Smelt Survey: 2009-Present
Click here for Volunteer Monitoring Directions.
Click here for Volunteer Monitoring Data Sheet.
Smelt are an extremely important part of the Lake George fishery, as a prey item for larger fish, such as the lake trout and Landlocked salmon. In the late 1980’s concern over population lead to the ban on the collection or possession of smelt within Lake George or streams tributary to the lake by the NYSDEC.
Due to the importance of smelt to the Lake George fishery and continued concern over the stability of the population, the Lake George Waterkeeper with direction from NYSDEC and the assistance of the Lake George Fishing Alliance initiated a survey in 2009, this study was again conducted in 2010, and will be conducted spring 2011.
The smelt survey utilizes observational, physical and chemical data. Accessible streams tributary to Lake George are monitored during the daytime and after dark for a two-week time period during the spawning period in early to mid April. Observations on the presence and estimated abundance of smelt and smelt eggs are made at each site.
Physical parameters are measured on multiple visits and include the stream wetted width, depth, velocity, streambed composition, water temperature, riparian buffer, algae present and air temperature. Chemical parameters are measured on multiple visits and include pH, specific conductance, and dissolved oxygen.
Data indicated that Smelt populations have grown and many streams are utilized by smelt to spawn in. Factors that may affect the smelt population are: siltation, foraging pressure, habitat alteration, and poaching and structural impedance.
Volunteers are sought to assist in data collection. Volunteers are needed to visit a stream(s) during the two-week spawning migration as often as possible and fill out the supplied data sheet. All the data will be collected and compiled into a report for the public.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Contract Biologist Corrina Parnapy at: ofearthspirit@yahoo.com or (518) 791-3256 or the Lake George Waterkeeper at (518) 668-5913 x301.
2009 report
2010 report
NYDEC Lake George Angler Diary Program
2009 update by Emily Zollweg, region 5 biologist
The Angler Diary program is designed to monitor the lake's coldwater salmonid fishery through the help of volunteer angler cooperators. It was begun in the early 1970's. These volunteers have maintained detailed diaries of their open water salmonid fishing trips and have gathered a large amount of angler catch data. The angler diary program has been an extremely effective and worthwhile program. Those anglers who have participated should be proud of their effort knowing that their time has led to more effective management of Lake George. However, decreased participation in the angler diary cooperator program is of significant concern. The Department has been actively seeking new angler cooperators to increase the number of active participants to 75 or more. While the increased participation in recent years is wonderful, we still do not have enough active participants. If you know an angler that is interested in participating in the angler diary program please contact Emily Zollweg at
(518) 623-1264.
In 2009, we are starting a warmwater diary program for anglers targeting bass, pickerel and pike. Information gathered on these fisheries will be invaluable for determining whether regulation changes are necessary, the value of the fisheries to the surrounding communities, and for tracking changes as they occur in the lake ecosystem.
New cooperators will be sent an angler diary cooperator decal. They will also receive an annual report summarizing their trip information which includes discussion of management options for the lake. If you plan on fishing Lake George in 2010 we need your input.
