2026 Diet Study changes and DNA samples (Ongoing)

[Digitroll Fishing]

This year very simple! 120 fish needed instead of the 190 for last year. Instead of a goal each month it's every 3 months. 20 needed for the Sea and 20 for the main lake each 3 months. When the quota is reached done for 3 months then a second 3 months starts. Just put on ice after catch. Contact Graham and he will meet you anywhere.

R

[TUnamas]

Thanks Ron! And Graham, grateful for your efforts!

[Digitroll Fishing]

Thanks Scott! Nice to see you and the gang at the State of the Lake! We have 3 trips in the books since last Wednesday and 15 salmon and a nice Brown and a great start toward the first 3 months for the Diet study for the main lake. A few other folks donated fish as well we saw at the ramp! Inland Sea soon! March fish this year as we started in April last year and the good news there chuck full of alwives this year! Great for the diet study as most fish last year were empty the first 4 week or so.

[raz]

Well done!
And good to see a report with photos!

[Digitroll Fishing]

Just for a bit more clarification for the Diet follow-up study for 2026. 120 fish needed 60 Main lake 60 Sea

3 time periods: Early Spring / Mid June (LCI) / Frost bite Nov-December. 20 Sea / 20 Main lake for the three periods.

Fish can be on ice after caught and contact Graham by cell 216-973-4183 he can meet at the ramp or your house after getting home.

In addition he takes Kurt's DNA fin sample for the other study he is doing. If you have time take a snip of the tail for scales of other salmon through out the season not for the study for Kurt to drop off at the Essex Jct. Federal building. Envelopes available. Kurt's number: 856-905-9367

Last year they collected over 1,000 DNA samples. Lot's of these fish coming from the Saranac River stocking at the mouth last 3 years.

[Digitroll Fishing]

Successful weekend at Keelers! 23 salmon brought in for the diet study for Graham. Graham was our guest today reeling in our 6 salmon limit by 10:45 am. Quota was achieved for the Sea this weekend and Main lake last week! Our Canadien friend Frederick brought in 14 salmon this weekend pictured below with his family!

Today's 1 minute video summary:

https://youtu.be/LvQgooICuBA

[Digitroll Fishing]

Now we have the first 3 months quota completed early for the Diet Study (March-May) as a follow up from last years 190 fish end of season monthly quota! The next 3 months begins LCI mid June time frame thru Labor Day. 20 salmon needed for Main lake and 20 salmon needed for the Sea. On ice is ok! Contact Graham (216)973-4183.

We are now in fin clip mode and release for the other DNA study for the USFW Kurt. Last year over 1,000 salmon DNA was submitted to determine best survival and where they were stocked.

I just use plain envelopes from Staples. Length / Date / weight if over 20" / Location / released? Or harvested? / Name of angler / fin clip or no clip.

Let the tail (1/2" size) sample dry before putting in the envelope. Use a small index card cut in small squares to hold the sample folded over with a piece of tape to close it.

I use a pie plate marked off for size. Inner circle is for state stocked clipped fish. Outer for no clip study fish for Federal folks. The small piece of tail drys here in the sun on the plate on the dash passenger side. If I have multiple similar size fish with same no clip or fin clip I put them in one envelope and make 2 fish or more. Drop off envelopes at USFW near Amtrak station in Essex Jct.

[Digitroll Fishing]

Today's video on how to take DNA samples and record them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh8_diO9L9s

[Digitroll Fishing]

Trip to Wallmart this morning for $1 hard plastic 8" plates to replace the paper plate I have been using for DNA samples. Two plates now for clip (state stocked fish) and no clip (Federally stocked fish). The state clip history below from Bernie:

[Digitroll Fishing]

Nice surprise in my email yesterday from Kurt! Summary of data from 2023-2024 of fin clips for DNA summarized with charts and a data table of 120 clips. Pretty cool seeing where they were stocked and some great information by graph! It is still being edited and when it's completed I will share it on this thread. Great seeing the results of the effort put into this or mostly gratifying! He plans to do this for other fisherman that contribute as well.

2025 data hasn't been released yet he told me.

It was once mentioned here about lack of replies to my posts..... but I have run into people in public that have thanked me for posting a lot of this information. Just the way social media works these days. I see other similar trends with other people on Lake Ontario United. People like to read it as well. Raz and Ludo that run this site have done a great job! Thank you guys!

[raz]

Your input is educational, informative, and useful.
We're glad you're a big part of this forum.

Looking forward to seeing the completed data.

Thank you Ron.

[Digitroll Fishing]

Thanks Raz! The fun part is seeing the data from everyone's input in the Diet Study / DNA study / Transmitters!

[Digitroll Fishing]

Just received 6 pages of data from the Salmon DNA from 2023 to 2024. Cool stuff!

Here is the first page summary:

[raz]

Very cool, now I'd like to see the genotype data...stocking locations, stocking dates, life stage at stocking, age when caught, etc...
Do you think they'll follow up with that once it's all put together?