Illinois Outdoor News Fishing Report – June 29, 2018

The fishing and hunting report is compiled using reports from conservation officers, hunting guides and fishing guides.

North

Chain: The walleyes are really starting to turn on all over the Chain. Jig and minnow combinations or spinner rigs with nightcrawlers are the best producers. Strong reports of good panfish have been coming in. Small ice jigs under a float or bobber. The shallow portions of the bays seem to be producing quite well. Bass have been hitting Rattletraps fished in the shallower areas as well as slow rolled spinnerbaits near the bottom. Look for the inside edges of weedbeds that are good transition points between cover and their spawning areas.

Braidwood: Catfish are being caught on bottom rigs tipped with crawlers or other cut bait. 

The largemouths are slowing down but are still being found on the secondary drop-offs with large profile baits like a jig and pig or by fishing the shallower areas bouncing a crankbait or spoonplug off the rocks and the bottom. 

Always keep an eye on the flags at the launch, as they will give you an indication if it is safe to be on the water and when you should take caution. Green is good, yellow is caution, and red is dangerous.

LaSalle: The lake has begun to slow down for both the boat and the shore angler. Shore anglers have been catching the occasional hybrid stripers on chicken livers. Blue cats are also being caught on live bait or crankbaits. The boaters have been catching multiple species trolling crankbaits near the rip-rap as well as working some of the deeper structure that is in the lake. Smallmouth and largemouth bass as well as the occasional walleye can and are being caught on rattletraps and bladebaits. The fish are pushing down to the sections near the dikes where the rock meets the mud bottom. Carolina rigging smaller sized plastics as well as drop-shotting can be very productive. Wacky-rigged senkos have been putting a number of bass in the boats as well.

Heidecke: The hybrid stripers have been taken by shore fishermen on chicken livers and by boaters trolling cranks or casting the riprap. The walleye bite is picking up with some large fish being taken on live bait or by trolling spinner rigs with nightcrawlers. White bass and yellow bass will also come while trolling the spinner rigs. Cast the rip-rap with crankbaits like a Rattletrap or other tight wobble baits. These will often produce a reaction strike that can help put more fish in the boat. There have also been reports of the occasional muskie being caught. Take caution as the water is up and this means that the bridge to go under to the north side is too low and you risk damage to your rig if you try to go under.

Lake Michigan: North harbors are experiencing the June lull. Few reports of limits are coming in, but the fish are still there. Cohos and a mix of kings and steelhead are reported. Flasher fly combos and magnum spoons in 80-100 feet of water. Boaters in the deeper areas are having better luck.

The south end is still showing good limits of coho and kings. Flasher/fly and brighter colored spoons have been top producers.

Good catches of smallmouths are being reported by those targeting them. The best producers are goby imitating jigs or dropshot rigs with 4-inch minnow style plastics. Jerkbaits are also showing some good action.

The shore anglers on Navy pier as well as some of the downtown harbors have reported some great catches of perch. Minnows on crappie rigs are doing best. The offshore bite has slowed down but if you can find the schools, you can get on some big fish.

South

Devils Kitchen: Bluegills are on and off the beds. Fishing has slowed slightly, but some anglers are still reporting good catches on crickets and wax worms.

Crab Orchard Lake: Crappies are still being found near the shore on shallow cover. Minnows and jigs are both effective. Bluegills are being caught in shallow areas. Some fish are still on the beds. 

Crickets and wax worms are the most effective baits. 

Catfish are being caught in good numbers on cut bait. Bass action has been good on a variety of baits. Jigs and spinnerbaits are the best bets.

Baldwin Lake: Catfish are the best bet. Anglers are drifting the middle of the lake with live bait, targeting flatheads. Bluegill anglers are still picking up fair numbers of fish, although size in small. Wax worms, meal worms and crickets are effective. Bass action has slowed.

Carlyle Lake: Catfish action is hot around the main lake rip-rap as fish have moved in to spawn. The best success has been on nightcrawlers, cut shad and stinkbaits. Crappie action has slowed somewhat as fish have moved into post-spawn mode. Minnows and jigs fished over cover in 5-6 feet of water are still producing some fish. White bass and sauger are being caught around the silos on the north end of the lake. Some nice sauger are being caught by anglers trolling crankbaits. In the tailwater, catfish are the best bet on cut bait, shad gut and stinkbaits. White bass action is also good on rooster tails, jigs and minnows.

Little Grassy: Catfish action has been outstanding. Anglers are catching good numbers of cats on nightcrawlers. Crappie action has also been good. Anglers are taking good numbers of big fish on minnows. Crappies are still being caught over shallow cover. Bluegill action has improved in the past week. Crickets have been the best bet. An 8.5-pound pass was caught by a bluegill angler this month. Bass action has been good on jigs.

Pinckneyville Lake: Largemouth bass have slowed. Bluegills are biting on worms in 6 to 8 feet of water. Crappies and catfish fishing has been fair.

Kinkaid Lake: Bass action has been good, particularly in the evenings. Good numbers of 3-pound fish are being caught around the islands on spinnerbaits and soft plastics. Crappies are a bit slower, but fish are still being caught in decent numbers. Most fish are holding in 4-6 feet of water and are being caught primarily on minnows. Bluegills are being caught in good numbers. Some fish are still on the beds. 

Wax worms and red wigglers are both effective. Catfish action remains steady in the late evenings, particularly on the north end of the lake on night crawlers. Muskie and walleye action has slowed with the heat.

Lake of Egypt: Bass action remains fair to good. Anglers are taking fish in the mornings and evenings on topwater baits. 

During the day, fish are holding in wood and weeds and can be caught on soft plastics and jigs. Crappie anglers are going to depths of 18 to 20 feet to catch fish. The best crappie action has been on minnows. Most bluegills have moved off the beds. Some fish are still being caught on wax worms and crickets. Catfish action is still slow.

Rend Lake: Crappies are rated excellent in brushy areas. Crappies are being caught at about two feet deep on quarter-ounce pink/white jigs and minnows. Other anglers are reporting success over cover in 8-11 feet of water. 

Catfish are also rated excellent on stinkbaits, leeches and large minnows. The mouths of creeks have been hot spots. Leeches have been effective in moving water. Bass are rated good around brushy cover in bays. Soft plastics and jigs have been the most effective baits. Bluegills are also rated excellent on crickets, wax worms, meal worms and red wigglers in the back of shallow necks. One hot spot has been near the rocks at the Sailboat Harbor bridge. White bass are good around the bridges and rip-rap.

