Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources

Bureau of Fisheries, Lake Ontario Fisheries Unit

www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27068.html

New Yorks 2015 Lake Ontario Fisheries Program Highlights

The following information summary is preliminary and selective. Comprehensive, final
results will be reported in the 2015 Annual Report of the Bureau of Fisheries Lake Ontario
Unit and St. Lawrence River Unit to the Great Lakes Fishery Commissions Lake Ontario
Committee, which will be posted at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27068.html in spring 2016.
Results reported below were generated through collaborative fisheries and ecosystem
monitoring and research programs conducted by the NYS Department of Environmental
Conservation (NYSDEC), US Geological Survey (USGS), Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources and Forestry (OMNRF), US Fish and Wildlife Service, and academic partners.
For more information, contact:
NYSDEC Lake Ontario Unit
P.O. Box 292
Cape Vincent, NY 13618
(315) 654- 2147 or e-mail to: fwfishlo@dec.ny.gov
2015 Lake Ontario Stocking and Fall 2015 Salmon Egg Collections
Fish stocking in the New York waters of Lake Ontario in 2015 included approximately 1.72
million Chinook salmon, 208,000 coho salmon, 466,000 rainbow trout, 411,000 brown trout,
152,500 Atlantic salmon, 975,600 lake trout (520,900 yearling; 454,700 experimental fall
fingerlings), and 10,400 walleye.
A multi-agency, international effort to rehabilitate native ciscoes in Lake Ontario continued in
2015 with the stocking of approximately 61,600 fall fingerling bloaters by the US Geological
Survey (USGS) and 20,000 fall fingerling bloaters by the Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources and Forestry. Bloaters are one of four extirpated species of deepwater ciscoes that
once dominated Lake Ontarios forage base. In addition in 2015, USGS reared and stocked
approximately 90,000 lake herring into Irondequoit Bay and 10,422 in Chaumont Bay in an
effort to re-establish spawning populations in south shore embayments. Lake herring are a
shallow-water form of cisco that exists only at remnant levels.
Fall 2015 Chinook and coho salmon egg collections exceeded targets, and fish survival has been
good to date.
2017 Sportfishing Regulation Proposals
The following potential Great Lakes fishing regulations are open for public comment until
March 31, 2016:
o Potential regulations can be viewed and commented on at:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/73762.html
o Eliminate spearing in Cayuga and Oswego County streams
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o Clarification of the boundary between Lake Ontario and Salmon River: the upstream
most navigation buoy located between the breakwalls at the mouth of the river.
o Reduce the number of smallmouth bass seasons in Lake Erie from three to two.
o Define Springville Dam on Cattaraugus Creek as the upsteam limit for Lake Erie
tributary angling regulations.
o Close a section of the Grasse River (St. Lawrence County) to all fishing during the
closed season for walleye.
o Reduce the creel limit for northern pike in the St. Lawrence River from five to three
fish.
2015 Water Temperatures and Weather
Many factors, including numbers of fish stocked and their survival, numbers of wild salmon
produced and their survival, water temperature, and wind direction/speed, can strongly influence
fish (e.g., their behavior, distribution and growth rates) and fishing success.
The winters of 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 were much colder than normal, resulting in record ice
cover on the Great Lakes, including Lake Ontario. Lake Ontarios open lake water temperatures
in 2014 and 2015 remained well below average throughout May - August (Figure 1).
The relatively cold water temperatures and atypical weather patterns during 2015 likely
contributed to reduced trout and salmon fishing quality during the open lake season.
Chinook salmon growth was below average in 2015, likely attributable to a second consecutive
cold winter and summer. Condition (i.e., relative plumpness) of Chinook salmon, however,
was above average in 2015, suggesting that food availability was sufficient.

