Since 1799, the lake was formed by damming up the Nissequogue, it has seen very little pressure in the way of angler participation and the lake has thrived. Over recent times we have added a doggie park and overnight camping. Then 4-years ago, kayaks, canoes, and rowboats were permitted on the lake. So, a lake that at the most had maybe a dozen anglers at the same time on it now sees upwards of 100-people fishing at one time.
People fishing is not the issue and I encourage the use of no gas engine boats and kayaks, but I have no doubt that this has also led to the demise of the fishery. They need to make Blydenburgh a NO TAKE lake. Catch and release only! Over the past 2-years, this lake has been decimated by coolers full of fish leaving their daily. According to one of the park managers, they witness hordes of fish being pulled from the lake daily.
This problem can be easily resolved by making it a Catch and Release only lake. I honestly believe that the VAST majority of anglers release the majority if not all of the fish caught there. The advantages to the environment, the lake, and in teaching young children how to balance their sport with nature is invaluable. It will not stop people from fishing, fact is it will probably attract more anglers.
This lake was donated to the state by the Weld family in 1969 and David Weld is quoted as saying:
“the hunter who fosters the well-being of his quarry to a far greater extent than he pursues it, and who understands the necessary balances in nature”
Their son Tim said,
"Our parents were unflinching in their commitment to the preservation of the land they owned for the generations of Long Islanders to follow."
I’m thinking this is not exactly what they envisioned for this jewel hidden in between two of the more congested areas on Long Island. There's more on the history of the lake here.
I approached the NYSDEC about this last year, and I was told that their surveys show that the lake is fine shape and can handle the pressure. But almost every angler I speak with that fishes that lake agrees that it is in terrible shape.
If you fish Blydenburg, or if you agree with me on this please acknowledge below. Here are a few pics and a video of a few of the fish I’ve caught before the added pressure started 4-years ago. If you’d like to help me make a change for the better at Blydenburgh, please PM me here or email me at george@nyangler.com.
Here's a video and a few pics that I caught right before they opened up the Lake.
