ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) - State officials are encouraging residents and visitors to explore the great fishing opportunities that are available on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.
The Department of Environmental Conservation reports "record-breaking" fishing continues on those bodies of water, with the potential to catch huge fish from a wide variety of species.
Great Lakes Fisheries section head for the DEC, Steve LaPan, says Lake Ontario is one of the best places to fish in North America -- or even the world.
“And that's not an understatement,” he said. “It offers the opportunity to fish for a wide variety of species that all have the potential to reach trophy-sizes.”
A DEC press release reports that in other high water years, like 2017, the fishing was first-rate, especially with Chinook and Coho salmon, rated in angler assessment surveys as the highest in decades.
Lapan maintains there are other factors that are responsible for the great fishing like consistent and normal winds, water temperature, and stocking programs can determine if fishing is going to be good. And so far it has this year, especially for trout and salmon.
“Really there is no correlation with the high water and the great fishing," he said.
With the high waters, the DEC also reminds boaters to be safe as high waters can change the characteristics of people's usual boating areas and they should be cognizant of their surroundings, and fast-moving water.