DEC Launches Second Year of River Creel Survey on the Saranac and Boquet Rivers

[nyangler.com staff]

Overview​

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the start of the second year of its River Creel survey. This survey, focused on the Saranac and Boquet rivers—tributaries to Lake Champlain—runs from Sept. 15 through Nov. 30. It forms part of the larger effort to assess and restore Atlantic Salmon populations in these waterways.

Purpose of the Survey​

The primary goal of the River Creel survey is to provide DEC fisheries biologists with a deeper understanding of angler use, catch rates, harvest data, and overall angler expectations. These findings will contribute to a bi-annual survey that monitors the salmon fishery and informs future management actions on the Saranac and Boquet rivers.

The 2023 survey was a pilot program, and this year's survey will build on that groundwork to establish a long-term monitoring system.

Survey Details​

Dates​

• Survey Period: Sept. 15 - Nov. 30, 2024

Focus​

• Atlantic Salmon Spawning Runs on the Saranac and Boquet Rivers
• Angler Feedback: Information collected will help refine future fishery management plans.

Angler Participation​

Anglers fishing on these rivers are encouraged to voluntarily participate in the survey by providing information about their fishing experience. The data collected will include:

• Target species
• Number of fish caught and harvested
• Satisfaction with the salmon fishery
• Optional Biological Data: If allowed, biologists may also collect biological data from the fish, such as:
  • Fish length
  • Presence of fin clips
  • Number of sea lamprey wounds
  • Genetic samples

Survey Locations​

Saranac River​

• Green Street Angler Access Site
• Fishing Pool Below Imperial Dam (City of Plattsburgh)

Boquet River​

• Stretch from Willsboro Boat Launch at Gilliland Park
• Fishing Pool Below the Cascades

Survey Results and Reporting​

A report on the 2024 survey will be made available in Spring 2025 on DEC’s website. If you're interested in reviewing last year’s data, the 2023 pilot survey report is also available online for public review.

Key Takeaways​

• The DEC is launching its second River Creel survey on the Saranac and Boquet rivers from Sept. 15 through Nov. 30.
• The survey aims to gather data to better manage and restore Atlantic Salmon populations.
• Anglers are encouraged to participate and provide valuable feedback to help inform fishery management actions.
• Biological data from the fish will be collected if anglers agree, contributing to long-term conservation efforts.
• A full report on the 2024 survey will be released in Spring 2025.

By participating in this survey, anglers can play an important role in the conservation and management of the salmon fishery in New York’s rivers.