Central

Newton Lake: Bass good. Crappies fair on minnows. Catfish good.

Lake Bloomington: Bluegills are good and taking spinners off the seawalls; but most are under 8 inches. Catfish are good on dipbait and are taking jigs fished for other species off points. 

Walleye fishing is good on crankbaits, jigs and crawlers on points or deep flats and quarter-ounce chrome-and-blue Rat-L-Traps near the pump house. Bass fishing is fair. 

Lake Shelbyville: Bass picking up, but higher waters have slowed action. The crappies hitting minnows, shallows seem to be working best. Catfish are being caught on worms and shad at night.

Evergreen Lake: Crappies are moving shallow and biting early and late, but many are small. Evenings are best for keepers in the shallows. Channel catfish are good also, particularly at the mouth of Six Mile Creek Bay, the swim beach, the pump house and off the spillway. Saugeyes are good in the evenings in the same spots as the crappies. 

Hot spots include the dock just south of the boat rental and the boat rental dock. Bass are deep off main-lake points and humps.  

Clinton Lake: Walleyes, catfish and stripers are biting below the spillway. On the main lake, bass are fair on crankbaits, jig/grub and plastics on points and around cover with the west side being more productive. Bluegills are fair on wax worms in coves. 

Sangchris Lake: A few nice bass caught on spinners. Crappies biting on minnows. Bluegills and catfish hot on nightcrawlers and worms.

Lake Springfield: Bass good in the cool part of the lake, in the back and off of points. Most were caught on crankbaits, some 18 inches and bigger.

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Illinois Outdoor News Cuffs & Collars – June 29, 2018

Northwest Zone– Captain Laura Petreikis

In Henry County, CPO Posateri received a call from a witness saying he watched a man with a cast net take bass from the Hennepin Canal at the Colona Boat Ramp. She responded to the area, and the man was found to be in possession of four fish illegally taken with a cast net. Only shad, minnows, and crayfish can be taken with a cast net. The net was seized, and the East Moline man was cited.

In Scott County, CPO Wichern investigated a hunting accident involving a turkey hunter. The turkey hunter did not realize that he had been accidentally shot by another turkey hunter on adjacent property until two days after the fact. The hunter had his wife examine the spots on his neck and scalp that he believed to be from black locust thorns. His wife thought the spots were pellets, and he was taken to the hospital. Three copper-plated #4 shotgun pellets were removed from just under his skin. The hunter stated he had only heard one other shot the day he was hunting, and that shot came from an adjacent property. He admitted to hen calling approximately 15 minutes prior to the shot, but he did not see a hunter or any turkeys the rest of the day. Due to the thick cover and high ravines in the area, the incident has been deemed an accident.

In Sangamon County, while on patrol at an inner-city pond, CPO Macias noticed a subject fishing. The pond has a posted no fishing sign. When the subject saw the CPO looking at him, he quickly began to pack up his tackle and left the area. A short time later CPO Macias spoke to him, and he admitted he did not know that he could not fish there. He was issued a citation for no permission.

In Sangamon County, CPO Macias received several phone calls concerning a roadkill bobcat. He went to the location described by the complainant, and he found a dead female bobcat. It was determined the bobcat was struck by a vehicle earlier that day.

In Morgan County, CPO Macias went to Passavant Area Hospital to check on a hunter who was involved in an accident. The hunter was chasing a tom turkey and unknowingly crossed into another person’s property during the chase. As the hunter was stalking the bird, a separate hunter thought he was a turkey and shot him in the face, neck, and arms. He is expected to make a full recovery. Violations are pending.

In Morgan County, While investigating a hunting without permission complaint, CPO Wichern located a turkey hunter on an adjacent property. A field inspection of the hunter’s equipment and licenses showed that the hunter failed to purchase a 2018 hunting license and habitat stamp prior to hunting that morning. The hunter was cited for the violations and was instructed to purchase the proper licenses before going turkey hunting the next day.

In Jersey County, CPOs Gushleff and Goetten investigated tire tracks that were on a maintenance lane at Mississippi River State Fish and Wildlife Area. After walking the lane, damage to the trail due to the muddy conditions was found. The lane was posted as “Authorized Vehicles Only.” As the CPOs left the area, they observed a mud-covered SUV parked approximately a mile from the State site. The CPOs interviewed the residents, and they admitted to driving on the lane and getting stuck. They also admitted to taking another vehicle back there to pull the first one out. A citation was issued to one subject, and a written warning was issued to a second subject.

In Winnebago County, CPO Alt was inspecting shore fishermen along the Rock River at Fordham Dam when he encountered two subjects fishing. A compliance check was initiated, and one of the subjects was fishing without a license. During the inspection, the subject in violation provided a false name and date of birth prior to fleeing the scene. Once the correct information was obtained, CPO Alt leaned the subject was wanted on an armed and dangerous warrant from the Rockford Police Department. Additional warrants for arrest were sought by CPO Alt for unlawful fishing without a fishing license, obstructing identification, and resisting/obstructing a peace officer.

Northeast Zone – Capt. Brett Scroggins

In Kankakee County, CPO Farber received a TIP complaint from a concerned member of the Kankakee River Rats, a fishing/conservation group. The complainant advised he had located several fishermen along the Kankakee River illegally keeping smallmouth bass, and a description of the violators was given. On the Kankakee River, smallmouth bass must be released between April 1st and June 15th. CPO Farber was unable to locate the subjects at that time; however, four days later he located the subjects fishing in the same spot. While conducting a compliance check, the CPO located a stringer between the two fishermen with several smallmouth bass on it. An interview was conducted, and both men were issued citations for the violations.

In Cook County, CPO Thornley conducted fish enforcement of Cook County lakes, rivers, and streams. As he pulled into the parking lot of one of the lakes, he spotted two fishermen. When the fishermen spotted the CPO’s squad, they began to move items closer to their chairs. After several minutes, CPO Thornley approached the fishermen and conducted a fish compliance check. Each fisherman possessed a valid fishing license. When asked if they had any fish, they denied catching any fish. CPO Thornley requested they open their containers to inspect for fish, and he located three bass. When the bass were measured, it was determined all three bass were in violation for being too short. One fisherman was issued a citation for possession of short largemouth bass, and the fish were confiscated.

