The public will have the opportunity to learn about the state of Lake Ontario fisheries at public meetings held in Niagara, Monroe, and Oswego counties in March, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today.

“Lake Ontario and its tributaries provide world-class angling opportunities that are generating substantial economic benefits to dozens of towns and cities along the lake,” Commissioner Seggos said. “The State of Lake Ontario meetings provide an excellent opportunity for everyone interested in the lake to interact with the scientists who study and manage its fisheries.”

Lake Ontario and its embayments and tributaries support thriving populations of fish, including a variety of trout, salmon, bass, walleye, yellow perch, and panfish. New York’s Lake Ontario waters comprise more than 2.7 million acres.  A recent statewide angler survey estimated more than 2.6 million angler days were spent on Lake Ontario and major tributaries. The estimated value of these fisheries exceeded $112 million annually to local economies.       

The meeting dates and locations are:

Monday, March 12: 6:30 – 9 p.m. at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) campus (Student Alumni Union – Room 1250), Rochester, Monroe County. The meeting is co-hosted by RIT and the Monroe County Fishery Advisory Board.

Wednesday, March 14: 6:30 – 9 p.m. at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Building, 4487 Lake Ave., Lockport, Niagara County. The meeting is co-hosted by Niagara County Cooperative Extension and the Niagara County Sportfishery Development Board.

Thursday, March 15: 6:30 – 9 p.m. at the Pulaski High School auditorium, 4624 Salina St., Pulaski, Oswego County.  The meeting is co-hosted by the Eastern Lake Ontario Salmon and Trout Association.

Staff from DEC, the United States Geological Survey, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will make a number of presentations, including updates on the status of trout and salmon fisheries in the lake and its tributaries, forage fish, and stocking programs. The meetings will provide ample time at the end of the scheduled program for the audience to interact with the presenters. Information about DEC’s Lake Ontario fisheries assessment programs can be found at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27068.html. 

For further information contact Steven LaPan, New York Great Lakes Fisheries Section Head at the Cape Vincent Fisheries Research Station, (315) 654-2147.