A return of native Atlantic salmon

Major streams such as the Salmon River and Fish Creek earned their names from the Atlantic salmon.

Early white settlers in central New York in the late 1700’s marveled at the sheer numbers of salmon that ran up the tributaries and lakes of the area. Early chronicles describe streams “so clogged with fish that it almost seemed that a person could cross the river on their backs.” While we know that many tales of that time were prone to exaggeration, it is true that there were huge runs of Atlantic salmon at the turn of the century. Major streams such as the Salmon River or Fish Creek earned their name from the runs of Atlantic salmon.

Native Americans established fish camps at areas where they could build weirs and trap or spear fish by the thousands to dry and smoke for their winter food supply. Oneida Indians had a fishing village at the junction of the East and West Branch of

Fish Creek near present day Blossvale.

By the early 1800’s a number of dams on the Oswego and Seneca Rivers spelled doom for the salmon runs. Overfishing and pollution put an end to the smaller runs and by about 1850 Atlantic salmon vanished from Lake Ontario. In the 1980s NYS sporadically stocked some Atlantic salmon in Lake Ontario as part of their salmonid stocking program for Lake Ontario with limited success.

Atlantic salmon are a different species from the Pacific salmon such as the Chinooks and Coho that the state stocks extensively in Lake Ontario now. Pacific salmon die after they spawn in the tributaries. Atlantic salmon also travel to tributaries to spawn but do not die after spawning.

Atlantics normally spend their adult life in the Atlantic Ocean but can be acclimated and spend their time in large bodies of water such as Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes, or Oneida Lake. Genetically, the landlocked salmon found in some Adirondack lakes or Finger Lakes are the same fish but over the centuries became acclimated to fresh water when their access to the sea was prevented by geological upheavals or other changes.

The Fish Creek Atlantic Salmon Club (FCASC) is a dedicated group of anglers and conservationists who dreamed of returning the Atlantic salmon to their ancestral waters like East Branch of Fish Creek. They purchased salmon fry and placed them in various locations in Fish Creek. After an electro-shocking by DEC biologists found the stocked fish alive and thriving, Margaret Murphy, a fishery science major doing field work for her PhD became interested.

Murphy and the club members worked together over the next few years to determine the survival of salmon. The FCASC contained many dedicated and talented members and they decided to raise and stock Atlantic salmon. For a few years, they would order eggs from a hatchery in Maine, raise them at a private hatchery in the Catskills, and with DEC permission stock them in Fish Creek.

The club then built their own modest hatchery near the East Branch of Fish Creek near Point Rock. The experiment was a success but it required club members to visit the hatchery every day on a rotating basis throughout the winter until June to take care of the fish and the tanks. In addition to the distance, there was the problem of driving through the snowbelt in winter months.

For the past few years they have operated a hatchery in McConnellsville on the West Branch of Fish Creek, thanks to the efforts and generosity of Greg Harden. Over the years there have been problems and challenges but the diversity of talent and the dedication of club members have managed to overcome them.

Throughout the past two decades the club has continued to stock salmon fry in suitable waters. They typically stock 35,000 fry each year. The state tests for disease and fish have to remain longer in the tanks so this limits the number that they can raise.

All of their efforts have produced results. People are catching Atlantic salmon through the ice on Oneida Lake, and large fish are frequently caught in Fish Creek and its tributaries. Unfortunately a lot of people do not report them to the club to help them get a handle on success.

Probably a lot of people do not realize that they are catching Atlantic salmon. A few years ago I met an angler near Camden who complained that the “stock trout didn’t have any color.” When he showed me the fish, I had to explain to him that they weren’t trout, they were Atlantic salmon.” Although they are similar in shape and looks to trout, they are silvery in color, with a darker gray back and some black spots on the upper half of the body.

Personally, Atlantic salmon (or landlocked salmon) are one of my favorite fish. They are exciting to catch and put up a great battle. I can still vividly recall the fun and show that they produced whenever caught on light tackle. Gray and purple streamers such as the Grey Ghost or thin wobbling spoons like the Mooselook Wobbler are two of the most successful lures for enticing them.

Legal size of Atlantic salmon in inland waters is 15 inches. Naturally the club hopes that anglers release salmon in the Oneida Lake watershed unharmed to aid in the restoration efforts. However, they would like people to report any catches by calling Tom Schneider at 315-699-7942 or Paul Miller at 315-337- 4079.

The FCASC meets monthly at the Camden Rod & Gun Club on Moran Post Road. Their efforts are financed by dues, a yearly raffle, and donations. Call either of the gentlemen listed above for more information.

Although the 35,000 or more fish that the club stocks is not enough to establish a self-sustaining population, it does provide a sizable number of these fish for a quality fishery in their native habitat. Equally important is the club’s impact in educating the public on the importance of a healthy, clean environment and creating an awareness that a native species can be restored to its original habitat.

For all their efforts and the success of these achievements we all owe the members of the Fish Creek Atlantic Salmon Club a debt of gratitude. In a time when our sports and the environment are threatened on a number of fronts, it is great to see the return of a native, especially one as noble as the Atlantic salmon.

SHORT CASTS

Youth & Women’s Goose Hunt: Sportsmen’s federations and the National Wild Turkey Federation are combining to offer a special youth hunt to youngsters, or women, who otherwise do not have the opportunity to learn goose hunting techniques. There will be a Safety Day on September 22, following by hunting with a mentor or ECO on September 23. Participants must have a small game license, HIP number, and a federal migratory bird hunting stamp if they are 16 or older. If interested, call Scott Faulkner (315-225-0192), Steve Lakeman (315-734-0648) or Ric Grisolini (607-316-2574). Space is limited, so be sure to register early.

Hunting Season Preparation: With the opening of various hunting seasons just around the corner, it is time to check your gear, upgrade your equipment, and make sure that you have proper ammunition and cleaning supplies. Locally you should stop in at Gunworks of Central New York located on Route 31 near Verona for any gunsmithing, supplies, or even cleaning. Don’t wait until the last minute to have any repairs or adjustments made, or even to stock up on ammunition or other supplies.

Otis Technology: For gun-cleaning kits and supplies, your gun deserves the best. For me, this means Otis products. The Lyons Fallsbased company is known for quality and innovative products. Now it has gotten even better with some newly designed kits which we will review in another column soon. It has also purchased the Venco/ Shooter’s Choice brand of solvents, cleaners, and lubricants which have long been recognized as the top of the line. More on this in the very near future.