Brook trout populations have been eliminated or greatly reduced throughout more than 70 percent of their historical habitat in Pennsylvania, according to the results of a new assessment released this week by Trout Unlimited and a coalition of state and federal agencies.

“Brook trout are the canary in the coal mine when it comes to water quality,” said Gary Berti, Trout Unlimited’s Eastern Brook Trout Campaign Coordinator. “The presence of brook trout in a watershed indicates that water quality is excellent. Declining brook trout populations can provide an early warning that the health of an entire stream, lake or river is at risk.”

The report, “Eastern Brook Trout: Status and Threats,’ is the first comprehensive assessment of the status of brook trout in the Eastern United States. These beautiful fish historically thrived in rivers and streams stretching from Maine to Georgia, but land use pressures have relegated the remaining isolated populations to the headwaters of high elevation streams.

Brook trout historically thrived across Pennsylvania, with the exception of areas in the extreme western and southwestern portions of the state. Today, brook trout have been eliminated from 34 percent of their historic habitat in Pennsylvania, and they are greatly reduced in another 39 percent of habitat that formerly supported brook trout.

“The brook trout is the official state fish of Pennsylvania, and we’re committed to ensuring its status in the Commonwealth is more than merely symbolic,” said Doug Austen, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. “Our collective challenge is to protect the best remaining habitat and improve the rest.”

“Brookies are quick to respond to habitat improvements,” explained Jack Williams, the brook trout coordinator for Trout Unlimited’s Pennsylvania Council. “We are already seeing the results of our work with partners such as state and federal agencies and local TU Chapters, in places such as Mill Creek in Westmoreland County. By scaling up these programs throughout the state and region, we will see wild brook trout returning to our streams. And that’s great news for all of us who love to fish locally with our families and friends.”

This assessment represents the first stage of the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture’s collaborative efforts to restore brook trout habitat. The Joint Venture was initiated in 2002 as a pilot program of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, which was recently launched by the Secretaries of Interior and Commerce. Participants include fish and wildlife agencies from 17 states, federal partners, conservation organizations and academic institutions.

The results of this assessment will be used to develop state-by-state strategies for brook trout conservation and recovery.

The full report, as well as state-specific data and maps, are available at the Back the Brookie website.

NewsClip: PA Looking at Earlier Trout Season

5/5/2006