NEW PROPOSED DEC FISHING REGS

[John Jarosz]

Here are some (but not all) of the latest PROPOSED reg changes that would take effect April, 2015.  I cut & pasted the ones that are musky, Great Lakes tribs & L.E./L.O. related.  For ALL the proposed reg changes that cover launch ramps, baitfish, fracking, & anything else you can think of, go to:

http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/propregulations.html

These changes are just proposals right now.

• Modify the statewide regulation for muskellunge by increasing the minimum size limit to 40 inches and lengthen the season by three weeks to start on the last Saturday in May;
• Provide consistency between the proposed statewide muskellunge regulation changes and the existing muskellunge regulations for specific waters including Lake Champlain, and St. Lawrence County rivers and streams, as well as for both muskellunge and tiger muskellunge at Chautauqua Lake;
• Increase the minimum size limit for muskellunge to 54 inches in the Niagara River, Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River;
• Increase the minimum size limit for walleye at Honeoye Lake from 15 to 18 inches;

• Expand the prohibition of weight added to the line, leader, swivels, artificial fly or lures to all Lake Ontario tributaries (i.e. beyond a limited group of tributaries) from September 1 through March 31 of the following year;
• Clarify that the use of multiple hooks with multiple hook points on Lake Erie tributaries is legal, as well as clarify that the use of flies with up to two hook points is legal on all Great Lake tributaries;
• Replace Lake Ontario tributary regulations for St. Lawrence River tributaries in Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties with statewide terminal tackle restrictions

And, MOST IMPORTANTLY, changes like increasing size limits, protecting your fishing waters, changing season dates, changing hooks, etc. just don't happen by themselves unless you speak up & make your voice heard.  With the internet, it's real E-Z to let your opinions be heard.  Even if it's for only one proposed change, please take the time to read & comment.

Make your comments to them to this email address:

[e-mail]

or mail to:

Shaun Keeler

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Bureau of Fisheries

625 Broadway

Albany, NY 12233-4753.

Thanks much

[Stephen Glassic]

I'm wondering about some of the inland waters that had different regs. Such as Lake Champlain and Greenwood Lake which are currently open year round and some of the rivers such as the Chemung which is 3rd Sat. in May. I didn't see the changes for them.

I would have liked to see the inland tiger size limit set to 36" or 40".