Common Freshwater Fish in New York Part 6

Black Crappie

Grows 8-12 inches long; occasionally larger. With exception of the Adirondacks, common in waters across the state. Prefer clear, quiet areas of lakes, ponds and larger rivers with abundant vegetation. Eat small fish and insects.

Brown Bullhead

Averages 8-14 inches long. Easily recognizable by its broad, flat head and dark barbels (whiskers) around face. Has sharp spines on dorsal and pectoral fins. Very adaptable, it is the most common catfish in New York, found in cool Adirondack lakes, but most abundant in warm water ponds, lakes and larger, slow moving streams. Night time bottom feeder, uses barbels to locate food, including insects, snails, worms and small fish.

Common Carp

Large fish, carp average 15-20 inches long, but can grow to over 40 pounds in weight. Have large, heavy scales and two short barbels (whiskers). Found across the state except in cold trout streams and lakes. Prefers slow moving water with a soft bottom. Adults eat a variety of plant and animal material, often stirring up a cloud of mud as they feed.

Common Freshwater Fish in New York Part 5

Walleye

Largest member of the perch family, averages 10-25 inches long. Found in every major watershed in New York except on Long Island. Prefers deep water sections of large lakes, streams and rivers. Have large, light-sensitive eyes to locate food in poor light. Large canine teeth used to catch favorite food of fish. Most active at night.

Yellow Perch

Grows 6-12 inches long. Easily distinguished by the 5-9 black vertical bars on their yellow sides. Important panfish, common across New York in a variety of habitats, but prefers shallow, weedy protected sections of rivers, lakes and ponds. Eat variety of organisms including aquatic insects, crayfish and fish. Popular with ice fishing anglers.

White Perch

New York’s smallest member of the temperate bass family, white perch average 6-12 inches long. Can live in both fresh and saltwater. Are native to brackish water, but now also occur in rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Found in several waters across the state, including the Hudson River, the Great Lakes and the Seneca and Mohawk river systems. Often occur in large schools in turbid, shallow areas. Adults eat fish and insects.

Common Freshwater Fish in New York Part 4

Brook Trout

Averages 12-15 inches long in ponds and 8-12 inches in streams. Also called speckled trout, brookies have a distinct bright white edging along their lower fins. New York’s official state fish, brook trout live in small to moderate-sized clear, cold streams, lakes and ponds. Primarily eat insects.

Atlantic Salmon

New York’s only native salmon, Atlantics are one of our most highly-regarded sportfish. Adults average 12-30 inches and prefer open deep waters of cold, deep lakes. Primarily eats fish. Also known as “landlocked salmon,” New York’s Atlantics spend their entire lives in freshwater. Found in about 30 waters across the state.

Chinook Salmon

Also called king salmon, chinooks are the largest of the Pacific salmon, averaging 24-44 inches. Found only in lakes Erie and Ontario and their tributaries. Adults eat fish.

Dive Flag Laws

Rules for U.S. divers and boaters

The U.S. Coast Guard spells out the federal regulation for dive flag use in Rule 27e - Vessel Engaged in Diving Operations:

Whenever the size of a vessel engaged in diving operations makes it impracticable to exhibit all lights and shapes prescribed in paragraph (d) of this Rule [most civilian vessels], the following shall be exhibited:

Three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red and the middle light shall be white; a rigid replica of the International Code flag "A" not less than 1 meter in height. Measures shall be taken to ensure its all-round visibility.

In Canada, boating is a federal responsibility so there is one standard for the whole country. The U.S. federal government has no rules about using the red-and-white dive flag. However, most U.S. states do, and so do some local governments. There is no consistent, simple rule in the U.S. It often depends on where you are, how far off-shore you are, and whether you're diving from a boat. Moreover, it's often not easy to find the law that applies to you. Generally, the first place to look is in the rules governing boating, often published by the state department of natural resources.

New York Dive Flags

For Divers in New York

According to the Study Guide for Public Vessel Operators License published by NY Parks Department:

The traditional skin divers flag is red with a white diagonal stripe and has been adopted for use by persons engaging in underwater activities. If however, a vessel engaged in diving operations is restricted in its ability to maneuver, it must display a rigid replica of the international code flag "A" which is to be one meter in height. The traditional red and white diver's flag may be shown in conjunction with the alpha flag. Public Vessels engaged in diving operations are required to display one or both of the flags at all times when they have divers or snorkelers in the water. Divers are required to remain within a hundred feet of the dive platform at all times unless they are tethered to a separate float with a diver's flag displayed.

