ny-ENV-43-26-00007-P: Adirondack Baitfish and Sportfishing Regulations

I.D. No. ENV-43-26-00007-P PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE State Administrative Pro- cedureAct, NOTICE is hereby given of the following proposed rule: Proposed Action: Amendment of sections 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 and 10.6 of Title 6 NYCRR. Statutory authority: Environmental Conservation Law, sections 3-0301, 11-0303, 11-1301, 11-1303 and 11-1316 Subject: Adirondack Baitfish and Sportfishing Regulations. Purpose: Simplify the harvest regulations for Adirondack brook trout and clarify where anglers may use and possess bait fish. Substance of proposed rule (Full text is posted at the following State website:https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/regulations/proposed-emergency- recently-adopted-regulations#public ): The purpose of this rule making is to amend the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) general regulations governing sportfishing (6 NYCRR Part 10), (Sportfishing Regulations) to simplify the harvest regulations pertaining to Adirondack brooktroutpondsandmakeiteasierforanglerstoknowwherelivebaitfish may or may not be used within the Adirondack Park. The following is a summary of the amendments that the DEC is proposing. Proposed changes include: Trout/brook trout harvest dates Clarify the statewide regulation for brook trout applies to lakes and ponds. Eliminate special trout harvest regulations on the following waters: Region 5: Hour Pond, Little Jabe Pond, Little Tupper Lake, Mountain Pond (Town of Brighton), Palmer Pond (Warren County), Peaked Moun- tain Pond, Rock Pond (Hamilton County), Round Lake to the border with Little Tupper Lake, and Thirteenth Lake. Region 6: Allen Pond, Evergreen Lake, Hidden Lake, Horn Lake, Peaked Mountain Lake, and Tamarack Pond. Eliminate special trout harvest regulations on the Massawepie Conser- vation Easement. Eliminate special Brook Trout harvest regulations in Region 6 (Herki- mer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida and St. Lawrence counties). Use and Possession of Baitfish in theAdirondack Park Eliminate the existing regulations prohibiting use of bait fish in 261 specially designated lakes and ponds and their tributaries and 36 land management units with theAdirondack Park and replace them with regula- tions that prohibit the use and possession of bait fish within theAdirondack park except: - On waters where they are permitted. -At bait shops holding a bait license. -At a residence with a valid receipt. - While transporting to a water where they are permitted with a valid receipt. - For use in aquariums. Allowing the use and possession of bait fish on the following lakes, ponds, and flows within theAdirondack Park: Region 5: Blue Mountain Lake, Brant Lake, Buck Pond, Butternut 5 Rule MakingActivities Pond, Canada Lake, Chateaugay Narrows, Chazy Lake, Clear Pond (Franklin County), Deer River Flow, Eagle Lake (Essex County), Eagle Lake (Hamilton County), East Caroga Lake, Echo Lake, Elm Lake, Fawn Lake (Town of Lake Pleasant), Fern Lake, First Pond adjacent to Lower Saranac Lake (Franklin County), Fish Creek Pon