May 5, 2022
Just-Aired Episode of “On the Water: Angling Adventures" Showcases World-Class Fishing Opportunities in Western New York, Supported and Enhanced by Waters from the Erie Canal
The NBC Sports television show “On the Water: Angling Adventures" recently featured the New York State Canal Corporation's Fall Fishing Program for the second year in a row. As part of the New York Power Authority and Canal Corporation's Reimagine the Canals initiative, the episode also highlighted the successful launch of the Access and Conservation Easement (ACE) pilot program, which aims to improve public access and water quality along Western New York's north flowing tributaries that receive water from the Erie Canal, enhancing angling opportunities provided by the fall fishing program. The full episode can be watched here.
“We are grateful to NBC Sports and On the Water for showcasing our Canal system once again and educating viewers on our efforts to enhance angling opportunities across Western New York," said New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton. “Over the past few years, we have made significant efforts to make fall fishing in New York a world-class experience through pilot programs that improve access and environmental resiliency, expand the season, and allow more anglers to enjoy these opportunities. We look forward to continuing the Fall Fishing and ACE programs this year and hope to see many new anglers out on the water when the season returns."
Filmed last November, this On the Water episode features the fishing experience along Eighteenmile Creek, Oak Orchard Creek, and Sandy Creek in Niagara, Orleans, and Monroe Counties. Canal Corporation Director of Marketing William Sweitzer, local anglers, and fishing guides joined host Chris Megan to fish along these tributaries. As seen during the episode, the higher flows successfully enticed more brown trout, steelhead, and king salmon populations to run farther up these streams, improving conditions for the fish and expanding opportunities for local and visiting anglers.
“Anglers hoping to experience powerful fish in a strong current before winter grips the Northeast need only look to Western New York for big lake-run trout and salmon that push into the small tributaries," said On the Water Publisher Chris Megan. “During our trip, we successfully targeted big brown trout thanks to the New York State Canal Corporation providing more consistent base flows through the fall and into the winter."
Highlights from this episode include the history of the Erie Canal and how the Canal Corporation is now regulating water flows to the tributaries in support of this program. The show also focuses on local fishing hotspots where anglers come from all over the world to fish for salmon and trout making the journey from Lake Ontario into the steams enhanced by Canal sourced water.
Anglers may learn more about both the Fall Fishing and ACE programs by visiting the Canal Corporation's website.
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About the New York State Canal System
The New York State Canal Corporation operates the New York State Canal system, which includes the Erie, Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga-Seneca canals. Spanning 524 miles, the waterway links the Hudson River with the Great Lakes, the Finger Lakes and Lake Champlain. The Canal system includes the Canalway Trail, a network of approximately 400 miles of multi-use trails across upstate New York. Now part of the Empire State Trail, the Canalway Trail follows the towpaths of both active and historic sections of the New York State Canal system Together, the canals and trails create a world-class recreational corridor that is a vibrant, scenic, and unique New York resource. To learn more about the New York State Canal and Canalway Trail system or to obtain a free map, please call 1- 800-4CANAL4 or visit the Canal Corporation's website at www.canals.ny.gov.