In 2016, more than 130 entries were submitted into the State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC’s) Angler Achievement Awards Program.

Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, New York’s most popular sportfish species, made up more than half of the entries in the Catch and Release category.

Thirty-nine of New York’s 62 counties were represented in entries submitted last year. 75 percent of the fish entered into the program were caught and subsequently released.

The top five counties that were represented in 2016 were Suffolk, Warren, Onondaga, Essex and Chautauqua Counties.  Two state records were either established or tied in 2016.

A new state record freshwater drum was caught by Amelia Whalen from Lake Champlain on June 4, 2016. Her record-breaking fish weighed 29 lbs. 14 oz.  In a rare occurrence, Patrick Hildenbrand captured a smallmouth bass that tied the state record established twenty one years ago in Lake Erie. The 8 lb. 4 oz. pot-bellied fish was caught from the St. Lawrence River on August 28, 2016.

Other notable catches include an impressive 30 lb. 1 oz. tiger muskellunge caught from Lake Como (Cayuga County), a 35½ inch steelhead caught from the Salmon River (Oswego County), and a 38¼ inch lake trout caught and released from Lake Erie (Chautauqua County).

The Angler Achievement Awards program recognizes anglers that catch any of the 43 eligible fish species that exceed minimum qualifying lengths or weights.  The three categories that make up the program are: Catch & Release, Annual Award (kept fish) and State Record. In addition to official recognition of their catch, anglers receive a lapel pin commemorating their achievement. State record holders also receive a custom wood plaque.

Further information about the Angler Achievement Awards Program, including a downloadable application form and photo slideshow of fish entered can be found here.

Full program details and an entry form can also be found in DEC’s current Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide. For additional information on the Angler Achievement Awards Program contact (518) 402-8891 or email fwfish@dec.ny.gov.

Photo: 2016 Record Steelhead caught by Stephen Brown, courtesy DEC.