Figure 1. Mean monthly surface water temperature (F) recorded at Buoy 45012 off of
Rochester, May - August 2014, 2015, and the previous 10-year (2004-2013) average.
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Sportfishery Assessments
Open Lake Fishing Boat Survey
The Lake Ontario Fishing Boat Survey was initiated on April 15 and ended September 30, 2015.
The following results cover the April 15-September 30 period for each year 1985-2015.
Lake Ontarios diverse trout and salmon fishery provides anglers with outstanding angling
opportunities. Total trout and salmon fishing quality (number of fish caught per hour of angling
on board a charter boat) in recent years remained at record high levels because of the variety of
trout and salmon available to anglers (Figure 2).
Fishing quality during 2015 was likely impacted by colder than average water temperatures and
atypical weather patterns. During 2015, there were periods and locations of both excellent and
poor fishing quality. The four most sought after species are Chinook salmon, brown trout,
rainbow trout, and coho salmon. NYSDEC fishing regulations permit a daily harvest limit of 3
in any combination of these four species. The 2015 charter boat catch per angler hour for these
four species combined was the lowest recorded since 2002, 16% below the long-term average,
and 37% below the record-high levels observed 2003-2014 (Figure 2).
The best Chinook salmon fishing quality among charter boats occurred during 2003-2015.
Fishing quality in 2015, however, was the lowest estimated during this time period and 26%
below the 2003-2015 mean. Analysis of angler interview data by month and region confirmed
angler reports of relatively lower Chinook fishing quality during portions of the 2015 fishing
season and/or in specific areas. The 5.5 month average catch rate was positively influenced by
good to excellent fishing during May in all regions, and particularly in the West Region.
Fishing quality for brown trout was near record high levels in recent years, however, declined in
2015 to the lowest recorded since 2008 and 27% below the long-term average.
Coho salmon fishing quality was excellent for 5 of the past 10 years, however, in 2015 was 57%
below average.
Following seven consecutive years of record or near record high angling success for rainbow
trout, the 2015 catch rate was the lowest level since 2005 and a 39% decrease compared to the
long term average.
Lake trout catch rates improved each year (2008-2013) from the 2007 record low. In 2015, catch
rate was similar to 2013.
Atlantic salmon catch rate remained relatively high and was 19% above average in 2015.
An estimated 154,411 trout and salmon were caught during the open lake season, and the catch
was primarily composed of Chinook salmon (38%) and lake trout (34%). Trout and salmon
harvest was estimated at 77,887 fish, dominated by Chinook salmon (45%) and lake trout (24%).
Fishing effort directed at trout and salmon has remained relatively stable for more than a decade,
but was the second lowest on record in 2015 (46,142 boat trips targeted trout and salmon, 87%
of all fishing trips).
The number of lamprey observed per 1,000 trout and salmon caught was estimated at 15 in 2015,
13% below the previous 5-year average and 65% below the 2007 record high.
The estimated number of fishing boat trips targeting smallmouth bass during the traditional open
season (3rd Saturday in June through September 30 when the creel survey ends) was 4,868 bass
trips in 2015, a 29% decrease from 2014 and the lowest recorded. Fishing quality for smallmouth
bass peaked in 2002, declined to its lowest level in 2010, then increased each year 2011-2013.
Fishing quality in 2015 was 0.5 bass per angler hour, similar to the previous 5-year average.
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0.15

CatchRate(fishperanglerhour)

0.12

0.15

Chinook Salmon

0.09

0.09

0.06

0.06

0.03

0.03

0.00

0.00
85 88 91 94 97 '00 '03 '06 '09 12 15

0.15
0.12

85 88 91 94 97 '00 '03 '06 '09 12 15

0.15

CohoSalmon

0.09

0.06

0.06

0.03

0.03

0.00

0.00
85 88 91 94 97 '00 '03 '06 '09 12 15

0.12

LakeTrout

0.12

0.09

0.15

Rainbow (Steelhead)

0.12

BrownTrout

85 88 91 94 97 '00 '03 '06 '09 12 15

0.25
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00

0.09
0.06
0.03
0.00
85 88 91 94 97 '00 '03 '06 '09 12 15

3inanycombinationspecies

(Chinook,Coho,Rainbow,Brown)
85 88 91 94 97 '00 '03 '06 '09 12 15

SurveyYear
Figure 2. Trout and salmon fishing quality (catch rate=fish caught per hour of angling) for
charter boats fishing the open waters of Lake Ontario April 15- September 30, 1985-2015.

