The volunteer angler diary program is a tool used to evaluate specific fish populations and management actions. Diary data can be used to estimate and monitor catch rates, harvest rates, the contribution of stocked and wild fish in some cases, or performance of different species or strains. It can also reveal changes in the length- frequency distributions of monitored species and fish community structure.
It is important that the information you provide in the diaries is accurate. Please record every fishing trip, even if no fish were caught. Fill out all information for each trip.
Number of Anglers: if fishing alone, enter "1". If fishing with another angler cooperator who is keeping his or or her own diary, each of you should enter "1". Otherwise enter the number of anglers in the boat or party who are being included in a trip report.
Trip Date: Select date of the fishing trip.
Area Fished: Select North Basin, Narrows, or South Basin.
Type of Fishing: Check the box for the type of fishing that applies to this trip.
Total Time Spent Fishing: Record the total time, to the nearest quarter-hour, that you spent fishing. Exclude time taken for breaks in your fishing day. For instance, if you fished 2.25 hours before lunch, then an additional 1 hour after supper, write 3.25 in the space.
Target Species: Check the box to the left of the species you are targeting: Lake trout, Bass (Largemouth or Smallmouth bass), Northern pike, Yellow perch, White perch, Sunfish (Pumpkinseed or Bluegill), or Bullhead. To the right of the target species checked, record the amount of time spent focusing on that species. For instance, you may have cast for bass for 2.25 hours, then switched tactics and trolled for pike for an hour. Write 2.25 in the space to the right of Bass, and 1 to the right of Northern Pike.
No Fish Caught Today: If you did not catch any fish (kept or released), check this box. However, do record all other data requested before this line.
Species: Use the dropdown to select the species you caught
Total Length: Measure all fish from tip of snout to tip of tail, to nearest ΒΌ inch. Tail should be pinched straight to achieve maximum length. Fish released should be measured quickly and returned to the water.
Kept or Released: Check the appropriate box in the columns to the right of 'Total Length' to indicate whether you kept or released the fish.
Personal Notes: Use this space to record information about this trip for your own use, or to clarify any of the items mentioned above.
Please examine any lake trout caught closely to check for deformed or missing fins which may have been removed for special studies conducted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). More than one fin may have been removed, so check both sides and back of each fish. The diagram below shows the names of the fins and where tags may be located.
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