SL named to Outdoor Life’s ‘Best Towns’ list for 2010

The Saranac Lake area is receiving some national attention as a top destination for outdoor sports enthusiasts.

Outdoor Life magazine has released its 2010 list of the 200 best towns in America for hunters and anglers. Saranac Lake has been included on the list each of the past three years.

According to a statement on the magazine’s website, the rankings are based on – quote – “the performance of hundreds of towns in various socioeconomic and outdoors-related categories.”

Officials: Lift black bass ban

Fish farmers from northern New York are rounding up support for a new law that would lift a ban on the sale of farm-raised black bass in New York.

The proposed bill would lift the state Department of Environmental Conservation ban on the sale of farm-raised black bass to fish markets, retailers and restaurants.

Dean Norton is president of the New York Farm Bureau. He contends that passing the legislation will result in job creation for rural areas throughout the North Country.

Gates not open yet on forest preserve roads

Outdoor enthusiasts will have to wait a little longer until the gates on all forest preserve access roads are opened.

David Winchell is spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Conservation Region 5 office in Ray Brook. He tells WNBZ the gates are presently closed for mud season and motorized vehicle traffic is prohibited.

"The gates will remain closed until conditions allow for motorized vehicle traffic without any damage to the roads," Winchell said.