FISHING ON STAR LAKE
Fishing has long been a pleasant
pastime on Star Lake.
Star Lake is a 215-acre two-story
oligotrophic lake. That is, it is lacking in plant nutrients and has a
high level of dissolved oxygen. Summer surface water temperatures
generally range in the low 70’s F and the thermocline (the layer at
which the temperature rather abruptly turns colder, to about 45 F)
occurs at about 25 to 45 feet.
Historically, Star Lake has
supported self-sustaining lake trout and brook trout populations and was
first stocked with brook trout in 1889 (see the historical marker behind
Todd’s Supply). Yellow perch and sunfish became established between 1931
and 1955, but in recent years have become scarce, as have bullheads and
suckers. In the 1980’s, rainbow smelt, smallmouth and largemouth bass
were unofficially introduced.
Brook trout were stocked prior to
1962 and in 1988. Lake trout were stocked, as fingerlings, from the
1940’s through 1979, but routine stocking was terminated due to poor
survival rates. However, in 1989, 2500 surplus lake trout yearlings were
stocked (and again in 1993). Splake (a cross between lake trout and
brook trout) were stocked in 1956 and 1965 through 1973. About 1200 to
2500 rainbow trout were stocked each year, from 1965 through 1990. Brown
trout were stocked from 1980 through 1986 but were discontinued due to a
poor survival rate.
Since 1990, the NYSDEC has stocked
Star Lake with rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon and lake trout annually.
The current number of fish stocked annually into Star Lake totals 3300
(2000 rainbow trout, 1000 lake trout and 300 Atlantic salmon).
The most recent DEC survey of the
lake (Survey: 620011; FIN: SL-25-P281) yielded the following
information:
“A collection of fish was make [sic]
from Star Lake on 31 August, 2020 as part of a routine pathology
collection and to assess the experimental lake trout stocking. Stocked
lake trout are clipped annually which has a 5-year rotation. Fish
collected were sent to the Lamar Fish Health Laboratory for analysis.
“This collection was facilitated
using both monofilament and multifilament gill nets … Dissolved oxygen
was minimal below 30 feet therefore all nets were set targeting the
thermocline (25-30 feet). A total of 128 net hours of effort produced
129 fish representing 10 species …
“Species captured included: Rainbow
Trout (2), Lake Trout (2), Atlantic Salmon (15), Rainbow Smelt (5),
Yellow Perch (2), Smallmouth Bass (56), Rock Bass (43), Pumpkinseed
Sunfish (9), White Sucker (1), and Brown Bullhead (1a).
“Smallmouth Bass made up a large
portion of the catch … ranging from 6 inches to 20.5 inches (150-520 MM)
with 64 percent of the catch greater than the current legal harvest of
12 inches … Bass were readily regurgitating smelt while picking the
nets. This smallmouth bass population likely influences the cold-water
fishery negatively.
“Only two lake trout were captured,
and neither were fin clipped. Age determination by otolith put these
fish at 17 and 18 years old; therefore, they are of natural origin or
from stocking prior to fin clipping (i.e., clipping started in 2009).
Anecdotally, fishermen routinely catch lake trout of various sizes
(especially while ice fishing) and stocking should be continued.”
Former studies have noted several
observations: Prey species such as pike are probably present; however,
the sampling methods used may not have been able to detect them. Yellow
perch seem to be reappearing after a long period of decline. Rock bass
are by far the most prevalent and easy for youngsters to catch.
At present, there is no closed
season for trout fishing in Star Lake. Lake trout must be a minimum
length of 21” with a daily limit of three. All other trout must be at
least 9” with a limit of 5 per day. Largemouth and smallmouth bass
season starts the 3rd Saturday in June through November 30. Minimum size
is 12” with a daily limit of five. Current regulations should be
consulted each year.
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