water. Smallmouth bass are also keying in on the shad schools, so keep an eye out for birds (terns or seagulls). When bass chase the shad to the surface birds will swoop down to eat the shad. You can see this bird activity from a greater distance than you can see bass rolling on the surface as they chase shad. Good lures are lipless crankbaits, topwater or plastic stickbaits. Sandy Pond Largemouth bass fishing has been good early in the morning and in the evening. Otisco Lake Trolling with worm harnesses has been working for walleye. Bass are hitting wacky rigged stick worms and plastic worms on drop shot rigs in 10 feet of water along weed edges. Flipping tube baits and creature baits into the weed mats is also working for largemouth bass. Owasco Lake Waterfleas continuie to make trolling difficult on the lake. Try using flea flicker line or vertical jigging instead if trolling becomes too frustrating. The thermocline has set up at about 50 feet. Lake trout are being taken down 60 to 120 feet of water on spoons, and also on bottom in 100 feet of water fishing with live alewives. Whitney Point Reservoir Walleye fishing has been good early or late in the day for anglers trolling with worm harness and nightcrawlers along the old river channel. Skaneateles Lake Rainbow trout are hitting small spoons fished down about 20 feet. The early morning bite has been best with action slowing down about 7:30 AM. Lake trout are also hitting on spoons fished 55 to 60 feet down. Trout are feeding on small yellow perch, so good colors for the spoons have been perch colors. Glow baits are also working well. Bass fishing along the shore continues to be good from 5 to 30 feet of water with tube jigs, topwaters and drop shot rigs. Good colors for the drop shot plastics and Berkley gulp baits have been minnow imitating colors. The bite has been good throughout the day. Susquehanna, Chenango, Tioughnioga and Unadilla Rivers Fishing early or late in the day has been better on the river as it is low and warm. Jigs tipped with nightcrawlers are working for the walleye and tube jigs, stick worms (like Senko's or Stik-O's) and topwaters for the bass. Eastern Region 8 Lake Ontario Salmon are being found in 100 to 200 feet of water, depths are changing from day to day though as the cold water gets moved around. Fishing down 75 to 100 feet with spoons, or flasher and flies, or flashers and cut-bait has been working. Brown trout are being found 40 feet down over 80 to 100 feet of water with spoons producing the most action. Smallmouth bass fishing has been fair by trolling crankbaits in 15 to 25 feet of water. Toss out a marker buoy when a fish is caught and then work the area with plastics or bait. A few large yellow perch are hitting minnows or worms fished off from piers along the lake. Seneca Lake Waterfleas were less of a nuisance last week, but weed mats still made trolling frustrating for some. Lake trout are hitting Spin Dr.'s and flies fished 70 to 125 feet down over 400 feet of water. Vertical jigging has been working for lake trout in 75 to 95 feet of water. Sodus Bay Bass fishing has been good early and late in the day with spinnerbaits, topwaters and a variety of plastics working. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It's a cross between a pickerel and a northern pike. Photo courtesy of Mike CusanoMike and his hybrid. David Snyder, a sanitary engineer with the Onondaga County Department of Environmental Protection, shared this picture of Clay angler Mike Cusano holding a hybrid pickerel he caught recently on Oneida Lake. "Did you know there were hybrid pickerel on Oneida Lake - cross breeding between chain pickerel and northern pikes," Snyder wrote. I've been out with Cusano fishing for bass on Oneida and each time we caught lots of pickerel. Frankly, I'm not surprised there's hybrids out there. Nonetheless, it's interesting. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p>Here's what's on tap for this week's Outdoors pages in The Post-Standard: FRIDAY: Main piece: We profile the Sylvan Beach canal in the on-going series of CNY Shoreline Hot Spots for fishing. Column:Update on legislation that would allow deer hunters in Cayuga County to use a rifle, along with other matters. SUNDAY: Main piece: We go fly fishing for...</p> <div id="asset-11403593" class="entry_widget_large entry_widget_right"><span class="adv-photo-large"><img height="252" width="380" src="http://media.syracuse.com/outdoors/photo/11403593-large.jpg" class="adv-photo" alt="2012-06-29-pc-sylvan1.JPG" /><span class="photo-data"><span class="byline">Peter Chen/The Post-Standard</span><span class="caption">Don Delia, of Utica, fishes from the Sylvan Beach canal.</span></span><span class="photo-bottom-left"><!-- IE6 HACK --></span><span class="photo-bottom-right"><!-- IE6 HACK --></span></span></div> <p>Here's what's on tap for this week's Outdoors pages in The Post-Standard:</p> <p><strong>FRIDAY:</strong></p> <p><strong>Main piece:</strong> We profile the Sylvan Beach canal in the on-going series of CNY Shoreline Hot Spots for fishing. </p> <p><strong>Column:</strong>Update on legislation that would allow deer hunters in Cayuga County to use a rifle, along with other matters.