The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) conducts research on the St. Lawrence River muskellunge population at their Thousand Islands Biological Station (TIBS). This research is funded by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and is guided by an international muskellunge management plan. The voluntary Angler Diary Program is an important tool used by ESF scientists to help evaluate the status of the St. Lawrence River muskellunge population and sportfishery.

It is important that the information you provide in the diaries is accurate. Record every fishing trip, even if no fish were caught. Fill out all the information for each trip.

NUMBER OF ANGLERS
If fishing alone record “1”; otherwise write the number of anglers in the boat or party who are being included in a trip report.

DATE:
Always fill in this space with the date of the fishing trip.

WATER FISHED:
Write the name of the lake, pond or stream you are fishing.

TIME STARTED/FINISHED:
Record time at beginning and end of each trip.  Note time taken for breaks, lunch, waiting out a storm, etc. if it is greater than 1/2 hour in additional comments section.

TYPE OF FISHING:
Select one of the following:  Boat-live bait; Boat-artificials; Shore-live bait; Shore-artificials; Ice-tip-ups; Ice-jigging.

NO FISH CAUGHT:
If you did not catch any fish (kept or released, check the “No Fish Caught” box.  However, record other data such as time, number of anglers and type of fishing.

TARGET SPECIES:
Select the species of fish you are primarily fishing for on this trip such as Muskellunge, regardless of whether or not you caught one.  If several species were sought, such as Muskellunge and Tiger Musky, select them both.  If you have no particular target, select “anything”.

If you catch coldwater gamefish on this trip and wish to record it, you should do so using the remarks section.

SPECIES:  List the abbreviation for each.
SMB – Smallmouth Bass
LMB – Largemouth Bass
NOP – Northern Pike
WAE – Walleye
PKL – Pickerel
MKY – Muskellunge
TGM – Tiger Musky

CREELED/RELEASED (C/R):
Select “C” or “R” in this column to indicate if a fish was creeled (kept) or released.

TOTAL LENGTH:
Measure ALL fish from tip of snout to tip of tail.  Tail should be pinched straight to achieve maximum length.  Measure fish to nearest 1/4 inch.  Fish being released should be measured and quickly returned to the water.

TAG NUMBER (Tag Num.)
Record the number from each tagged fish you catch if possible.  If you keep the fish, return the tag via mail to SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 253 Illick Hall, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY 13210.  If you release the fish, record the tag number but do not remove the tag.

FIN CLIP:
Examine all fish closely to check for fins which may have been removed to mark fish for special studies.  Record the abbreviation for specific fins as shown below:

UNMARKED FISH:
If no tags or fin-clips are present, select a line (-) in the respective blocks.  Record ALL other data.

LOCATION OF CATCH:
Record area of catch for each fish.  If special study areas have been established for this water, record the name or number of the study area for each fish caught.

TRIP CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE:
If you catch more than 30 fish, please record other fish in the additional remarks section.

REMARKS:
Use this space to note information about this trip for your own use, or to clarify any of the items mentioned above.

IMPORTANT:
Record EVERY trip and ALL warm water game fish caught.  Please record your trip information even if you catch no fish.  Information on the number of trips where no fish are caught is valuable to the DEC in making management decisions about this water.