New regulations for Tributaries to Lake Erie

[Pemi-Man]

Report: New Steelhead Regulations

Beginning on October 1, 2006, there will be a 12" size limit on all salmonids taken in Lake Erie & it's tributaries.

Catch and Release, Artificial Lures only section (year round fishing) for all trout and salmon on Chautauqua Creek from the bridge on South Gale Street upstream 1.3 miles to the upper dam used by the Village of Westfield for water intake.

Catch and Release, Artificial Lures only section (year round fishing) for all trout and salmon on the main branch of Eighteen Mile Creek, in the Eighteen Mile Creek County Park lands. This section is within the county park, which extends approx. ?? mile below the forks, or junction pool. The south branch is excluded from this regulation. Signs will be placed on both streams around October 1.

[LadyFisher]

Excellent! Glad to see the size slot limits, it is a great way to keep from losing the fishery.

[Fly Time]

Know these listed waters fairly well. IMHO these are good regs, but there have been some loud protests from anglers who use bait. Seems to me having a small C&R area simply provides more fish in the long run for everyone, as these fish migrate up and down the streams. DEC figures some lake run fish make it over the upstream impassable barriers so they may get into a little natural reproduction on both streams. Actually, one of the small tribs to the Chautauqua Creek is reported to have natural repro (along with some other Erie tribs).

Also note there are new regs for the Lake Ontario trib, Salmon River, Pulaski, NY. I believe that in both the upper and lower fly areas you can no longer add any additional weight to your leader, i.e. a split shot. Can use weighted flies up to I think around 1/8 ounce.

[MrFishingToughGuy]

Is there any steelhead fishery to speak of on the 18 mile (erie) SB?

Marty

[Fly Time]

MFTG - Not certain if the SB is covered in this new C&R area. I believe that both the SB and main branch get way to warm in summer to support natural repro. However, DEC believes fish go over the "impassable barrier" and upstream from that in the main branch is where they hope for some natural repro.

[Catch 22]

Also note there are new regs for the Lake Ontario trib, Salmon River, Pulaski, NY. I believe that in both the upper and lower fly areas you can no longer add any additional weight to your leader, i.e. a split shot. Can use weighted flies up to I think around 1/8 ounce.

From the NY DEC website:

Proposal: To eliminate the addition of weight to the leader in the Salmon River special regulations fly fishing areas from May 1 through August 15.

Jeff

http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/fish/fishregs/pubcomfishregs06.html#proposal8