By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG

Staff Writer

FRANKLIN — As walleye flood area waters for spring spawning, local environmentalists are warning about the dangers of poaching the popular sport fish.

Walleye head to the rocky bottoms of local rivers and streams to spawn each April and are considered a good catch because of their taste and size.

Because they usually hide in deep sections of lakes and rivers, they often become targets of off-season spring fishing, and officials say the illegal poaching can have an immediate adverse effect on the walleye population.

“This type of illegal activity can have significant impacts on the walleye fishery and reduce fishing opportunities for lawful anglers,” Department of Environmental Conservation Regional Director Betsy Lowe said in a recent news release.

She warned that conservation officers “will continue their efforts to seek out and arrest poachers to put an end to these illegal practices.”

Officers have already caught two Clinton County men allegedly poaching walleye from the Saranac River.

Mark Vann, 46, of Redford and Adams Brien, 31, of Saranac were recently cited with several violations after they were allegedly caught with a bounty of 14 illegally seized fish.

Officials said the men allegedly used a 9-foot spear to catch the fish during the closed season.

“Walleye are particularly vulnerable during the spawning season due to their dense concentrations in shallow water,” DEC Fisheries Biologist Leo Demon said. “This is why the fishing season for walleye is closed during this period.”

Poaching walleye in the off season can net nearly $2,000 in fines and up to 60 days in jail.

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