The last Thursday in May, the Great Sacandaga Lake Fisheries Federation (GSLFF) stocked 2,014 rainbow trout into the Great Sacandaga Lake, weighing in at approximately 1.5 pounds each at a cost of $10,700 to the organization.

The fish were stocked from boat launches located at the Northville DEC State Boat Launch in Northville, the Hudson River Black River Regulating District on Bunker Hill Road in Mayfield, Cranberry Cove Marina on State Highway 30 in Mayfield, and at the DEC State Boat Launch in Broadalbin.

According to sources, the GSLFF was formed in February 1984 after several groups noted the need for one group to oversee the promotion and enhancement of the fishery of the Great Sacandaga Lake. Since that time, the group has collectively worked in many ways to enhance the fishery of one of the finest fisheries in New York State.

In 1996, upon assuming a trust fund from the Red Bunch Fish & Game Club, the GSLFF incorporated as a federally recognized 501(c)(4) not for profit corporation.

The GSLFF celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2009, when they stocked their 100,000th fish. The GSLFF’s objective reaches much further than just the lakes fishery. They are involved in many of the issues that face the lake in turn its fishery and has committed over 10 years of participating in and developing the Upper Hudson/Sacandaga Agreement of Settlement, where they are a signature member of the Great Sacandaga Lake Advisory Council and participated in the Hudson River Black River Regulating District Steering Committee.  

GSLFF Chairman Randy Gardinier said the organization will be stocking a large shipment of brown trout this fall at another cost of $10,700. Additional funding for the program also comes from the Great Sacandaga Lake Advisory Council, and the Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Gardinier announced at the GSLFF spring fishing tournament that the organization has secured a permit, which took years to attain, to stock the Great Sacandaga Lake this fall with walleye.

The GSLFF summer fishing contest is scheduled for this Saturday, June 16, opening day of bass season. The tournament is based out of Sport Island Pub in Northville, with the final weigh in at 4 p.m. with prizes for awarded in the bass, walleye and trout divisions. As of now there are over $10,000 in raffle prizes and tickets are available for $1 each or 6 for $5 and can be purchased through Brian Kedik via the organizations web site www.gslff.com, as well at the summer fishing contest.