New York Mixed Bag: Weather events force Canal Corps to open waterways in phases

Lockport, N.Y. — The New York State Canal Corporation recently announced that the New York State Canal system will open in phases this season due to severe weather that has necessitated a delay in the full opening of the waterway on the same day this year.

Significant rainfall throughout the end of April and early May created high flows and unsafe conditions along the Eastern and Central Erie Canal, Champlain Canal, and Oswego Canal. As a direct result of those storms, infrastructure along the Erie Canal in the Mohawk Valley sustained damage that must repaired to ensure safe navigation – an essential part of maintaining the canal’s more than 100-year-old infrastructure in 2025.

On May 16, the Erie Canal west of Lock E-17 (Little Falls) through Lock E-22 (New London) opened, as did Erie Canal Lock E-28A (Lyons) through Locks E-34/35 (Lockport).

The Erie Canal between Lock E-16 in St. Johnsville and Lock E-17 in Little Falls will remain closed to navigation until further notice. Canal Corporation employees and contractors are performing critical repairs to Canal infrastructure that sustained damage during the recent weather event.

For updates on canal openings, visit: www.canals.ny.gov/News.

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DEC Reminder: Bass Season Remains Closed In Some Northern N.Y. Counties

Ray Brook, N.Y. — DEC reminds anglers that although there is a catch-and-release bass fishing season in parts of New York, the season remains is closed from Dec. 1 through June 14 on all waters in St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Franklin and Hamilton counties. This includes Lake Ontario (in Jefferson County) and the St. Lawrence River.

Targeting largemouth and smallmouth bass, including catch and release, is prohibited until the season opens on June 15. Anglers in these counties should consider switching their fishing technique/lure or moving to another spot if they find they catching bass while targeting other species.

DEC Fisheries Bureau Chief Steve Hurst said that “Although broader discussions have taken place regarding the need to re-examine our statewide black bass management, we currently have no plans to change the black bass regulations associated with Franklin, Hamilton, St. Lawrence and Jefferson Counties.”

Annual Foothills Challenge Trap Shoot Set For June 1 In Washington County

Hudson Falls, N.Y. — The Hudson Falls Fish & Game Club, in Washington County, will once again hold it’s annual Foothills Challenge Trap Shoot, an event coordinated by the Southern Adirondack High School Clay Target Association. This year’s event will feature 230 competitors from 25 regional high schools, who are in good standing with their respective school’s clay target teams.

There are multiple classes for individual competitors and teams compete for the coveted high score award. There is no charge or entry fee or target fee to the student athletes and schools competing. This year’s event is being underwritten by a grant from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services via the Washington County Youth Bureau.

DEC, NDA Plan Habitat Work Day at Rattlesnake Hill WMA Aug. 2

Nunda, N.Y. — To improve local habitat for white-tailed deer and other wildlife, DEC and the National Deer Association (NDA) are seeking volunteers to join in habitat improvement day on Aug. 2 at the Rattlesnake Hill Wildlife Management Area in Livingston and Allegany counties.

There will be staff from both agencies on hand to answer questions about the property and provide information on the importance of improving our public lands and the work being done by both agencies.

The work will involve cutting sapling non-oak trees and understory vegetation in select areas to nurture the growth and survival of young oak trees. Volunteers should wear work gloves, long pants, and boots and bring loppers and pruning saws (non-motorized). Lunch will be provided.

For more information, and to register for the event, visit here, or email: megan@deerassociation.com.

DEC Collaborates With Ducks Unlimited At Upper And Lower Lakes WMA

Canton, N.Y. — DEC and Ducks Unlimited recently announced the completion of a major dam rehabilitation project at Upper and Lower Lakes Wildlife Management Area in St. Lawrence Counties. The area will be open for the 2025 waterfowl hunting season.

Throughout the spring and summer of 2024 there was limited access during a water drawdown and the rehabilitation project. The drawdown was necessary to protected specific wildlife species and create safe access for workers. The new water control structure allows for better water level management of 2,413 acres to benefit migratory waterfowl, marsh birds, furbearers, and a host of many other wildlife species.

The WMA contains 8,727 acres and is in the towns of Canton and DeKalb, St. Lawrence County. The WMA is known for migratory waterfowl hunting, which draws hundreds of sportsmen and women each year.

Roughly half of this WMA is made up of a large wetland complex and is among the most extensive in St. Lawrence County. It provides important habitat for marsh birds, waterfowl, and aquatic furbearers and is located on an important waterfowl migration route between eastern Canada and the Atlantic Coast.