In Cook County, CPO Thornley conducted fishing compliance checks and came upon a fisherman who did not possess a fishing license. The individual stated he was 15 years old. When asked how he got to the park, he said he rode his bicycle. After further questioning, the individual confessed that he did not have a bicycle and the car located a short distance away was his. The fisherman then admitted he was 16 but did not possess a fishing license or driver’s license. The young man had to call his parents to come get him and the vehicle. A citation was issued for no fishing license, and the vehicle was turned over to his parents.

In Cook County, while on patrol in William W. Powers State Recreation Area, CPO Ausmus noticed an angler in hip-boots wading in the north pool of Wolf Lake. A fishing compliance check was conducted, and the angler was issued a written warning for wading where prohibited. In a separate incidence, he conducted a fishing compliance check of an adult male that was fishing. The Indiana man stated he thought it was a free fishing weekend and produced his smartphone with the Indiana DNR website. It was explained to him that it was indeed a free fishing weekend in Indiana, but he was in Illinois. He was issued a written warning and given instructions on how to obtain a nonresident fishing license.

In McLean County, CPO Graden investigated an abandoned vehicle complaint in Moraine View State Recreation Area. A 2001 Dodge pickup truck had been left on a Gander Bay campsite for several days. The registration had been removed, and it was emptied of all valuables. The key was left in the ignition. A VIN search identified the last registered owner, and she was contacted. She claimed the truck’s engine had “blown up,” and the vehicle not operable. She was given three days to remove the truck but failed to do so. The truck was towed. The registered owner was issued a citation for unlawfully abandoning a motor vehicle on public property.

South Zone – Capt. Jim Mayes

In Clark County, CPO Mieure completed an investigation on an out-of-state resident who had unlawfully taken a trophy buck. There were six Illinois violations (unlawful take of white-tailed deer, no valid permit, unlawful feeding of white-tailed deer, unlawful possession of wildlife taken illegally in the state, failure to tag deer upon kill, and failure to report deer harvest) and two Indiana violations. The case has been referred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service for federal prosecution for violation of the Lacey Act. A 17-point buck was seized and entered into evidence.

In Coles County, CPO Mieure responded to a call from Fox Ridge State Park staff regarding a Mattoon man causing problems in the campground and harassing park staff. CPO Mieure located the individual and issued him two citations for cutting trees on state park property and possession and consumption of alcohol in a prohibited area. A written warning was issued for destruction of trees on park property, and a civil citation for drug paraphernalia was issued after taking the man into custody and conducting a search of his person. The subject was transported to the Coles County Jail.

In Randolph County, CPO Schachner assisted CPO Sievers with locating and removing 33 illegal cannabis plants which were planted in several remote areas at a nature preserve. They then went to the Indian rock art and documented the new graffiti. An investigation into the graffiti is being conducted.

In Randolph County, CPO Schachner assisted CPO Sievers and two IDNR biologists with investigating a large reptile and amphibian kill (several hundred turtles) at a slough near the Mississippi River. They collected live and dead frogs and turtles for testing. The cause of death is not known at this time, but Ranavirus is suspected.

In Franklin County, CPO Lay completed an investigation of fishing without landowner consent. The two Franklin County residents were issued citations for fishing on private property without permission.

In Franklin County,  CPO Lay issued a citation to a Franklin County angler for fishing in the Big Muddy River without a license. The fisherman was initially called in as a traffic hazard while he fished from a road bridge south of Benton.

In Lawrence County, CPO Taylor conducted a timber truck inspection on a straight truck with 42 logs. The truck was pulling a trailer loaded with 18 logs. The driver did not have transportation paperwork and was issued a citation for proof of ownership. The truck and trailer license plate revealed the weight capacity for hauling was 36,000 pounds. It appeared that the vehicle and trailer were overweight. Portable scales were brought in to weigh the truck. The truck and trailer weighed 85,400 pounds. Illinois State Police arrived and issued the appropriate citation for being overweight.

In Perry County, CPO Lewis received a call from a recent theft victim. The person advised CPO Lewis he had seen his Yamaha outboard motor mounted to a boat being towed down the road. The towing vehicle and stolen motor were found parked at a residence. CPO Lewis confirmed that it was the motor that was reported stolen. The Perry County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation, and the motor was returned to its owner. Charges are pending with the Perry County State’s Attorney’s Office.

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Illinois Outdoor News Calendar – June 29, 2018

Season Dates

Aug. 1: Squirrel hunting season opens statewide.

Shows.

Sept. 30: Tebala Shriners Gun Show, noon-5 p.m., Tebala Event Center, Rockford. For more info call Doug McPherson, 815-997-7156.

Meetings

Happy Hookers Bass Club meets the 1st Tues. of every month, 7 p.m., Haydens Crossing. For more info call Jim Pattin, 815-513-5687.

Calumet Region Chapter Izaak Walton League meets 2nd Sat. 11 a.m., Dolton. For more info call Julie Osborne, 708-525-4051.

Chicago#1 Chapter Izaak Walton League meets annually in July at national convention. For more info call Wendy Reid, 708-895-0850.

Decatur Chapter Izaak Walton League meets 1st Fri. 7:30 p.m., Decatur. For more info call Jackie Wooten, 217-428-6403.

Kewanee Chapter Izaak Walton League meets 1st Tues. 7 p.m., Giant Goose Conservation & Education Center, Atkinson. For more info call Richard Gibson, 309-853-5245.

Des Plaines Chapter Izaak Walton League meets 3rd Thurs. 7:30 p.m., Des Plaines. For more info call Donald Johanson, 847-358-9023.

Elgin Chapter Izaak Walton League meets 1st Tues. 7 p.m., Elgin. For more info call William Jones, 847-742-3205.

Take Pride in America meets 2nd Mon. of every Month, 7 p.m., Crab Orchard Refuge Visitor Center. For more info call Ed Tresnak, 618-997-3344.

Frank Anetsberger Chapter Izaak Walton League meets Northbrook Civic Center, Northbrook. For more info call John Sundquist, 847-564-3266.

Geneseo Chapter Izaak Walton League meets 2nd Mon. 7:30 p.m., Geneseo. For more info call Victor Bianchetta, 309-944-6522.

Havana Chapter Izaak Walton League meets 3rd Sun. 1:30 p.m., Astoria. For more info call Dawn Butler, 309-241-7768.

Peoria Chapter Izaak Walton League Meets 2nd Tues. 6 p.m., East Peoria. For more info call John Purple, 309-681-4010.

Walter Sherry Memorial Chapter Izaak Walton League meets last Wed. 7 p.m., Wilmington. For more info call Cindy Campbell, 815-723-5065.

