Great Hudson River Fish Count

Bluegill Sunfish

The Great Hudson River Fish Count is an annual event sponsored by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (NYSDEC) Hudson River Estuary Program and the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve.

During the annual event, organizations all along the Hudson River and New York Harbor participate at riverfront sites to collect, count, and catalog fish species.

Visitors can participate by collecting fish using seine nets, minnow traps, or rods and reels. Seining involves pulling a 30-foot net through the water and checking out the fish, crabs, and other river-life caught in the mesh. The fish are identified, counted, and released back into the river.

More than 200 fish species are found in the Hudson River estuary and its tributaries. So far, 70 different types of fish have been recorded during the annual counts.

Participating groups share results during the day to see how the Hudson’s range of habitats and salinities (levels of fresh vs. salty water) supports a wide array of fishes, and to appreciate the estuary’s vitality in both urban and rural settings.

The Hudson River is popular destination for sportfishing enthusiasts. Sought after species include striped bass, catfish, largemouth bass, muskie, white perch, and others.

What are Splake?

Splake are a hybrid trout resulting from the cross of male brook trout and female lake trout. Splake are stocked in large lakes throughout the Northeast and Great Lakes region.

Brook Trout vs. Lake Trout  vs. Splake

Brook Trout
Credit: USFWS

Brook trout can be identified by their square tail and colorful red spots with light blue halos. Brook trout have a clearly defined vermiculation pattern along the back, especially near the dorsal fin. They lake spots on their gill plates.

Lake Trout
Credit: USFWS

Lake trout have a pattern of creamy white spots on a bronze, dark brown, or green background. They lack the red spots and blue halos that identify brook trout. Their forked tail is an identifying feature.

Splake
Credit: USFWS

Splake have spotted gill plates. They may have some vermiculation (wormlike pattern) along the back but typically less defined and more spot-like than brook trout. Splake have slightly-forked tails.  

Splake Facts

Splake are voracious feeders that grow quickly. The Maine State Record splake weighed 10 lbs. 3 oz. The Michigan state record splake weighed 17 lbs 8 oz. with a length of 34. 5 inches. The world record splake, caught in Ontario, weighed 20 lbs. 11oz.

Burbot Facts

Burbot | Credit: USGS

The burbot is one of North America's lesser-known freshwater fish. They are the only member of the cod family found in freshwater environments.

Burbot are found in freshwater lakes and rivers throughout North America and Eurasia, southward to about 40 degrees north latitude.

Distinguishing features of this unusual fish include a prominent single chin barbel and dorsal and anal fins that extend to a rounded caudal fin.

Other names include eelpout, freshwater cod, freshwater cusk, lawyer, loche, lush, lingcod, maria, and methy.

Burbot livers are said to be rich in vitamins and grow to around 10% of their bodyweight. 

Record Burbot Catches

As the popularity of burbot fishing has increased, a number of state, provincial, and other records have been set by anglers. These are a few record-setting catches from North America:

On March 27, 2010, Sean Konrad landed a 25.2 pound burbot from Lake Diefenbaker in Saskatchewan, Canada. The fish is recognized by the International Game Fish Association and the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame as the new all-tackle world record for the species.

In 2017, Sebastien Roy caught a new Ontario record burbot while fishing in Lake Simcoe. The fish weighed 17.85 pounds with a length of 39 inches.

In 2004, a record burbot weighing 18 lbs 11.6 oz was landed from Lake Marie in Alberta.

In February 2022, Swanton angler Matt Gingras landed a new Vermont record burbot while fishing on northern Lake Champlain in the West Swanton area.  The burbot weighed 10.9 pounds and measured 32 ½ inches long with a 17-inch girth. 

Just two months later, Stephen Estes of Auburn, New Hampshire, caught an 11.0 pound burbot while bass fishing on Lake Champlain.  The fish measured 34 inches in length and had a 17 ½-inch girth.

In December 2020, Saro Kevorkian caught an Illinois record burbot from Lake Michigan waters. Kevorkian’s burbot weighed 11 pounds, 12 1/2 ounces and was 33 inches long with a girth of 15.5 inches. 

Anthony Burke was fishing in Lake Michigan in January 2024 when he landed an Indiana state record burbot that weighed 14 pounds, 3.6 ounces and was 37.25 inches long.

In December 2023, Scott Skafar broke the previous Indiana state burbot record with a 10.2-pound fish he caught from Lake Michigan. In January 2024, Phillip Duracz caught a new state record burbot weighing 11.4 pounds, also from Lake Michigan.

