By Ashley M. Casey
Associate Editor
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has installed a boat launch on the Seneca River off Hayes Road in the town of Lysander.
The site features a concrete launch ramp, floating boarding dock and wooden fishing platform. The area also includes parking for nine vehicles with trailers and four single vehicles, which could carry boats for car-top launching.
Anglers can access the Seneca River and Onondaga Lake via the boat launch to fish large and smallmouth bass, northern pike, tiger musky, walleye, sunfish, and yellow perch.
“Construction of the Seneca River boat launch site provides ample parking and convenient, free access to great fishing in the Seneca River and Onondaga Lake,” said DEC Region 7 Director Matthew Marko. “DEC remains committed to ensuring visitors and the community have access to a revitalized Onondaga Lake.”
According to Scott Prindle, fisheries biologist for DEC Region 7, the former landowner approached the DEC about the property. Construction took about three months and was completed in October. The project was funded by Honeywell under the Onondaga Lake Natural Resource Damage settlement.
Prindle said the ramp is available year-round but the floating dock is slated for removal in early November.
In the past few years, kayak and canoe launches have been installed on the Seneca River that make it easier for people with mobility issues to launch their small crafts.
“DEC plans to add accessible features in the near future,” Prindle said of the Hayes Road launch.
The Hayes Road boat launch also features two bins for invasive species. Water chestnut is of particular concern in the Seneca River.
“Boaters should make sure livewells are drained and dried, and remove any visible vegetation from their boat or trailer,” Prindle said. “DEC disposes of the plant material in the bins during routine maintenance visits to the site.”
For more information about preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species, visit dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/boatdisinfect.pdf.
The boat launch is located at 3664 Hayes Road, Lysander.
Visit the Central New York Fishing Hotline website at dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9218.html.
