Orleans honored with state-wide tourism award for extending fishing season with canal water

Photo by Tom Rivers: A fisherman from Brooklyn was in the Oak Orchard River last October trying to catch salmon. Canal water has been used the last three years to supplement tributaries until mid-December.

WATERPORT – Orleans County’s Tourism Department has been honored for an initiative where Erie Canal water is released into tributaries until mid-December. The effort has resulted in a better, extended tributary fishery.

The New York State Tourism Industry Association has recognized Orleans County and the NYS Canal Corporation with a “Tourism Excellence Award.”

Ron Bierstine, the county’s sportsfishing coordinator, presented the concept, “more water = more fish” when he was sitting on a governor task force committee for NYS Reimagine the Canal Initiative.

Bierstine, owner of Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge in Carlton, presented the idea of using canal water to bolster the flow of tributaries late into the fall. He shared it with the Canal Corp. and New York Power Authority.

The initiative started in 2020 and has continued for three seasons.

“By allowing more water into our tributaries it allows for a longer fishing season in the fall and attracts additional anglers to experience our world-class fishing destination, found right here in Orleans County!” said Dawn Borchet, the county’s tourism director.

Orleans, the Canal Corp. and other recipients will be honored Sept. 14 during an awards ceremony at Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester.

Genesee County also is among the winners for its tourism campaign on the barn Quilt Trail in Le Roy.