Informational Letter by Captain Doug Stein 

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A informational letter to the NY DEC in regards to the proposed regulation changes for Lake Ontario trout/salmon fishery.

Dear Friend of the Lake Ontario Fishery:

In response to a cry from the Lake Ontario tributary community regarding decreased steelhead runs (led by the Salmon River Corridor and the Lake Ontario Steelhead Assn.), the Department of Environmental Conservation has developed a proposal that would reduce the daily creel limit for steelhead in the lake from three to one fish per person. Fisheries leaders in WNY and around the lake feel this is unacceptable.

Even though the Niagara River is exempt from this proposal, some feel it’s only a matter of time before it becomes included in the one-steelhead regulation should it become a reality.  In the meantime, think about what will happen as meat hunters, displaced guides and struggling charters bring their businesses to take advantage of the three fish limit in the river. It’s important to write letters, send e-mails or make phone calls to the DEC decision makers and elected officials listed in the accompanying letter. Keep it simple and to the point – a one steelhead limit in Lake Ontario would have a detrimental/negative impact on your business, the local economy and it really doesn’t address the problem of why steelhead runs have declined. Don’t offer a solution or point any fingers. That’s our next step.

We are currently developing a counter proposal to DEC’s initial proposal. We will pass that one on to you shortly. If you have any ideas or would like to contribute to that counterproposal, please contact me at (716) 774-0077. Rest assured it will be something we can all live with and it won’t be much different than the current regulation scenario that we have imposed on the Lower Niagara River (which is three fish in aggregate).

In the meantime, please take the time to contact these important people and let our voice be heard in one united front. It’s important to the future of this great fishery. Thank you for your undivided attention to this and call me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Capt. Doug Stein
P.S. A one brown trout per person limit in Lake Ontario tributaries has been introduced for consideration in 2006. If approved, what’s next? Write those letters!

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