Often when people think about the Adirondacks, their minds may dart to the beautiful mountains and valleys that this region possesses. To the shock of many, this region has just as many rivers, lakes, and streams as it does charming peaks. Ranging from microscopic parasites to gargantuan snappers, these places are home to many creatures important to the fishing community in the Adirondacks. The Adirondacks and surrounding areas are fortunate to have fantastic freshwater fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, perch, walleye, and other popular warm-water species. What many people don’t seem to realize is that fishing goes hand in hand with hunting. Many people participate in these two activities, however, there is a bad stigma around hunting whereas many people do not have a strong opinion on fishing. Fishing is productive for the environment if done in the correct manner, it funds government environmental protection, and it weeds out invasive species in the Adirondacks. 

Fishing is good for the environment in the same ways that hunting is productive for the environment in the way that if done correctly, it maintains ecosystems and does not destroy them. Overfishing damages ecosystems and this is not the type of fishing we see present in the Adirondack Region. There are many regulations enacted by the state of New York that prevents fishing in unhealthy ways in freshwater streams, lakes, and rivers. 

The investment into fishing in the Adirondacks also indirectly contributes to environmental protection as well. Every dollar that is spent purchasing a fishing license, as well as a hunting license, ​​goes towards lake and river surveys, stream habitat improvements, educational programs, infrastructure, conservation officer budgets, and outreach programs. By fishing safely and legally, people are supporting the environment by donating to the cause of saving and protecting the environments they fish in. 

This is an image of a fishing operation, targeting all Asian Clams invading the waters of Lake George.

The weeding out of invasive species in the Adirondack region isn’t as high of a priority as it is in other areas around the world. Nonetheless, there are efforts to keep the water pristine and how it was intended to be before varieties of species started to overrun the area. One specific effort that has been launched was the removal of a species of Asian Clam that has been clouding the waters of Lake George. The image above depicts workers loading up a boat with materials to help cover the floor of Lake George where these clams are residing. This is an example of productive fishing and protecting the environment from species that do not belong in the Adirondacks. There is enough destruction and alteration of this region already, the waters are areas that have been minimally affected and I’m sure that people would like to keep them this way.

Fish Guide – New York State Department of Environmental … https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/fishguide.pdf. 

Mercer, Ryan. “New York’s Adirondack Park: Why There Is Growing Concern over Invasive Species in Lakes, Rivers.” The Burlington Free Press, Burlington Free Press, 4 Sept. 2019, https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2019/09/03/lakes-rivers-new-yorks-adirondack-park-face-stress-invasive-species-hitch-boat-rides/2196599001/.