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

Alabama Oak Mountain State Park Fishing Pier

Construction is complete on the new fishing pier at Oak Mountain State Park in Birmingham, Alabama. In 2009, the existing pier was extended by 125 feet, doubling the available fishing space. The new section is 200 feet long and is adjacent to the original pier behind the park office.

The new pier complies with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines and was constructed primarily to facilitate exceptional anglers events, which provide fishing opportunities for special needs students in Shelby and Jefferson counties. An official dedication ceremony will take place in 2012 prior to the exceptional anglers event “Gone Fishin’ Not Just Wishin’,” which was canceled this year due to severe weather.

Jerry Moss, Fisheries Biologist with the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries and Exceptional Anglers event coordinator, said this project will benefit countless special needs students as well as visitors to the park just looking for a good fishing spot.

“This pier solves a problem we’d been faced with for years, lots of kids and not enough space for them to have a quality fishing experience,” Moss said. “Add to that the fact that everyone can enjoy the pier and it’s just a win-win for everyone.”

The new pier will be available to park anglers when not reserved for educational fishing and community events. A valid fishing license is required and creel limits must be observed. Fishing licenses are available from the park office, various retailers around the state or from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website, www.outdooralabama.com.

To learn more about Oak Mountain State Park visit www.alapark.com/oakmountain

source: Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Missouri Highfin Carpsuckers

Among the lesser known fish of Missouri is the highfin carpsucker. The Fishes of Missouri by William L Pflieger describes the highfin carpsucker as rare, with known populations only in the Meramec, Gasconade, Osage, and White river systems.

One distinguishing feature is the extremely long filament on the front of the dorsal fin. Highfin carpsuckers seldom grow larger than a pound or longer than 12 inches.

Highfin carpsuckers prefer clearer, cleaner streams than their close and much more widely distributed relatives, the river carpsucker (Carpiodes carpio) and the quillback (Carpiodes cyprinus). Like the gizzard shad, the highfin carpsucker is known for jumping out of the water.

On May 21, 2011 Derek S. DePew set the Missouri state alternative fishing methods record for highfin carpsucker while participating in a bowfishing tournament.

The alternative-methods record for the species was open, allowing DePew an automatic record when Conservation Agent Chris Boyd verified the fish’s species.

DePew's fish weighed 1 pound, 6 ounces and was 15 inches long.

source: Missouri Department of Conservation

How To Avoid Spreading Invasive Species

With floods, droughts, tornadoes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters having such an impact in recent years, the spread of invasive species is becoming an even bigger issue for fishermen and boats.

Several U.S. federal and state agencies are offering anglers advice on how to lessen the possibility of spreading invasive plants or animals while fishing and boating.

"Public awareness and action are keys to preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species," said Kim Bogenschutz, aquatic invasive species program coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. "Boaters and anglers can unintentionally transport aquatic hitchhikers if they do not take the proper precautions to prevent their spread - clean, drain, dry."


The following are a few invasive species prevention tips from Iowa Department of Natural Resources:

 - clean any plants, animals, or mud from boat and equipment before leaving a water body

 - drain water from all equipment (motor, live well, bilge, transom well) before leaving a water body

 - dry anything that comes into contact with water (boats, trailers, equipment, boots, clothing, dogs)

 - never release plants, fish, or animals into a water body unless they came out of the same area

 - empty unwanted bait in the trash

Before transporting equipment to another body of water:

 - spray your boat and trailer with hot, high-pressure water;

 - or dry your boat and equipment for at least 5 days.

Marabou Jigs for Catching Panfish

Marabou Jigs

Marabou jigs are always popular for catching panfish. They come in a range of weights, patterns, and material combinations. These simple designs feature a painted lead head jig, chenille body, and marabou feathers. Solid colored jigs are popular, such as white, black, yellow, chartreuse, green, and other colors.

Marabou crappie jig patterns feature color combinations. Some of the most famous are red head/black body/white tail, red and white, pink and white, chartreuse body/black tail and others.

Small spinner arms are sometimes added to traditional marabou jigs to create spinnerbaits. These specialized rigs consist of a wire arm, which attaches to the line. The arm has upper and lower snaps, to which a jig and spinner blade are attached.

One advantage of this design is its modular construction. The arm allows anglers to quickly change the jig, allowing for variations of weights, colors, or head shape. The spinner adds an element of flash and pulse, and also allows a slower retrieve. The wire spinner arm also helps prevent snags and increases the chances of catching larger species.

Marabou jigs are an excellent choice in spring and early summer for catching yellow perch, crappie, sunfish and other species. In addition to panfish, these simple lures often take larger species such a largemouth bass, pickerel, and walleye.

Maryland Anglers Urged to Prevent the Spread of Didymo and Whirling Disease

In order to protect fish populations and keep their habitat healthy, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued a reminder for anglers to clean and dry their gear between streams and outings.

MD DNR recommends scrubbing with dish soap or a 5 percent salt solution as an easy way to prevent the spread of invaders such as didymo and whirling disease.

Wader wash stations are available at several key wild trout areas including the Gunpowder River, Savage River, the North Branch of the Potomac (Barnum area), and Big Hunting Creek.

Anglers need to be aware that a proposed Maryland regulation to prohibit felt soles in all waters is scheduled to become effective in March 2011.

MD DNR is seeking public comment on the proposal through February 28 via email to fisheriespubliccomment@dnr.state.md.us or by mail to: Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service, ATTN: Felt-Soled Wader Ban Regulation, 580 Taylor Ave., B-2, Annapolis, MD 21401.

source: MD DNR

Columbia and Snake River Salmon Recovery Plan Lawsuit

A coalition of fishing, business, and conservation organizations have asked a federal judge to declare President Obama’s Columbia and Snake river salmon recovery plan illegal.

“We’d like to pretend this plan is just a ‘trick’ and the ‘treat’ is still to come,” said Michael Garrity of American Rivers. “But we can’t. We’ve been here too many times before. This administration has got to stop trying to put a pretty costume on an ugly plan and start following the law and science. We’re dealing with people’s livelihoods and keystone species on the brink of extinction.”

Because federal dams are harming threatened and endangered salmon and steelhead in the Columbia and Snake rivers, the law requires federal agencies to create a plan – or biological opinion (BiOp) – to reduce the damage. The papers filed today respond to the Obama administration’s continuing failure to provide legal, science-based plan.

“For two years the coalition has asked the Obama administration to uphold its promises for scientific integrity and transparency,” said former Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife fisheries chief Jim Martin. “It appears those were empty promises. If anything, the administration is going backward in terms of openness and scientific integrity.”

source: www.wildsalmon.org

Gifts Ideas for Sunfish Lovers

When the spring season brings warm days and fair weather, people begin thinking freshwater fishing. For those that love bream sunfish artwork, this collection contains an array of freshwater fishing gifts:

Panfish - Panfishing
by Fish - Fishing - Seafood

Maryland to Stock Rainbow and Brown Trout

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will stock approximately 20,000 trout into freshwaters across the State in October. This total includes 19,400 rainbow trout weighing an average of one pound each and 600 brown trout averaging two pounds each.

Potential waterways for receiving fish include the North Branch Potomac, Bear Creek, Town Creek, Blairs Valley Lake, Antietam Creek, Beaver Creek, Cunningham Falls Lake, Rainbow Lake, Greenbrier Lake, Morgan Run, Patapsco River, Big Gunpowder Falls, Great Seneca Creek, Wheatley Lake, Lake Artemesia, Greenbelt Lake, Big Elk Creek, Deer Creek and Tuckahoe.

DNR’s trout stocking information telephone line, 1-800-688-3467, will be updated weekly beginning October 1 so that anglers may find out if their favorite area has been stocked. Stocked areas will also be posted online at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries once stocking is complete.

Oldschool Freshwater Fishing Lures

Fishing Spoon

This list includes some of the most famous oldschool freshwater fishing lures. These lures catch largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rock bass, crappie, pike, pickerel, musky, catfish and other species

worms - Soft plastic worms were among the original bass fishing lures. Thousands of variations have been produced. Worm rigs include Texas, Carolina, floating, wacky.

jerk baits - These popular soft plastics are rigged on an offset shank hook or jig head.

jigs - These come in hundreds of styles including classic marabou crappie jigs, bucktails, feather jigs, soft bodied grubs, shad bodies, tubes, etc.

jig and pig - This lure consists of a combination of a simple jig with a natural pork rind.

spinner bait - This is another combination lure, which pairs a jig with a spinner blade.

buzz bait - This bait is similar to a spinner bait. It combines a jig type hook with a large, noisy propeller.

poppers - Thus family of lures share a hard body with cupped or wedge-shaped mouth.

stick baits - These lures include torpedo to pencil shapes with tapered ends. Some variations have propellers or skirted tails.

crankbaits - These lures come in an array of shapes and sizes. Most float at rest and dive when retrieved although some models sink. Most share common characteristics such as a hard lip, multiple treble hooks.

rattle traps - These hard bodied diving lures oscillate when retrieved. Most contain metal balls inside which rattle when moved

spoons - These come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Spoons wobble or spin as they pass thru water. Depending on the type, spoons may be cast, trolled or jigged.

Freshwater Trout Photography

Cutthroat Trout

These tips will help anglers to photograph a trophy trout or char without harming the fish:

* Make sure that equipment is working and ready before handling fish.

* Keep fish in the water until the photo is taken. Every second that the fish spends out of the water can affect its chance for survival after release.

* When ready for the picture, barely lift the fish out of the water.

* Have the angler support the fish by cradling it in their hands. Place one hand under the fish's belly and one at the fish's tail.

* When lifting the fish, keep it horizontal and support it's full body weight. Avoid holding fish in a vertical position by the jaw.

* Avoid taking fish out of the water for more than 20 seconds. A good habit is to have the angler hold their breath until the picture is taken.

* After the photo has been taken, lower the fish into the water and gently move the fish back and forth in the water to revive it. When the fish tries to swim away, release it.

Trophy Bream Sunfish Techniques

Bream (Bluegill Sunfish)

Having an arsenal of fishing techniques will increase the odds of success. To insure a good catch of bream (bluegill sunfish), experiment with these proven tactics:

 - Fish the early morning. In some locations the bite can be incredible during the first hour of daylight.

 - Cast as close as possible to structure such as stumps, cypress trees, overhanging limbs, and submerged vegetation.

 - Target areas of water flow (streams, springs, culverts, dams, channels, tidal rips).

 - Watch for seasonal food sources and adjust fishing techniques to exploit changing behavior.

 - Use ultralight outfits, cane poles, or fly fishing gear to present small natural baits to wary fish.

- Experiment with small, brightly colored lures, especially soft plastics and feather jigs.

- Fish a variety of depths with small floats or slowly jig lures throughout the water column.

 - Try fishing for sunfish with a kayak, canoe, or other small boat. Small craft allow fishermen to explore areas that are impossible to reach using conventional boats.

 - Wear polarized eyewear to help spot fish, structure and bottom features

 - Keep essential fishing equipment available including line cutters, pliers, camera, etc.

 - Keep a journal, noting time of day, weather conditions, barometric pressure, moon phase, water levels, etc.

Maine USA Freshwater Fishing

Atlantic Salmon

Over the last 10 years, Maine has maintained its license sales while most other New England states have experienced significant declines in purchases of hunting and fishing licenses.

“Maine’s outdoors remain a destination for anglers and hunters, drawing people to the inland waters and woods and the sporting opportunities that are available there,” said Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Roland “Danny” Martin. “The last 10 years have included tough economic times, when many people have tightened their belts. People still see Maine hunting and fishing licenses as a bargain, and are not cutting them from their budgets.”

From 1999-2009, Maine fishing license sales have remained fairly consistent, up 0.19 percent. Among the New England states, only Vermont saw an increase in fishing license sales, up 20.80 percent.

The other states experienced double-digit percentage drops: Connecticut: -15.91 percent; Massachusetts, -12.09 percent; New Hampshire, -15.54 percent; and Rhode Island, -26.92 percent.

Colorado, Michigan, Montana, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming also experienced declines in sales.

Only Montana had a slight uptick in fishing license sales. The numbers were compiled by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Maine is one of the few destinations in the USA where anglers can fish for Atlantic salmon. Other popular freshwater fish include brook trout, smallmouth bass, walleye, pike, musky, and a variety of panfish.  

source: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

How to Become a Licensed Fishing Guide

Starting a professional fishing guide business can be a rewarding experience. Fishing guides offer trips to enjoy traditional fishing, fly fishing, kayaking, nature tours, eco-tourism, and other outdoor adventures.

Starting a fishing guide business takes considerable self study. Information about starting a business can be gathered in a number of ways, including gaining related work experience, networking with other business owners, taking business classes, or reading business start up books.

Several elements of business may apply to starting a guide business. In most cases, doing research before launching a business is essential.

In the USA, any operator of a boat for hire is required to be licensed. These licenses are issued by the United States Coast Guard Regional Exam Centers.

Fishing guides may also need to obtain a TWIC card. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program.

Setting up a website for your guiding business is one of the most important decisions. The most important aspect of an outdoor guide website is its ability to generate business. To do this, it must be able to be found by your customers.

A reputable designer can explain all the factors that influence a website's search engine rankings, suggest which key phrases might be important and offer services to help your site perform well on Google, Bing and other search engines.

Websites for fishing guides often include an about us page, trip descriptions, directions, photo galleries, trip reports and perhaps even offer a few products for sale such as t-shirts, hats or custom fishing tackle.

Once a fishing guide website is live, it should be listed in outdoor guide directories or other fishing industry resources. Other methods of promotion include online press releases.

How Did Asian Carp Get in Lake Calumet?

Invasive bighead carp
Credit: USGS

Scientists from Southern Illinois University report the Asian carp found in Lake Calumet are most likely the result of a cultural release.

Human introduction is one of over twenty ways aquatic species may be introduced to new environments.

The scientists released their findings after conducting tests on the six year old fish caught in June.

Lake Calumet is the largest body of water in Chicago. Once a shallow natural lake, the waterway has been heavily modified by man.

Despite human influence, the lake and surrounding area sustains fish and  wildlife. The Lake Calumet basin has been designated an Important Bird Area of Illinois.

Invasive Asian Carp, a collection of four distinct fish species, represent a serious, but manageable threat to the Mississippi and Great Lakes Region.

Introduced in the 1970s by southern catfish farmers, Asian Carp traveled north through U.S. waterways to their current location in the Illinois River.

To cope with the further spread of these invasive species of carp, regulators installed electric barriers to prevent further progression.

Further preventative measures being considered include lock closures which would cause disruption of commercial traffic through the northern most locks on the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS).