More Chinook salmon to be stocked

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Bureau of Fisheries will increase the 2004 level of salmon stocking in Lake Ontario by 10 percent. This augmentation will raise the overall number of Chinook salmon the DEC stocks into Lake Ontario to 1.76 million annually, according to State Senator George D. Maziarz, 62nd Senatorial District.

"This is tremendous news for the sportsfishing industry in New York state," said Maziarz, who is chairman of the Senate Committee on Tourism, Recreation, and Sports Development. "Simply put, more fish can mean better fishing."

Four-hundred thousand Chinook salmon will be raised at the Caledonia Hatchery in Livingston County, where only 120,000 were raised last year. These fish will be placed in specifically identified tributaries emptying into Lake Ontario to maximize survival rates and improve mature salmon returns for spawning.

The announcement highlights the new cooperative effort underway between Lake Ontario stake-holders, elected officials, and the DEC Fisheries Bureau to better evaluate the impact of management decisions on how stocking practices affect marine resources and fishermen.

"I have been meeting for months with all of these interested parties to come up with ways to promote this essential component of our economy," Senator Maziarz continued. "I truly believe this outcome will be favorable to everyone."

Sportsfishing is a major part of New York's overall tourism industry, contributing an estimated $1.4 billion annually to the state's economy.

"New York offers some of the best fishing waters in the world," Maziarz said. "I encourage everyone, from near and far, to come and take part in the many wonderful fishing opportunities here."

Although non-native to New York state, Chinook salmon were first stocked into the Great Lakes in 1873. In the past 20 years they have become particularly abundant. The largest Chinook salmon on record in New York state weighed in at 47 pounds, 13 ounces, and was caught in 1991. Major Lake Ontario tributaries having Chinook salmon runs include the Salmon River, Oswego River, Genesee River, Oak Orchard Creek and Eighteen Mile Creek.