2 Records Broken In One Weekend

Two New York records fall in one weekend in the state, Commissioner of the DEC Basil Seggos announced. "this is a perfect way to kick off the 2018 freshwater fishing season."

"It's remarkable that anglers broke both records from bodies of water in different regions of the state and over a single weekend, said Seggos." Anglers are encouraged to share their notable catches with the DEC and on social media and through the Angler Achievement Awards Program.

Brian Hartman of Alexandria Bay bettered the 2009 state record in walleye by more than 1.5 pounds when he caught an 18 pound 2-ounce walleye from the St. Lawrence River on May 5th using a swimbait. Hartman's walleye on the opening day for walleye season, which runs from the first Saturday in May and runs through March 15th. Walleye are considered to be one of the most prized game fish and one of the best tasting freshwater fish.

The next day on May 6th William Wightman of South Dayton used a black marabou jig to reel in a 4 pound 1-ounce crappie from Lake Flavia in Cattaraugus County, exceeding the 1998 state record by 5 ounces.