</p> <p><br /><strong>SUNDAY:<br />Main piece:</strong> We go fly fishing for carp in the Old Erie Canal near Chittenango. Believe me, it's quite a challenge doing this with now, clear water. The fish are easily spooked and you have to cast your nymph right in front of their mouths if you have any chance of hooking one.</p> <p><strong>Column:</strong> Precede to upcoming Bassmaster Elite Series tournament set for Aug. 23-26; plus a father and son talk about how they both got a bear with a crossbow during a spring hunting trip.</p> <p><strong>ANYTHING ELSE READERS OF THIS REPORT WOULD LIKE TO SEE ME WRITE ABOUT? </strong><br />The effectiveness of this report is two-fold. First it lets readers know what's coming up story-wise. It also allows readers a chance to affect coverage and provide sources for upcoming stories. Bottom line: Keep in touch and give input. You could make a difference as to what appears week to week on the outdoors page! Email me at <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> or call 470-6066.</p> <p><a href="http://update.syracuse.com/adv_syracuse/newsletters/syracuse/subscribe.htm">If you want to join The Post-Standard's Outdoors Group and get this emailed directly to you, subscribe here.</a>.</p> <p><strong>FIGURA ON FACEBOOK:</strong><br />For those who are on Facebook, I also have a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/PostStandardOutdoors#!/PostStandardOutdoors#!/photo.php?fbid=3369108872206&set=a.1178365985003.2028364.1403751639&type=1&theater&notif_t=like">PS Outdoors page</a>, which I check several times daily for feedback and story ideas. I also post personal fishing and hunting and other outdoors-related photos from time to time and I ask members to do the same. When you join, please be sure and hit the "like" button. </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It weighed 11 pounds and he caught it using a Gulp leech. Submitted photo Todd Barlow, left, caught this catfish, which measured 31 inches and weighed 11 pounds. Barlow used a light action rod and 6 lb line and hooked the fish using a Gulp leech. It took him about 20 minutes to land it. Frank Kroll, also picture, manned the net. Gary Barlow maneuvered the boat. The fish was caught near Buoy 109 on the lake. Submitted photo View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He caught them while fishing with his dad. Submitted photo Nicholas Root, 6, of Pennellville, holds up a nice batch of brook trout he caught during a recent family vacation at Old Forge. He was fishing with his dad, Mike Root. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Staff from the DEC’s Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources will sell hunting and fishing licenses every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The following is a DEC press release: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will participate in the New York State Fair, which opens August 23 and runs through Labor Day, Sept. 3. DEC will have exhibits at both the Aquarium Building and the Log Cabin Building with both exhibits open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. “DEC will have a notable presence at this year’s New York State Fair so New Yorkers and visitors can learn about the opportunities for hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation across the state,” DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said. “Fairgoers also will be able to find out how they can help protect the environment from invasive pests and sign up for our ever-popular Conservationist magazine at a discount. DEC is just one of hundreds of interesting and fun exhibitors at this year’s fair that visitors will not want to miss.” At the Aquarium Building, various species of live fish will be on display in large tanks. Environmental Conservation Officers will also be on hand to talk to the public about their work and answer questions pertaining to environmental law. DEC’s Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources will sell hunting and fishing licenses every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Licenses can be purchased in the Aquarium Building. A biologist will be on duty to answer hunting and fishing questions as well. In addition, Sportsmen’s Education will be located next to license sales during the entire fair, as will the New York Conservation Officers Association. The Information and Conservationist booth will serve as a focal point for all questions related to DEC programs. Staff at the booth will have a laptop computer to assist the public in finding items of interest on the DEC’s award-winning web pages. The booth will also feature DEC’s educational and eye-appealing Conservationist magazine. The public can sign up for the magazine (and save $2 on a subscription) and enter a contest to win a free lifetime fishing license. No purchase is necessary to enter the contest, so be sure to stop by and put your name in the drawing. Returning this year, in