Woodford County Chapter Izaak Walton League meets last Tues. 7 p.m., Metamora. For more info call Candace Kleen, 309-696-0208.

Silver Creek Quail Forever. Meets 1st Tues. of the Month. 7 p.m. For more info call Pat Daniels, 618-566-8072.

Quad County Hunters Chapter of Muskies Inc. Meets March-May and July-Feb.  2nd Thurs. of the month, 7:30 p.m. For more info call Duane Landmeier, 815-286-7170.

Northern Illinois Anglers Assoc. Meets on the 4th Wed. of the month, 7 p.m., B.B.S.C. For more info call Sam Thomas, 815-953-1372.

Arlington Anglers meets the 3rd Tues. of every month, 6:30 p.m., Cabela’s Hoffman Estates. For more info call Tom Curtin, 312-560-9876.

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730 Acres of Millennia-Old Redwoods to Become Public Park

New York Outdoor News Calendar – June 29, 2018

Season Dates

July 15: Snapping turtle season opens

July 16: Oyster toadfish season opens

Shows

Aug. 10-12: Cattaraugus County Trappers Association  Show, Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds, Little Valley, Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 8-5; Sunday, 8-3. For more info call Kevin Parker, 716-474-7251.

Aug. 12: Midstate Arms Collectors & Shooters Club Unadilla Gun Show and Flea Market, Unadilla Rod & Gun Club, Butternut Road, Unadilla, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For more info contact Sandy Ackerman Klinger at 607-748-1010 (1-6 p.m.).

Aug. 18-19: Rotary Club of Clayton Gun Show, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. For more info call Tom Neely at 315-767-5643.

Aug. 18-19: Elk Expo, Elk Country Visitor Center, Benezette, Pa. www.elkexpo.com for more info.

Sept. 15-16: New York State Arms Collectors Association Syracuse Gun Show, New York State Fairgrounds, Syracuse, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 9-3 Sunday. For more info contact Sandy Ackerman Klinger at 607-748-1010 (1-6 p.m.).

Sept. 15-16: Batavia Gun and Sportsman Show, Quality Inn & Suites and Palm Island Indoor Waterpark, Batavia. For more information contact Kurt Baumgaertner at 716-430-3133 or via email at KurtAB@protonmail.com.

Sept. 22-23: Niagara Frontier Gun Show, Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 9-3, Hamburg Fairgrounds, Hamburg. For more info call Bruce Johnson, 716-542-9929.

Oct. 7: Midstate Arms Collectors & Shooters Club Lisle Gun Show, Lisle Fire Co., Route 79 North, Lisle, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For more info contact Sandy Ackerman Klinger at 607-748-1010 (1-6 p.m.).

Oct. 28: North Eastern Arms Collectors Association Antique and Modern Gun Show, American Legion Hall, 22 Grove Place, Babylon, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For more info call Carly at 631-241-3299.

Nov. 4: Midstate Arms Collectors & Shooters Club Oneonta Gun Show, Holiday Inn, Route 23 Southside, Oneonta, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For info,  Sandy Ackerman Klinger at 607-748-1010 (1-6 p.m.).

Banquets/Fundraisers

July 21: Allied Archery Banquet, 5 p.m., at the club. For info call Mike Kurtowicz, 716-983-8544.

Aug. 7: Greene County Women’s League Fundraiser, noon, Coppertree Restaurant, Hunter Mountain. For more info call Rhonda Margiasso, 518-819-1249.

Aug. 18: CNY PF Sporting Clays Fundraiser,  9:30 a.m., Pathfinder fish & Game Club, Fulton. For more info call E. Puglliese, 315-263-6699.

Education/Seminars

(DEC has established a website where registration for sportsman education programs can be made online. To find a course near you, go to:

www.register-ed.com/programs/new_york

* * *

NY Shooter Supply Reloading Classes, 6 p.m., 1st & 3rd Tuesday. For more info call Matthew Musto, 518-456-6383.

* * *

Sept. 16: Women and Girls Instructional Rifle and Pistol Shooting Clinic, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Washington Hollow Rod and Gun Club, Pleasant Valley. For more information, contact Jackie Emslie at 914-475-4901 or via email at  jslie@earthlink.net.

* * *

Spider Rybaak’s Free Fishing Classes for Kids

July 7: Minna Anthony Common Nature Center, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (fishing with bait and lures); 1:30-3:30 p.m. (fly-fishing)

July 28:  Lake Neatahwanta, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Shoots

Sept. 29-30: Public Fall Shoot, Alabama Hunt Club, Alabama, N.Y. For more info contact Sam DiSalvo at 585-297-7747 or John Szumigala at 716-714-5514.

* * *

Whitney Point Sportsmen’s Association, Trap Shoot, Thursday evenings 6 p.m. For more info call George, 607-692-4843.

Archery

June 30-July 1: IBO NY State Championship Series, Guan Ho Ha. For more info call Rhit, 518-369-2957.

July 7-8: RBD Known Triple Classic (Third Leg), Seneca Lake Duck Hunters Association, Penn Yan. For more information call Dave Moravec at 315-374-2016.

July 8, Sept. 2: Kayaderosseras Fish & Game Club, 3-D Archery Shoot. 8 a.m.-noon. For more info call Jack Holton, 518-587-1321.

Tournaments/Contests

July 6-7: Lake Erie Big Dawg Walleye Tournament, Chadwick Bay Marina, Dunkirk. For more info call Mark Mohr at 716-998-9871 or go online to www.rayzorsbigdawg.com.

July 21: 8th Annual Sunset Bay Walleye Shootout. For more info call Don Ruppert at 716-416-3709 or go to walleyeshootout.com.

Aug. 3-5: Northern Chautauqua County Conservation Club 14th Annual Walleye Derby, Lake Erie. For more info call Zen Olow at 716-640-2776.

Aug. 25: Innovative Outdoors Walleye Challenge, Dunkirk Harbor, Lake Erie. For more info contact Jim Steel at 716-481-5348 or go online to lakeeriewalleyetournament.com.

Sept. 8: Kids Fishing Derby, sponsored by the Broome County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and Broome County Parks, Cole Park, Colesville Road, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For kids ages 1-15. For more info contact Bill Holmes at 607-797-6670.

Sept. 29-30: American Bass Association 2018 Championship Tournament, Mayville Lakeside Park, Chautauqua Lake. 

Special Events

July 6-7: Trapper’s Summer Rendezvous, Nichols Pond, Madison County. For more info call Tim Evans, 315-247-0285.

