May 01, 2013 — The water levels in Lake Ontario have a significant impact on the economic and environmental viability of harbors in upstate New York and Canada. As a result, a proposed plan to change the management of those water levels has raised some concerns in waterfront communities.  Go to full article

Chestertown, NY, Mar 18, 2013 — The state Adirondack Park Agency voted unanimously Friday to approve the controversial use of a chemical herbicide to kill invasive plants in a lake in Warren County.

The Town of Chester plans to disperse 1,500 gallons of Renovate OTF in the southeastern corner of Loon Lake this spring.

It's an herbicide used to kill Eurasian watermilfoil, which has clogged waterways across the Park and has been a nuisance to boaters and swimmers.

This would be only the second time Renovate has been used in the Adirondack Park.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Dec 20, 2012 — Freezing temperatures late last week didn't deter avid angler Mike Seymour from heading out for muskies on the St. Lawrence River. Seymour has been a licensed fishing guide in the North Country for over 25 years, and is a prolific outdoor writer.

He's sharing some of his knowledge in a new book. The Smart Guide to Freshwater Fishing covers everything from fishing terms, to trolling to the best fishing times. Todd Moe spoke with Captain Mike about his new book, and love of fishing.  Go to full article

Nov 23, 2012 — In recent years both the federal and New York State governments have been studying how best to re-introduce salmon to New York's Salmon River.

That might come as a surprise to anyone who's ever caught one of the river's famous eye-popping sized fish.  Go to full article

Waddington, NY, Aug 20, 2012 — The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is working hard to market the St. Lawrence River as the world's fishing capital, an initiative it calls "FISH CAP." One part of that project is to hook the next generation of anglers with the 10th annual International Junior Carp Tournament. It was held over the weekend.

Massena's Bryaunna Murphy took first place, the first girl to win top honors in the tournament. She took home the $1500 grand prize.

David Sommerstein stopped by just as Jessica Payne, an eighth grader from Lisbon Central, was reeling in a 14 pound, 6 ounce carp.  Go to full article

Lowville, NY, Oct 11, 2011 — We continue our series, the Adirondack Attic, with Andy Flynn. You may know Andy from his series of "Adirondack Attic" books on local history. He uses the objects people make, use and leave behind to tell stories about the life and times of the region. NCPR is collaborating with Andy and his sources at the Adirondack Museum and other historical associations and museums in the region to bring these stories to air. Today, a watercolor painting by a Lowville painter from the late 19th century that celebrates fly-fishing.  Go to full article

Waddington, NY, Sep 23, 2011 — Many anglers consider carp the mucky, ugly bottom-feeders of the fish world in this country. But in Great Britain and Europe, carp are prized fighters and millions of anglers fish day and night to haul in a trophy catch. The World Carp Championship kicks off today on the St. Lawrence River near Waddington and runs through next week. Hundreds of anglers will compete from more than 20 countries. David Sommerstein spent time with a carp guide and a British angler to find out what carp fishing's all about. This story first aired in 2003.  Go to full article

Aug 23, 2011 — The state Department of Environmental Conservation is joining the Federal Environmental Protection Agency in the effort to clean up a heavily polluted half-mile section of the Black River.

Paper mills and other industry along the river near the villages of Carthage and West Carthage, left it heavily polluted. The area was declared an EPA Superfund site last year. But it's still heavily used for fishing, rafting and kayaking, and there are several homes along the polluted stretch.  Go to full article

Aug 19, 2011 — It's been a year of uncertainty for boaters along the St. Lawrence River. The U.S.-Canada border snakes down the St. Lawrence through the Thousand Islands past Massena, NY. When Canadian border agents seized an American fishing boat earlier this season, they upset a long held understanding of U.S. boaters. Roy Anderson hadn't docked or anchored. He had simply drifted across the international border.

Canadian border agents said Anderson hadn't checked in at a port of entry. They forced him to pay $1000 or have his boat seized. American boaters were shocked. They didn't know they needed to check in with Canada when drifting.

Anderson has since gotten most of his money back from the Canadian government. And politicians on both sides of the border are trying to provide some clarity about what is and isn't OK. Charter boat captains hope something can be done. They say the dispute is bad for business. Julie Grant went to Clayton to see firsthand the challenges of boating the border.  Go to full article

Washington, DC, Jul 28, 2011 — North Country Congressman Bill Owens and his counterpart in Canada want to make it easier for boaters to cruise the Thousand Islands without running afoul of border check-in requirements.

In a phone press conference Wednesday, Owens said he's introduced a bill in the House that would allow Canadian boaters to cross the international border without checking in with customs officers as long as they don't stop in U.S. territory. Canada would pass a similar law for U.S. boaters.  Go to full article