NY DEC have extensive stocking program.
1. I pass through Pulaski, NY two months ago, very famous for fall Salmon fishing called Salmon river, while I was vacationing, it is half an hour drive south of kingston, I just explored that area for future fishing possibilities. Locals told me the city stock Salmon, and trout up to 450,000 fingerlings last year. Until I read the first post, they stock even more number as stated on papers.
2. My friend who used to live near NY finger lakes region, constantly invited me to visit him and fish their local pond, he showed me articles from the local newspaper, where they will stock thousand of less than a lb size trout at a pond, then broadcast it for the public to come and fish their town. It was a good publicity, since the town gets busier during summer months and helped the local small businesses generate more sales. This was a yearly events.
3. NY DEC just drop their license fee this year, local residence only have to pay US$25 while non residence pay $50, it was US$75 last year. The license is also good from the month you paid and good for 12 months after. example july 2015-june 1016. SInce I fished Upper NIagara river, where most fish were American fish, the NY license was way worth the thrill we get fishing NY waters. I also try to fish NY waters every time I cross the border. SOmetimes, the grass is greener on the other side.
Sometimes I wonder, regarding excuses made by MNR in educating the public, that stocked fish release to the wild were not good for the environment. But there are just not enough fish for efficient fishing these days on many kawarthas lake due to over harvesting. Then the MNR does not have to do a lot more to replenish more fish to our lakes(after having collected way more fishing License money from new anglers entering the sport), since they promote wild natural reproducing fish. While Americans such as NY DEC, does not worry too much, as long as money invested gets a good return. Creating additional tourism and businesses to their state. They also have to compete against other neighboring state to generate extra income.
Other state like Maine, just got rid of their ocean shore surf fishing license few years ago, to generate more tourism business, and encourage others to fish their waters, it used to be $15 per year.
Another observation of mine regarding government not making sense in doing things right!(NOT FISHING RELATED), Road only gets patch up unevenly on purpose and never fixed flat right at North York POST ROAD's MOST AFFLUENT Neighborhood for decades. I was told by the residence, the city wanted to discourage affluent residence, who own expensive sport car, from racing speedily on their road. Whenever I pass through the area for a short cut to avoid traffic, the bumpy ride from patched up uneven asphalt was terrible. Imagine the property taxes they paid to the city, and they were told road only get patch UNEVENLY.... ,ON PURPOSE, for the reason to prevent speeders. What a big stupid excuse! How can affluent people get so naive and allow uneven road to thrive! Many times our government do things that makes partial sense!
More than 10 years ago, MNR used to stock Salmon fish at downtown Ashbridges Bay or many other smaller creeks., Salmon fishing was still great then. Not any more for the past 5 years. Only areas I heard of regarding continued stocking programs were at credit river, Port Delhousie, etc...). My friend at st catherines help release 75,000 fingerling trout this year. They would let the fish stay in a cage submerged at Port delhousie waters for at least 2 weeks, for the fish to get proper imprinting and to get used to the temp of water, before they eventually get release.
There is a conspiracy happening at this fishing sport!......... .30 years ago, I only own one mitchel branded flexible graphite rod and reel, with 15 lb mono line on tight drag, line only gets replaced when it got ran out. I landed a lot of fish using worm or jig on grubs. no need a lot of skill then, and no fishing forum to get involved with, since stocked fish were abundant then. I seldom got skunk too. Catching bass was everywhere then. I remembered landed walleye, more than bass, was a norm then when i rented a boat at lake scugog (when they used to stock them) and I just call them fish, since everyone was landing fish then. Now I own at least 15 rods and reel, thousands of dollars of lures, electronics, and a boat to maintain. Then many more hours time spend on line to learn. The more we learn, and buy new more advance fishing stuff, it seemed the more tougher fishing gets.