Lake Ontario Tributary Angler Survey

NYSDEC is conducting a Lake Ontario tributary angler survey from September 2015 through
April 2016. Preliminary results of the fall survey appear below. A final report with results of
the entire survey period will be completed in spring 2017.
The total estimated effort for 21 tributaries was 763,357 angler hours and 191,331 trips. The
Salmon River accounted for 588,498 angler hours (77% of total) and 101,465 angler trips (53%
of total). Five other tributaries accounted for at least 10,000 estimated angler hours each:
Eighteenmile Creek and Niagara River in Niagara County, Genesee River in Monroe County,
South Sandy Creek in Jefferson County, and Oak Orchard Creek in Orleans County.
Sixteen of 21 tributaries surveyed had reported catches of Chinook salmon. The total estimated
catch and harvest of Chinook salmon in 2015 was 43,589 and 26,045, respectively. The 2015
catch of Chinooks declined substantially from the three previous survey (05, 06, and 11)
estimates that ranged from 125,180 to 155,960 fish landed.
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 Coho salmon were a small component of the 2015 tributary fishery, with an estimated 6,061 fish
caught in nine of the 21 tributaries surveyed. Coho catches vary considerably in previous
surveys, ranging from 5,804 in 2006 to 30,676 in 2011. The Salmon River accounted for 95% of
the catch (5,738) and 89% of the harvest (2,307) in 2015.
Eleven of the 21 tributaries surveyed had reported catches of steelhead with the total estimated
catch and harvest of 17,223 and 2,623 fish, respectively. The Salmon River had the highest
estimated catch (11,334 or 66% of total) and harvest (1,401 or 53% of total). The release rate
for steelhead was 88% on the Salmon River and 85% for all tributaries combined.
Ten of the 21 waters surveyed had reported catches of brown trout. The total estimated brown
trout catch and harvest were 13,650 and 3,441 respectively. The estimated catches from the
previous three comprehensive fall surveys ranged from 27,419 in 2006 to 40,192 in 2005.
Results of Alewife Bottom Trawl Surveys
Abundance of adult (age-2 and older) alewife in spring 2015 bottom trawling surveys increased
slightly from 2014 levels, and adult abundance has been fairly stable for five consecutive years
(Figure 3a).
For a second consecutive year, abundance of yearling (age-1) alewife was very low in 2015,
the lowest observed in the 39-year time series. (Figure 3b). Below average summer
temperatures and harsh winter conditions likely adversely affected reproduction and survival of
young alewife in 2014-2015, leading to two successive years of low yearling abundance.
In recent years, the relative body condition or plumpness of alewife has been high during
both spring and fall. Alewife body condition during both periods in 2015 increased from 2014
and were similar to the relatively high values observed during 2003-2013 (Figure 4).

5.0

Adult Alewife in U.S. Waters of Lake Ontario

USGS/NYSDEC Provisional Data (1978-2015)

4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
2014
2012
2010
2008
2006
2004
2002
2000
1998
1996
1994
1992
1990
1988
1986
1984
1982
1980
1978

Number Index (1000s)

6.0

Figure 3a. Bottom trawl abundance indices for adult (age-2 and older) alewife.
Abundance is the number of alewife captured per 10 minute bottom trawl tow.

1.4

Yearling Alewife in U.S. Waters of Lake Ontario 1978-2015

USGS/NYSDEC Provisional Data

Number Index (1000s)

1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0

2014

2012

2010

2008

2006

2004

2002

2000

1998

1996

1994

1992

1990

1988

1986

1984

1982

1980

1978

Estimatedweight(g)of165mmalewife

Figure 3b. Bottom trawl abundance indices for age-1 (yearling; bottom graph) alewife.
Abundance is the number of alewife captured per 10 minute bottom trawl tow.
37
35
33
31
29
27
25
1975

1985

1995

2005

2015

Year

Figure 4. Relative body condition (weight of a 6.5 inch adult alewife) of adult alewife in
spring 1978-2015 (USGS/NYSDEC provisional data).

Growth and Condition of Chinook Salmon at the Salmon River Hatchery

The average weight of age-1 Chinook males (jacks) sampled in 2015 was 3.8 pounds, the second
lowest value recorded.
Age-2 males (12.3 lbs) were 1.1 pounds below average and age-2 females (12.8 lbs) were 1.9
pounds below average (Figure 5).
Age-3 males (15.0 lbs) were nearly 4.0 pounds below average weight and age-3 females (16.7
lbs) were 3.1 pounds below the long-term average (Figure 6).
The condition or relative plumpness of Chinook salmon (based on the predicted weight of a
36 inch long Chinook salmon) in 2015 was slightly above the historical average and nearly
identical to the previous three years (Figure 7).