the courtyard next to the Log Cabin, is the DEC’s Pesticide program exhibit featuring information about how to use chemicals and pesticides safely. At the Log Cabin, the Division of Lands and Forests will have daily free tree giveaways starting at 10 a.m. There will also be information on the vast amount of DEC managed recreation land throughout the state and what the public can do when they visit DEC land such as hiking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, camping and much more. Displays and brochures will be available that will show how the public can utilize DEC's web site to access detailed information and maps for their next outdoor adventure on State lands. There will also be displays and information regarding the emerald ash borer and other invasive species that pose a threat to New York. Staff will be available throughout the day to educate the public about DEC’s programs to control these invasive insects and what one should do if they discover a pest. Free pamphlets highlighting DEC’s popular state campgrounds will be available in the Log Cabin. The Big Buck Club will have a display and members available to answer questions. DEC’s Watchable Wildlife program, Onondaga County’s “Save the Rain” campaign, information about federal wetlands administered by the Army Corps of Engineers, and educational material from the Environmental Facilities Corporation will also be available in the Log Cabin. Finally, the Finger Lakes Trail Conference will staff the lean-to along the nature trail that runs behind the log cabin. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It culminates with the titles Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year, Rookie of the Year and tournament champion being bestowed during the final days's weigh-ins taking place at the New York State Fair. Jim Commentucci/The Post-StandardMike Iaconelli of Pittsgrove, NJ holds two of the Oneida Lake largemouth bass he caught during the final weigh-in of the Bassmaster Northern Open last year at Bass Pro Shops in Aurelius. Iaconelli is among the pros participating in the upcoming Elite Series tournament on Oneida Lake.The following is a news release: B.A.S.S. will host its eighth and final Bassmaster Elite Series event, the Ramada Championship, on Oneida Lake Aug. 23 – 26. It culminates with the titles Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year, Rookie of the Year and tournament champion being bestowed during the final days’ weigh-ins taking place during theNew York State Fair. The Ramada Championship pits 97 of the top bass anglers in the world against one another, including fishing legend Kevin VanDam and 2012 Bassmaster Classic champion Chris Lane, as they compete for the $100,000 first prize and a coveted spot in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic set for Feb. 22-24, 2013, in Tulsa, Okla. Fans are invited to watch the anglers roar into action on Thursday and Friday beginning at 7 a.m., and at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, from Oneida Shores Park. They can also watch the drama unfold live during the weigh-ins each afternoon starting at 4 p.m.: Thursday and Friday from Oneida Shores Park, and Saturday and Sunday from inside the Great New York State Fair. Here's the schedule: Thurs., Aug. 23 – Fri., Aug. 24 - 7 a.m. - The full field of anglers launch in Oneida Lake. Public launch-viewing is available from Oneida Shores Park, 9400 Bartell Rd, Brewerton, NY, 13029. (Free for public to attend). -4 p.m. Official weigh-in takes place both days at Oneida Shores Park. (Free for public to attend). Sat., Aug. 25 - 6:30 a.m. The Top 50 anglers launch for semi-finals of the Ramada Championship, Oneida Shores Park. (Free for public to attend). - 4 p.m. Official semi-finals weigh-in begins at the Great New York State Fair, 581 State Fair Blvd, Syracuse, NY, 13029. (Great New York State Fair admission rates applied). Sun., Aug. 26 - 6:30 a.m. The Top 12 anglers launch for the final day of the Ramada Championship at Oneida Shores. - 4 p.m. Official final weigh-in, 2012 Ramada Championship winner announced at the Great New York State Fair (Great New York State Fair admission rates applied). View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The fish was released after photos were taken. Submitted photo Gerry Vaikness, of Chittenango, holds up a 50-plus inch muskie he caught on Black Lake near Edwardsville. His son, Eric, is also pictured. The fish was released after photos were taken, Vaikness said. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He caught it on a silver Mepps lure. It was 34.5 inches long. Submitted photo Dakota Baumler, of Baldwinsville, holds up a nice, 34.5 inch tiger muskie he caught on Nine Mile Creek on July 13. Baumler said he caught the fish silver, No. 2 Mepps lure at 8 p.m. He said he caught another nice muskie the day before it was about 25 inches. He said he catches and releases his fish. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Check the DEC fishing guide. Exceptions are fishing for small and largemouth bass. The following is a message from Ed Mills, president of the Oneida Lake Association: I wanted to share with you some discussions the Oneida Lake Association (OLA) Board of Directors had at our July meeting. With Oneida Lake waters so warm, walleye fishing so good, and walleye tournaments so popular, OLA would like to bring to the attention of walleye anglers and walleye tournament organizers the need to follow DEC’s rules concerning walleye culling. Walleye culling occurs when anglers achieve their daily limit of three legal sized walleye but continue to fish. DEC’s rules for fishing that appear in New York’s fishing guide specifically state that all walleye caught subsequent to achieving the daily limit must be returned immediately to the lake, in this case Oneida Lake. As you might expect, holding a walleye in a boat live well for extended periods of time when summer temperatures are high is both harmful to the fish and will impact its survival upon release back into the lake. The bottom line is that culling for walleye is illegal in New York State. On the other hand, culling for smallmouth and largemouth bass is legal. New York State regulations regarding the culling of walleye and both smallmouth and largemouth bass can be found on page 13 of the NYS fishing guide. They are: A person may not fish for a species (not even catch and release) during the closed season for that species on a given body of water. A person may not possess, kill, or unnecessarily injure fish in excess of the daily limit for that species. A person may not have in possession, or intentionally kill or injure fish other than the size specified and allowed for that species on a given body of water. The fish an angler catches and immediately releases uninjured will not be counted as part of the daily limit for that species. A person may continue to fish for a species while in possession of a daily limit for that species provided all fish of that species subsequently caught are immediately returned to the water. See below for special provisions made for largemouth and smallmouth bass. A single, uninjured largemouth or smallmouth bass that an angler is landing, measuring or in the process of releasing from a recirculating or aerated live well, is not considered to be part of the daily limit. OLA feels that it is important that anglers are knowledgeable about DEC’s rules for walleye culling. OLA also feels that it is important that walleye tournament organizers and the anglers that participate in these tournaments consciously follow DEC’s culling regulations. With summer temperatures trends in Oneida Lake increasing, angler caught fish like walleye become stressed not only from handling but also from elevated water temperatures, New York’s culling law for walleye needs to be followed and enforced. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The tours are set for three weekends, Oct. 6-7; 13-14 and 20-21. Already, some 20 percent of the tickets have been sold. Dennis Nett/photoA grazing white deer at the former Seneca Army Depot.Don’t wait. If you’ve never seen the white deer population at the former Seneca Army Depot in Romulus and want to hear about the days when nuclear weapons were stored there, sign up now for a guided bus tour this fall. Two weeks ago, the announcement came out that the tours would be resumed. Already, nearly 20 percent of the buses are filled, said Dennis Money, president of Seneca White Deer Inc., the group that’s orchestrating the tours. The tours are set for three weekends, Oct. 6-7; 13-14 and 20-21. More information can be found on the group’s Web site at www.senecawhitedeer.org. Money, who lives in Canandaigua, said the tours were first offered in 2006 for two weekends, and again in 2009 for six weekends. “Every tour we’ve offered has been sold out,” he said, noting a total of 4,200 people attended. “In fact, we turned away more than 500 people,” he added. “Don’t wait too long to sign up. There’s no guarantee we can provide any additional buses.” I went on one of the tours in 2009 for a story, and was impressed by the large numbers of all-white deer on the property – the largest herd of its kind in the world. What I found equally interesting was hearing about, and seeing the buildings (igloos) where nuclear weapons were kept. “Although the deer were the main attraction, we found through the evaluation forms filled out by the visitors that they found the depot’s military history just as interesting,” Money said. “This fall, we’re going to have at least two actors on the buses playing the role of military police from the 1970s and addressing what their roles were at the time as far as maintaining security at the depot.” Money said at one time, some 1,000 nuclear weapons were stored at the depot. The last one was removed in 1996, he said. The former depot propery is currently owned by the Seneca County Industrial Agency. Adult tickets for the bus tours are $15; seniors (61 and over) $12, and children ages 12 and younger are $8. Carry on babies are free. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

