That Hudson slot is extreme and useless without enforcement and J hooks. As you said out on the ice, HT, just a parade of the half-dead going back in until a keeper is boated.  Considering that the Hudson stocks are relatively healthy compared to the Chesapeake, I wonder why the extreme?  It's harshest limit on the whole seaboard. I have no doubt Daisy Mae released fish will go back unhurt and live to spawn. Not so for  lots of others. I'm sure people night fishing  from the bank  in Troy will practice catch and release to the letter. Yeah. From what I saw a few weeks ago, the Cand R was doing more damage than those keeping one and heading home.   That I saw indeed, as the unemployment hole was pretty well populated with fish. Above, the stonefly experts were releasing half-dead after half-dead fish.  Hey, why revive a fish when your hands are cold already from taking pics? Besides the odds go up considerably on killing fish in the cold. Only a drastic reduction in the numbers of fish will cull the fisherman. Eventually, they may have to close the LFZ in winter.  I'd be all for it, at this point.  That'd at least give the fishery a shot  to have some consistent large fish returning to the river from the lake. If you think about the numbers, it's hard to not come up with many thousands in lost revenue from the visiting fly fishers showing up in the winter to herd the steel. They will not stomach fishing all day for a  single take or a fish lined because the fish aren't podded up and easy. So, there'd be some loud voices from local business that'd close up (Malinda's would be dead if the lower closed) , and the likelihood of closure is pretty slim.  I'm about as dedicated a C&R fisherman as you'll find, but even I find grave fault with how it's practiced on the SR. You aren't talking nonsense in my opinion, RG.

They should improve the access and make it handicap and under 16 only. Hel I fish there a lot, but something has to give

dimebrite2
Most ice on the lake since 1977 could be playing a part somewhere in there too... I've heard opinions expressed towards the thick freeze on the lake can take a toll on baitfish... I'm sure it can take a toll on less than yearling salmonoids as well... I'd be shocked if lake Ontario collapsed completely in regards to salmonoids... Some lean years "could" be coming though....

A post of mine from December... Question is now another freeze over this year. Could we see even a larger collapse in bait possibly lucky??? I still stand by my belief of the lake "NOT" collapsing completely... But lean years like middle to late 90s ate probably inevitable. Bring it on... Less people..less fish... I'm fine with that. Snagging ettiquette for steelhead must be done away with though. Fish are currently taking a pretty hard beating up in a-town right now

Lot more swirlers the past few days.

Michigan had a Chinook collapse a few years back after banner years in a row like we had. My eyes are eager to see this years Chinook return. Another lousy season like last year will definitely put a poor taste in a lot of peoples mouths who spend a lot of money coming up for them. Local tackle shops I've spoke with did see the effects of last seasons lousy run. Another one would put a big hurting on them.

Also interested to see/hear/read about Atlantic returns. To my knowledge catch rates on the lake have been up the past few years for them. An odd coincidence it would be to see Atlantic's flourishing with Pacific's diminishing. As we do know the b1 deficiency was first noticed in Atlantic's due to over indulgence of alewives. With the Atlantic's it has been said that the thiaminisine effects their spawning ability. Studies have shown steelhead and Atlantic's are closely related genetically. It really bothers me that the conga lines are still present in altmar with so many fish still dying. Yet in 2007 the fly zones were shutdown for near 3 months for salmon. I really think enough is enough and close the river from lower fly zone to Ellis cove. Let these fish rest and spawn and get to the hatchery without being bothered!!!

I know there's that whole money side jack. I do know that the wild steelhead population study has not been concluded yet though. And also would hate to see 3 and 4 year steelhead populations diminished. We finally have some good sized fish. At the rate we're going, drop back success rate will be very low!

Thing that bothers me is they could cut the conga line down by just policing the area. One officer could write tickets all day. Put a camera on the bridge and check it remotely if you see wrong doing go up and write the tickets. I know their spread thin and have lives and families, but a surcharge that goes directly to pay the salary of the officer would  fund it. There are many posts on Facebook and such telling of groups at the bridge bringing in fish by the tail and getting pic's and such. Just sit a guy there all day and write tickets for mishandling and snagging.

You're right clint. Just a little enforcement would go a long way. I hope Atlantic's start taking off better and also hope a minimum of 20% wild steelhead population is proven. Coupled with the wild Chinook and coho; it would be a good clutch to enforce stricter regulations from Ellis cove and up. Wild returns are a natural phenomenon. Why not take efforts to preserve? I think we've all learned the hard way through out the history of this country: anything in practiced in excess amounts eventually degrades. Put and take or not... "I" (opinion only) think things should change.

The state needs to WANT to stop the snagging/lifting for anything to change.They need to state it in their publicity that they are going to strictly enforce the rules and increase the fines so that it hurts when they write a ticket.They should make it apparent that they are doing so by loading a bus full of snaggers and make a show of it by taking them to a local judge and fine them on the spot.Do that a couple times and the word will spread and the snaggers will either change or stay home.But I know this will never happen as the state does n't really want it to happen.

While I agree on the put & take fishery,,, Remember, It was for the Lake, the tribs were bonus..
Now the tribs have (may) surpassed the concept of the Lake fishery.. Aka. The Lake Charter association had the majority voice at SOL meetings.. It's much more vocal from the Trib side now..
I think some major changes are in store for the tribs come next fall..
As for Atlantics , geesh.. If the steelhead are suffering from the alewife diet I couldn't imagine the Atlantics doing better..
 
Real problem in my eyes is its a super abused tributary fishery by many .. Too many for my liking in the past 10 years..    

Jack, you would be surprised how many folks get seen in front of the judge in town of Richland. It seems as if their court is much more able to handle the cases. Town of Albion is much less sustained. I wonder if that's why less tickets seem to get written in Altmar/Albion. Town of Richland includes Pulaski which is also an easier target with closer access points to the water.

No hook ups at all bear!?!? Only dead fish??? Not good!!!

Have ben out for the last week on the local ditch.  Fish that I have seen have been darkies that overwintered in the deep holes downstream, have heard reports of a couple chromers, but not what I would expect to see with over a week of high water.  Numbers have been low  also.  Not seeing many lifters, mainly bobber fishers.  If the bright fish don't show soon, they are not coming to play this spring!

I'm gonna take a ride to the hatchery later today. With the gradual consistent thaw from the sun and intermittent warm ups there "SHOULD" be substantial numbers in beaver dam brook. We will see. If there's still ice cover on the banks with little to no fish I will give it another week and check

Lucky you and two Bob lucked out big time with your outting last fall.

Didn't make it to hatchery. Gonna try today. And yes the hatchery can make its quota with a small percentage of return fish. That's obvious. But I know how many fish "should" be prevalent in beaver dam and raceway. So even if they get their quota, "I" will be concerned if " I " don't see what "I" usually see in the beaver and raceways this spring. It will be a few years of 4-6 pound average fish :(