For Boaters in New York

According to the Study Guide for Public Vessel Operators License:

If you see the flag floating, do not approach within 100 feet. If you see air bubbles on the surface of the water stop your engines immediately and do not pass over the area!

Vermont Dive Flags

For Divers in Vermont

According to the Vermont Statutes Online (§ 3381. Divers; flag required):

(a) As used in this section:
(1) "Diver" means any person who is wholly submerged in the waters of the state and is equipped with a face mask and snorkel or "underwater breathing apparatus."
(2) "Divers-down flag" means a flag that is either square or rectangular, to approximately four units high by five units long, with a one unit diagonal stripe. The divers-down flag shall have a white diagonal stripe on a red background. The stripe shall begin at the top staff-side of the flag and extend diagonally to the opposite lower corner. The flag shall be free-flying and shall be removed when all divers are out of the water. The minimum size shall be 12 by 12 inches.

(b) All divers shall prominently display a divers-down flag in the area in which the diving occurs, other than when diving in an area customarily used for swimming only. Persons diving together as a group, in the same diving area, shall display at least one flag.

(c) A person who violates this section shall be fined not more than $100.00 for each violation. (Added 1987, No. 140 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 8, 1988.)

For Boaters in Vermont

According to the Vermont Statutes (§ 3311. Operation of vessels; prohibited acts):

A person shall not operate any vessel, except a non-motorized canoe, a non-motorized rowboat or a police or emergency vessel, within 200 feet of a divers-down flag.

Canada Dive Flags

For Canadian divers and boaters

Boating is a federal responsibility in Canada so there is one standard for the whole country.

The Collision Regulations Rule 27, made under the Canada Shipping Act specifies that the dive boat must carry a rigid representation of the international code "A" flag not less than 1 metre (39.25") in height if the boat has divers down and cannot maneuver. Measures shall be taken to ensure all-round visibility.

At night, the boat shall display three all-round lights in a vertical line, the highest and lowest of which shall be red and the middle light shall be white. The red and white diver down flag is not recognized for use on the boat (but not forbidden either).

A buoy is an option if it meets the specifications set out in the regulations. The Canadian Aids to Navigation (TP 968) recognizes the use of the red and white flag on a buoy and the Private Buoy Regulations (SOR 99-335) provide the specifications for the buoy itself.

Read together a diver's buoy must be:

White, with yellow retro-reflective striping, a minimum of 15.25cm (6") across and 30.5cm (12") above the water, bearing the letters "PRIV" on opposite sides in large black lettering and displaying the owner's name and contact information prominently. It must be flying the red and white diver down flag, which must be square and 50cm (20") on each side, with the white stripe extending diagonally from the tip of the hoist down to the bottom of the fly. The buoy must be securely moored.

Note that Fathom Five National Marine Park does require the use of the diver down flag within the park.

For more information on Dive Flag laws visit http://www.dive-flag.com/

Common Freshwater Fish in New York Part 3

Brown Trout

Originally from Europe, browns are large fish, averaging 8-20 inches in inland waters and 20-32 inches in the Great Lakes. They are more tolerant of warmer water than brook trout, found in waters across New York, but prefer cool streams and lakes. Adults eat aquatic insects and fish.

Rainbow Trout

Colorful, Pacific Coast native, rainbows are quite variable in size, averaging 8-20 inches in inland waters, and 20 34 inches in the Great Lakes. Their name comes from the pink or red band often present on their sides. Prefer cool lakes and large streams. Adults primarily eat fish. Lake-run variety (called steelhead) occurs in lakes Champlain, Ontario and Erie and their tributaries.

Lake Trout

Averages 15-34 inches long, but can reach weights of up to 30 pounds. This silvery or dark gray fish occurs in deep, cold well-oxygenated lakes. A native of New York, lakers are long-lived, some adults reaching 20 years old. Adults primarily eat fish.

Zebra Mussel

 

Zebra mussels are prolific invaders that cost the U.S. billions of dollar each year. These small mussels from Eurasia can clog water intakes and damage equipment by attaching to boat motors and hard surfaces. They can damage ecosystems by harming fisheries, smothering native mussels and crayfish, and littering beaches with their sharp shells.
In the late 1980s, zebra mussels spread from Europe to the Great Lakes in contaminated ballast water discharged from foreign ships. From there, they expanded to the Mississippi River, its tributaries, and to inland lakes. Zebra mussels spread primarily by attaching to boat hulls, aquatic plants, nets, fishing equipment, or in water. Adult zebra mussels can survive out of water for days under certain conditions. Your actions are vital to prevent their spread.