There’s just something about a kid holding a fish that he or she just caught on their Barbie, Snoopy, SpongeBob SquarePants or Buzz Lightyear rig. They’re the kind of fishing pole that makes a youngster’s first or biggest fish memorable. They’re toddler poles and they come in all themes and colors. These flashy, fishing outfits generally sport plastic, closed-face, push- button reels; 6- to 8- pound monofilament line and sturdy, 3-foot-long rods. I recently requested that readers send me “cute shots” of children with their toddler poles and I wasn’t disappointed. There’s just something about a kid holding a fish that he or she just caught on their Barbie, Snoopy, SpongeBob SquarePants or Buzz Lightyear rig. Bottom line: It’s fishing and you never know what’s going to happen. Take 3-year-old Lillian White, of Otisco, who went out on Otisco Lake recently, fishing with her Dora pole that her grandparents had just bought her. To everyone’s surprise, the little girl hooked a 23-inch tiger muskie. “When we looked and saw what was on the line, Lilly screamed and dropped the pole,” said Annette Jones, the grandmother. “Bapa (grandpa) grabbed it quick and had to bring it in ... and it broke the net. The teeth went right through it.” Then there was Kate Putman, 7, of Cicero, who on Memorial Day was fishing with her Barbie pole off the family’s dock on the south side of Oneida Lake on Memorial Day for perch, sunnies and bluegills. “My wife and I really didn’t think much of it until she started screaming that she had something big that she couldn’t even reel in,” said her father, Jason Putman. “Turns out she had hooked this big carp on a little tiny jig with no worm. It ran through our boat hoist, back through the jet ski hoist and was headed up Route 81N when we got there.” The father said he managed to untangle the fish. “Meanwhile, all the neighbors were cheering for her,” he said. Now that’s a summer memory. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p>Fair Haven Beach State Park in Sterling offers anglers a variety of shoreline opportunities. The park, located on Lake Ontario, features a large pond that’s full of northern pike, largemouth bass, crappie, panfish and bullheads. For those who want to get closer to the big lake, there’s a pier that offers perch, smallmouth and the occasional walleye this time...</p> <div id="asset-11376939" class="entry_widget_large entry_widget_right"><span class="adv-photo-large"><img height="231" width="380" src="http://media.syracuse.com/outdoors/photo/11376939-large.jpg" class="adv-photo" alt="2012-06-26-pc-fairhaven1.JPG" /><span class="photo-data"><span class="byline">Peter Chen/The Post-Standard</span><span class="caption">James Wells, of Owego, shows his granddaughter, Cassidy, 9, of Candor, the bullhead he caught in the pond at Fair Haven Beach State Park.</span></span><span class="photo-bottom-left"><!-- IE6 HACK --></span><span class="photo-bottom-right"><!-- IE6 HACK --></span></span></div> <p>Fair Haven Beach State Park in Sterling offers anglers a variety of shoreline opportunities.</p> <p>The park, located on Lake Ontario, features a large pond that’s full of northern pike, largemouth bass, crappie, panfish and bullheads. For those who want to get closer to the big lake, there’s a pier that offers perch, smallmouth and the occasional walleye this time of year — along with salmon and trout during the spring and fall.</p> <p>Finally, there’s nearby Little Sodus Bay, which also has a variety of fish.</p> <p><br /><div id="asset-11384219" class="entry_widget_small entry_widget_right"><span class="adv-photo-small"><img height="272" width="155" src="http://media.syracuse.com/outdoors/photo/11384219-small.jpg" class="adv-photo" alt="0803 Sodus Bay Map.JPG" /><span class="photo-data"><span class="caption"></span></span><span class="photo-bottom-left"><!-- IE6 HACK --></span><span class="photo-bottom-right"><!-- IE6 HACK --></span></span></div>The park has a year-round entrance fee of $8. It has bathroom facilities and a concession stand, which is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.</p> <p>It’s a great spot to take kids, said Brendan Shambow, owner of Screwy Louie’s Sports Shop in Fair Haven, who has been sending anglers to the park since he took over the business 12 years ago.</p> <p>During the dog days of summer, Shambow said, anglers catch mainly smallmouth and largemouth bass, in addition to panfish.</p> <p>“Usually, we have the most anglers up here during the springtime,” said Lisa Hendrick, office manager at the park.</p> <p>That time of year, many anglers flock to the pier to fish for brown trout and steelhead. Others take advantage of the crappies and bullheads that can be caught in other sections of the park.</p> <p>“It was some 20 years ago, but somebody won the LOC Spring Derby on Lake Ontario with a brown trout caught from shore,” Shambow said.</p> <p>“There’s also a lot of nice northerns caught during the spring.”