The NYSDEC fish stocking crews always arrive with a smile and volunteers, young and old, to carry trout from 9-12 inches in size from the truck to the stream in 5-gallon buckets. Photo courtesy of Forrest Fisher

Earlier this week, DEC Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton announced trout stocking plans for Ischua Creek following the discharge event last year that resulted in severe impacts to the aquatic community, including the existing trout resources.

“DEC continues to act in the best interest of the public and the resource regarding Ischua Creek,” Lefton said. “The plan for stocking and habitat enhancement represents a measured approach to satisfy the recreational desires of anglers while also providing the time and resources needed to rehabilitate this fishery.”

This office reported that while water quality data has shown significant improvements since the initial discharge discovery issue and aquatic life is recovering, the condition of the aquatic resources, such as minnows and invertebrates that provide food for trout, is unknown at this time. The 2026 trout stocking plan for Ischua Creek reflects a conservative approach by DEC given the apparent reduction in food sources within the impacted area, while still providing opportunities for anglers seeking stocked trout.

To address the uncertainty regarding forage availability for the fish, the press release indicated that trout stocking will pause within the impacted portions of the stream (Farmersville/Franklinville town line downstream to Five Mile Road) this year to promote the natural recovery of the fish and macroinvertebrate community and to ensure that adequate food resources are available to support trout for the long term.

DEC is also developing a habitat enhancement plan for the Stocked-Extended portion of the impacted area to repopulate this stream area with wild trout to obtain Wild-Quality management and provide enhanced habitat for the native fish community. Details of this plan are in development and will be released in a New York Trout Stream Habitat Plan later this year.

Trout stocking will occur in a section of the stream outside of the impacted area in late March. Sites being stocked include Baxter Hill Road, Mill Street (Ischua), Dutch Hill Road, Farwell Road, Kent Road, and Mill Street (Maplehurst), providing approximately 6.25 miles of available stream for trout anglers. Projected stocked trout numbers for Ischua in 2026 are 3,867 9-inch trout and 430 12-inch trout. From my uneducated viewpoint, this seems like a lot of trout (browns and rainbows) that might be better suited for stocking in other (known to be healthy) area streams or nearby lakes (Harwood, New Albion, Science, Red House, etc.) for the public to access this year.

Note that the inland trout season runs April 1 to Oct. 15 (catch-and-release is permitted Oct. 16 to March 31) and that special regulations exist for some streams that have artificial-lure-only sections or trophy sections; always check current rules. To fish in New York, anglers 16 and older need a valid New York fishing license ($25/year for residents, $50 for nonresidents) and can add it to the “HuntFishNY app” for convenience. DEC offers a host of angler resources on the app, featuring “The Tackle Box,” which provides anglers with immediate access to fishing regulations, boating access, and stocking information within a map-based interface all from the convenience of your smart phone.

Gotta love the outdoors.

CALENDAR

March 21: Erie County Federation of Sportsman’s Clubs, Annual Banquet, Kloc’s Grove, 1245 Seneca Creek Road, West Seneca. $45 includes dinner, social hour. Info: Diane Steel, 716-998-5137.

March 21: Hanover Fish & Game Club, Shots for Gold — sporting clays, 780 Overhiser Road, Forestville. 716-525-5160.

Mar. 24: Children in the Stream, Youth Fly Fishing program, free, Costello Room, Rockefeller Art Center, SUNY Fredonia, 7-8:30 p.m., 12 years old and older, info: 716-410-7003 (Alberto Rey).

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Submit calendar items to forrestfisher35@yahoo.com at least 10 days in advance.