Bill Hilts, Author at Outdoornews

High water? Yes, but Lake Ontario is open for some great fishing

June 26, 2017

Fishing was great in the spring and good salmon fishing is still being reported in the month of June all along the south shore of the lake.

Fishing etiquette reminder, for lake or for stream

May 30, 2017

Bill Hilts

Respect your fellow anglers on the water and hopefully that same respectful attitude will be paid back to you.

New York’s world-class fishing: Let’s keep it that way

May 8, 2017

Bill Hilts

We need to treat New York’s waters with the respect that they deserve.

Young blood needed to assist with trout stockings

April 17, 2017

Bill Hilts

It’s all about giving the future generation (and anglers of all ages) the knowledge they need to learn something new and spend more time outdoors.

We need to clean up our act: If you carry it in, carry it out

March 29, 2017

Bill Hilts

The next time you take a hike, fish a stream or hunt a forest, take along an extra bag and pick up some trash.

Gulf Coast fishing opportunities make for a great winter road trip

March 6, 2017

Bill Hilts

As we grow older, more and more people I know have opted to head south in their “golden years.”

Western New York brook trout on the rebound

February 13, 2017

Bill Hilts

When many anglers think of brook trout in New York, they automatically think about the Adirondacks. This colorful char, also recognized as our state fish…

Time to assist conservation officers in helping enforce hunting/fishing laws

January 31, 2017

Bill Hilts

It’s time to lend a hand enforcing the fish and game laws in New York! Not physically taking matters into our own hands, but becoming more pro-active in being the eyes and ears for DEC’s environmental conservation officers

Ice fishing segment within Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo Jan. 20-22

January 16, 2017

Bill Hilts

Ice fishing season has finally arrived, but caution is advised with the roller coaster weather ride we’ve been experiencing around the state. Safety needs to be the number one concern for hard water anglers, starting with being prepared for the worst.

Lake trout fishing regulations need to be revisited for the Lower Niagara River

January 2, 2017

Bill Hilts

Lake trout season opened up in the lower Niagara River and Lake Ontario on Jan. 1. The actual season runs for nine months, through Sept. 30. Then it’s shut down for three months, closed because of spawning considerations. Therein lies the problem. Fish with a closed season cannot be targeted to catch. It’s also a gray area for holding up one of these fish for a quick picture before its release.