</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p>Editor's note: A story in my July 22 column (and also on this blog) about a 42-inch tiger muskie caught on the Jamesville Reservoir early last month contained incorrect information.. Pictured here is the actual angler who landed the fish. Mike Schultz, of DeWitt, holds up a 42-inch tiger muskie he caught July 8 on the Jamesville Reservoir while...</p> <div id="asset-11383301" class="entry_widget_large entry_widget_right"><span class="adv-photo-large"><img height="310" width="380" src="http://media.syracuse.com/outdoors/photo/11383301-large.jpg" class="adv-photo" alt="fishtwo_2.JPG" /><span class="photo-data"><span class="byline">Submitted photo</span><span class="caption">MIke Schultz with his memorable catch.</span></span><span class="photo-bottom-left"><!-- IE6 HACK --></span><span class="photo-bottom-right"><!-- IE6 HACK --></span></span></div> <p><strong>Editor's note: A story in my July 22 column (and also on this blog) about a 42-inch tiger muskie caught on the Jamesville Reservoir early last month contained incorrect information..</p> <p>Pictured here is the actual angler who landed the fish.</strong></p> <p>Mike Schultz, of DeWitt, holds up a 42-inch tiger muskie he caught July 8 on the Jamesville Reservoir while fishing from a kayak. After hooking it with a topwater lure resembling a frog, Schultz fought the fish for more than an hour and got it into his kayak without the use of a net.</p> <p>His grandfather, James Stoutenger, also of DeWitt, who was nearby and also in a kayak, assisted him.</p> <p>Schultz brought the fish to shore and gave it away. He caught the fish with his baitcaster, using 12-pound test and no wire leader.<br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He caught it using a white swimbait. Submitted photo Matt Cabal, 9, of Westvale, holds up a nice largemouth bass he caught recently on Oneida Lake, fishing from shore. His mom, Ann Cabal, said it measured 22 inches and that he caught it using a white swimbait. "He absolutely loves to fish," she added. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It's currently at the taxidermist. Submitted photo Lila Greczyn, 5, of Otisco, holds up a nice 25-inch walleye she caught recently while fishing with family members on Otisco Lake. Her father, Lucas Greczyn, is also pictured here. Her dad wrote: "The planer board dropped back so dad handed her the pole , she took over from there! Fish is currently at CNY taxidermy where Lila wanted it, not in frying pan. She will be putting it on living room wall -- much to mom's dismay!" The father said it was Lila's first walleye ever and that it weighed 7.2 pounds. Nice fish, Lila! View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Citizen science efforts such as these provide our wildlife managers with invaluable data and give people the opportunity to partner with DEC to help monitor New York's wildlife resources. The following is a DEC press release: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens today encouraged New Yorkers to participate in surveys for two popular game birds: wild turkeys and ring-necked pheasants. “Citizen science efforts such as these provide our wildlife managers with invaluable data and give people the opportunity to partner with DEC to help monitor New York’s wildlife resources,” Commissioner Martens said. “I encourage you to take the time to record your observations of turkeys or pheasants while exploring the outdoors or driving through the state’s beautiful landscapes this summer.” Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey Since 1996, DEC has conducted the Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey to estimate the number of wild turkey poults (young of the year) per hen statewide. Weather, predation, and habitat conditions during the breeding and brood-rearing seasons can significantly impact nest success, hen survival, and poult survival. This index allows DEC to gauge reproductive success and predict fall harvest potential. During the month of August, survey participants record the sex and age of all flocks of wild turkeys observed during a participant’s normal travel. Those interested in assisting DEC with the turkey survey can download a Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey form from the DEC website. Detailed instructions are available with the survey form. Survey cards can also be obtained by contacting a local regional DEC office, calling (518) 402-8886, or by e-mailing [email protected] (type “Turkey Survey” in the subject line). Monitoring Pheasants in the Genesee Valley Focus Area Since 1945, farmers in the 13 counties that comprise the Lake Plains of New York have partnered with DEC to help survey wild pheasant populations and this effort will continue in the newly established “Pheasant Habitat Focus Area” in the Genesee Valley (portions of Livingston, Genesee, Wyoming and Monroe counties) see the DEC web site. This new focus area was created as a part of DEC’s ten-year management plan for ring-necked pheasants. The goal of this focus area is to concentrate the efforts of public and private habitat conservation programs to benefit pheasants and other grassland birds. This survey assists DEC to monitor pheasant populations and evaluate the