Anglers eagerly await opener of walleye season

Saturday, May 7, has been circled on the calendars of many local anglers for months. It is the opening of walleye and pike season, an event that is eagerly anticipated by many anglers. Locally most of the fishermen will concentrate on walleye, a fish that is prized for eating. And the majority will focus their efforts on Oneida Lake which is arguably the best walleye fishery in the state.

The early spring and mild weather in March caused many walleye to complete their spawning runs fairly early. Personnel at the Constantia Hatchery which collects eggs and fertilizes them for stocking said that there was a healthy population of males netted but not as many females as they wanted. Perhaps the early spring and wa- ter temperature affected the timing.

Most of the veteran local anglers have made their plans for the opening weekend based on their journals or memory of openers under similar conditions. Typically, if they don’t find fish in the areas where

they start fishing they will head for deeper water.

Remember that the fish have spawned some time ago so the larger females will be back from the creeks although some smaller males remain upstream for a month or so. The majority of walleye spawn in the lake along shoals or shallower water. So starting near there and working deeper might be a good plan.

In past years Ted Dobs, who has fished and guided extensively on Oneida Lake, usually recommended checking Shackleton Shoals or similar area because there is spawning area with fish holding depths ranging from 8 to 30 feet deep close by. Once you find the depth they are biting at you can then go to your favorite spots at that depth.

Remember you don’t need to simply find fish, but you need to find fish that are actively biting.

Some anglers prefer the 20-foot areas north from Sylvan Beach. Although there will probably be the usual flotilla of boats that fish the post spawn areas out in front of the Canal or the Oneida Creek bar in 10-15 foot depths, they will probably head for deeper water if the action is slow.

The Oneida Lake hatchery also supplies walleye fry and fingerlings to many other waters around the state. This is why we have a viable walleye population in many lakes and rivers that did not have any only a decade or two ago.

Some of the rivers where you can find good walleye fishing include the Black, Chenango, and Mohawk. Popular lakes for walleye are Lake Delta, Canadarago, Tupper and Otisco. Smaller nearby waters that offer walleye are Eaton- brook, DeRuyter and Redfield Reservoirs.

Good luck and let us know of any interesting stories or bragging sized catches.

Avoid ProblemsWith Bears

Bears are hungry after a long winter’s sleep. Since food is scarce they are often on the move to areas beyond their normal home range. Many people saw on the news last week that a bear which had previously been tagged and relocated ended up in Cortland. After being tranquilized and falling from the tree, the bear died.

The DEC has issued guidance on how to prevent negative encounters with bears. Nearly all negative bear encounters in New York are the result of hungry bears being attracted to human food sources. The simplest way to avoid a problem is to remove potential food sources, which usually results in the bear moving on

hey may travel long distances to preferred habitats. Bears often pass through developed areas to find these, and they often find human foods readily accessible if homeowners do not take necessary precautions.

Not every bear that passes through a developed area is a problem bear, but readily available human food sources can quickly turn them into one. Bears can obtain all of the food they need from the forest but they are intelligent and opportunistic animals that will find and consume whatever food they can find most easily. Bird feeders, garbage cans, dumpsters, barbeque grills, unsecured out-buildings or vehicles containing food or waste are all potential attractants to bears.

Once a bear learns to obtain food from people or certain structures, it is very difficult to change the animal’s behavior. These bears are more vulnerable to motor vehicle collisions in populated areas, more likely to be illegally killed or may become a threat to public safety.

In some cases, DEC is asked to relocate these bears. However, bear relocations are rarely effective at solving the problem and can be dangerous. Relocated bears often return to their original capture site, or may simply continue their bad habits at a new location. Additionally, if the circumstances that led to the original problem are not corrected, other bears may be attracted to the site and the human/bear conflicts will persist.

It is dangerous and illegal to intentionally feed bears. The incidental, indirect feeding of black bears, such as with garbage is also unlawful. Occasionally a bear becomes so habituated to human environments and conditioned to human foods that its behavior creates a clear threat to public safety and property. In these cases the DEC will respond and “send the offending bear to that big dumpster in the sky!”

It is in the best interest of both bears and people for bears to get their food solely from wild sources. Perhaps the DEC should confront people who deliberately or carelessly leave food out for bears and Taser them!

SHORT CASTS

Oneida Lake Walleye Derby: You can sign up at many retail outlets around the lake until midnight Friday night, May 6. Weigh stations include Bartel Road Bait and Tackle and Fremac Marina in Lakeport. This year the first prize based on length will be $1,500. Close to $20,000 in cash and other prizes will be handed out. The Derby will be on Saturday, May 7 and end at 3p.m. on Sunday, May 8. Learn the Sport of Fly Fishing: Sponsored by Trout Unlimited, Madison County Chapter 680. There will be four sessions, held every Wednesday from May 4-25 from 6-8:30p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, . 204 Genesee St., ChittenangoT (next to the public library). Learn about fly rods, lines, leaders, hooks, flies, fly fishing knots, how to cast, where to find fish. All materials will be provided. All attendees will receive a 1-year membership in Trout Unlimited (a $35value) and the book Fly Fishing Tactics (a $7.50 value). For more information, or to sign up call Shaun LaVancher at 315-436-9432 or visit www.tu680.org. Great Swamp Conservancy: The Spring Migration Festival will be held May 7-8from 10a.m. until 4p.m. There will be a birds of prey show, wildlife artists and crafters, children’s games, food music, nature walks and much more. Call 697-2950 for more information. Babesiosis: Some people have heard of the newest deadly disease carried by deer ticks, Babesiosis. It is carried by about 10percent of deer ticks and destroys your red blood cells. We will have more information on this disease and precautions in the near future. In the meantime, if you have any strange flu-like symptoms seek medical treatment immediately. Vernon National Shooting Preserve Events: The next corporate shoot will be Thursday May 19, then June 16. Weather cancellations will be made on day of shoot, if needed, by noon. Saturday May 7– Pistol Course starting at 9a.m. The course is $50. Those interested in taking the NRA Basic Pistol Course should contact Art Coriale at 315225-3245or email him at artcoriale@roadrunner.com. Tuesday May 17– First Night of Summer 50Bird League (There are 10weeks of scores, 13weeks to complete) Sunday May 29- 8th annual Veteran’s Benefit Shoot. Includes 100rounds and barbeque. Registration will be up on the VNSP website and on www.winscoreonline.com, call or email the pro-shop for paper registration.