 

What to look for

• Zebra mussels look like small clams with a yellowish or brownish “D”-shaped shell, usually with dark and light-colored stripes.
• They can be up to two inches long, but most are under one inch. Zebra mussels usually grow in clusters containing numerous individuals and are generally found in shallow (6-30 feet), algae-rich water
• Zebra mussels are the only freshwater mollusc that can firmly attach itself to solid objects – submerged rocks, dock pilings, boat hulls, water intake pipes, etc.
• On smooth surfaces, young zebra mussels feel like fine sandpaper.
• Juveniles are about the size of peppercorns.

 

How to prevent the spread

• Learn to recognize zebra mussels.
• Inspect and remove aquatic plants, animals, and mud from boat, motor, and trailer.
• Drain water from boat, motor, livewell, bilge, and bait containers.
• Dispose of unwanted live bait and worms in the trash.
• Rinse boat and equipment with high-pressure and/or hot water (104° F), especially if moored for over a day, OR
• Dry everything for at least 5 days.
• Never introduce fish, plants, crayfish, snails or clams from one body of water to another.

Common Freshwater Fish in New York Part 2

Bluegill

Grows 4-10 inches long. Colourful fish, often mistaken for pumpkinseed, but lacks orange/red spot on gill flap. Found in slow-moving or standing water with plenty of vegetation or other shelter. Eat mostly insects and crustaceans.

Pumpkinseed

Grows 4-8 inches long. Colourful warm water fish with a bright orange/red spot on the gill flap. Most abundant and widespread sunfish in New York occurs in shallow water in a variety of habitats from small lakes and ponds, to shallow, weedy bays of larger lakes and quiet waters of slow-moving streams. Eat wide array of prey such as insects, crustaceans and small fish.

Redbreast Sunfish

Grows 4-8 inches long. Gets its name from the bright yellow to orange-red breast. Differs from pumpkinseed by its long, narrow black gill cover. Confined to eastern portion of the state. Inhabits lakes and ponds, but prefers clear, slow-moving streams with sandy or rocky bottoms. Eat mostly insects and

crustaceans, plus some small fish.

Common Freshwater Fish in New York Part 1

Largemouth Bass

Largest member of the “sunfish” family, averages 8-17 inches long, and has been known to reach weights in excess of 10 pounds. Found among dense aquatic vegetation or close to submerged cover such as stumps, logs or dock pilings in warm, shallow, well vegetated areas of lakes, ponds and sluggish streams. Eat primarily fish, crayfish and frogs.

Smallmouth Bass

A large sunfish, averages 8-15 inches long. Smallmouths prefer cool, clear areas of lakes and streams with gravelly or rocky bottoms. Adults usually stay near protection of rocks and submerged logs. Eat primarily fish, crayfish and insects.

Rock Bass

Grows 6-10 inches long. Their bright red eyes earn them the nickname “redeyes.” Found in waters across the state; most abundant in rocky, gravelly shallow water areas of lakes and ponds, and lower, warm reaches of streams. Often occur with smallmouth bass. Eat mostly aquatic insects, crayfish and small fish.

Eurasian Milfoil

Eurasian Milfoil

What is it and why are we concerned?

Eurasian milfoil is an exotic invasive submersed perennial. It reproduces both vegetatively and, less commonly, sexually (seeds). Rhizome division, budding and fragmentation are examples of vegetative reproduction. A single piece of fragmented Eurasian milfoil can multiply into 250 million new plants in one year!

Large masses of Eurasian milfoil can lead to flooding and interfere with fishing, swimming and boating. Eurasian milfoil mats can increase mosquito habitat and decrease oxygen levels.

History of Milfoil

Eurasian water milfoil was first introduced into the United States through the aquarium trade. The first documented identification of Eurasian water milfoil in open water in the United States was in 1942 from a pond in Washington D.C. By 1950 the species was into the Midwest in Ohio and was also found in western states such as Arizona and California. Eurasian water milfoil is now found throughout the continental United States with the exception of the northern Great Plains region and Maine.