success of habitat management efforts in the focus area. DEC requests that farmers in Livingston, Genesee, Wyoming or Monroe counties, consider participating in the Farmer-Pheasant Inventory. No special observations are required; just those made during normal spring and summer farming activities. Farmers interested in participating should contact DEC at (518) 402-8886 or by e-mailing [email protected] (type “Farmer-Pheasant Inventory” in the subject line). Those that do not farm but would like to contribute pheasant observations from Livingston, Genesee, Wyoming and Monroe counties are asked to join the Summer Pheasant Sighting Survey. During the month of August, survey participants record the sex and age of all pheasants observed during normal travel. A<a href="http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/summerpheasantsurvey.pdf"> survey form is or by calling (518) 402-8886. For more information on Citizen Science initiatives with DEC, see: Citizen Science Initiatives on the DEC Web site. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

New York State Will Work with partners to implement Lake Champlain Task Force recommendations. Locally, this invasive species is causing problems for anglers in Seneca, Cayuga and Owasco lakes. The following is a DEC press release: The presence of the spiny water flea, an aquatic invasive species, was confirmed in Lake George, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced this week. “DEC has worked with its partners on the Lake Champlain Basin Task Force to stop and slow the spread of the spiny water flea,” DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said. “The discovery of spiny water flea in Lake George is not welcome news and DEC’s efforts to slow the spread of this and other invasive species will continue.” Earlier this week the Lake Champlain Basin Aquatic Invasive Species Rapid Response Task Force released seven recommendations to slow the spread of spiny water flea into Lake Champlain, which includes redirecting the flow of the Champlain Canal into the Hudson River and furthering a feasibility study for a hydraulic barrier between the Champlain Canal and Lake Champlain. “DEC fully supports the recommendations of the Task Force and will work with the state of Vermont and our other partners to implement the Task Force’s recommendations,” Commissioner Martens said. “Boaters and anglers also have a major role in slowing the spread of invasive species. All boating, fishing and recreation equipment must be cleaned and disinfected, to prevent spreading invasive species to other water bodies.” The Task Force is made up of representatives from New York state, Vermont and Canada. The Task Force’s report recognizes that the closure of the Champlain Canal and the Glens Falls Feeder Canal is not technically, legally or economically feasible. The discovery of spiny water flea in Lake George provides another pathway for the invasive species to enter Lake Champlain via the LaChute River. Lake George is not connected to the State Canal System. The presence of spiny water flea was confirmed through sampling efforts by the Lake George Association on Tuesday, July 31. The samples were taken to the Darrin Fresh Water Institute where four spiny water fleas were identified. “Right now the Commission’s top priority is invasive species control and management, and we will work with our many partners on determining the extent of this population,” Dave Wick, Executive Director of the Lake George Park Commission, said. “The Commission is currently developing a comprehensive invasive species prevention plan for Lake George, with the goal of preventing any new invasive occurrences from entering the lake.” The possible presence of the spiny water flea was first reported on Friday, July 27 by an invasive species steward at DEC’s Mossy Point Boat Launch near the north end of the lake. A fisherman had reported having a clump of small organisms on his fishing line after spending time trolling the waters off Mallory Island along the east shore of the lake. The steward took a sample and provided it to the Lake George Association, who passed it on to the Darrin Fresh Water Institute. After the organisms were identified as spiny water fleas the Lake George Association sampled the waters off Mallory Island and further confirmed its presence. The invasive pest was previously confirmed in the Great Sacandaga Lake in 2008, Peck Lake in 2009, Stewarts Bridge Reservoir 2010, Sacandaga Lake in 2010 and most recently this summer in the Champlain Canal and Glens Falls Feeder Canal. Background on Spiny Water Flea Native to Eurasia, the spiny water flea feeds on tiny crustaceans and other zooplankton that are foods for fish and other native aquatic organisms, putting them in direct competition for this important food source. The tail spines of the spiny water flea hook on fishing lines and foul fishing gear. Spiny water fleas can impact aquatic life in lakes and ponds due to their rapid reproduction rates. In warmer water temperatures these water fleas can hatch, grow to maturity, and lay eggs in