Let’s talk Bass

I think we have all heard the saying “If you don’t want to be invited to Christmas dinner, talk politics at Thanksgiving dinner”, well I think I’ve stumbled upon the next hot topic to avoid, especially here in the North Country…. Bass fishing on the St. Lawrence River.  On March 14, 2024 I walked into the Alexandria Bay school auditorium to listen to what the New York State DEC had to say about the bass fishery along the St. Lawrence River (Lake Ontario’s eastern basin to Massena, New York).  This public meeting was held to discuss the current data the DEC had obtained and they wanted to hear public opinions on the fishery.  In a room with about 60 local recreational anglers, guides, conservationists, bass club members, and local river community politicians, here is some of the information that was shared.  

The first thing we learned was that the bass fishery has been holding quite steady since the year 2000.  There have been a few ups and downs but overall it currently sits in pretty good shape. 

The next next topic discussed was black bass harvest numbers.  A 2022-2023 angler survey showed that the majority of anglers are practicing catch and release fishing.  According to their data this fishery sees a 92% release rate. What this is telling us is that there are far more catch and release anglers than anglers keeping fish from this area.

The conversation then moved on to a spawning study that was conducted between 2015-2017.  According to a Tufts report, by the 3rd Saturday in June 58% of largemouth nests have reached swim up fry and only 8% of smallmouth nests have reached swim up fry.  Basically what this means is according to the study over half (58%) of largemouth babies have left the protection of the nest while only 8% of the smallmouth babies have swam away from the nest.

This topic spurred a lot of conversation and debate in the room.   Several people commented that the DEC isn’t doing enough to prevent anglers from fishing outside of the regular season(fishing illegally).  Some felt that too many people are targeting smallmouths protecting their nest during the early part of the season, resulting in too many male bass being removed from protecting the nest allowing predator fish to eat the fry (babies). 

Following this topic, the DEC discussed the vulnerabilities of spawning smallmouths.  The DEC pointed out that smallmouths choose to spawn(reproduce) in the same habitat that the round goby chooses to inhabit. The round goby is an invasive species that eats the eggs and small fry.   The final topic of discussion that night was the concerns the DEC was hearing from anglers.  Some of these concerns were,

1. What appears to too many people fishing for bass illegally

2. The increase of fishing pressure may have an impact on the fishery

3. Round Gobies  

4. Locals feel that non resident anglers have a lack of stewardship towards the fishery

5. The movement of bass during fishing tournaments

6. What appeared to be the biggest concern of the night was the fishing season in region 6 

Currently the statewide regulations and the Special regulations for region 6 are quite different.

The statewide regulations read:

Statewide regulations

Black Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth Regular season) June 15–Nov 30 12"(min length) 5(Daily limit) Dec 1–June 14 Catch and Release only, Artificial lures only

LAKE ONTARIO, ST. LAWRENCE RIVER, AND TRIBUTARIES REGULATIONS(Page 63 of the regs book)

The region 6 regulations:

Special regs(Region 6)

Black Bass Statewide Species Regulations apply, except that fishing for black bass (including Catch and Release) is prohibited Dec 1–June 14 in Lake Ontario and tributaries in Jefferson Co. and the St. Lawrence River and tributaries.

Many of those in attendance felt that the season needs to change.  The majority of the folks there felt that there needs to be an early catch and release season( there currently is no legal catch and release before the season opener in this area), the DEC should close the fishing season during the spawn, then open up the regular season post spawn.  This would mimic the current season that is in place on the Canadian side of the river.

Ontario Waters Bass season

Early season catch and release January 1 - May 10

Largemouth regular season- 3rd Saturday in June - December 31

Smallmouth regular season- 1st Saturday in July - December 31 

There was also a lot of discussion regarding the increase of bass tournaments and the impact it may have on this fishery.  Several people felt that the state needs to step in and find better ways to regulate these tournaments.  Even one local bass club president stepped up and said that currently they have changed the rules in their tournaments to reduce the limit that is allowed on a boat.  

Takeaways from the meeting:

There is no doubt that the Eastern Lake Ontario basin and the St. Lawrence River has hit the big stage.  This fishery has become world renowned.  People from all over the globe come here now to see what all the talk is about and they are finding that it meets or exceeds their expectations.  When you hear the professional anglers on TV talk about their favorite stops on their tours this area is always mentioned.  But how much is too much?  How much can this fishery handle?   The DEC has a tough role, they must balance the economic and tourism impact with what their fisheries specialists feel the fishery can handle. Currently the fishery is in good shape but according to a lot of the feedback they are getting, many feel it is in danger of being overfished.  Some suggested changes to the season while others felt that things need to change with the current level of tournaments being held.  

Even recently Steve Hurst the Chief of the Bureau of Fisheries for the NY DEC said on the Great Northeast Podcast with Dan Ladd

 “ The one thing we are looking into is getting a better handle on those tournaments, so you may be seeing something in the very near future to help us get a handle on those tournaments”.  This meeting was just the beginning of this conversation.  The short term goal for the DEC is to collect the science/ data  and compile feedback from all groups that have an interest in this topic.  Only then can they work on a long term goal of creating a fisheries management plan for this fishery that is loved by so many.

My opinion:

I think many of us who have grown up in one of these small river communities have fond memories of sitting on the riverbank with an older family member casting worms in hopes of landing a “BIG ONE”.  As we grew older many of us moved on to different lures and plastic baits honing our angling skills. 

We have been privileged to say that this fishery is right in our backyard.   What we knew about this area was our little secret.  Well the secret is out and it is now seeing more angling pressure than ever before.  There has been an influx of recreational anglers as well as an explosion of tournaments that range from local to professional.  I was recently quoted in a New York Outdoor News article saying “I think the DEC is looking at potential issues down the road and they want to get ahead of it before anything occurs”.  I wore several hats to that meeting. 

1.  A recreational angler who loves the St. Lawrence River.

2. The vice chair of the New York Chapter of the Native Fish Coalition.

3. A resident of a small town that sees the economic impact this fishery has.

I could see every concern that the audience had.  Heck, even after listening to all the comments and seeing what was presented to us I had a local political leader tell me that he wants to bring one of these big tournaments to his community.  I commend the DEC for taking a serious look into this topic.  Way too often government agencies are reactive instead of proactive.  I feel the fisheries department is working on a proactive response to the popularity this fishery has seen.  They want to prevent any decline to this fishery.  So hopefully one day in the future we won’t be talking about the good ol’ days of bass fishing the mighty St. Lawrence River.  

Aaron Hardy

Northern NY Adventures

“Make Life an Adventure”