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metalslayer
01-06-2005, 09:26 PM
To all who signed it---well done.A proposal is in the works to reduce the limit on the Lake to one in 06.This is not going over very well with the Charter Cpts and they have logged over 500 e-mails in opposition. Please e-mail (wjcullig@gw.dec.state.ny.us)your support and some well thought reasoning(no rants) to Bill Culligan---Great Lakes Supervisor ------ wjcullig@gw.dec.state.ny.us ------ this can only help YOUR chances to do battle w/ Mr Steelhead in the future.

The quote below is taken from another regional site:

After a series of meetings between DEC and both Lake and Trib stakeholders in Nov. and Dec. the DEC is putting forth a proposal for the next regulations updates cycle which would go in effect on 10/1/06. The new proposal is for the Lake creel limits. In short it's still 3-3-1 with a slot limit for the three lake trout limit, but now the 3 trout or salmon in combination can only include (ONE) steelhead per angler.

This proposal is the culmination of several years of data on dwindling returns of steelhead to the SR, and the input from anglers lake wide on the tribs that adult steelhead numbers recruiting to spawn in the spring have been in decline for years.

This also includes the creel census studies that DEC has been doing on the SR since the 80's that clearly shows that the effort to catch steelhead is high, while success for anglers has fallen sharply. That equates to them a population of anglers in demand of using the LO trib resources some seven to nine months a year, and in the case of the SR with summer run fish programs 12 months a year.

Since adult returns have dropped from as high in the 80's of 30% to 40% of the stocked population, to todays numbers that show a decline down to 2 to 5% on an annual basis since the mid to late 90's. This action couples with the trib steelhead community that proposed on their own by a huge majority a 1 steelhead limit in the tribs that went into effect this past fall. DEC feels to get a true reading on if creel limit changes will help us recruit a few more fish to the tribs, they need to make an adjustment throughout the whole watershed to include the lake.

This is just a proposal, and this proposal will be debated in open forums for several months. If you support the DEC in these efforts please contact them and tell them so. Bottom line right now...is DEC believes they have solid data that concerns them on steelhead recruitment, they have data that shows them angler effort for steelhead fishing is very healthy and on the rise, and they want to try and improve the anglers opportunities to be successful fishing for these world class fish.

-King Davy from fishusa discussion board.

JStreamside
01-06-2005, 11:12 PM
Metal...can't agree more with pushing for this one and I support everything about it 110%. The area I found "lacking" was the DEC getting the info to those fishing the rivers and streams this fall. I ran in to more people that didn't even know about the new trib regs on steelhead that did. Simply, a lot of guys don't even bother reading the regs book...even for just the changes.

Not only do we need to push for new lake regs, but continually promote this for the tribs...or we're in for a 2006 salmon season and much of the same. A lot of guys still don't know about it, many that can't tell a steelhead from a coho and those that don't care and did (or will do) as they please until they get caught. I think the fines for "illegal" steelhead should be even stiffer than standard fines...maybe it'll get the attention of those pleading "ignorance" ,or showing indifference,a lot quicker.

Any ideas of get some special info on steelhead ID and the new regs posted in the sport shops...especially during salmon season would be welcome???

JStreamside

gman2153
01-07-2005, 11:20 AM
I did not know the Steelhead return levels were that low....

I think it is a great opportunity for us to be heard. I will send a snail mail letter , invest 37cents to make sure it hits someone's desk - vs getting lost in email land...Tells every intersted fisherperson you know about this and have them send a letter. (Piles of Mail make a better impression than a bunch of emails).

For ID and info - I do not understand why they cannot simply put up a poster on the boards located along the Rivers and tribs (and even an occaisonal tree) noting the creel limit change. They have pics of Atlantic Salmon on parking lot boards at the Salmon, they can easily design an ID Chart of the species and Post that too. Such signs can be stapled up when an oficer is on his normal routine. I will add that suggestion to my letter as well.

Hope they have their ears on - it sounds like they do!!

metalslayer
01-07-2005, 06:01 PM
I sent my e-mail last night at 7:46pm and recieved a reply at 12:57 this afternoon thanking me for my comments.Here is the response Bill: Thank you for your comments supporting the proposed changes to
Lake Ontario creel limits. We will be discussing this proposal with the
general public and interested groups over the next several months. I
assure you, your comments will be considered as we evaluate this
proposed action.

Bill

metalslayer
01-11-2005, 05:26 PM
Bump ^

Craig
01-11-2005, 06:31 PM
I just sent my email and I extended an invitation for him to post here to get feedback. If he accepts the invite please welcome him warmly. We could use his insite as much as he could use our's

champlain fisher
01-11-2005, 10:19 PM
I sent them one, who else is going to? We need to make our voices heard as there is a lot of oppostion from the charter captians-- LETS GO FOLKS GET THOSE FINGERS TYPING so we don't get drowned out by them. There is strength in numbers and we need to flex our muscles on this one.