Looks like there might be fisticuffs on the shores of New York’s Oneida Lake, scene of many a bassin’ darby. Here’s what’s going on.
On the one hand we have the NY DNR, trying to do the right thing by opening the lake to catch-and-release bassin’ from Dec. 1 through the traditional bass opening day, the Friday before the third Saturday in June.
Naturally, NY bassers like that – and we have to note that that C&R season is already in place on most NY lakes.
On the other hand we have – no surprise – the Oneida Lake Association (OLA), and they are concerned because of…
…walleye.
Yep. We are now in bizarro world.
Apparently the OLA feels that if the bassin’ season is extended, bassers will illegally vacuum up the foggy-eyed filet-o-fish, thus damaging the walleye fishery: “A small number of weeks of extended catch-and-release bass fishing on this lake will pose an unacceptably large risk to its unique populations of fishes, especially walleyes.”
Never mind the zebra mussels and cormorants, I guess.
The gent who wrote the column from which the above info is taken finished it out with this:
“I am not a fan of year-round catch-and-release bass fishing anywhere, whether it has an impact on fish populations or not. And I think it is obvious that opening Oneida Lake to bass fishing before walleye season will make things easier for poachers on what has to be one of the most heavily-poached lakes in the United States.”
Ignoring the “not a fan” part, what up with the folks who live around Oneida? Sounds like the fishing Mafia lives up there.
7 Comments
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5bites
June 22, 2011 at 4:47 pm
These people are just one step away from being peta supporters.
Luke
June 22, 2011 at 10:22 pm
Not a surprise… The Oneida Lake Association has been against bassfishing or anytype of fishing during the spawn for years. They have a lot of power with the DEC and have been able (to this point) to derail any attempt at a C&R season on Oneida..
Bass Pundit
June 23, 2011 at 12:37 am
I wonder where he gets the idea that it is one of the most heavily poached lakes in the country?
I would think to earn that distinction it would have to have a restrictive limit for table fish with big protective slots, like Mille Lacs Lake here in MN.
Rich Arnold
June 23, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Well…..if I was going to be a big time Walleye poacher, I would definately want to do it on Oneida!! (Sarcasim)
Luke
June 27, 2011 at 9:10 am
From the OLA.. Regardless of how ridiculous it may seem, they will lead everyone to believe that every boat on Oneida in March and April are out there for the sole purpose of poaching walleye..
Chad Keogh
June 23, 2011 at 12:38 pm
If that Lake Association is like any I know of, what they are really saying is, “We don’t want the big engines of bass boats waking us up before the crack of noon on OUR lake any more than we have to.”
Alex Voog
June 27, 2011 at 10:54 am
“but we’re happy to take all your money while you are in town otherwise…” ============================ If the poaching is THAT bad, then why don’t they get their buddies at the DEC to kick some azz out there. The fines alone would recoup their costs.