The Wisconsin record burbot was a 37.8-inch fish that weighed 18 pounds 2 ounces; it was caught in 2002 in Lake Superior.

The Wyoming state record burbot (ling) weighed 19 pounds, 4 ounces with a length of 44 inches. The fish was caught from Pilot Butte Reservoir by K. E. Mooreland in 1965.

Shane Johnson caught a North Dakota state record burbot in January 2023. The fish was 41 3/4 inches long and 19 pounds, 8 ounces.

In March 2019, a new South Dakota state record burbot was caught by Joshua Bible Pierre while ice fishing on Lake Oahe. The 12 pound 7 ounce burbot was 33 3/4 inches long with a girth of 16 1/4 inches.

The Idaho state record burbot, which weighed14 pounds, was caught from the Kootenai River by P.A. Dayton in 1954.

The largest angler-caught cusk (burbot) in Maine weighed 18 pounds 8 ounces.

Where To Catch Musky in New York

Musky | credit: USFWS

New York is one of the most popular states in the USA for musky fishing.

Musky are considered the ultimate trophy to many anglers who pursue these fish for the challenge, massive size potential, and top predator distinction.

Musky or muskellunge are New York's largest freshwater sportfish, sometimes exceeding 50 pounds.

Often referred to as the "fish of 10,000 casts," muskies are notoriously difficult to catch. Musky are known for powerful strikes, line-ripping runs, and acrobatic fights. 

Popular hotspots for trophy musky fishing include the St. Lawrence River, Upper Niagara River, and Chautauqua Lake. They are also caught at Waneta, Greenwood, Bear, and Cassadaga lakes and the Susquehanna, Chenango, and Great Chazy rivers.

In New York, 2022 fishing seasons for muskellunge began on June 1 in inland waters and June 15 in Great Lakes waters (Lake Erie, Upper Niagara River, Lower Niagara River, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River), according to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

Muskies are managed as trophy fish in New York, and minimum size regulations of 40 inches for inland waters and 54 inches for Great Lakes waters reflect that. Some exceptions to inland water regulations exist, so anglers should check the current fishing regulations guide for the water planning a trip. For more information on New York musky fishing, visit the DEC website.

source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Vermont Ice Fishing Clinics 2020

Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (VFWD) has scheduled a series of free ice fishing clinics for anyone would like to learn about the latest proven ice fishing techniques.

“Our ice fishing clinics will be held from mid-January through February with the possibility that some dates may change according to ice and weather conditions,” said Fish and Wildlife Education Specialist Corey Hart.  “Everyone is welcome no matter their experience level.  We want this to be fun and helpful for all.”

Each clinic will last 2 ½ to 3 hours, and exact location details will be given when people register for the event.  Topics to be covered include ice safety, hole drilling, equipment and techniques, regulations and different techniques for different fish. 

All participants will have the opportunity to practice what they have learned near the end of each event.  Everyone is urged to wear clothing suitable for the weather conditions.

Pre-registration is required and can be done on Fish and Wildlife’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com).

2020 Vermont Fish & Wildlife Ice Fishing Clinics:

Saturday, January 11 -- 9:00 a.m.  Targeting Walleye Through the Ice at Lake Carmi State Park

Tuesday, January 14 – 9:00 a.m.  Introduction to Ice Fishing at Mallets Bay Fishing Access, Lake Champlain

Tuesday, January 21 -- 2:00 p.m.  Targeting Panfish Through the Ice at Shelburne Pond Fishing Access

Saturday January 25 -- 11:00 a.m.  Ice Fishing Festival at Lake Elmore State Park

Saturday, February 1 – 8:30 a.m.  Deweys Pond Ice Fishing with Hartland Rec. Dept.

Sunday, February 2 – Panfish Clinic at Shelburne Pond Fishing Access

Thursday, February 6 -- 5:00 p.m.  Smelting at Blush Hill Fishing Access on Waterbury Reservoir

Wednesday, February 12 – 2:00 p.m.  Intro to Ice Fishing at Lake Bomoseen State Park

Saturday, February 22 – 9:00 a.m.  Intro to Ice Fishing at Lake Parran Fishing Access

Wednesday, February 26 -- 9:00 a.m.  Intro to Ice Fishing at South Bay Fishing Access on Lake Memphremagog

source: Vermont Fish &Wildlife

Related Information

Vermont

 Lake Elmore State Park Free Ice Fishing Day

New England Ice Fishing Information