NYSDEC Trout Stream Management and Stocking in NYS

NYSDEC Trout Stream Management and Stocking in NYS NYSDEC
33 members of the public in attendance
Slides, Bullet Points and Take Aways
Presentation by Fred Henson - Cold Water Fisheries Unit Leader - Albany Office
Outline of Current Management Approach -
CROTS (Catch Rate Oriented Trout Stocking) is a management strategy that has been implemented since 1990 (see slide) - the metric to measure angler satisfaction is based on a catch rate objective of 1 trout per 2 hours of “average” angler effort, achieved by increasing or decreasing numbers of trout stocked. To determine the number of trout to stock that will achieve the CROTS objective, biologists factor a estimation of carrying capacity vs.estimation of total angling effort then deduct an estimation of wild trout per mile to allocate the proper number of stocked fish.
Various factors like climate change, increased catch and release ethics, decreased angler effort, a 7x higher rate of non angling loss of stocked trout due to predation, habitat loss, poor water quality, extreme winters, extreme drought and floods have prompted the NYSDEC to focus on a “2017 trout management strategy rethink”
2015 State Wide Study Results -
9 high quality trout streams that hold both wild and stocked trout were examined in 2015 though biologic assessment and angler surveys across NYS. East Coy creek was the WNY stream selected for the study. KEY STATEWIDE FINDINGS (see slide) - large decrease in angling effort (pressure) statewide since 1990 - much lower harvest rates statewide - 7x higher rate of non angling loss of stocked trout through electroshock survey of fin clipped fish statewide, no significant overwinter survival of stocked trout in any of the 9 surveyed streams (natural predation, outmigration, water quality and climate change were all contributing factors) - historical estimation of stream carrying capacity was checked and validated.
Presenter Fred Henson then asked attendees to imagine that managing the fishery was like controlling “a instrument panel with knobs and dials.” (see slide) The findings of the 2015 statewide trout stream survey has prompted the NYSDEC fisheries unit to reevaluate “as managers, how can we change the dials to create a higher quality angling experience”. (see slide)
Open Discussion - at the conclusion of the presentation, Fred Henson asked “Should the NYSDEC continue to use the CROTS management approach and if not, “what is the scale we should use to measure the public's angling satisfaction?”
Public comments included -
Advocating for the Stocking of trout in the Oatka Creek Park Section (a wild trout managed catch and release regulated section of steam) - increasing the overall number of trout stocked statewide - increasing the target catch rate per hour objective statewide - increasing dry fly fishing opportunities - observations of a decrease in quality of trout fishing in wny since the 70's and disappearance of little black caddis - concerns about poor water quality, poor bug hatches and effluence of large factory farms and spreading of manure - implementing enhancements to trout stocking methodology by allowing volunteers to better disperse hatchery trout - better enforcement of existing laws - develop higher quality hatchery trout - decrease or eliminate the stocking of trout in marginal urban trout streams like buffalo and cayuga creek and stock those trout elsewhere.
Of the 19 public comments recorded by the NYSDEC I tallied only 4 specifically in favor of shifting the current management objectives of using stocked trout to obtain a target CROTS metric to a measurement of fishery quality that includes the identification, enhancement and monitoring of wild trout streams and trout habitat.
If you were not able to attend this meeting and would like contribute any thoughts you may have on the discussion, please email region9@dec.ny.gov Your participation and feedback matters.