Welcome to Captain Ernie`s Blog!
With 35 years as a fishing charter captain and guide, plus 22 years as a NYSDEC fishery biologist/manager, Capt. Ernie shares some insights and knowledge with you.
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Lake Ontario Salmon Fishing…, for Atlantics!!!
Posted on June 16th, 2010 No comments
Biologists estimate this 23 1/2" Atlantic boated on 4/30/10 is 2-3 years old.
In a recent Atlantic salmon blog, I said I would be back with more info when and if I received further details on any management changes that might have resulted in the recent increase in the number of Atlantic salmon we’ve been catching in Lake Ontario this spring. Those very interesting details are now available.
A little background…, In 1983, the NYSDEC stocked 45,000 landlocked salmon in three different L.O. tributaries and these fish, along with others stoced the next few years produced some surprisingly good salmon fishing , with some fish in the double digit weights. Unfortunately, this fishery declined, despite additional stockings in following years of a variety of different strains and sizes of landlocked and Atlantics.
After 2001, despite various landlocked and Atlantic salmon stockings by New York State and the Province of Ontario, the catch of landlocks dropped off to close to zero, and on my charter boat we saw an average of about one per season, , sometimes sublegal, sometimes larger than the 25” size limit, the largest 13.5 lbs.
In the spring of 2009, that changed. My Fish Doctor anglers started catching 18 to 20 inch landlocks and I heard similar reports from other fishermen. An occasional legal landlock larger than 25” was taken, but most fish were sublegal, probably two or three years old, according to preliminary estimates from biologists. During the 2009 season, from April through September, my anglers boated 8 landlocks, a major increase over previous years.That brings us to the 2010 season. As of June 15, my charters have already boated 15 landlocks up to 24 inches on my charter boat, and I I have collected data on 12 of them for a researcher in the Province of Ontario. Although my anglers haven’t caught any legal landlocks, several photos of landlocks in the 10 to 15 pound class were posted online in late March and early April, 2010.I had heard that not much had changed with the landlocked salmon or what biologists are calling Atlantic salmon management program in New York State, but major changes had been made by the Province of Ontario. When I received the information I asked for about Ontario’s salmon management program, it became very clear why we’re seeing more Atlantics. Canada’s stocking increased from 199,062 fry and fall fingerlings in 2005 to 836,898 fry, fall fingerling, yearling, and even 698 adult salmon in 2009, all so-called “LaHave/Harwood” strain Atlantics, a major change in the program. In contrast, the NYSDEC stocked 74,000 Atlantics in 2009.
Although New York and Ontario biologists don’t yet know if the increased number of landlocks is a result of Ontario’s intensified management program, that certainly(emphasis) appears to be the case.
My guess is also that we may be seeing the beginning of a spectacular Lake Ontario fishery for Atlantic salmon, and, hopefully, the successful restoration of this once native species in Lake Ontario. Historic written accounts tell about native landlocked Atlantic salmon in Lake Ontario up to 47 lbs. Adult fish in the fall were so abundant in tributary streams that spawning salmon in gravelly river fords spooked horses pulling wagons. Spawning Atlantics were even speared onto wagons for use as food, and even fertilizer for gardens.
If it happens, hats off to Ontario’s fishery biologists and their historic accomplishment.