The New York Sate Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) is seeking public comment on its recently released Draft Fisheries Management Plan for Inland Trout Streams. Public comment will be accepted until June 25. The purpose of the plan is to help guide the efforts of the NYSDEC as they seek to maximize inland fisheries for their fullest ecological and recreational potential. The NYSDEC have found over 3,000 streams across the state with documented populations of trout. Of those streams, 80% support wild trout populations.
Inland trout streams are an important part of New York State’s diverse fisheries resource. They are particularly important in the Ashokan Watershed where fishing is a vital historical and cultural element of the area. It is also an economic driver with anglers from all over the world coming to fish in the famed waters of the Esopus Creek and its tributaries.
In order to best manage inland trout fisheries, NYSDEC utilizes tools such as fishing regulations, access and information, habitat protection and improvement, and stocking hatchery-reared trout. NYSDEC places great importance on measuring the outcome of management strategies against well-defined objectives.
To comment, please visit the NYSDEC webpage devoted to the plan. On the page, links to the plan itself as well as methods to supply comments can be found. We encourage all users of fisheries here in the Ashokan Watershed to provide comments on how they think the fisheries can best be managed.
Tags: brook trout, brown trout, DEC, Fishing, inland fisheries, NYSDEC, rainbow trout