Aug. 25: Yates County SCOPE Political Education, Pig Roast, 3-6 p.m., Firemen’s Field, Penn Yan. For more info call Bill, 585-554-6868.

Sept. 8-9: 9th Annual Gathering of the Tribes Native American Festival, Brown’s Farm, East Greenbush, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more info go to the event’s Facebook page.

Sept. 22: National Hunting and Fishing Day Celebration, presented by the United Sportsmen Association of Rockland County, Congers Lake Park, Congers, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Meetings

Central New York Izaak Walton League meets last Tuesday of the month 7 p.m., Fayetteville-Manilus Rod & Gun Club, Manlius. For more info call Mark Matt, 315-420-9209.

Cortland Chapter Izaak Walton League meets last Wednesday of the month, 7 p.m., Homer. For more info call Robin Chernow, 607-849-6718.

Keuka Lake Chapter Izaak Walton League meets second Thursday of the month, 7 p.m., Branchport. For more info call Lorraine Jackson, 315-536-0539.

Rome Chapter Izaak Walton League meets second Thursday of the month, 7:30 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church, Rome. For more info call Arthur Fuhrman, 315-336-2460.

Utica Chapter Izaak Walton League meets monthly, MWP Arts Institute, Utica. For more info call Audrey Lewis, 315-853-1066.

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New York Outdoor News Fishing Report – June 29, 2018

Western New York

Lake Erie and harbors: There were still some walleye available at night in the near-shore shallows, but that bite is tapering off. The daytime action has been decent to good at mid-depth areas, including some limit catches. Out of Buffalo, anglers were catching walleye off the windmills in 30-40 feet of water. Productive methods include trolling with worm harness or stickbaits near the bottom, or by slow trolling (1 mph or less) with a bottom-bouncing rig and worm harness. From Sturgeon Point to west of Dunkirk, depths of 40-50 feet were good starting points. Depths around 40 feet off Van Buren Bay have been a hotspot. Worm harnesses or stickbaits run within 10 feet of bottom is a good tactic. Working the deeper edges of the walleye spawning structures is also worth a try.

Smallmouth bass were still biting well in the Lake Erie harbors and the catches are improving around the near-shore reefs and shoals. Good spots to try include Myers Reef, Seneca Shoal, Evans Bar and Van Buren Reef. Many smaller reefs, rock piles and humps will hold bass as well. Tube jigs, jigs with Twister Tails, deep-diving stickbaits, live minnows and crayfish are good bass baits. A drop-shot rig with tubes, plastics or live bait works well when fishing deeper waters. 

Lake Erie tributaries: There were still smallmouth bass in all of the Lake Erie tributaries, with best numbers in the larger streams. Cattaraugus Creek was in prime shape and was the best option.

Niagara River: Shore anglers can catch a variety of warmwater species at sites throughout the upper Niagara River. Catches of bass, yellow perch, white bass, sheepshead and sunfish are common at shore sites in late spring. Some walleye have been showing along Unity Island.

Surprisingly, there were still plenty of steelhead in the lower river and some boats have had double-digit catch days. Enjoy it while it lasts, as warming waters will push them back to the lake soon. A bottom-bouncing rig with minnow or flatfish lure works well for steelhead in the upper drifts. Decent numbers of smallmouth bass were available from Devil’s Hole to the Niagara Bar. Boaters can target bass by drifting with bottom bouncing rigs with tubes, plastics or flatfish lure or by casting towards shore with jerkbaits, stickbaits and spinners. Live shiners and crayfish are also good bass baits. Anglers were also catching some white bass on live bait, as well as the occasional walleye.

Lake Ontario and tributaries, harbors and piers: King salmon action remained strong, but fish were moving around, requiring a bit more searching. The better king bite has been between 80-200 feet of water from Wilson to Hamlin, on lures run 50 to 80 feet down. Spoons continued to get most attention, but some of the bigger kings (over 20 pounds) have hit flasher-fly combos. Off the Niagara Bar, depths of 200-250 feet of water has been productive. Anglers targeting kings were also catching some lake trout, coho salmon and the occasional steelhead or Atlantic salmon. 

At harbor sites, anglers can catch a variety of warmwater fish, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bowfin, yellow perch, rock bass and other sunfish. You never know what you will catch next.

DEC requests your help with recovering heads from coho Salmon caught in Lake Ontario in 2018. DEC biologists are comparing coho salmon stocking strategies by mass marking and/or tagging all stocked coho salmon in 2016-2018, and wild versus stocked coho salmon by clipping adipose fins in 2016-2018. For more information on data to include with coho heads and freezer locations for drop-off, see Coho Salmon Head Collection page on DEC’s website.

Chautauqua Lake: The walleye fishing continued to be quite good, with a few slow days mixed in. The best action has been tight along weedlines. Trolling slowly, at less than 2 mph, with worm harnesses has been effective. Cast or trolled stickbaits produce catches, as well. Muskellunge fishing has been fair along weedlines. Try trolling large stickbaits along weed edges or casting large stickbaits over weedbeds and retrieving toward open water. Largemouth bass were biting well around docks and around weedbeds. 

Central New York

Lake Ontario: Brown trout fishing continued to be good on the big lake, with browns being taken by trolling with stickbaits or small spoons in 20 to 40 feet of water. Chinooks and a few cohos were being taken in 100 to 150 feet of water. Lake trout were being found in around 120 feet of water.

Oswego River: Look for walleye in the river with large stickbaits. Sheepshead were hitting on crayfish. Tube baits or live crayfish would be good bait choices for bass.

Remember, the bridge to Leto Island is closed, and there are mandatory PFD zones on the river.

Salmon River: Fishing has slowed down, which is normal for this time of year.

Oneida Lake: Walleye action has slowed down some but fish were still being taken in 15 to 35 feet of water, with blade-style baits and bucktail jigs. Bass season has kicked off so expect more boat traffic as the tournament season will be starting. Many bass were still shallow but there were also some on the shoals. Plastics, bass jigs, crankbaits and topwaters would be good lure choices. Remember there are a lot of nice-sized pickerel in the lake so you may want to use a wire leader if throwing an expensive lure.

Sandy Pond: Some walleye and yellow perch were being taken.

Sodus and Irondequoit bays: Bass fishing has been good in the bays. Start shallow and move out deeper if not catching fish, try plastics, spinnerbaits or topwaters.

