Syracuse.com - DEC considering a two-mile, 'no-kill, catch-and-release' section of Nine Mile Creek (see poll)

[HuntingNY-News]

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The state Department of Environmental Conservation is taking public comments on the proposal until Aug. 16.

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<p><br />The state Department of Environmental Conservation said earlier this week it is considering a two-mile stretch of Nine Mile Creek for a "no kill, catch-and-release" zone.</p>

<p>Nine Mile Creek runs north from Otisco Lake into Onondaga Lake. The stretch being considered is roughly from the Amboy Dam down to Route 690, in the towns of Camillus and Geddes. It is close to the lake and downstream from the creek's heavily fished areas.</p>

<p>Most of the land along the stretch is owned by Honeywell, the company that is spear-heading the Onondaga Lake cleanup project. There are also several other parts owned by others. The stretch has been off-limits to anglers for years. This spring, though, Honeywell opened one section to public fishing.</p>

<p><script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="http://static.polldaddy.com/p/7246186.js"></script><br /><noscript><a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/7246186/">Do you favor a 'No Kill, Catch-and-Release' fishing zone on Nine Mile Creek?</a></noscript></p>

<p>Nine Mile Creek is among the most heaviest fished and stocked trout streams in the state. It's stocked by the Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery in Elbridge. This spring, nearly 20,000 brown and brook trout were put into its waters.</p>

<p>"The DEC received a lot of angler requests for (a no-kill stretch) on Nine Mile Creek over the years, but felt public support from one would not be high enough due to the popularity of this stream with a variety of anglers," said DEC spokeswoman Linda Viera.</p>

<p>Viera said with a portion of the Honeywell land being opened to public fishing this spring, the DEC felt now was the time to act on a no-kill zone - with no impact to anglers who are already catching fish upstream. If approved, anglers could only use lures and artificial flies in the stretch. Live bait would not be allowed.</p>

<div id="asset-13075102" class="entry_widget_large entry_widget_right"><span class="adv-photo-large"><img src="/static/common/img/blank.gif" class="lazy" data-original="http://media.syracuse.com/outdoors/photo/13075102-large.jpg" class="adv-photo" alt="2013-07-11-mjg-AmboyDam2.JPG" /><span class="photo-data"><span class="caption">Jonathan Gratien age 8 of Syracuse had a snagged line while fishing in Nine Mile Creek at the Amboy Dam on Thursday evening. </span><span class="byline">Mike Greenlar | [email protected]</span></span></span> </div>

<p>The proposal is one of several changes the DEC is considering to state freshwater angling regulations that were announced this past week. Based on public feedback and further evaluation this summer, DEC will decide on Nine Mile Creek and other changes. Public input will be accepted through Aug. 16.</p>

<p>Currently, there's two catch and release sections of streams within a 30-minute drive of Syracuse. One is on Skaneateles Creek; the other, on Chittenango Creek.</p>

<p>David Seifritz, president of the Iroquois Chapter of Trout Unlimited, favors the proposal on Nine Mile, noting the stream empties into Ononondaga Lake, which the trout move into and out of from on that part of the stream. He said while his group has no official position on catch and release fishing, most of its members practice it.</p>

<p>"With the restrictions on keeping and consuming fish from the lake, it makes even more sense," he said.</p>

<p>The matter will come up before the Onondaga Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs at its delegate meeting Monday at the Dewitt Fish and Game Club, said Stephen Wowelko, the federation's president.</p>

<p>Mike Cusano, chairman of the Onondaga County Fisheries Advisory Board, said his panel will discuss the proposal Tuesday.</p>

<p>"We'll be interested in looking at feedback from a sportsmen's perspective," he said. "It was previously off limits and it does increase access for anglers. Does it warrant stocking? I would assume it would."</p>

<p>Jake DeCapio, owner of the Wayfarer Co., a fly and spin fishing supply store located upstream on Nine Mile Creek on Route Route 174, is an enthusiastic supporter of the proposal.</p>

<p>"Even after the cleanup of Honeywell, the fish aren't the safest to eat," he said. "A lot of other streams have 'NO Kill' sections - why not Nine Mile?</p>

<p>"Sure, there may be a few disappointed people. But look at the bright side. In a few years, anglers will be getting trophy fish out of that stretch."</p>

<p>For more on the Nine Mile Creek proposal, other changes to the state's freshwater regulations and how to submit comments <a href="http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/91959.html"> visit the DEC website </a> at dec.ny.gov.</p>

<p>Hard copies of the list of changes being considered, as well as instructions on how to submit feedback by regular mail, can be obtained by contacting Shaun Keeler, at New York State DEC, Bureau of Fisheries, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4753.</p>

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog