Sunfish and Crappie Management in New York

Sunfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, and redbreast sunfish) and crappie (black crappie and white crappie) are widespread and abundant throughout New York and are very popular with anglers. These species generally provide harvest-based fisheries and there is concern that current harvest regulations could result in overharvest and lead to less than ideal size structures and lower quality fishing.

Draft New York Sunfish and Crappie Management Plan Assessment of Public Comments

A draft New York Sunfish and Crappie Management Plan was released for public review in January 2021. The draft plan included proposals for statewide fishing regulation adjustments as well as experimental fishing regulations for both species groups to manage select waters for larger fish (i.e., the Big Panfish Initiative (BPI)). A total of 180 public comments were received. An Assessment of Public Comments (PDF) was developed and summarized as follows:

Based on the feedback received, the Bureau of Fisheries feels that the statewide proposals for both sunfish (daily limit 25) and crappie (10 inches minimum size and daily limit of 25) are acceptable to the angling public at large and, although some anglers disapproved of the proposals, no information was provided to justifiably refute a shift to a more conservative approach. The comments associated with the experimental BPI for sunfish were similar and there appears to be fairly wide acceptance of trying to create some special opportunities to catch larger sunfish in select waters across the state. Although the overall feedback on the BPI crappie proposal was also positive, it was viewed less favorably than the other elements of the plan. The primary concern was it would unacceptably restrict the opportunity to harvest desirable size crappie, effectively turning these fisheries into primarily catch and release or "trophy" fisheries.

Next steps

Based on feedback received during the Public Comment on the Draft NY Sunfish and Crappie Management Plan, the Department is rescinding both the draft New York Sunfish and Crappie Management Plan and the BPI crappie proposal (12 inches minimum size and daily limit of 10) and moving forward with the following:

• Statewide proposals for both sunfish (daily limit of 25) and crappie (10 inches minimum size and daily limit of 25). Justification Brief for Statewide Sunfish and Crappie Harvest Regulation Proposals
  
  
• The BPI proposal for sunfish (8 inches minimum size and daily limit of 15) on the following 11 waters: Blydenburgh Lake (DEC Region 1), Lake Welch (Region 3), Canadarago Lake and Goodyear Lake (Region 4), Saratoga Lake (Region 5), Sixtown Pond and Red Lake (Region 6), Cazenovia Lake and Otisco Lake (Region 7), Honeoye Lake (Region 8), and Silver Lake (Region 9).
  
  
  • This 5-year experimental program will be evaluated according to the Big Panfish Initiative Study Plan (PDF) if proposed regulations are adopted.

• An assessment of crappie population age and growth characteristics to determine the potential of more conservative regulations to yield larger fish in the following 10 waters: Blydenburgh Lake (Region 1), Muscoot Reservoir (Region 3), Saratoga Lake (Region 5), Delta Lake (Region 6), Cazenovia Lake and Otisco Lake (Region 7), Waneta/Lamoka lakes and Honeoye Lake (Region 8), and Bear Lake (Region 9).

FENWICK FLOATER BUM 7 WT used to catch carp

Last time out I fished my  2 wt fly rod.  So today I brought my favorite fly rod; the Fenwick

Floater Bum.  It is a 6' 11" fiberglass rod designed for fishing large bass flies.  I like it because it fits

under most trees and it is a 7 wt fly rod, small but powerful.  This lake was dredged a few years

ago and stocked with bass and some small carp.  I've noticed that the little guys are starting to put on some weight.  They are about five pounds and fight like heck!

The Floater Bum is made for the Asian market and must be ordered from Japan.  If you enjoy

slow flex rods like cane and bamboo.  You will enjoy this three-piece rod.

 

Hooked two carp, landed one in small lake

This time out, I fished a custom, 11 foot, 4 pieces, 6 wt fly rod.  I've had this rod for a while now.

However, in an effort to reach some far away carp, when they are feeding on the lake's surface;

this rod is loaded with  Olympic Pennisula Spey Tactics fly line (300 grams).

What was once arduous efforts to reach fish is now just a "D" loop away.  I almost feel kind of guilty now.  Carp are still harder to come by but not simply too hard to reach.  Years ago, I fished a Beulah

switch rod to catch carp that seemed to be wary of my efforts to catch them.  This rod is about a

foot shorter than my switch rod.

Small fish must be in the water surrounding this island.

I hooked two really fiesty carp this afternoon.  But I lost one to a tippet that could not take the

 head-shaking tactics of the carp.  

 

My new 2 weight fly rod used to catch carp and catfish

I got a new 2 weight fly rod.  Ultralight fly rods can handle fish like carp.  Patience is a virtue.

I extend a courtesy to carp on their first long run.  I stand back and allow the carp to go as far as it

likes; within reason.  Never try to rush or bully the carp.  Let it go but have a basic plan on where it will be allowed to go and where the fish will be netted.  Always have a BIG net nearby when fishing for carp.  Whenever possible use your legs; move forward, backward, and sideways to control your fish.

Remember these fish have lots of power and energy.  Standing stationary is the quickest way to lose

control of the fish.

I caught a nice catfish too!
 

Catching carp at Hughes Lake

Note that this fish is missing scales due to the violence that occurs during spawning.

 

Carp on an old Browning 5/6 4 piece 8 foot rod Backpacker

I wanted to test the Peerless Bam semi-automatic fly reel.  The day was HOT!  Temperatures

were in the nineties.  

I used my very first fly rod.  A Browning Backpacker four-piece, 8', 5/6 graphite rod.

Numerous species of fish have been taken with this rod.  It is a plan fly rod.  No bells or whistles

just a fishing rod that allows me to catch fish.

The rod still takes fish.  But the reel has no real drag strong enough to slow down carp.

I was taken well into my backing before I could control the carp; which is a scary feeling, even for me!

 

Browning Backpacker Fly rod

This is a 5/6 ,4 piece, 8 foot fly rod which I've owned for years.  Reliable is the word which

comes to mind.