Finger Lakes/Southern Tier

Keuka Lake: Fishing alewives or white tube jigs near the bottom in 70 to 90 feet of water was producing lake trout. Some lakers were also being caught on small spoons trolled 40 to 50 feet down over 90 feet of water.

Seneca Lake: Some lake trout were being taken in 100 to 150 feet of water. 

Canandaigua Lake: Not hearing anything lately.

Cayuga Lake: Lake trout were being taken in 90 to 150 feet of water by anglers vertical jigging. Anglers trolling were doing better fishing in the 150- to 200-foot range. Look for largemouth bass on the north end with spinnerbaits, bass jigs or topwaters.

Skaneateles Lake: Fishing tube baits or drop-shot rigs along shore should produce some smallmouth bass, rock bass and maybe some perch. Look for lake trout 40 to 50 feet down.

Owasco Lake: Lake trout and a few brown trout were being caught by anglers trolling with spoons. Vertical jigging is also a popular tactic.

Otisco Lake: Bass were being taken in shallow water and around docks on stickworms (Senko-style baits) or jigs. Look for tiger muskies with stickbaits or large spinnerbaits. So far walleye action has been slow.

Whitney Point Reservoir: Slow trolling with worms around the Islands was producing some nice-sized walleye.

Chenango, Tioughnioga, Chemung and Susquehanna rivers: Try for smallmouth bass with topwaters or tube baits and look for walleye in the deeper holes with jigs or crankbaits. The rivers were in great shape at last check; maybe a little on the low side. If hot weather persists, fish the riffles in the more heavily oxygenated water.

Adirondacks

It’s a great time to fish the Adirondacks’ many lakes and ponds. We haven’t heard a lot from the backcountry brook trout crowd, but that’s typical of those tight-lipped anglers who don’t want to reveal their hotspots. Bass action should be excellent in the Saranac Chain of Lakes and other waters.

On Lake Champlain, tourney anglers connected on smallmouths and largemouths, and trollers were scoring on both lake trout and landlocked salmon.

The West Branch of the Ausable was in good shape, but keep an eye on water temperatures and give the fish a break if they approach 70 degrees. That said, cool nights have kept conditions just right for the trout. Stonefly patterns should bring up fish.

Long Island/NYC

Trophy striped bass continued to be caught off the South Shore, as evidenced by Suffolk Marine’s Striped Bass Tournament where the leaderboard was topped with two 50-pounders followed by a bunch of 40-pounders. As expected, the largest stripers have shown signs of moving east, with the biggest fish reported from Moriches Inlet to Shinnecock Inlet. These trophy stripers are feeding on the schools of bunker located in 30 to 60 feet of water. Not all schools held stripers, so the key was to work each bunker school until the stripers were found. In between looking for bunker schools, anglers did well trolling Mojo rigs with a combination of a bunker spoon and a weighted shad tail, or umbrella rigs and parachute jigs trolled on wire. The striped bass bite off Montauk has been spotty. Surprisingly, there were very few bluefish mixed in with the stripers in most areas.

The best reports of big bluefish came from the western and central Sound. Nonstop action was reported from anglers fishing the open boats during the night trips. Bunker chunks and diamond jigs all caught large bluefish.

Very good striper fishing was reported in the Western Sound, with schoolie to 30-pound plus stripers taking bunker chunks fished along the bottom and on trolled bunker spoons and Mojo rigs during the day. The night bite on bunker chunks and diamond jigs by boat anglers has been excellent. Fly rodders were reported very good fishing casting spearing imitations among the rocks on both sides of the western Sound.

There was a decent weakfish bite near Ocean Beach and a few of the deeper channels in the Great South Bay, including the State Boat Channel. The best action was before first light since boat traffic can be heavy in these areas, which quickly puts the weakfish off the feed. Bucktails tipped with squid strips or Gulp!, small diamond jigs as well as an assortment of plastic baits fished on a jighead and bounced off the bottom all produced weakfish between 2 and 5 pounds. 

There was still a good number of 4- to 6-pound fluke caught in Great South Bay, but they are moving their way from the shallower water into the deeper channels toward Jones and Fire Island inlets. There were plenty of fluke in and surrounding the inlets along the South Shore. The best tide was the incoming tide. The keeper to short ratio was about 1 in 10, and there are plenty of sea robins to wade through. Larger fluke were feeding under the schools of squid in the ocean between 30- and 80-feet of water, with a keeper to short ratio about 1 in 5. Overall the fishing was generally sporadic. The best baits remain the traditional spearing and squid strip combo, followed by tipped bucktails and plastic baits when the tides allow them to be fished effectively, typically from the last hour of outgoing tide through the first hour of the incoming tide as the currents are slower. Anglers fishing the shore on both the inside of the inlets and the adjacent ocean beaches did best casting bucktails and plastic baits on a jig head and bouncing them along the bottom as the current carried them down current.

Along the North Shore, the best fluke fishing was reported by anglers fishing 15- to 30-feet of water. Squid and spearing combo were productive, but the best action was generally reported by anglers bouncing bucktails off the bottom. There were a good number of reports of porgies mixed in the catch by anglers fishing baits. The best fishing was reported along the central portions of the North Shore.

The North Shore porgy bite remained excellent. There are plenty of smaller porgies with a mix of fish to 3 pounds being reported by anglers fishing nearly all the beaches using clams and sandworms. Larger porgies were reported by the boats fishing from Port Jefferson to Orient Point as well as in the Peconics and Gardiners Bay. Clams baits and clam chum remained the best combination. Excellent porgy fishing was reported off the northside of Montauk Point.

Scott Jeffery at East End Bait and Tackle reported that the Shinnecock Canal is still producing fluke but few keepers. The cocktail blues have been here and some keeper bass in the dark. The northern end has the porgies. The Shinnecock inlet has seen a few fluke during the day along with blues most afternoons and bass on bucktails in the dark. Also, anglers clam chumming the Ponquogue Bridge reported stripers to 36 inches.

There was very good reports of yellowfin and bigeye tuna caught by the New Jersey boats working the canyons as their water temperatures are a bit warmer than the New York canyons and shark grounds. A few sharks were reported harassing the bunker schools, mainly small makos. Bluefin tuna, blue sharks and makos should be caught with regularity from the 30-fathorm line out in the next few weeks.

The freshwater fishing for largemouth bass has been very good, especially in eastern Suffolk County. The best bite has been during first light and at dusk. Crankbaits, plastics and poppers have all been productive, with fish to 3 pounds reported. As expected, the panfish remained cooperative with bluegills, yellow perch and crappies all caught on small jigs, spinners and trout worms. There are reports of carp being caught by anglers fishing dough balls and corn in the larger lakes.

