Can i eat the fish i catch in the Onondaga Creek watershed?

If you are thinking of fishing in the Onondaga Creek watershed-keep in mind:

Fish consumption advisory:

• The New York State Department of Health (DOH) issues advice on eating sportfish and game (see the reference below for more information). The health advisors include 1) general advice on sportfish taken in New York State waters, and 2) advice on sportfish caught in specific New York State waterbodies.
  
  
• The DOH provides this specific advice for sportfish caught in Onondaga Lake:
  All species: Eat no more than one meal per month (one-half pound), except Walleye-Eat none, and
  Women of childbearing age, infants and chieldren under the age of 15 should not eat any fish species from this waterbody.
  

• The DOH reccomends observing the above restriction in Onondaga Lake and its tributaries (including Onondaga Creek) to the first barrier impassable by fish.

• Upstream of the first barrier impassable by fish in the Onondaga Creek watershed, the general DOH advisory for eating fish applies:
  Eat no more than one meal per week of fish (one-half pound)

• Contact the DOH or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for advice on locations of impassable barriers in the Onondaga Creek watershed. See the contact information below.

Refer to:

For complete information, see the 2005-2006 Health Advisories: Chemicals in Sportfish and Game
Published by the New York State Department of Health. Environmental Health Information, 1-800-458-1158, ext. 27815, or view the 2005-2006 Health Advisories at www.nyhealth.gov/nysdoh/fish/fish.htm

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Region 7 Fisheries Office, 607-753-3095

Do i need licence to fish in the Onondaga Creek watershed?

If you are thinking offishing in the Onondaga Creek watershed-keep in mind:

Fishing licenses:

• If you are 16 or older-you must have a valid fishing license with you while fishing (there are some exceptions, see the reference below for more information).

Where can i purchase a license?

• Your town clerk or the Onondaga County Clerk (435-2235)

• Many sporting goods stores and some discount stores

• Through DECALS, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Automated Licensing System = 1-86-NY-DECALS (1-866-933-2257)

Where's a good place to fish?

• Hiawatha Lake in Upper Onondaga Park

• Furnace Brook in Elmwood Park
  

• Webster Pond Drive
  Saturdays, 8:00am - 12:00pm, through 9/24/05.
  Fishing instruction for kids, ages 7-15, pre-registration, fee required.

Fees

• Senior (65=) = $5.00

• Annual fishing license = $19.00
  

• 7 day fishing license = $12.00

Refer to:

For complete information, see the New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations, 2004-2006
Available where licenses are sold or viewable at www.dec.state.ny.us