Biological Survey — Erie-Xiagara Watershed 



27 



Stream Mileage Suitable for Stocking. — The total stream 

 mileage in the Erie-Niagara watershed (in New York State) is 

 approximately 3,300. Of this only about 527 miles appear to be 

 worthy of stocking. The remaining 2,773 are unworthy in one or 

 several ways. They may become dry in summer, badly polluted, 

 too warm for trout, too small for bass or posted. Dry streams 

 and those too Avarm for trout and too small for bass are the more 

 numerous. It is unfortunate that we do not have a food or game 

 fish that will live in the permanent, small, warm, rapid brook 

 which now harbors small bony suckers and minnows only. 



Of the 527 miles worthy of stocking, approximately 370 are 

 suitable for trout ; 152 for small-mouthed bass and 5 for large- 

 mouthed bass, pike-perch, pickerel, sunfish and bullheads. 



The 370 miles of trout streams will support a total annual plant 

 of about 138,462 fingerlings distributed among the three species as 

 follows : — 



Brook trout 62 .2 miles with 28,053 



Brown trout 209.35 miles with 93,409 



Rainbow trout 99 .00 miles with 17,000 



In addition to this, there are 17 acres of ponds requiring an 

 annual stocking of 2,900 brook trout and 108 acres for which 9,500 

 rainbows have been recommended. 



The distribution of the trout stream mileage according to the 

 main creek systems is shown in Table 5. 



Table 5. — Distribution of Trout Stream Mileage 



The trout streams are more numerous and of better quality in 

 those regions situated in the headwaters of the principal Erie- 

 Niagara tributaries, namely, the Tonawanda, Buffalo and Catta- 

 raugus creeks, the last showing by far the highest mileage and 

 the best streams. The trout streams are to be found chiefly in 

 altitudes varying from about 1,200 to 1,900 feet. This is due 

 largely to the lower maximum air temperatures and to the greater 

 number of springs found here. 



