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Bill Hilts Jr.

New York’s State of Lake Erie meeting updates anglers on fishery

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, National Fishing, National News, New York, News /

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) held its annual State of Lake Erie public meeting on April 23 at Woodlawn Beach State Park and it was filled with pertinent information about the fishery and the resource itself.
All the top biologists and managers from the Lake Erie Fisheries Research Unit out of Dunkirk were in attendance, as well as other personnel from Region 9 Fisheries to present and add to the discussion.

New York’s State of Lake Erie meeting updates anglers on fishery Read More »

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Upcoming Great Lakes preview an invitation to explore amazing waters

Blogs, Featured, Fishing, National Fishing, New York, Opinion /

New York’s Great Lakes are a celebration of all things sport fishing in the Empire State.
Our shared waters involving Lake Erie and Lake Ontario are dynamic, diverse and rich in its natural resources. To help update anglers on what’s happening in these blessed waters, New York Outdoor News presents a Great Lakes Preview Issue every spring. The next issue will be May 15 – a great time to share updates and provide incentive for others to give these waters a try.

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Upcoming Great Lakes preview an invitation to explore amazing waters Read More »

Bill Hilts, Jr.: New promotion is about the love of fish, water and beer in Western New York

Blogs, Featured, Fishing, National Fishing, New York, Opinion /

There was a new promotion held in Western New York that focused on protecting water for the fish, and the beer. It kicked off in mid-April in Buffalo, a collaboration that was several months in planning.
Trout Unlimited teamed up with Rivers-Lakes-Streams (RLS), as well as with Thin Man Brewery/Community Beer Works when the brewery unveiled its new River BankLager to support the angling community.

Bill Hilts, Jr.: New promotion is about the love of fish, water and beer in Western New York Read More »

New York’s Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs holds annual awards banquet

Featured, Fishing, Hunting, Nature Page & Night Sky, New York, News /

The Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs hosted its annual awards banquet recently, paying tribute to some of the top individuals in the world of conservation, as well as natural resource enhancement and protection.
The list of winners who’s represents a who’s who in the outdoor realm of Niagara County.

New York’s Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs holds annual awards banquet Read More »

Push is on for Erie County to opt-in on New York’s pilot youth hunting program

Featured, Home Page News, Hunting, National Hunting, National News, New York, News /

Sportsmen and women from Erie County turned out in solid numbers on Wednesday, April 22, when the Erie County Legislature called a public hearing on a local county law that would allow 12- and 13-year-old junior hunters to pursue deer with a firearm while accompanied by a fully licensed adult, as part of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Pilot Junior Hunting program.
Jack Coad, president of the Erie County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, had been urging sportsmen to attend the public hearing on this issue since April 16 when it was first announced.

Push is on for Erie County to opt-in on New York’s pilot youth hunting program Read More »

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Birding goes to new level with a Smart Bird Feeder

Blogs, Featured, Nature Page & Night Sky, New York, Opinion /

I love birds. As I’ve grown older, my fascination with them has increased exponentially.
I’ve noticed that more and more as I’ve fished places like the lower Niagara River in New York, globally recognized as an important bird area throughout the entire corridor. It’s also one heck of a year-round fishery, complementing the bird diversity that also seems to extend over four seasons. 

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Birding goes to new level with a Smart Bird Feeder Read More »

Lake Ontario walleye stocking evaluation plan taking shape in New York

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, National Fishing, National News, New York, News /

The walleye population of Lake Ontario is getting some more attention in 2026 as New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has already initiated a walleye stocking evaluation plan for this year.
According to the agency, the purpose of the walleye stocking evaluation study is to determine the proportion of stocked and naturally produced walleyes in the fishery at each stocked location.

Lake Ontario walleye stocking evaluation plan taking shape in New York Read More »

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Getting ready for the ‘inland’ trout opener in New York

Blogs, Featured, Fishing, National Fishing, New York, Opinion /

April 1 is opening day for the inland trout regular season in New York. It still generates excitement within the angling community, although not as much as when I was a kid over 50 years ago.
It may have lost some of its luster when the Department of Environmental Conservation created a statewide catch-and-release season for inland streams in 2021, but as far as the state agency that manages these resources is concerned, the new regulation has not compromised trout populations.

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Getting ready for the ‘inland’ trout opener in New York Read More »

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