Guy Zummo 

flyfishguy@optonline.net

Capital District

Great Sacandaga Lake has been yielding some walleye on either side of the legal limit, but anglers were having better luck very early or very late in the day, especially on weekends when recreational boat traffic picks up.

Saratoga Tackle and Archery was set to launch its Tuesday night Bass Challenge tourneys on Saratoga Lake, but the initial results were not available at press time. 

Lake trout and smallmouth action was decent on Lake George, as anglers again fished early and late in the day to avoid the peak of recreational boat traffic.

Southeastern New York

The Pepacton Reservoir was yielding some brown trout for ambitious trollers (it’s a rowing game on the reservoir) but as water temps rise the fish will likely go deeper.

On Rondout Reservoir, smallmouth action was reportedly good. And Muscoot Reservoir is almost always worth a look for largemouths.

Catskills

Beaverkill and Willowemoc: Both rivers were low and clear and in decent shape for late June but warming at last look. Water temps need to be watched closely. Some large Olives were about in the morning, while evening hatches have been mostly spotty Sulphurs, some spinners and Caddis. Small nymph patterns have been effective. There were decent hatches most evenings. Insects can vary, but mostly it was spinners, Caddis and Sulphurs. There was a decent amount of surface activity and a fair number of different hatches both early and late in the day. Hatches have been dependable, with a variety of bugs including Gray Fox, Sulphurs, Olives and spinners. 

Delaware East Branch: Has fished well and was at a normal summer flow. It was wadeable at last check and actually an ideal wade level. It was too low to float. There were Sulphurs, Olives and late-day Caddis hatches. Like other rivers, the best dry fly fishing has been late day.  There were spinners in various sizes, as well as Caddis and small Olives (especially on cloudy days). There was also some spinner falls. Caddis were present most days, with most activity early and late. At this time of year, fishing is decent all the way to Hancock. 

Delaware West Branch: There were some spinners and BWOs in the morning and a reduced flow from Cannonsville would make for good wading conditions. There were a fair amount of Sulphurs as well as Olives and spinners and some decent Caddis activity. The river can be crowded at times, more so in its upper reaches  

Esopus: Was at a wadeable level.  The portal was closed. There were some Caddis and spinners. 

Neversink: Some late-day Olives and Caddis and some Sulphurs late day, as well. There has been some good Sulphur activity and small Olives. Cloudy days bring out the Olives. Late day seems to be most productive. The river needs rain. It was too warm to fish below Bridgeville. 

Delaware Main Stem: Was fishing well. There is a large variety of flies at times, usually late in the day. Look for Sulphurs, Isonychias and spinners. It has probably the best hatches but this is a moody river. This is a Caddis river with a good number of Caddis species. 

Summer fishing often means unpredictable hatches. At this time of year terrestrials and small nymphs are good choices.

www.catskillflies.com

Thousand Islands

St. Lawrence River: Take your pick right now: perch, bass or northern pike. The perch bite has been exceptional this year.

Black Lake: Much of the attention has now turned to bass, and top-water action may be picking up now. Fish early and late during the hot weather.

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New York Outdoor News Cuffs & Collars – June 29, 2018

(Editor’s note: A criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the state of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.)

Duck ID is key
(Suffolk County)

On Jan. 20, ECO Sean Rockefeller responded to a complaint of duck hunters shooting too close to homes near the Bayport Marina. Upon his arrival, Rockefeller observed three individuals hunting just off the shore in a small boat. One of the three hunters appeared to throw two ducks into the weeds. ECO Christopher Amato was called to assist and the officers approached and interviewed the trio. The ECOs asked what the hunters threw into the weeds. The hunters confessed that they had killed one scaup over their limit, as well as a second bird they could not identify, after Amato retrieved the birds. The ECO returned with both discarded birds, a scaup and a pie-billed grebe, which is a protected, non-game species. The three hunters were charged with taking ducks over the limit, one hunter was charged with unlawfully taking a protected bird, and two were charged with failing to wear a personal flotation device (PFD). All of the summonses were returnable to Suffolk County First District Court.

Security detail
(Seneca County)

On Jan. 20, Lt. William Powell and ECO Shawn Dussault assisted the Seneca Falls Police Department, New York State Police, and Seneca County Sheriff’s Department with a security and public safety detail at the 2018 Women’s March in Seneca Falls. More than 10,000 people participated in the event in the small village. DLE was requested to assist with a marked UTV, which proved to be the perfect tool for this detail. In addition to traffic and crowd control, the UTV was utilized to evacuate an injured woman from the interior of the crowd where traditional emergency equipment could not access. The woman was taken three blocks away to a waiting ambulance, which then took her to a local hospital for evaluation. 

Illegal alligator mount for sale (Westchester County)

On Jan. 21, ECOs Craig Tompkins, Chad Eyler, and Kevin Wamsley seized a 5-foot-long alligator mount listed for sale on Facebook. Wamsley had received a tip from a friend concerning an ad in New Castle advertising the alligator for $500. Wamsley communicated with the individual selling the alligator and set up a time to meet. The ECOs patrolled to the location at the agreed upon time and met with the seller. The seller was issued an administrative ticket for illegally offering the alligator mount for sale and the mount was seized as evidence.

A blatant violation
(Niagara County)

On Jan. 25, ECOs Jamie Powers and George Scheer were on patrol in Niagara County when they observed a truck transporting construction and demolition debris that was not secured or covered. As the ECOs followed the truck, the officers observed four pieces of wood fall off the vehicle. Once stopped, the driver of the vehicle stated that the debris was from a home remodeling project and that he was transporting it to the transfer station. The driver also said that even though he was not going far, he was not aware that covering the solid waste was required. The ECOs issued the driver a ticket for an uncovered load of solid waste returnable to Lockport City Court. 

Tidal wetlands permit violation
(Richmond County)

On Jan. 26, ECO Michael Wozniak met with George Stadnik of DEC’s Marine Resources to view a proposed building site along tidal wetlands on Staten Island. The owner of the property has plans and permits to build along the waterfront. However, after walking the property, the ECO noted that there had been several violations of the permit conditions. DEC issued a Notice of Violation to the property owner for clearing tidal wetlands shrub vegetation along the agreed upon buffer zone.

