DEC Slates Three "State of Lake Ontario" Meetings in March

Biologists to Update Status of Lake's Fisheries

ALBANY, NY (02/23/2010)(readMedia)-- The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced three public meetings to discuss Lake Ontario fisheries. The annual "State of Lake Ontario" public meetings will be held in Niagara, Monroe and Oswego counties during March.

The State of the Lake Ontario meetings provide an opportunity for the public to interact with the scientists who study Lake Ontario fisheries. Lake Ontario, its embayments and its tributaries support thriving populations of fish, including a variety of trout and salmon, bass, walleye, yellow perch and panfish. New York's waters of Lake Ontario total more than 2.7 million acres, and a 2007 statewide angler survey estimated more than 2.6 million angler days were expended on Lake Ontario and major tributaries. The estimated value of these fisheries exceeded $112 million to local New York economies. DEC is committed to sound management of Lake Ontario fisheries and to maintenance of diverse, high-quality angling opportunities and associated economic benefits.

Biologists from DEC and the U.S. Geological Survey will make presentations at meetings, including updates on trout and salmon fisheries, forage fish populations, lake trout restoration efforts, warm water fish populations, and sea lamprey control. There will also be an update on the status of Lake Ontario Sportfishing Restoration Program projects that are funded by a natural resources damage settlement. Following the presentations, the public can ask questions and interact with the presenters. The meeting dates are as follows:

  • Tuesday, March 9, 2010: 7 - 10 p.m.at the Oswego County BOCES, 179 County Route 64, Mexico, 13114 (Oswego County). For information, contact Dan Bishop in the DEC Cortland office at 607-753-3095.
  • Wednesday, March 10, 2010: 7 - 10 p.m. at the Imaging Sciences Auditorium, in Chester F. Carlson Building (76) on the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) campus, Rochester, 14623 (Monroe County). The meeting is co-hosted by RIT and the Monroe County Fishery Advisory Board. For information, contact Web Pearsall in the DEC Avon office at 585-226-5339.
  • Tuesday, March 16, 2010: 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Building, 4487 Lake Avenue, Lockport, 14094 (Niagara County). The meeting is co- hosted by the Niagara County Cooperative Extension. For information, contact Paul McKeown in the DEC Allegany sub-office at 716-372-0645 or Mike Wilkinson in the DEC Buffalo office at 716-851-7010.