24
Age 2 M
22
Age 2 F
20

POUNDS

18
16
14
12
10

2014

2012

2010

2008

2006

2004

2002

2000

1998

1996

1994

1992

1990

1988

1986

YEAR

Figure 5. Fall weights of age-2 Chinook salmon measured at Salmon River Hatchery, 19862015 (M=male, F= Female).

24
22
20

POUNDS

18
16
14

Age 3 M

12

Age 3 F

10

2014

2012

2010

2008

2006

2004

2002

2000

1998

1996

1994

1992

1990

1988

1986

YEAR

Figure 6. Fall weights of age-3 Chinook salmon measured at Salmon River Hatchery, 19862015 (M=male, F= Female).
18.0
17.5
17.0
16.5

POUNDS

16.0
15.5
15.0
14.5
14.0

2014

2012

2010

2008

2006

2004

2002

2000

1998

1996

1994

1992

1990

1988

1986

YEAR

Figure 7. Estimated weights of a 36-inch Chinook salmon (body condition) from the
NYSDEC Salmon River Hatchery fall (October) collections 1986-2015.

Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Pen-rearing Projects

Spring 2015 was the 18th year of volunteer-based pen-rearing projects for steelhead and
Chinook salmon. Pen rearing projects were initiated with the intent of improving survival
and/or homing of pen-reared fish when compared to traditional, shore-stocked fish.
Approximately 450,800 Chinook salmon fingerlings were reared at seven pen sites comprising
25.5% of NYSDECs 2015 Chinook stocking allotment.
Approximately 39,560 steelhead (Washington strain) yearlings were reared at seven sites,
representing 10.2% of NYSDECs 2015 steelhead stocking allotment.
Chinook Salmon Marking Projects
In 2008, NYSDEC purchased an automated fish marking trailer (AutoFish) which is capable of
adipose clipping and/or applying coded wire tags (CWTs) to salmon and trout at high speed
and accuracy. To determine the proportions of wild and hatchery Chinook salmon in Lake
Ontario, all Chinook salmon stocked by New York and Ontario from 2008-2011 were marked
with an adipose fin clip. Percentages of wild Chinook salmon in Lake Ontario varied by year
class and age and among regions from 2009-2015. The wild study was completed in 2015 and
overall, wild Chinook were an important component of the Lake Ontario fishery averaging
47% of the age 2 & 3 Chinooks harvested in the lake.
To determine the degree of homing and straying to the NYSDEC Salmon River Hatchery
(SRH), all Chinook Salmon stocked at the Salmon River received adipose fin clips and CWTs
from 2008-2010. Returns to Salmon River from 2009-2014 varied with year class and age, but
results suggest a high degree of homing and a low degree of straying from other stocking sites
with straying rates averaging about 10%.
To evaluate the relative contributions of pen-reared vs. traditional shore-stocked salmon,
Chinook salmon were marked and tagged in 2010, 2011 and in 2013. Tags were recovered
from salmon from 2011 to 2015. Preliminary results from the 2010 and 2011 stockings (year
classes) suggest that pen stocked salmon provide relatively higher contributions to the lake
harvest than shore-stocked salmon (about 2:1). Tag recoveries for the 2013 stocking will
continue through 2016.
Returns of tagged Chinook salmon to tributaries from 2011-2015 suggest a high degree of
homing by both pen and direct stocked fish. Over 80% of the salmon returning to individual
stocking sites were stocked at those sites. Chinook strays to tributaries were comprised mainly
of fish from other nearby stocking sites.
Each year, NYSDEC stocks coho salmon as fall fingerlings at six sites along the New York
shoreline, and as spring yearlings at the Salmon River. As part of a continuing effort to
evaluate the effectiveness of stocking programs, the relative return of these stocking strategies
will be compared by mass marking and tagging all coho salmon stocked by NYSDEC from
2016-2018.
Salmon River Wild Young-of-Year (YOY) Chinook Salmon Seining Program
Seining is conducted annually to index wild YOY Chinook salmon production in the Salmon
River, the largest source of wild Chinook in New York. The mean peak catch of 608 YOY
Chinook per haul in 2015 was over double the 2001-2014 average of 283, and was the second
highest observed (2012 was the highest).

