There's No Place Like Home for these Western NY Brown Trout

Region 9 Fisheries Unit staff monitor trout populations in numerous streams each summer using electrofishing. One interesting observation from 2017 was the identification of seven individual wild brown trout, from four streams, that were the same fish that had been captured, from the same pools, in 2016. These fish were positively identified by their individual unique spotting patterns. Although these large trout (17-22 inches long) had shown fidelity to their home pools, they had grown very little from the previous year and were likely very old fish (6-12 years plus). The fish below were sampled from Lime Creek Outlet. Note the identical spotting pattern on each fish.

Long Island Is the Place To Be for Hot Fall Trout Fishing

Each fall, Region 1 and Catskill Fish Hatchery staff stock brown trout ranging in size from 12 to 13 inches into waters in Nassau and Suffolk County to enhance fall freshwater fishing opportunities. This year,  5,550 brown trout will be stocked into 14 waters in mid-October, with an additional 3,000 stocked in November. To request a stocking list, e-mail or call the Region 1 Fisheries Unit at 631-444-0280.

Additional Fall Trout Fishing Opportunities

While trout fishing closed on many New York waters on October 15, others waters that are open year round are stocked with large breeder trout (14 to 28 inches long) following fall egg take operations. The following waters have either been stocked or should receive fish over the next few weeks: Walton Lake (Orange County), Big Pond (Delaware County), Case Lake, Harwood Lake, New Albion Lake and Quaker Lake in Cattaraugus County, along with Allen Lake and the Genesee River (Wellsville to the PA line) in Allegheny County.

West Branch Croton River (Croton Falls Outlet) Trout Survey Results

On 9/11 and 9/20 the DEC Region 3 Fisheries Unit conducted a stream electrofishing survey to monitor the trout population of this well-known Croton watershed tailwater fishery in Putnam County. The results reflect the fantastic fishery found in the West Branch Croton River. A total of 144 brown trout were collected, including a mix of wild and hatchery fish. The highlight of the survey was this 28-inch brown trout. The special April 1 - September 30, catch-and-release, artificial-lures-only regulation appears to be working well to maintain a quality fishery in this popular southeastern New York fishery.

DEC Trout Stream Management Meetings Continue

In an effort to gain the insight of all New York anglers concerning DEC's efforts to manage stream trout populations, public meetings will continue through mid-November. At each meeting, DEC fisheries staff will describe current stream trout management strategies and discuss the findings of a statewide study completed in 2015. Following the presentation, meeting attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback concerning their preferences for trout stream management. Meetings will be held from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM with the presentation starting at 7 PM. See the complete schedule with location details.

Restoring Trout Stream Connectivity In Central New York

Three fish passage projects were recently completed on Wylie Brook, a wild brook trout stream in Chenango County. This cooperative project involving DEC Region 7 Fisheries staff and staff from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Cortland Office restored fish passage at three culvert structures. Rock check dams or new at-grade culvert pipes of adequate capacity were installed to allow brook trout to access nearly a mile of prime spawning and nursery habitat. Contact Region 7 Fisheries for more information.

Wheelchair Accessible Fishing Access Constructed on Scriba Creek

A new fishing access site on Scriba Creek has been completed at the north end of the Oneida Hatchery in the Village of Constantia (Oneida County). The site accommodates 5-7 anglers and has lowered railing for anglers fishing out of wheelchairs. The site is fully accessible and includes two picnic tables built to accommodate a wheel chair at either end. Fishing is generally best in the spring, but there are fish in the creek most of the year.

SUNY Morrisville Students Assist With Chinook Salmon Egg Take

SUNY Morrisville aquaculture students gained valuable hands-on experience this past month by assisting staff at the Salmon River Fish Hatchery in all aspects of the Chinook salmon egg collection process. Groups of students took turns at each station, and all had a chance to try their hand at sorting, cutting fish, harvesting eggs and fertilizing eggs.