Chapter 15
Fishing
Through the Years
Fish
to Catch
For many years trout were the preferred
fish in Mohawk Valley streams. In recent years---as pollution decreased
and fish habitat increased throughout the region---bass, walleyes, northern
pike and tiger muskie moved up in the ranks. Today "all of the above" plus
bullheads, catfish, fallfish, carp, sheepshead and a variety of sunfish
are caught in the Mohawk Valley watershed.
Knowing something about the habits of these fish
can improve fishing success. Knowing how to identify different species
can be part of the fun of fishing, and help to avoid taking fish out of
season.
Fish to Catch - Species Identification & Prefered Habitat
| Trout | Northern Pike | Carp |
| Bass | Tiger Muskie | |
| Walleye | Pickerel |
TROUT
Trout have a small dorsal fin just
ahead of the tail (adipose fin), no barbels around the mouth, tiny soft
scales, and spots on the darker colored parts of their body. Most of the
spots are black or brown, but the more striking spots feature such colors
as red, orange and blue.
BROOK
TROUT - New York's official state fish and only native stream
trout. Prefers clean, cold, well-oxygenated water. Preferred temperatures
are 57-61 degrees F. Spawns in the fall, October - December, in streams
with a good gravel bottom. The headwaters of the Mohawk River and the upper
reaches of many tributary streams support populations of natural spawning
brook trout. Brook trout are stocked in some streams, ponds and lakes by
the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Preferred foods
are insects (larva and adult), crayfish, small fish, and worms that wash
into streams.
Brook trout feature
red spots surrounded by a blue ring. Bottom fins are orange to pink. Average
size 8-10 inches, up to 16 inches; 2 pounds.
BROWN
TROUT came to New York from Europe in 1883; stocked in some
Mohawk Valley streams in the 1890s. Prefers clean, moderately flowing water.
Tolerates warmer water and more pollution than brook trout. Preferred temperatures
54-64 degrees F. Spawns in the fall, October-November, in streams with
good gravel bottom. Brown trout are abundant in the upper reaches of the
Mohawk River and in a number of tributaries. Most of these fish are stocked
by the State, but such streams as Oriskany Creek and Cincinatti Creek (a
tributary of West Canada Creek) support populations of natural spawning
brown trout.
Preferred foods
are insects (larva and adult), crayfish, small fish and worms that wash
into streams.
Brown trout feature
large orange and red spots. Belly is creamy white. Average size 10-12 inches,
up to 28 inches; 8+ pounds.
RAINBOW
TROUT came to New York from the West Coast in 1874; stocked
in some Mohawk Valley streams, ponds and lakes in the early 1900's. Prefers
fast-flowing, turbulent streams. Can tolerate water temperatures up to
80 degrees F.,higher than any other New York trout. Because of this tolerance
rainbow trout are often stocked in private ponds.)
Preferred temperatures
57-60 degrees F. Spawns in the spring, March-April, in streams with good
gravel bottom. New York State stocks rainbow trout in a few Mohawk Valley
streams and lakes. (Steele Creek near Ilion is one of the few streams in
the Mohawk Valley streams where rainbow trout reproduce naturally.)
Preferred foods
are insects (larva and adult) fish eggs and small fish.
Rainbow trout feature many small
dark spots and pink to red "rainbow" sides. Belly is white to silver. Average
size 10-12 inches, up to 20 inches; 3 pounds.
Best Trout Streams
West Branch - brook and brown trout all season.
Lansing Kill - brown trout all season.
Mohawk - from mouth of Lansking Kill to Delta Lake - brown trout all season.- also rainbows and brookies
Mohawk - from Delta Lake Dam to Pinti Field - browns all season.
Oriskany Creek - brown trout all season.
Sauquoit Creek - brown trout all season.
Moyer Creek - brown trout early in the season.
Steele Creek - rainbow trout all season - also browns and brookies.
Fulmer Creek - brown trout early in the season.
West Canada Creek - browns all season up to Wilmurt Falls -brookies above the falls.
East Canada Creek - brookies in headwaters; browns lower stretches.
Ostquago Creek - upper reaches browns and rainbows early in the season.
Cayadutta Creek - brookies and browns all season.
For in depth information on the Mohawk River and tributaries see:
Chapter Twelve
The Tributaries
Trout
Seasons, Licenses & Stocking Information
Traditionally, New York's trout
season begins on April 1st and ends on October 15, however, there are many
exceptions. For instance, trout fishing is permitted on some streams until
the end of November. No-kill, artificial lures only trout fishing
is permitted on sections of some streams, and ice fishing is permitted
on some ponds and lakes. For a complete and current list consult the New
York State Fishing Regulations Guide that you get with your fishing
license.
For information about New York State Fishing Licenses see: http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/license/foe4clic.html
For New York State Fishing Stocking
Lists see: http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/fish/foe4clst.html