Progress Toward Lake Trout Restoration

Following low population levels during 2005-2007, adult lake trout abundance increased each
year from 2008-2014, then declined slightly in 2015.
The number of fresh sea lamprey wounds on lake trout was just below the target of 2 wounds
per 100 lake trout >17 inches long examined.
Wild lake trout were collected each year from 1994-2015, representing 21 year classes of wild
production. Catches of wild lake trout in 2014 and 2015 were the highest recorded since
restoration efforts began over 30 years ago.
Eastern Basin Warmwater Fish Assessment
Since 1976, NYSDEC has conducted an annual index gill net survey to evaluate the status of
warmwater fish populations in Lake Ontarios Eastern Basin.
Relative abundance of all species in 2015 was 14.9 fish/gill net, a 51.7% decrease compared to
the 2010-2014 (previous five year) average. For a second consecutive year, water temperatures
were, on average, colder than those measured in recent years, particularly in the deepest waters
sampled (51-100 ft.). Colder water during the assessment may have contributed to reduced
catches.
Each year from 1995-2013, smallmouth bass and yellow perch dominated survey catches. In
2015, however, catch was dominated by smallmouth bass (29.2% of total) and white perch
(24.7% of total).
Catches of smallmouth bass in 2014 and 2015 declined to the lowest levels since 2004.
Smallmouth bass relative abundance was 4.4 fish/net, the lowest catch since 2004 and similar to
2000-2004 when smallmouth bass abundance was at the lowest levels recorded.
Yellow perch catches can be highly variable compared to other species, likely due to their
schooling nature and the influence of temperature. Colder water may have contributed to the
substantially decreased catches in 2014 and 2015 (the lowest values recorded; 1.7 fish/net and
0.8 fish/net, respectively).
Relative abundance of walleye has remained relatively stable for several years, but decreased
47% in 2015 compared to the 2010-2014 average. Fish resulting from strong reproduction in
2003, 2005 and 2008 remained well-represented in assessment netting. Catches of age-4 walleye
indicate a relatively strong year class produced in 2011. OMNRF data indicate relatively strong
natural reproduction also occurred in 2014; therefore, the walleye population is expected to
remain stable for several more years.
Lake sturgeon catches were extremely rare in this assessment prior to 1995; however, at least
one lake sturgeon was collected in 15 of the last 21 years, suggesting improved population status.
Three lake sturgeon were captured during 2015 netting.
Round gobies remain an important component of smallmouth bass diets in the eastern basin.
Round gobies have also been observed in stomachs of walleye, brown trout, lake trout, lake
whitefish, yellow perch, white perch, and rock bass.
Production of walleye in eastern Lake Ontario may be limited by available spawning habitat. In
the Black River, walleye ascend the river in the spring and, while successful spawning was
suspected, it had not been documented. USGS Tunison Lab monitored walleye egg deposition
and larvae production throughout the river from the Dexter dam to the mouth for three
years. Surveys found walleye eggs in several areas each year and captured larval walleye during
2014 and 2015. Enhancing walleye substrate in the lower Black River is being explored as a
means to increase walleye abundance.
10

Sea Lamprey Control

The estimated lake-wide population of adult sea lampreys during 2015 was just below the
target value of 11,368.
Sea lamprey control agents from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, contractors for the Great Lakes
Fishery Commission, conducted sea lamprey control treatments in the following NY tributaries
in 2015: Black River, Salmon River (Altmar Creek), Snake Creek, Catfish Creek, Oswego
River (Owasco Lake Outlet), Eightmile Creek, Sterling Creek, Red Creek, and Sodus Creek.
NY streams scheduled for sea lamprey control in 2016 include: South Sandy Creek, Little
Sandy Creek, Grindstone Creek, and Oswego River.
A total of 96 tributaries (65 Canada, 31 U.S.) were assessed for the presence of larval lamprey.
Abundance of larval sea lampreys was estimated in 7 tributaries (5 Canada, 2 U.S.). An
additional 67 tributaries (50 Canada, 17 U.S.) were surveyed to detect the presence of new
larval populations, none were detected.

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