JEFFERSON COUNTY, N.Y. — The first New York State fishing record of 2024 is now official.
A Monroe County man snagged a 15-pound, 14-ounce longnose gar from Butterfield Lake in Jefferson County back in June, the state Department of Environmental Conservation said in a recent news release.
Chuck Zimmerman of Hilton, N.Y., used a topwater swimbait to make the record catch. His fish broke the previous longnose gar record — back in 2018 from Lake Champlain — by 1 pound, 4 ounces.
“From the Hudson River to the St. Lawrence River, Lake George to Chautauqua Lake, New York waterways support strong, healthy fish populations and provide world-class fishing opportunities for anglers of every level,” Interim DEC Commissioner Mahar said in a statement.
“DEC congratulates Mr. Zimmerman on an impressive catch and encourages all anglers to take advantage of the state’s plentiful fishing opportunities in the hopes they too can catch a new state record or other Angler Achievement Award when they cast their next line.”
The DEC said prehistoric longnose gar prefer shallow, weedy areas and larger lakes. They swim near the water’s surface and "are primarily found in the St. Lawrence River, Niagara River, Lake Champlain, eastern Lake Ontario, and larger tributaries to these waters."