Small game, big problem
(Sullivan County)

On Jan. 21, ECO Tom Koepf received a call from the New York State Police barracks in Liberty regarding small-game hunters trespassing on a property in Liberty. Koepf responded to the location and met the troopers and the three hunters. One of the hunters said that they had been hunting the property on the side of the road where the complaint originated, and that he had taken a rabbit with one shot. The hunter also stated that after he fired, someone came out of a house nearby and began yelling that they were trespassing. The hunter led the officers down a power line, following his own footprints in the snow to show where he had fired. He then pointed to a location where he said he was standing when he shot, which was fairly close to several nearby residences. The two officers searched the area but were unable to find the spent shotgun shell casing, which seemed odd given the fact that there was undisturbed snow all around. Koepf contacted ECO Ricky Wood to ask for his assistance with K-9 Deming, as he wanted to verify exactly where the hunter had discharged his firearm. Wood arrived with K-9 Deming, but Deming was unable to locate any spent shell casings in the area. Wood began to work Deming in other areas along the power line and after a short time, Deming discovered three spent 20-gauge shotshell casings, which matched the rounds the hunter was using. The location was within 200 feet of the complainant’s home. When presented with the evidence, the hunter admitted to firing three shots from that location. The hunter was issued a ticket for discharging a firearm within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling, returnable Liberty Town Court. 

Out of season stripers
(Rockland County)

On Jan. 29, ECOs Melissa Burgess and Corey Hornicek patrolled Piermont Pier in Rockland County after receiving an anonymous complaint that striped bass were being kept during the closed season. Upon their arrival, the ECOs observed four male subjects fishing from shore. Hornicek interviewed two individuals who both possessed valid fishing licenses and found nothing amiss, while Burgess interviewed the other two subjects, learning that one had never possessed a fishing license and the other had an expired license. Both subjects claimed to have only been fishing for 20 minutes with no luck. After surveying the area, four illegal stripers were recovered. The subject with the expired fishing license admitted to catching one striper he had hidden under the ice. The subject without a license admitted that he had caught three stripers. The four striped bass were seized and the men were issued three tickets returnable to Piermont Village Court.

Doe taken out of season
(Erie County)

On Jan. 30, DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement was contacted by a man who witnessed two men shoot a deer out of a pickup truck in the town of Concord. A doe carcass was left about 60 yards from the road where they had shot. ECOs Timothy Machnica and Mark Mazurkiewicz arrived on scene and located the deer carcass and an open can of beer. The ECOs’ investigation led to two town of Concord men, who initially denied involvement. Two days later, both suspects came forward and gave statements to the officers, admitting that they had shot the deer. Each of the subjects was charged with illegally taking a wild deer, taking wildlife with the aid of a motor vehicle, taking wildlife from a public highway, possessing a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, and discharging a firearm on a public highway. The charges were returnable in Concord Justice Court, where both men faced possible penalties of up to $5,375 and revocation of their hunting privileges.

Too much luck fishing
(Essex County)

On Feb. 6, ECO Jeff Hovey was patrolling ice fishing activity on Lincoln Pond in the town of Elizabethtown when he spoke to a fisherman who had a large German shepherd with him on the ice. At first, all seemed to check out. The fisherman had a valid license, was using legal tip-ups, and showed Hovey several northern pike he had caught within the daily possession and size limit. The subject claimed that these were the only fish he had caught. However, Hovey heard flopping sounds coming from a bucket in the back of the man’s UTV. Inside the bucket the ECO discovered a largemouth bass and several more northern pike. The final tally of the fisherman’s catch was two yellow perch, eight northern pike, and one largemouth bass, resulting in Hovey issuing the fisherman appearance tickets for taking bass out of season and three fish over the five-fish possession limit for northern pike. 

A shot leads to an arrest
(Suffolk County)

On Jan. 21, ECO Tim Fay was en route to assist ECO Christopher Amato with a violation in the town of Brookhaven when he heard multiple shots coming from nearby woods. A quick call to Amato confirmed the shots were not related to his work, so Fay entered the woods to determine the origin of the shots. A short distance away, he observed a man with a long gun going into a trailer parked at a construction yard. Fay identified himself and asked the man what he was shooting at. The man stated he was shooting his .22 caliber rifle in a sand pit. Fay explained to the man that it was a crime to possess a rifle afield on Long Island, secured the rifle, and went with the man to the sand pit to see where he was shooting. DEC dispatch determined that the man had an active arrest warrant out of New York City and multiple felony convictions. Investigator Kevin Cummings and Amato responded to Fay’s location to assist as Fay arrested the man for possessing a rifle afield on Long Island and criminal possession of a weapon, both misdemeanors. The defendant was processed for the arrest and held overnight at the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department. The following morning, he was transported to Suffolk County District Court for arraignment and then picked up by the NYPD on the outstanding warrant. 

Junkyard piles and leaking parts
(Westchester County)

On Jan. 31, ECOs Dustin Dainack, Craig Tompkins, Chad Eyler, Kevin Wamsley, and Aaron Bonilla, along with Lt. Meg Filmer and members of the Mount Vernon police and fire departments, conducted a saturation detail focusing on auto repair shops and dismantlers. At one of the sites the team inspected, a vehicle dismantling yard, ECOs found mountains of engines and transmissions leaking oil, huge piles of lead acid batteries, waste tires, burn barrels of trash next to oil and gas tanks, and cars stacked haphazardly on one another. The ground was caked in mud and oil. Dainack issued five summonses to the business for failing to store lead acid batteries as required, failing to collect, store, and treat vehicle fluids as required, depositing noisome and unwholesome substances on a highway, open burning of solid waste, and failure to prevent solid waste residuals from migrating off site. In addition, the City of Mount Vernon Fire Department issued multiple fire code violations. Dainack and DEC staff will revisit the site to ensure it is cleaned and brought to compliance.

More than just antlers
(Richmond County)

On Feb. 4, ECOs Taylor Della Rocco and Mary Grose responded to a call from a member of the public who had been hunting for shed deer antlers with a friend on Staten Island when they found a camouflage blanket wrapped around a box of weapons hidden in the woods. Della Rocco and Grose located the plastic box, which was painted tan and wrapped in a camouflage blanket. It contained a paintball gun, multiple air-powered firearms, a small hand-held crossbow, a flare gun, several homemade knives, switchblades, and box of .22 caliber rifle rounds. The ECOs called the New York Police Department and turned the weapons over to be itemized and secured as evidence. The ECOs suspect that the owner of the items may have been hunting illegally in the area. The investigation will continue.     

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