The trout opening day of April 1 is not what it used to be. Driving around Sullivan County on the opening day of trout season and checking out many trout streams, it was very disappointing not to see many anglers out trout fishing.

Years ago, you would have seen trout fishermen all over the county on the opening day of trout fishing. Fishermen looked forward to getting out fishing, especially after the long winter. Many anglers looked forward to April 1, it was always the start of the fishing season for the whole year. 

The NY DEC decided to give anglers the opportunity to fish for trout year-round, and they extended the trout season that normally closed in November. The new regulation would allow anglers to fish for trout the entire year but had to release trout immediately when caught. From April 1 to November, trout anglers could keep their catch.

Many anglers believe trout should be protected, especially during their spawning ritual time. Now the opening day of the trout fishing season is not exciting anymore, it’s just another day to go trout fishing.

The NY DEC did the same thing to bass fishing. For many years the bass fishing season opened on the third Saturday of June and ended at the end of November. DEC decided to give bass anglers the opportunity to fish for bass year-round. Anglers could fish for bass after November but had to release their catch immediately, this is called “Catch and Release” fishing. 

The sad part is anglers could now fish for bass in the spring when they are spawning. Bass are now being pulled off their nest where they were protecting their eggs or young fry. It is a shame that now the potential spawn of hundreds of bass is being destroyed. 

Bass anglers looked forward to the bass opener in June, now it is just another day to go bass fishing.

Man Fined for Shooting a Bald Eagle!

A Western Pennsylvania man was sentenced in federal court for the fatal shooting of a mature bald eagle in Washington County, Pa.

The man pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and was given 2 years probation and 50 hours of community service at a bird or wildlife-related facility. He also was ordered to pay a $2,500 fine, and $9,800 restitution to the Pennsylvania Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Council. 

An eyewitness had alerted local police to the shooting after seeing an eagle fall from the sky onto a field and then watching a white SUV being driven away at a high rate of speed. State Game Warden Seth Mesoras stated that a camera at a nearby business captured a distant image of the vehicle and license plate number.