Muskellunge are the largest member of the pike family and the largest gamefish in the Great Lakes.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced the fishing seasons for muskellunge begin on June 1 in inland waters and on June 15 in Great Lakes waters—Lake Erie, Upper Niagara River, Lower Niagara River, Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River, and tributaries to these waters.
Please read the proposed draft in the link below. You have an opportunity to voice your opinion.
This draft update to the program policy is intended to address the need for additional guidance regarding the public rights of navigation and fishing on navigable waters of the United States. As such, this document will serve as General Counsel Policy with respect to the public right of navigation and fishing on navigable waters within the State for use by NYS DEC staff and the general public, but will no longer be considered enforcement guidance for NYS DEC staff. The draft Program Policy has been published and is available for public review and comment. The full text and a pdf printable version can be found at: https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024-05/Draft_OGC-9.pdf
Written comments will be accepted by mail or email until 5:00 p.m. on June 14, 2024. Please include “Comment on draft OGC-9: Public Rights of Navigation and Fishing” in the subject line.
Colby great for campers that missed out on other DEC camps like Rushford.
Registration for Camp Colby will open Wednesday, May 22nd at 10:00 AM. Camp weeks and availability are located here:https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/summer-camps/weeks-and-availability. Please keep in mind that sessions may fill quickly and are first come, first served.
Examinations for individuals seeking a license to practice the sport of falconry, become a volunteer wildlife rehabilitator, or use leashed tracking dogs to find wounded or injured big game animals are scheduled for April 12. DEC is offering the examinations online and at no cost to participants to increase access to the examinations.
LINKS:
Be sure to register BY April 10th to be eligible by the exam date.
Beginning on August 1st 2024 NYS will issue licenses electronically and will not provide a printed tag. This is largely due to the decreased availability and increased cost of Valeron (tear proof) stock. License purchasers can either print their license on PLAIN PAPER at the issuer or print the license at home.
There are a few advantages to the licensee:
1. All of your license tags will fit on a standard size 8.5×11 paper (or 2 max).
2. No waiting for tags to arrive in the mail.
3. Eliminates the $15 lost license reissue fee.
There are also disadvantages:
1. Black on white is not easy to see.
2. Plain paper tears easily – especially when wet.
Check out the links on the DEC website:
DEC Announces Changes to Sporting License Fulfillment Beginning Aug. 1 – NYSDEC
plainpaperconversion.pdf (ny.gov)
Jeff Jondle – ECFSC President