Re: Wild Brook trout
Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2022 1:09 pm
Update I received from NJDFW, that wasn't encouraging at all.
From: "Berezin-Dowling, Maria [DEP]" <Maria.Berezin-Dowling@dep.nj.gov>
Date: August 26, 2022 at 3:22:53 PM EDT
Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Re: xxxx Brook, xxxx Rd
Hi Dominick,
Thank you for reaching back out! We did go to sample xxxx Brook, however, there was active bridge construction at our sampling site so we were unable to sample. We did sample a tributary to xxxx Brook along xxxx Rd. At that location, we didn’t find any Brook Trout. The water levels were low (as they are everywhere right now) and the water temperature was what we consider to be marginal, meaning that it has the potential to support trout, but is just slightly above their preferred temperature range. The fish assemblage that we encountered was made up of Blacknose Dace, Creek Chub, Redfin Pickerel, and American Brook Lamprey.
xxxx Brook is definitely still on our list to be sampled, but due to the bridge work at our sampling site, we may not be able to get to it this year. If we don’t, it will be at the top of my list for next summer. What we find in that sample will determine how we proceed. At sites where Brook Trout are no longer encountered, if the habitat and water quality is right, there is always the potential to try and restore the Brook Trout population. Once we get in there and see what the status of the Brook Trout population and habitat quality look like, we’ll have a better idea of what our next steps will be.
I apologize for not getting back to you sooner – this is our busy season!
Thank you & I look forward to speaking with you again,
Maria
Maria Berezin Dowling
Fisheries Biologist Trainee
New Jersey DEP Fish and Wildlife
Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries
PO Box 394, 1255 County Rt. 629
Lebanon, NJ 08833
908-236-2118
From: "Berezin-Dowling, Maria [DEP]" <Maria.Berezin-Dowling@dep.nj.gov>
Date: August 26, 2022 at 3:22:53 PM EDT
Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Re: xxxx Brook, xxxx Rd
Hi Dominick,
Thank you for reaching back out! We did go to sample xxxx Brook, however, there was active bridge construction at our sampling site so we were unable to sample. We did sample a tributary to xxxx Brook along xxxx Rd. At that location, we didn’t find any Brook Trout. The water levels were low (as they are everywhere right now) and the water temperature was what we consider to be marginal, meaning that it has the potential to support trout, but is just slightly above their preferred temperature range. The fish assemblage that we encountered was made up of Blacknose Dace, Creek Chub, Redfin Pickerel, and American Brook Lamprey.
xxxx Brook is definitely still on our list to be sampled, but due to the bridge work at our sampling site, we may not be able to get to it this year. If we don’t, it will be at the top of my list for next summer. What we find in that sample will determine how we proceed. At sites where Brook Trout are no longer encountered, if the habitat and water quality is right, there is always the potential to try and restore the Brook Trout population. Once we get in there and see what the status of the Brook Trout population and habitat quality look like, we’ll have a better idea of what our next steps will be.
I apologize for not getting back to you sooner – this is our busy season!
Thank you & I look forward to speaking with you again,
Maria
Maria Berezin Dowling
Fisheries Biologist Trainee
New Jersey DEP Fish and Wildlife
Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries
PO Box 394, 1255 County Rt. 629
Lebanon, NJ 08833
908-236-2118