Locked gates at launch?

[SizeMatters]

is  the  dam  opento the  public?

Last I knew there was a section of shore you could fish from the bank around to the dam.  I don't know for sure what they allow now.  I haven't even done a drive by over there in ten years.

Trapp you left out the mute swans
All joking aside I’d call the regional office and ask why the state is taking care of a lake that the public can’t use do to access problems
  And let the press know they always like to make people famous

It's all been done before.  Apparently they did reduce the gate fees and came up with the key drop idea on the last round.  If the fishing's worth it, pay the fee, play the key game, be glad for the limited access. Sounds like for $50 you get a key for annual unlimited access to the lake and a concrete ramp? 
https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/40432.html

[trapper2000]

well  sounds to me  like you have public access   to the  dam you have a non state  boat launch you can use at a  low  fee  ..50 bucks a year is not  bad  .....  what do you want  ?  private land owners  to just allow you to fish in their back yard? sounds to me like you have access  from shore and  the use of a launch