How it Spreads

Eurasian water milfoil has spread through accidental and intentional introductions. Pond owners intentionally introduced the plant into their ponds to provide fish habitat. Since Eurasian water milfoil is capable of reproducing by vegetative means it is likely that the spread into most new bodies of water has been by fragments. Aquatic equipment which was used at Eurasian water milfoil infested waters may have fragments attached; these fragments can be transported to other waters and start a whole new infestation. This plant can stay alive for weeks out of water if kept moist.

Identifying Milfoil

(Myriophyllum sibiricum and Myriophyllum spicatum)

Water milfoil (or milfoil) occurs in patches that tend to crowd out all other growth. Feather-like leaves are finely dissected to midrib and whorled around the hollow stem at intervals along the entire length of the plant. Milfoil stays submerged except for a stalk of tiny flowers, which can extend above the surface. All milfoil species are easily identified as a group because of their distinctive feather-like leaves, but individual species are hard to differentiate from one another. Numerous species of milfoil are common throughout the U.S... Worldwide, the genus (myriophyllum) has 45 species in Europe, Asia, India, Japan, North and Central America and North Africa. Milfoil can winter over in frozen lakes, thrive in warm pond waters, and live in acidic and calcium rich waters, slow moving waters of lakes and ponds and some rivers. Milfoil is found in a variety of sediments, light levels, temperatures, and depths up to 20 feet. Eurasian Milfoil is an exotic plant, introduced to the U.S. by the aquarium industry. It is rapidly becoming a major nuisance throughout North America. It is capable of rapid dispersion, principally by fragmentation of plant parts. Each fragment is capable of growing roots and developing into a new plant. Eurasian Water milfoil is quite competitive with native species and may completely dominate a plant community within a few years after introduction. Due to the plant's ability to form dense growth, water use activities may become severely impaired.

REFERENCES:

Colette C. Jacono and M.M. Richerson. 15 October 2008. Myriophyllum spicatum. USGS

Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL.

http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=237

Eurasian Watermilfoil. 5 Nov 2003. Invasive.org.

http://www.invasive.org/eastern/biocontrol/6EurasianMilfoil.html

Eurasian Water Milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum). 18 August 2008. Wisconsin

Protecting your investment; from Rich Morin`s Professional SCUBA Centers

Congratulations on the investment of your new diving equipment.

Take care of it and you will enjoy years of exciting underwater exploration.

MASK

When your mask is being manufactured there is lubricating oil on the machinery the cuts the glass lenses.   This leaves a thin coating of oil on the glass lenses.  Prior to using the mask, clean the glass lenses with toothpaste.  Using wet paper towels scrub the toothpaste around the lenses, inside and out, making sure to get all the edges.  Rinse with lukewarm water and repeat this process 4 to 5 times.  Now your mask is ready for the water.  Using the Sea Drops provided, add 2 to 3 drops to each side of the inside lenses and rub in well with your fingers.  After a quick rinse place the mask on your face with the strap high on the back of your head and the side straps just above the ears.  Make sure all the hair is out of the mask skirt and that the mask is sealed properly onto your face.  Providing you don't flood the mask or break the seal on your face you can enjoy hours of fog free diving.  After using your mask, rinse with fresh, clean water and dry.  Store your mask in a mask case in a cool, dry, dark place until you’re ready to use it.  Check the strap periodically for wear.  Have fun with your new mask exploring the underwater world.

SNORKEL

Your snorkel gets mounted to the strap on the left side of your mask.  Don't mount it to the adjustment tabs of the straps (which form the loop) or you may loose your snorkel.  After use, rinse your mask & snorkel with fresh, clean water and dry.  Store your mask & snorkel in a cool, dry, dark place.

FINS

Full Foot Fins – Should be worn with a pair of neoprene socks to prevent blisters.  Rinse with fresh water when done and store them laying flat in a cool dark place.  Do not stand them up or place other items on top of them during storage.  This may cause distortion of the fin blades or foot pockets.

Open Heel Strap Fins – Need to be worn with a pair of neoprene boots to prevent blisters and for thermal protection.   Straps should be snug, not tight, this will help prevent foot cramps.  Rinse with fresh water when done and store them laying flat in a cool dark place.  Do not stand them up or place other items on top of them during storage.  This may cause distortion of the fin blades or foot pockets.

MDC Scuba, Inc.

Rich Morin’s Professional

SCUBA CENTERS

20 Warren St

.  Glens Falls, NY  12801  (518) 761-0533  Fax (518) 761-0420

http://www.richmorinsproscubacenters.com/     or     richmorin@yahoo.com



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