New Data Shows Brook Trout Challenged Throughout Much of Their Eastern Range

New York Among Northeast States With Strongest Brook Trout Populations

ARLINGTON, VA – Brook trout populations have been eliminated or greatly reduced throughout more than fifty percent of their historical range in New York.  These results reflect the condition of brook trout across their entire Eastern range, according to an assessment released today by Trout Unlimited and a coalition of state and federal agencies. 
 
“Brook trout are the canary in the coal mine when it comes to water quality,” said Gary Berti, Trout Unlimited’s Eastern Brook Trout Campaign Coordinator.  “The presence of brook trout in a watershed indicates that water quality is excellent.  Declining brook trout populations can provide an early warning that the health of an entire stream, lake or river is at risk.”

The report, “Eastern Brook Trout: Status and Threats,” is the first comprehensive assessment of the status of brook trout in the Eastern United States.  These beautiful fish historically thrived in rivers and streams stretching from Maine to South Carolina, but in many cases land use and other pressures have relegated the remaining isolated populations to the headwaters of high elevation streams. 

Even with the decline, New York is among the Northeast states with the strongest brook trout populations.  The state’s intact populations occur mostly in the Adirondack Park, Tug Hill Plateau, and in the Catskills.  Brook trout have been eliminated from almost 25% of their historical range in New York, and they are greatly reduced in another 27% of the watersheds that formerly supported brook trout. 

“While these results are sobering, we are already pursuing many opportunities for conservation of remaining high-quality habitat as well as restoration of brook trout populations,” said Jim Daley, Coldwater Unit Leader, New York Department of Environmental Conservation.  “Our collective challenge is to protect the best remaining habitat and restore as much of the rest as we can.”

“Brookies are quick to respond to positive environmental improvements,” explained John Braico, the brook trout coordinator for Trout Unlimited’s New York Council.  “We’ve already seen good results from our state’s pond reclamation efforts in the Adirondacks.  As we continue these and other efforts throughout the state and region, we’ll see wild brook trout returning to our streams and ponds.  And that is great news for all of us who love to fish locally with our families and friends.” 

This assessment represents the first stage of the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture’s collaborative efforts to restore brook trout habitat.  The Joint Venture was initiated in 2002 as a pilot program of the National Fish Habitat Initiative.  Participants include fish and wildlife agencies from 17 states, federal partners, conservation organizations and academic institutions.  The results of this assessment will be used to develop state-by-state strategies for brook trout conservation and recovery.

View the NY TU Brookie brochure here. The full report, as well as state-specific data and maps, are available at www.brookie.org.