HISTORY

Last regular stocking program on the Great Sacandaga Lake by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) was in 1973.

GSLFF was formed in 1984 and was originally made up of various fish & game clubs. The GSLFF is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to the preservation of the fishery of the Great Sacandaga Lake.

The first stocking program by the federation was from 1984 – 1988 when over 500,000 smelt were stocked as a forage fish. These smelt were netted in Indian Lake and were transported by members to various locations around the lake. 

The DEC issued a stocking permit for Rainbow and Brown Trout in the lake in 1988. With this permit, just over 500 fish were stocked in the fall of 1988. Stockings have increased in numbers and annually been held each spring since 1989. Fish stocked range from 14” to approximately 22” in length.  Fish, which are certified as disease free, are transported to locations around the entire 27-mile long lake. Trout that were stocked from 1990 to 1996 were tagged so they could be tracked. Results over the years showed return rates and lures of choice. Due to cost of tags and similar results year to year the tagging program was stopped.

Since inception, approximately $412,148.36 has been spent to reach this milestone of the stocking of the 115,339th adult trout. Funds for the stocking program come from membership in the GSLFF and the fishing contests and raffles we hold each year. Money has also been allocated by the formed Great Sacandaga Lake Advisory Council, Saratoga and Fulton Counties, towns around the lake, occasional legislative grants through Senator Farley, fish & game clubs, businesses and other area associations. 

HISTORY AND MILESTONES TIMELINE

1973 - Last fish stocking by NYSDEC

1984 - February 8th the first formal meeting of the GSLFF at Nares Restaurant in Broadalbin

2 million Smelt eggs placed on 40" x 40" burlap sacks in tributaries

1985 - Obtained permit and began to stock Smelt in the lake from Indian Lake and Lake George

1986 - Installed 300 fish habs (artifical reefs) in Lakes Southern Basin

1988 - In April, DEC trucks took 146 Walleye to stock Lower Saranac Lake for the purpose of surveying scales, weights and measures.  50 people protest.

Received a 3 year permit from DEC to stock Rainbow and Brown Trout

534 Rainbow Trout stocked in the fall thus starting our annual Trout Stocking Program

1989 - Smelt Stocking program ends with over 200,000 smelt stocked in the lake

623 Rainbow Trout stocked in the Spring

1993 - November 30, received orginal FERC intervention status as a group with the GSLA and the GSLCC

1995 - June 16, Received letter from Gov. George Pataki regarding approximately 4,000 we collected.

August 30, Northville High School public hearing draws close to 1,000 people.

1996 - May 3, Avery Hatchery donates 1,400 Trout (300 - Brown, 1,100 Donaldson Rainbows), none tagged. These fish were split between Northampton Campsite and Vandenburg Point. This brings total fish for year to approximately 5,200

1998 - May 1, annual Trout stocking. 4,680 fish at a cost of $17,000.

June 17, Received 5,000 - 6,000 Surplus Landlocked Atlantic Salmon (7” - 8”)from DEC. These fish stocked at Cranberry Cove Marina and Broadalbin State Boat Launch.

1999 - Annual Trout stocking, $18,200 in fish at 8 locations.

July 13, received sole intervention status from FERC

November, stocked 15,000 Landlocked Atlantic Salmon at Northampton Beach State Campsite. These fish, supplied by DEC were between 6 and 8 inches.

2000 - January 21, Federation receives federal 501(c)4 status effective 1/26/96.

March 17, Federation Chairman Randy Gardinier signs Agreement of Settlement at Broadalbin State Boat Launch negoitated by all parties regarding E.J. West Hydro Facility. GSLFF negotiator Jack Smith and founding member Bob Friedlander look on.

2008 - Stocked 6,555 trout

2009 - GSLFF celebrated its 25th anniversary.  Our fish stocking program stocked 8,716 trout.

2010- Stocked 8,421 trout in the Great Sacandaga Lake.

2011- GSLFF received a permit to stock walleye from the DEC for the first time in 15 years. Stocked 5,677 trout, 1,245 of the fish were Brown Trout.

2012- Our annual fish stocking program will be expaned to include walleye in October for the first time.