henria86;3385808; said:
I am surprised those fish could survive in winters that average below 32 degrees at night and snow falls where lakes freeze.
I would think even if water is deep it would still be way to cold for to many months.
waht exotics have you caught/found/seen?
- Thread starter Bottomfeeder
- Start date
I am surprised those fish could survive in winters that average below 32 degrees at night and snow falls where lakes freeze.
I would think even if water is deep it would still be way to cold for to many months.
henria86;3370320; said:
WHAT are you talking about? Dude I really gotta call you on this claim
your making. I have lived in Brooklyn for more than 40 years, within walking distance of Prospect Park. I have fished the park almost every year for the last 25 years at least. I don't know how you can even see anything in the parks waters as it is over run with algae and in the back section by the old boat house lilly pads. And I would estimate there is roughly 2 feet of mud and muck on the bottom. Though they have cleaned up the lake alot in recent years there is still much that needs to be done, the Parks Dept needs to pump more of those big bucks that they are using for the Slope side into the rest of the park.henria86;3385808; said:
The only fish I have ever seen in the last 25~30yrs in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY
are Carp, the occaisonally released pet Goldfish & Koi, Bullhead Cats, Lgm Bass, Chain Pickerel, at one time long ago there where 2~3ft Channel Cats, but no longer, Red Lobster Crawfish - haven't seen them either for some years, Sunfish, Bluegills, Black Crappies - caught a few to 2.5 lbs 12yrs ago kept them in my 250gal tank back then - The largest Bass I've ever seen or heard about from the group of regular fishmen is in the 6~7 pound range - though I sure there are a few bigger babes around but catching lgm Bass isn't as easy as you make it sound, I know guys that spend 4~6 hours fishing a day a catch 1~2 Bass in that time, the largest of which maybe a pound or so and call it a good day fishing.
But Aro's?, Freshwater Soles?, and Pacu's - huge Pacu's I think NOT!
I believe that you have seen Oscars because I know how many are sold in the NYC pet trade and I'm sure a few end up being released into the lake but I can't believe it when you state that you see the same fish year after year. In most winters the lake in the park freezes over, Aro's gulp air at the surface from time to time, plus they're very sensitive too temperature changes. I'm so sure that you haven't seen these fish in the park that I'm willing to pay you to show me these fish in the park. If you can show me this Huge 2ft Pacu in the lake at Prospect Park, and I catch it, I'll pay you $50 
WOW.... I guess u never been there at crack of dawn 4am or sunset road bike training.. an take breaks by the gazzabo... if you look carefully you will see them some days...... the lake bottom will never freeze...Tequila;3387717; said:WHAT are you talking about? Dude I really gotta call you on this claim
The only fish I have ever seen in the last 25~30yrs in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY
are Carp, the occaisonally released pet Goldfish & Koi, Bullhead Cats, Lgm Bass, Chain Pickerel, at one time long ago there where 2~3ft Channel Cats, but no longer, Red Lobster Crawfish - haven't seen them either for some years, Sunfish, Bluegills, Black Crappies - caught a few to 2.5 lbs 12yrs ago kept them in my 250gal tank back then - The largest Bass I've ever seen or heard about from the group of regular fishmen is in the 6~7 pound range - though I sure there are a few bigger babes around but catching lgm Bass isn't as easy as you make it sound, I know guys that spend 4~6 hours fishing a day a catch 1~2 Bass in that time, the largest of which maybe a pound or so and call it a good day fishing.
But Aro's?, Freshwater Soles?, and Pacu's - huge Pacu's I think NOT!
henria86;3388913; said:
You know it might just be that people release them every Spring ,etc. as you know Pacu by the drones are sold in NY and most buy them for their 20 gallon tank or 55 gallon if lucky and could be your seeing released pacu and arrowanas that are released yrly.
I am no expert on them but have seen Pacu here however very limited to warm/hot all yr long Miami canal as they wont even go further up the state as N.Florida winter days can be in 60s while here its 80s and that is enough to stop them from going North.
But like I said who knows maybe they can make it in winter I don't know that much about them just assumed they would die there..
henria86;3388913; said:
I never said the lake bottom would freeze, never said that. Saying that it would be very difficult for a half frozen Aro to Gulp air from the surface if it's frozen over.
The gazzabo, small circular white wooden structor across from the Ice Skating Rink, on the north side of the main lake. About 75~100ft from there in early April people fish for Crappies, using jigs and or live goldfish, this is were most of the parks goldfish population comes from. At 4am which is generally the time I turn in for bed, how are you seeing anything in the dark?, FYI : Begin civil twilight 5:43 am, Sunrise 6:12 am for August 21, 2009. Are you out there with a flood light?
While I wouldn't recommend anyone unless in large groups to be in the park at this time, do to the parks high crime rate. I've been there and everywhere else around that lake at all hours fishing. My god son caught a 20+ Carp one night around 2am, on 4lbs test at the boat ramp near the bridal trail. I know the park better than the back of my hand. i know almost every Park Ranger in that Park, i know most of the Fish & Game people that enforce fishing regulations in the Brooklyn and Queens area. If they knew of non-native fish living/surviving in local waters they would point them out to me or a few other people I know. But hey the offer still stands $50 for a Huge 2ft Pacu, 2ft Aro or Snakehead living in Prospect Park Lake!
Louie;3389071; said:
I believe Louie, has hit the nail on the head - I think your seeing fish the people have tossed in the lake that they couldn't deal with anymore. Though I still find it hard to believe that you've seen a huge 2ft+ pacu or 2ft Aro in Prospect Park Lake. Being a keeper of fish and a fishmen, I would think that if you saw something like that you would attempt to catch them.
Though I don't believe that these fish are surviving the winters here or the onslaught of both the Mexican and Asian communities which take everything they catch when the law isn't looking. (PLEASE NOTE: This is not to say that all Mexicans or Asians brake the law) Many of my good friends are Asian or Mexican, but let's be honest if it ain't nailed down.
And I have as I stated before taken fish from the lake, though it was many years ago.You know, not for nothing, but while we're on the topic of arowana now, I'm trying to remember, but I could have swore I saw one in the pond in central park a few years back...anyone else-maybe 4 years ago I wanna say...
arowfan;3390211; said:
I would say you certainly saw one. People buy them they get to big and than release them . Here they survive but would think in NY due to cold they dont.
Thats the only difference . As far as unusual exotic fish selection NY pet stores are way better than here . If they survived there it would be one hell of a fishing place.
I used to live by Wading river Long Island and one guy caught a lungfish in July. Of course had to be released pet .
Fish like red tail cats which are sold in NY as 4 inch babies you know most wind up released. Fish like that are banned here and as much as I love exotics my precious cichlids would be in peril from some of those NY exotics.
