The state fishing season for the largest freshwater sportfish in New York will opening this weekend. State DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos has announced that the muskellunge or "muskie" season opens this Saturday in most locations. At least 13 lakes and 19 rivers across the state have muskie populations, including Lake Erie, Chautauqua Lake and Cassadaga lakes. The DEC says anglers fishing Chautauqua Lake muskies could have a good year of fishing ahead. Chautauqua Lake is the source for the DEC's muskie stocking program. Earlier this spring, DEC staff handled 472 muskies during the annual egg take operation, including 95 fish over 40 inches and several over 50 inches. According to Region 9 Fisheries Biologist Justin Brewer, this is the highest number of muskies handled on record since the DEC instituted a standardized netting for the collection of eggs in 1978.
Photo by the New York State DEC
