Conservation
The Canandaigua Lake Chapter of Trout Unlimited is dedicated to the preservation, protection, restoration, and enhancement of local coldwater fisheries. Consequently, the Chapter has conducted many conservation projects and is constantly looking for new opportunities to support local coldwater fisheries.
The Chapter has focused the majority of its efforts on the Cohocton River since it is the closest river that contains a year-round population of native brook trout and wild brown trout, and is also very fishable. However, the Chapter has also completed projects at Naples Creek and has helped to combat the spread of aquatic invasive species in Canandaigua Lake.
It is very important that we support local coldwater fisheries in order to help to maintain their viability as trout waters for future generations. Over the years actions by man have adversely affected the quality of our rivers; natural events have degraded the flow and amount of structure in our rivers, and perhaps most importantly, increasing air/water temperatures during the summer have threatened the viability of local rivers as trout habitat.
Trout need clean, cold water to survive. There is considerable consensus that all three major trout species (brook, brown, and rainbow) begin to experience some level of stress at around 68°F (20°C), with that stress increasing rapidly as the temperature rises further. For brook trout, which is the only native trout species in the Cohocton River, these limits are generally accepted to be a few degrees lower, some sources suggest as low as 65°. If we do not take any actions to support our local rivers we would probably lose our native Brook Trout from our local streams in the not too distant future, and possibly even the brown trout.
The Chapter has conducted many projects to help support local cold water fisheries including removing debris from streams, planting thousands of trees and bushes, constructing habitat improvement projects, and stocking trout. The planting of trees and bushes alongside local streams to provide shade and cool the water is particularly important because increasing water temperatures are adversely affecting the survivability and growth of trout, particularly the native brook trout. The Chapter has also constructed signs and disposal stations to help combat the spread of aquatic invasive species in Canandaigua Lake. Below are pictures showing some of the conservation projects the Chapter has completed.
Our Work
Stream Cleanup
Theres nothing worse than coming across a pile of garbage on the river. Our chapter does our best to keep clean our local rivers and streams free of trash. Our chapter hosts stream cleanups where the community helps clean the water they love! We encourage you to do the same, bring a garbage bag, fill your net with trash on the way out, or just grap a few cans in the parking area. Anything helps!
Habitat improvement
Our chapter has been very active in building and creating habitat for the fish that dwell in our local streams. We have done major habitat development projects on the Cohocton river and Naples creek.
Tree planting and mantinance
Our chapter has planted thousands of trees and bushes around the river to create better trout habitat creating shade, and cooling the water.
Trout stocking
Our chapter helps stock our local waters.
current projects
Steve Firlit, Conservation Chairman
Naples Creek Reconnect project - Completed December 2024!
I want to thank the volunteers that were able to take the time and effort to assist with closing out the project. One addendum I would like by the spring is to add a chapter sign at the project site acknowledging the efforts of TU and our chapter.
December 10th saw the closure of the Naples Creek Reconnect project. On short notice, and with both weather and holidays closing in.
Our small team of TU volunteers along with state biologist Pete Austerman and a few of his staff were able to plant trees to help restore and anchor disrupted bank areas.
The trees will be monitored come spring and any necessary maintenance will be addressed.
Cross Road Habitat Improvement Project – Nine log structures to improve trout habitat were installed on a 1,400-foot section of the Cohocton River were completed in July 2022 and trees planted in October 2022.
Click this link to read NY State TU Shining a Spotlight on Conservation Projects highlighting our Cross Road Habitat Improvement Project
Cross Road Project Update
Many of the trees planted last year at the completion of the Cross Road Project and thought to be dead due to a Spring frost have come back and survived. Earlier in the year, Bernie Kois had been fostering trees purchased from the NY DEC letting them mature. On August 15th Bernie and I planted 25 new poplar trees in and among the trees already planted. We only had to replace one dead tree. Let the riparian forest grow!
Fairbrother Habitat Improvement Project - Channel restoration work has been completed. Goal was to plant trees and bushes in May 2021.
“Embrace a Stream” Grant for Eelpot Creek (tributary of Naples Creek)
Canandaigua Lake Trout Unlimited in partnership with the Ontario County Soil & Water Conservation District has applied for grants including a Trout Unlimited “Embrace a Stream” (EAS) grant. The grants are targeted at two pitched culverts on Eelpot Creek (tributary of Naples Creek) which is a key spawning area for trout. The proposed solution for allowing fish passage through these two culverts is to build a “step pool” out of rock and gravel creating a fish ladder of sorts. Trout Unlimited (national) will award grants on September 30th. Stay tuned to this space for further information.
Future Canandaigua Lake Trout Unlimited Conservation Projects
I've had discussions with Region 8 Biologist Pete Austerman regarding the potential for some additional habitat projects in the upper spawning waters of Naples Creek. We are working on contacting several landowners in the area of the creek he thinks could potentially benefit, to see if they would be agreeable to such work on their property. If things work out, Pete would like to work with our chapter to implement such feature in the stream.
We are also looking to develop and purchase signage that can be installed and left at stream project sites our chapter has been involved with. Signage would acknowledge the work and funding of our chapter and TU.
Cold artic air and freezing temps have put the initial phases of TU Northeast grant project on the Cohocton watershed on pause. Drone flights were cancelled by project coordinator Kyle Glenn last week due to ice coverage on the river. As mentioned in my last update, Kyle said he would be reaching out to our chapter for occasion volunteer opportunities later in the season with this project.
I have made contact with the Naples Rotary to see if we could make a presentation to them for chapter to become involved in their annual April 1st Rainbow Trout Derby. The goal as a chapter would be to promote our conservation missions, work, and educate participants on proper fish handling and catch & release ethics. My initial contact who responded at the Naples rotary seemed very interested but said she would have to present my inquiry at their next meeting to find out if the derby committee agrees. Finger crossed.
We're waiting to hear when the Spring stocking dates on the Cohocton will be ...stay tuned.
As the weather breaks, we will be evaluating the progress of past tree plantings on the Cohocton at various planting sites. Based upon inspections I will develop a list of tree maintenance that should occur this year and set a date for 1 or 2 quick volunteer outings to perform what needs to be done. I am also looking at additional tree planting sites. Our board agreed that one of the favorable sites would be the west bank just downstream from the Avoca Rt 415 bridge. I will be looking at contacting the landowner soon to try and obtain permission. The goal would be to set up a mid to late fall date for such a planting when it is a more conducive time of year to plant for tree survival.
Anyone wants to participate in upcoming Chapter conservation projects, please send an e-mail to Steve Firlit, Conservation Chairman, at sfirlit74@hotmail.com.