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DEC Announces Water Conservation Measures to Maintain Salmon River Flows

Reduced Releases from Salmon River Reservoir to Conserve Water

Drought Forces Temporary Closure of Lower Fly Section to Protect Salmon Run

Ongoing drought conditions in the Salmon River watershed have forced Brookfield Renewable in collaboration with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to reduce the amount of water released to the Salmon River from the Salmon River Reservoir starting Thursday, September 29.
In addition, DEC will close the Lower Fly Fishing Area on the Salmon River in conjunction with the reduced flows. This closure applies only to the Lower Fly Area, and the remainder of the 13-plus miles of the river accessible to the public will remain open.
"New York's fish hatchery system is a vital part of our effort to sustain our popular and economically important recreational fisheries," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "The reduced water flows and closure will help ensure that adequate numbers of salmon enter DEC's Salmon River Hatchery in order to provide eggs for salmon stocking that support Lake Ontario and tributary fisheries."
A 2007 study estimated the value of these fisheries to New York State's economy at $12.9 million. DEC is concerned that unintentional fishing mortality of Pacific Salmon could impact egg take operations if too much water is released.
The ¼-mile section of the Salmon River that comprises the Lower Fly Fishing Area is located immediately downstream of the Salmon River Hatchery and upstream of the County Rt. 52 Bridge in Altmar. The upper boundary of the area is just downstream from Beaverdam Brook. This location is a staging area for various species of fish, including Chinook and coho salmon, as they prepare to enter the hatchery via Beaverdam Brook. The closure will remain in effect as long as flow reductions are necessary.
Flows will be increased as soon as rainfall patterns change and reservoir water levels necessary to maintain these flows are restored. The Lower Fly Area will be reopened when flows permit and Salmon River Hatchery egg-take operations are completed.
Should salmon returns to the hatchery be inadequate, DEC has developed a contingency plan to secure additional salmon eggs from other Lake Ontario tributaries. Further information on these actions can be obtained by contacting the DEC Fisheries Unit in Cortland at fwfish7@dec.ny.gov or by phone at (607) 753-3095.

Glad they are thinking ahead
 

They ought to close the river below 2a if they really want to get the hens upriver!

There are already plenty of fish in the LFZ and the sluice way to the hatchery.  If DEC wants to protect the fish, start by addressing the **** show in DSR and up through the length of the river with the lifters and liners.  I've never seen so many fly fishers slinging 30 to 50 caliber shot while dredging the pools and runs.  Just saying. 

The hatchery is LOADED with fish!!!! I agree with lucky but I'll take it a step further....CLOSE the entire river if they want to protect the fish.95% of those getting CAUGHT are beeing snagged by every one the entire length. This is BS!

2 coho made a move and refusal on an olive /orange bunny fly, and I landed one King (flopped off at the bank-I'm counting it,  GD it!)  that took an orange comet.  That was in a solid 16 hrs.+ of fishing. I SUCK at salmon. Meanwhile, I saw people just clean house.  You can't spell democracy without DEC. I was told they're cutting back on enforcement by a DEC employee, and I think it shows.
Who's in the majority?  What needs to be done is establish some priorities. Let the snaggers ,liners,  flossers, do whatever, but at least keep a small portion of the river for those that don't want to go there. Maybe just leave the upper and patrol it with volunteers. Radios carried, that can call in obvious perps to an on call CO.  Guys from Spey Nation would do it. I would do it, and I don't fish with a Spey rod.  It really is a fecal fiesta the way it is, and it's made worse by the pretense that it isn't.  If they made the snagging legal, and they really have by the lack of enforcement, it would not appear so ridiculous, just a little....barbaric. This isn't subsistence fishing in Alaska.  WTF, let the people have some fun while they spend the real catch..... Dollars!
 
 

Totally agree Charlie and well said . I had a super bad day at work with little sleep last night .
No time for Internet during the day and upon leaving the job I read this . It personally made me do a u turn and head sout .
At its current state , it's an ugly mess as I have also heard from others as well .
We pushed for a change in the 90's and banning snagging was thought to be the answer , as anyone can clearly see it became a curse for fishers .
Everyone here knows my feelings of the area , with the way the fishery is managed , especially in the last 8-10 years , I can not support them .
Told myself and family I needed to got this weekend as it may be my last and didn't want to miss the opportunity to fish with friend , that don't pay me ..
Sadly it seems my salmon fishing may come to close with memories
I wish everyone well and the best of times

I was being sarcastic above.Totally true, it's the stool heads on the lower quarter that remove the majority of fish from the system. Close an area that not one fish is " removed" from the system. Close Orwell and take fish from there, if I had to guess I could count on one hand the number of fish taken from there legally

My post was kinda confusing .
I was heading towards Pulaski when I read this . I u turned on thruway for home after reading this .
Talked with Jack and he is leaving for home in the am .
Yes it seems like in its current state , the fishery is turning real dollars away

Well Tuna, I am heading there Sunday morning.  I will spend my bucks in Pulaski which should cover your lack of spending, and then some.  The situation is what it is.  They lowered the cost of licenses so less bucks for enforcement and buying out of state eggs.  We'll just have to deal with it.