as little as two weeks. Conversely, "resting" eggs of spiny water fleas can remain dormant for long periods of time prior to hatching. While it is not clear when or how the spiny water flea was introduced into the lakes, it is clear that the initial introduction, and very likely the others as well, were through adult, larvae or eggs being transported to the waters by bait bucket, bilge water, live well, boat, canoe, kayak, trailer or fishing equipment. Currently, there are no successful means to control or eradicate this and many other aquatic invasive species, so preventing their spread is the only means for reducing their impacts on native aquatic communities. It is very important that boats, anglers and other recreational enthusiasts take precautions to avoid transporting this and other invasive species, particularly after leaving water known to have an aquatic invasive species. Prevent the Spread of Spiny Water Flea INSPECT & CLEAN your fishing, boating and other water recreation equipment and gear. Remove all mud, plants and other organisms that might be clinging to them when leaving waters, especially those that are known to contain an aquatic invasive species. DRY your fishing and boating equipment before using it on another body of water. Drying is the most effective "disinfection" mechanism and is least likely to damage sensitive equipment and clothing. All fishing and boating equipment, clothing and other gear should be dried completely before moving to another body of water. This may take a week or more depending upon the type of equipment, where it is stored and weather conditions. A basic rule of thumb is to allow at least 48 hours for drying most non-porous fishing and boating gear at relative humidity levels of 70 percent or less. DISINFECT your fishing and boating equipment if it cannot be dried before its use in another body of water. Disinfection recommendations vary depending on the type of equipment and disease of concern. Be particularly aware of bilge areas, live wells and bait wells in boats. These areas are difficult to dry and can harbor invasive species. See the DEC website for more information on invasive species and how you can stop their spread. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The changes also include raising the minimum size limit of tiger muskies caught on Otisco Lake from 30 to 36 inches. The changes take effect Oct. 1. The DEC has approved a number of fishing changes that are reflected in the new fishing guide that came out this week. The changes take effect Oct. 1. Among those affecting local anglers: - Eliminating the special closed season for bass fishing on Oneida Lake (Dec. 1 to the Friday before the first Saturday in May, which is the walleye opener) and implementing statewide regulations (apart from the regular bass season, catch-and-release rules the remainder of the year) to create additional fishing opportunities and expand statewide consistency, “as continuance of this special closed season is not warranted.” - Implementing a 40-inch size limit for muskellunge and tiger muskellunge in the Chenango, Tioughnioga, Tioga and Susquehanna rivers and a 36-inch size limit at Otisco Lake to increase the trophy potential of these species in these waters. The current minimum size is 30 inches. - Implementing a 12-inch minimum size for brown trout in Otisco Lake. - Changing the minimum size limit for rainbow trout in Skaneateles Lake and Owasco Lake from nine inches to 15 inches. This would create consistency with the other Finger Lakes as most of these lakes have environmental conditions that support excellent growth of trout and would provide angling opportunities for large fish. - Reducing the limit of rainbow trout from five to one in the Western Finger Lakes and three to one in the tributaries to provide further protection for this species. Western Finger Lakes include Seneca, Keuka, Canandaigua, Canadice and Hemlock Lakes. - Removing the restriction of no more than three lake trout as part of the five-trout limit in the Western Finger Lakes to foster harvest opportunities and reduce competition with other trout species and impacts on the forage base. - Prohibiting fishing in several stream sections (including Little Sandy Creek in Oswego County) from March 16 until the first Saturday in May (opening day for walleye) to protect spawning walleye. Draft regulations that pertain to gear and angling methods include: - For the Salmon River, allowing “a bead chain” to be attached to floating lures, which still must only have one hook. The distance between a floating lure and hook point may not exceed three-and-a-half inches when a bead chain configuration is used. This was determined to be an effective angling method and was not considered a snagging device. - Also for the Salmon River, implementing a “no weight” restriction (i.e., only floating line and unweighted leaders and flies allowed) from May 1-15 for the Lower Fly Area and from May 1-Aug. 31 for the Upper Fly Area to provide further protection to vulnerable fish. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog