As part of the state’s NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will be holding a "State of Lake Ontario" fisheries public meetings in Lockport in March.

“Lake Ontario anglers continue to experience outstanding fishing on Lake Ontario and its tributaries,” Commissioner Joe Martens Martens said.  “DEC’s goal is to support the Governor’s NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative by growing Lake Ontario’s high-quality angling opportunities and associated economic benefits. The State of Lake Ontario meetings provide an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in the lake to interact with the scientists who study its fisheries.”

Lake Ontario and its embayments and tributaries support thriving populations of fish, including a variety of trout and salmon, bass, walleye, yellow perch and panfish. New York’s Lake Ontario waters comprise more than 2.7 million acres. A 2007 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 the local New York economy.

The Lockport meeting will be held from 6:30 - 9 p.m. March 13 at the Cornell Cooperative Extension building at the Niagara County Fairgrounds. It will be co-hosted by the Niagara County Cooperative Extension and the Niagara County Sportfishery Development Board.

There are also meetings scheduled for March 3 in Rochester and March 18 in Oswego.

DEC, United States Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources biologists will make a number of presentations, including updates on the status of trout and salmon fisheries, forage fish, stocking programs and fisheries management plans. Time will be provided at the end of the scheduled program for the audience to interact with the presenters.

Information summaries for a host of Lake Ontario fisheries assessment programs will be posted at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27068.html, where previous annual reports can also be found. For further information contact Steven LaPan, New York Great Lakes Section Leader at Cape Vincent Fisheries Research Station, (315) 654-2147.

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