3 Rod Rule on Open Waters of Lake Ontario

To:  NYSDEC

We support a 3-Rod Rule for trolling on the open waters of Lake Ontario while actively targeting Salmon and Trout.

We propose a regulation be structured

-As a special regulation for Sportfishing on the open waters of Lake Ontario
-To stipulate a certain season and specifically not on the bays, rivers or in channels
-To stipulate only “Actively trolling for Salmon/Trout”
-To allow 3 lines per person and that they must be attached to fishing rods
-To limit the number of points on an individual rod and a maximum number of lures/baits on all 3 rods
-To limit the number of lures/baits per boat
-To stipulate that all hooks must be attached to lures or be baited

In conjunction, the regulation should remind Trollers that (1) Foul hooked fish must be immediately released and (2) The legal limit of fish is still in effect.

We believe that this 3-Rod Rule will favorably impact a Troller’s experience on Lake Ontario by increasing his potential of catching a Salmon or Trout, especially when the fish are dispersed throughout the lake. There is major social and economic benefit to this proposal. Catching a fish enhances angler satisfaction more than any other factor and the satisfied angler is the one that will make return visits to our fishery. (He will enthusiastically tell friends; he will be inclined to purchase more gear, boating supplies & fishermen staples & launch more often; hire more charters, etc)

Allowing a Troller to use 3 rods will not exploit the Lakes fish population as the current rules potentially allow. Exploitation is constrained foremost by creel limits and secondarily by the hook/lure/bait/point rules. This proposal does not alter creel limits but does refine hook/lure/bait/point rules.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The 3 Rod Rule on Open Waters of Lake Ontario Petition to NYSDEC was created by and written by Tom Bishop (tjbishop@frontiernet.net).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.